Thomas Friedman, "The Launching Pad": Obama Is Better Than This?

In his latest New York Times op-ed entitled "The Launching Pad" (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/opinion/sunday/friedman-the-launching-pad.html), Thomas Friedman has written a terrific introductory paragraph (ignore the rubbish that comes afterwards):

"I CAN remember bad presidential campaigns in good times and good campaigns in bad times, but it is hard to recall a worse campaign in a worse time. Mitt Romney’s campaign has been about nothing, and President Obama’s has been about Romney. I’m sure Obama’s attacks on Romney’s career at Bain Capital have hurt Romney, but they also seem to have hurt Obama — diverting him from offering a big optimistic message that says: here is the world we’re living in; here’s why my past policies were relevant; here’s where we’re going next; and here’s why it will work. The president is punching so below his weight. . . . Obama is better than this."

Obama is better than this? Oh, really. Recall what Popeye the Sailor Man used to say: "I am what I am." Similarly, Obama is what he is, or more correctly, he is what his teleprompters make him out to be.

In fact, Obama is a featherweight, and he is punching very much in keeping with his division.

David Brooks, "Convener in Chief": Can a Leopard Change Its Spots?

The presidency is foundering.

When former Obama cheerleaders Maureen Dowd ("Our president likes to be on both sides at once," http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/opinion/sunday/26dowd.html?ref=opinion), and Roger Cohen ("It’s past time for Obama to lead in these areas [energy and industrial policy]," http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/28/opinion/28iht-edcohen28.html?ref=opinion) both razz the president within the space of a week from the uber-left op-ed page of The New York Times , you know that his chances of reelection are dimming. David Brooks in his column of today's date entitled "Convener in Chief" (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/28/opinion/28brooks.html?_r=1&ref=opinion), only adds to the chorus.

Brooks writes:

"Now Obama is compelled to engage. If ever there was an issue that called for his complex, balancing approach, this is it. But, to reach an agreement, he will have to resolve the contradiction in his management style. He values negotiation but radiates disdain for large swathes of official Washington. If he can overcome his aloofness and work intimately with Republicans, he may be able to avert a catastrophe and establish a model for a more realistic, collegial presidency.

The former messiah will have to become a manager."

Yeah, right, Obama is going to become a "manager," i.e. leader, two and a half years into his presidency with the economy tanking, elections looming and the Republicans smelling blood. It's not going to happen.

Popeye was famous for saying, "I 'yams what I ams, and dats all that I 'yams!" Similarly, Obama is what he is - intellectual, arrogant and prone to protacted rumination - and there is no effectiveness seminar that is going to change his ways. Obama likes to watch.

All that's really left to be seen is whether the Republicans commit hari kiri by nominating a presidential candidate from the looney far right, who frightens the American electorate into bestowing upon Obama four more years of contemplative indecision.