Posted on 09/09/2009 1:28:18 AM PDT by kingattax
President Jimmy Carter once sent a note to an adviser extolling the importance of crisis to leadership. "When a president has authority to act unilaterally (as in a crisis), his leadership can be exerted. Otherwise, compromise, delay and confusion are more likely. It's our system. I like it."
Politicians, like the rest of us, are often victims of their wishes. Carter was eventually smacked by the waves of crisis he sought to ride.
But encouraging a sense of crisis is a traditional tool of executive leadership. And using a joint session of Congress to address a single domestic issue is the most dramatic expression of this approach.
Carter did it effectively in April 1977. He spoke of the energy crisis as "the moral equivalent of war." Energy resources were "simply running out." (Carter's CIA predicted worldwide oil shortages by the mid-1980s.) America needed to "cope with a crisis that otherwise would overwhelm us."
The speech had immediate influence. The share of Americans who viewed the energy crisis as a serious problem jumped nine points, to 54 percent. One congressional staffer enthused: "It's damn near unpatriotic to oppose the president right now."
But the effect was temporary. Carter's energy-reform bill passed the House, but the Democratic Senate resisted on key issues, resulting in an impasse. Eventually, the energy crisis faded in comparison to unsought emergencies such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the taking of American hostages in Iran.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I think his “mandate” from the election , the people gave him plenty of rope, but instead of using it wisely and making himself a safety net he chose to make a noose.
the MSM filled out their “serve obomba” questionnaire a long time ago.
I have to say Obama is worse. Carter was/is evil (If I ever hear another person say he was/is “sincere but incompetent,” or “a good Christian,” etc., I may scream. Carter was/is a baby-murderer, like all Democrats who want to be President, and most other Democrats.
But I’m not SURE Carter was trying to bring the U.S. to an end. That’s why Obama is worse.
BTW: Carter lied about as much as Obama. George Will did some columns toward the end of the 1980 campaign that consisted of lie after lie after lie after lie from Carter.
Obama’s credibility problem stems from the fact that he lies, and lies, and lies, and lies. Then he sets up a few straw men. And then he lies, and lies, and lies, and lies.
Also, white people are racist.
The RINO’s are demonstating their lack of conviction.
They never exhibit a back bone regarding conservative principles.
In this debate on the fate of our American Republic the RINO
is mute!
“Inexperienced poser” is the perfect description of Zero. Thanks for summing him up in 2 words.
Like either of these two clowns ever had credibility.
“Obama’s Crisis: Credibility”
He’s not known as ‘Zer0’ for nothing.
(that’s a pun)
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