Has Obama jumped the shark? (Armstrong Williams)

The Hill ^ | 12/13/2010 | Armstrong Williams

[Responsibility2nd]

I watched with a gaping mouth on Friday the news conference held by President Obama and his new BFF, former President Bill Clinton. It wasn't that long ago when Clinton was running around the country touting his wife and, in the process, trashing her opponent. That's understandable in the realm of politics.

It wasn't the fact that Slick Willie was standing next to Obama, it was where they were standing: in the White House press room. Here we have the sitting president of the United States in rapt attention, as one of his predecessors waxes on poetically about anything and everything. To me, that says Obama is desperate. He didn't have a handle on the message behind his supporting the deal he cut with Republicans, his own party is disgusted with him, so Obama is forced to bring in some outside help: a "closer," if you will.

Certainly, on the campaign trail Clinton can help and should be used. But when you need to roll out a former president to affirm what a sitting president is doing, and essentially give his stamp of approval, that sounds a bit hokey and flailing.

One thing is clear: In the wake of massive losses, both men have proceeded in opposite directions. Clinton became a survivor — declaring the era of big government is over, and moving to triangulate folks to push an agenda that was clearly for the benefit of the country, and the voters rewarded him as much in 1996. Obama seems to have doubled down on his leftist agenda. Sure, he cuts deals, but trashes the other party in the negotiations all the while — calling them "hostage" takers and letting still others in his party refer to Republicans as terrorists. C'mon.

So what happens next? Will Clinton be a fixture now on every piece of difficult policy this White House faces? Will Al Gore make a cameo if consensus is somehow reached on climate change? Will Michael Moore roll to the lectern as Obama stares admiringly, should his healthcare plan be dismantled? See a pattern of terrible visuals forming?

If I were a Democrat, I would fear my leader is wondering himself just how stable are his policy positions. It's one thing to have former experts and leaders come out in support of your position and help continue a message you yourself established and choreographed. It's quite another to hope the "expert" creates his own message in order to help bail your fat out of the fryer ...

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Obama has accomplished his Cloward-Piven goal of overwhelming the United States economy. It is just a matter of time before it collapses. He is delegating his lesser responsibilities to subordinates while he prepares for ascension to President of the World via a United Nations with global taxation authority, courtesy of his executive order.

[Zakeet]

[raybbr]

"Man, even a girl in a blue dress can't get me this excited..."

[Responsibility2nd]

Either that, or it was true that Michelle told him the party starts at eight and if he’s late; she’s gonna bust his head open.

[GreenHornet]

If George W. Bush had brought in a former President to take over the press conference, the media would be telling us it was an admission that “he can’t handle the job himself”, “he’s in over his head”, etc.

[MinuteGal]

Is that Monica lurking in the background?

Leni

[T-Bird45]

FTA: Here we have the sitting president of the United States in rapt attention, as one of his predecessors waxes on poetically about anything and everything.

More like he was in rapt attention of watching the MSM fawn over Billy Jeff and was fondly remembering what it was like when he was The Annointed One.

[bigbob]

He’s getting a little smarter, the last time he bailed out he blamed the dog.

[meyer]

Whenever someone criticizes Obama, make sure to point out that the rest of the democRATS followed him in lockstep in his first 2 years in office. The lefties are trying to use him as their fall guy, hoping to keep themselves in office by blaming everything on Obama. Well, last I noticed, Obama doesn't have a vote in the House or Senate and those two bodies approved of much of his agenda.

They may try to throw him overboard to save themselves, but we still need to sink the democRAT ship.

[fishtank]

Wow.

Thanks for the early Christmas present!

\sarc

(Sad, tragic, frightening, but your analysis is true, probably....)

[sipwine]

Is that Monica Lewinsky in the background?

LOL:)

[freebird5850]

It sure looks like her!

[luvbach1]

I liked the caption one Freeper supplied for a photo that showed the Bamster exiting the conference, leaving Bubba alone at the lectern: Clinton: He’ll be back. He’s just getting me a cup of coffee.”

[sipwine]

oops...ditto. I thought the same thing.

[DManA]

This metaphor was cute for about 20 years. But now
Jumped the Shark has Jumped the Shark.

[mkboyce]

Um...he STILL blamed the dog!!!

[DManA]

This metaphor was cute for about 20 years. But “Jumped the Shark” Jumped the Shark about the turn of the century.

[luvbach1]

...Jumped the Shark has Jumped the Shark.

Good one.

[Iron Munro]

Obama is not only a lazy, incompetent, socialist pursuing a radical agenda with a side order of racism. He is impatient and bored with the job. He is not happy that his hirings have not yet fully dismantled America and irritated that he now will have a republican majority in the House as an impediment.

He is like a kid pulling wings off flys - the novelty soon wears off and it becomes too much like work.