Posted on 04/02/2011 5:40:52 AM PDT by Kaslin
This time next year, we could have the two presidential candidates in play. Only God knows who the Republicans will decide upon, but President Obama is a lock on the Democratic side. The big issues that will most likely decide the election of 2012 are the economy and leadership. And now there's new data on the leadership front.
According to a Gallup poll released this week, Obama has fallen more than 20 points in the leadership category in less than two years. Right now, 52 percent of Americans believe he is a strong and decisive leader, while 47 percent say he is not. Bad news for the prez.
Truthfully, much of the leadership issue these days is driven by style. The last strong leader America had was President Reagan, who came across as tough but not belligerent. Reagan fired the air traffic controllers, thereby busting the union, demanded that the Soviets tear down the wall in East Germany, and generally governed with a good-natured confidence. His acting experience helped him project authority and benevolence at the same time -- not an easy thing to do.
President Bush the Elder came across rather fatherly, even when waging war against Saddam Hussein. Bill Clinton had little authority because of his controversies. And Bush the Younger's battlefield setbacks eroded his leadership image.
Obama is a deliberative leader, a man who seeks consensus before acting. He took months before committing more troops to Afghanistan, did not alter the Bush strategy in Iraq even after criticizing it, and seemed to be indecisive about Libya. French President Nicolas Sarkozy was the guy who drove the military action, with Obama hitching a ride on the Frenchman's passion.
In turbulent times, people naturally look for leaders who can bring them comfort and reassurance. At this point, Obama is having trouble doing that, and the Gallup poll reflects that reality. Obama's style is cool and sometimes distant. When waging war or trying to prevent economic disaster, detachment can be detrimental. Rallying the troops usually wins the day.
President Lincoln was the nation's strongest leader, with George Washington second and Franklin Roosevelt third. All three had huge problems to solve and did so with courage and bold decision making. Lincoln, in particular, was constantly under siege. If the Confederates had won the Battle of Gettysburg, the union might have been shattered forever. Lincoln knew that. Yet, he remained strong and in control and did what he had to do to hold the country together -- even suspending habeas corpus.
Obama is a big admirer of Lincoln, as is George W. Bush. Both men understand that true leadership requires stone-cold courage and brilliant decision-making capability. Most human beings fall short in both categories, which is why true leadership is rarely on display.
But if it is in 2012, the person who shows it will be president.
BOR has proven that he will grovel to get another interview with BO, so his judgment is worthless.
Think Hillary agrees with that? And you are right, not a leader by any stretch of the imagination.
Can’t stand O’Reilly. He is an obama suck-up. The only reason he has the ratings he does is become has the prime-time slot of 8:00 p.m. Switch O’Reilly and Beck’s time slots and O’Reilly won’t draw 500,000 viewers.
Leadership as in closing auto dealerships all across the country.
As in bailing out the auto workers at the expense of taxpayers.
Leadership as in taking away all oil and gas exploration permits across the country BEFORE the BP spill.
Leadership that wastes two years on an unacceptable health care bill that is totally unacceptable to taxpayers.
Oh, the list could go on.
Guess BORE has his own definition of leadership.
Provided he runs.
Those of us who love this country and believe in the principles it was founded upon all want a true reformer like Allen West.
The sad truth is that he will get no farther than Duncan Hunter did in ‘08. The Republicrat power base and their propaganda ministry will guarantee that.
It does not matter if the dems run the Kenyan punk or Hitlery, the RINO party will have a socialist assclown like Romney (or worse) the Huckster.
A true reformer will not get the Republican nomination because they will be too “extreme”. A third party is the only hope, and it will split those smart enough not to vote commiecrat.
This entire argument is moot, because Obama is a one term president. His idea of a term is just way more than four years. An economic crash will suspend the 2012 election indefinitely.
Battlefield setbacks? Gee Bill, you don't think that 24/7/365 negative enemedia attacks had anything to do with the erosion, do you?
Is it not possible the erosion had more to do with blatant lies being spewed by the DemonRATS -- and more than a few republicans? Not to mention the constant snide remarks about everything from how he talked to how he walked to his intellect?
BOR (ugh!) is right on this issue. Leadership will be the key issue in 2012. Now all we have to wait for is for the polidiots and WE THE PEOPLE to stand up and demand it!
Congressman LTC West is a proven leader who would gladly "run through hell with a gas can" to save our country and protect her people.
America you are on -- choose wisely!
You are correct, it is a sad truth that we did not have Duncan Hunter as our candidate in '08, because I guarandamntee you we would not be where we are today if he were the President!
The Republicrat power base and their propaganda ministry will guarantee that.
Well I tell you what ... there are more of us than there are of them. Instead of rolling over and playing dead for them we need to rise up, LOUDLY, and demand Allen West! The TEA Party proved that we can and will take matters into our own hands vis a vis 2010.
This entire argument is moot, because Obama is a one term president. His idea of a term is just way more than four years. An economic crash will suspend the 2012 election indefinitely.
Agree completely! It will happen unless we have a leader like West planning the strategy and attacks!
Leadership will not be my issue. Basic Americanism will be my goal. God comes before Leadership.
God help Obama then.
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