Yes We Can! Long Island 2012Despite the sustained Obama-bashing, just about everyone remains impressed by how thoroughly, thoughtfully and fairly President Obama processes information. The quintessential pragmatist. The ultimate anti-ideologue. Some say that given the ‘usual politics of D.C.’ such a deliberate style is not the best approach. This begs the question, ‘What leadership style should a president use?’
It is often lamented, ‘If only Obama possessed the leadership qualities of LBJ.’ Really? Is that what Americans want in their leader? A cunning, conniving, manipulating president who will go to any lengths to get legislation passed? Perhaps at this critical moment of reform many of us feel that might be the better strategy. Do we think so for the long term? For the good of the country? Does Obama?
Might Obama be right about decision-making yet prove unable to get Congress to pass key bills? I wish I had the answer. For now, despite all that frustrates progressives, I am sticking with the man and his manner.
In the meantime, consider these pieces by Bob Cesca (‘Accompanying the outrage against the bill, there’s a significant level of denial at play — ignoring the very long list of bad things that could happen if the bill dies’) and David Brooks (‘In many ways, Barack Obama has lived up to his promise’) – Marvin
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Continuing the Discussion