Posted on 06/16/2010 2:06:42 PM PDT by presidio9
Around six months in, President Obama's supporters came to terms with the fact that he couldn't walk on water. Today, he's struggling to keep the crude oil off his nicely pressed suit.
Given that challenge, Obama succeeded in his Oval Office speech last night, the first of his presidency. This was the President in his element: Framing a problem, rejecting partisan extremes, pushing forward with a clear vision and what sounded like common-sense solutions.
He was focused, even a little feisty - and for the first time in weeks, didn't seem to be on the defensive.
His update on the status of the cataclysm was straightforward and informative. It's a wonder it took this long for a legendarily effective communicator to convey the basics of what's being done and why.
His summary of the federal cleanup efforts was reassuring - though after reports on the discombobulated nature of the response yesterday morning, it'll take more words and actions to prove that things are on track.
His demand that BP put up a big chunk of change in escrow showed guts. Now he'll have to pull it off.
His call for a powerful push on clean and sustainable fuel sources was precisely what the nation needs to finally put ourselves in more control of our economic and environmental futures.
After health care's makeover, there will be reform fatigue - but an aggressive energy transformation is long overdue.
No doubt, Obama has stumbled repeatedly in the 57 days since the leadership obstacle course began. No big surprise; few executives have the unique commander-in-a-crisis skill set.
George W. Bush, remember, responded to Hurricane Katrina with flat feet and took days to get his bearings after 9/11.
The truth is, what you want in a crisis commander (like Rudy Giuliani) isn't always what you want in a President (case in point: Rudy Giuliani.)
But right now, demonstrating command in a crisis and being an effective President are one and the same. So Obama has no choice. He's gotten this far by being a steady ship in high seas, and now the time has come for him to make some waves himself.
"The human thirst for excellence, knowledge, every step up the ladder of science, every adventurous reach in to space, all of our combined modern technologies and imaginations, even the wars we have thought have provided us with the tools to wage this terrible battle."
That's what the President said in "Armageddon" with an asteroid hurtling toward the Earth.
It was a terrible movie about a threat even bigger than this one. But it had a happy ending. For the sake of the President and the Gulf Coast, let's hope this one does too.
Maybe because he is a freaking nerd who wants other liberals to like him...
http://www.filmflorida.org/images/galleries/106/106_1101.jpg
_____No, we don’t need more words, we need action.
_____Yes, his showed that he was acting not just reacting
It’s hard to know how to vote, we know he likes acting and reacting....
Seems the poll has it covered either way :0)
But the two headed cat was interesting.
And I can’t wait to get to a computer that will let me play video, so I can see the cop that punches a lady for jaywalking... LOL
Also the house organ of organized labor in the tri-state region.
How did we know?
There is no excuse for being too wimpy!
http://www.filmflorida.org/images/galleries/106/106_1101.jpg
Guiliani should BE the President right now. If the world were even half way normal. But, the government is so corrupt and Americans are so stupid that we are stuck with a teenager running the country.
LOL! Well, one thing we don't have to worry about is that Obama is any kind of executive.
Since you posted this, I take it it would make you unhappy if I decided to stick around for a while.
Heck no...the more the merrier.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.