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.