Larry Niven created an alien race of herbivores called, “The Puppeteers.” Being herbivores they were outrageously cowardly. Their leaders, the most important, lead from the back of the herd, called, “leading from behind.” This is what I think about every time somebody says Obama is leading from behind. The Puppeteers used others, braver people, to do their hard work while they stayed safe and far away. How appropriate.
Ringworld.