Complainer in Chief
The title of Glenn Thrush's new book is "Obama's Last Stand," but according to a preview in Politico, it should be called "The Back of Obama's Hand." That's because the complainer in chief slaps down his aides for every wrong turn his administration has taken over the past three and a half years.
As you might guess, the mistakes are always in the politics, never in the policy. Over and again, Obama rebukes his political advisers and allies for their bad judgment.
When a political stunt by senior adviser David Axelrod flops, Thrush writes that Obama "scoffed to a nearby aide" that the attempt was "an ill-conceived 'spectacle.'" When the White House realizes that Americans view the administration as too political, the president's advisers commission a secret focus group to smoke out the real culprit -- DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who "comes across as too partisan over the airwaves" (an insult that says something coming from team Obama). And when the president gets "frustrated with the bickering by Hill Democrats," Thrush reveals that Obama "implored" Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to put aside their "competing political priorities."
The majority of these insider anecdotes could have come only from one place -- the Obama campaign. Why air these grievances publicly? The president wants Americans to believe that his campaign's failing are not his own. So much for that "new era of responsibility," which Obama promised in his inaugural address.
- Comment (12)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments:
Jul '12
Re: Complainer in Chief
Why should I not believe that Obama is in charge of his own campaign and that he is at the center of the decision making process? Why shouldn't I believe he knows of, approves of and directs the exploitation of opposition research? If he isn't in charge, then who really is? And if he isn't in charge of his campaign, what else is he not really in charge of ? And (frightenlingly) who really is?
Aug '12
Re: Complainer in Chief
This is exactly what you would expect from Obama, isn't it? I predict that losing this election will cause him over time to become a bitter and vengeful little man. After what he's done to this country, it will be a challenge for us not to gloat.
Aug '12
Re: Complainer in Chief
"Why should I not believe that Obama is in charge of his own campaign and that he is at the center of the decision making process?"
It's the narcissism, Randall. The narcissist is always right and failures are always due to someone else.
Edited on August 20, 2012 at 9:24pmRe: Complainer in Chief
With so little credit to go around, team Obama needs to focus on dividing up the blame.
Jun '10
Re: Complainer in Chief
Waterloo.
Mar '12
Re: Complainer in Chief
Mirror mirror in the hall, whose to blame the most of all
I don't care whose face I see, as long as that face isn't me.
Harry Reid or Nancy P, they will do exquisitely,
Now go away and leave me be.
Its not my fault, I'm not to blame,
Those politicians, its their game.
My face should not be in that frame.
Dec '10
Re: Complainer in Chief
All great leaders have several common abilities or characteristics. One of the most important is the ability to effectively delegate responsibilities in order to succeed, win etc ...
Obama has repeatedly demonstrated that he too possess the important leadership ability of delegation. He always delegates 100% of the blame for each and every administration screw-up or failure ... he's a highly regarded member of the Not My Fault, No Way, No How, School of Executive Management.
... aka "is not my problem maan".
Re: Complainer in Chief
Blame comes easily to Obama. He has blamed the American people for being lazy. He has blamed his predecessor. He has blamed Congress. He has blamed the banks, oil companies, special interests and many more. Now, he blames his own advisers. Who next? His dog, Bo, better watch out.
Sep '10
Re: Complainer in Chief
Whiner in Chief.
And the leaker sounds like Michelle.
Dec '10
Re: Complainer in Chief
No one ever enjoys admitting to making mistakes. Thus it's in a lot of folks' interest to portray Obama as a guy being undercut and let down by his team. That way, they can say, "I voted for the right guy, but the people around him failed." And if one points out that Obama chose the people around him, they can say, "But that's just another thing to love about him: he's too darn LOYAL."
Dec '10
Re: Complainer in Chief
Pseudodionysius:Whiner in Chief.
And the leaker sounds like Michelle. · 16 minutes ago
Come to think of it, it sure does.
When she gets mad, it ain't pretty.
Feb '11
Re: Complainer in Chief
I am pleasantly surprised to see this. This book is the rats preparing to abandom ship VERY early in the election cycle. We didn't see this with Schmidt et al and the McCain/Palin campaign until October 2008. If the staff is already setting up the excuse that it's not their fault they lost, then this is a big sign of how bad their internals look. Combine this info with the Newsweek Op-Ed and demoralization may be setting in. As has been said elsewhere, keep it up, we've got the b**ds on the run, but don't get cocky.
Edited on August 21, 2012 at 1:04am