Today, after listening to and writing about President Obama's address re Standard and Poor's downgrading the United States' credit rating, I posted My Take on how I felt about the way his speech came across to the public - or at least how it struck me. The way his address struck me turned out to be the same manner as his speeches, since becoming President, usually strike me. I think this is insufficient because he often sounds the same during a crisis that he sounds when no pressing concerns exist. I don't mind so much that President Obama is cool, calm, and collective; however, I do mind that he is all of those three things PLUS too diplomatic all at the same time!
To me, the President is too diplomatic because he always suggests that the Republican Party should do certain things. I want him to come right out and state, not suggest, what the Republican Party should do and to stop saying "we" when he should be saying "you" when talking about actions the GOP needs to take. For example, today, and this is typical of President Obama, he said, "What we need to do now is combine those spending cuts with..." Why not simply come right and tell the Republican held House to add some tax cuts to the spending cuts that have already been added to the bill? Period! I want the President to STOP BEATING AROUND THE BUSH!
From my perspective, to be overly nice by way of insisting on utilizing diplomatic gestures coupled with a smooth easy going demeanor makes for an ineffective tool to get what you want. As it is, the GOP does not want to bargain with President Obama; they want him to fail and have made no attempts to shield this fact. In furtherance, Cantor has already told his Republican collegeues to hold firm on their positions regarding tax cuts for the wealthy! This is in spite of the second step for the debt bill negotiations to take place in the near future and in spite of the United States losing its credit rating because of radical GOP Tea Party politics!
To me... it makes no sense for President Obama to keep on trying to appeal to the Republican Party; nor is there any reason for the President to continue his need to appear to be the bigger person... the adult... The GOP could care less... They still have the upper hand, no matter how the President looks, because they control the House of Representatives. Therefore, the President needs to be more straightforward, especially when in front of cameras, or giving a town hall, so that he can increase his chances that the American people will be able to clearly see that he is not playing politics!
To me... it makes no sense for President Obama to keep on trying to appeal to the Republican Party; nor is there any reason for the President to continue his need to appear to be the bigger person... the adult... The GOP could care less... They still have the upper hand, no matter how the President looks, because they control the House of Representatives. Therefore, the President needs to be more straightforward, especially when in front of cameras, or giving a town hall, so that he can increase his chances that the American people will be able to clearly see that he is not playing politics!
What do you think? Tell me about it below this post....
~I totally agree. There's an air of helplessness in the air. We know we can't actually DO anything until election time so we sit and toss ideas around and complain (at least I do) and wait for the next round of Republican shenanigans.
ReplyDelete~For the second time in my life, I'll be helping in an election. Believe me, in this Red State, I have to keep it a secret. There'll be no knocking on neighbors' door because they're all RED. I'll be doing mailings, calls and general computer work. It doesn't seem like enough, but it's all I can do.
~Now, what I think the POTUS needs to do is get a little more excited about what's going on. He's in the right; the Repblicans are guilty of treason (in my opinion) and I keep waiting for his passion to come back. The same passion that got most of the country fired up in '08. Where is THAT president? What happened to him?
Yes, yes, I know; we elected him because he was smarter than McCain, younger and more idealistic, less of a war-monger, and more sincere. And yes, the "no drama" aspect soothed my frazzled nerves (compliments of GWBush). I knew with BHO, we wouldn't be going to war for no good reason and maybe, just maybe, we could regain our standing in the World's eyes as a country who respects other cultures. He seemed so perfectly suited for the job.
~Now, it appears like he's been beaten down. He looks as though he doesn't have the stomache for the job any more. It could be that he's got something cooking on the back burner that none of us know about (remember bin Laden?) and he'll spring it on us and restore our faith and admiration for him again. One can only hope and pray.
~I'll still support our POTUS 100% because the alternative is a total disaster. Any Republican would be bad news for the working family, the unemployed, women in general, the poor and elderly and anybody except the very wealthy.
~Don't get me wrong...I do not want that "angry black man" that the pundits talk about. I just want Barack Obama back!
Thanks for the comment Gerry...
ReplyDeleteI think that working behind the scenes is just as important as working in plain view when lives are at stake! I do a lot of Tweeting to get my points across and to at least "try" to get more people to pay attention. It is the lack of attention that put Wisconsin where it is right now, and oh-h-h I hope the Dems are successful with their recall elections today!
As far as the President, he makes me so-o MAD sometimes, but there is no way I will vote for those crazy Republicans. I know that President Obama is trying to meet the other side halfway, and that this is his reason for making offerings that rattle most Dems and Liberals. The GOP, on the other hand, are very underhanded. They only aim to "use" people to get what they want... just like they used the citizens of Wisconsin...
So keep on with your behind the scenes work...
In addition to my Tweeting and ranting, I talk to people, sometimes people I've never met before, about what is going on in the country... It is amazing how many people still remain clueless... From my perspective, it is up to those who do know to enlighten those who do not know...