In an essay at The Hill, Rep. Dennis Cardoza, a Democrat from central California, criticizes President Obama. Specifically, he claims that Obama acts more like a university professor than a president.
A particular criticism is that, especially during his first year in office, Obama was afflicted by the “idea disease.” Namely, the White House would introduce a new program “every week, and sometimes almost every day.” After introducing the ideas, however, the White House would do very little to try to pass them. Like a university professor, Obama seemed to relish the idea of the program more than seeing it put into practice.
Another criticism is that Obama does not seem to enjoy talking to “real people,” among whom Cardoza includes members of Congress. Chris Mathews recently echoed the criticism, saying that “he never calls” governors and members of Congress.
In contrast, Bill Clinton seemed to relish talking to members of Congress. Notably, he even once took a phone call from Rep. Sonny Callahan during a tryst with Monica Lewinsky.
I have long agreed with Cardoza—that Obama really is a professor at heart. For instance, like Obama, university professors are extremely liberal. The one policy area where they sometimes deviate from their liberalness is free trade. As I’ve noted in another post, out of all the roll call votes I used to calculate Obama’s “Political Quotient,” on only one—a free trade agreement with Oman—did he favor the conservative side.
If Cardoza—and I—are right, then our theory has some powerful implications about Obama’s true beliefs about religion. Almost surely, Obama is not a Muslim. Much more probable, Obama--like most university professor--is an atheist.
- Comment (16)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments :
May '10
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
I think the reason Obama looks so tired now is that he has to keep saying things (that presidents say) that he doesn't really believe at all. He managed to get elected by mostly hiding all his true beliefs. In fact, he seems to have made a career of hiding his beliefs. It's a very curious personality trait.
Feb '11
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
I doubt if Obama would be very successful as a professor. Research, in any field, involves spending long hours in the detailed study of some subject other than oneself
Jul '10
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
"Almost surely, Obama is not a Muslim. Much more probable, Obama--like most university professor--is an atheist."
That explains a lot. It makes much sense to think that Obama is empty in every concept.... Suit, Soul, and All....
Mar '11
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
There may be a vacancy for President of Venezuela, soon - that might suit Mr Obama, better - no pesky checks and balances and no bitter, bible-clinging, gun-toting electorate who don't appreciate his Marxist beliefs (his true religion).
Sep '10
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
Tim Groseclose
I have long agreed with Cardoza—that Obama really is a professor at heart.
I would say rather that he is a wanna-be professor. During his stint instructing at the U of Chicago law school, he didn't publish any original scholarship. It seems to me that, sadly, all his life he was promoted beyond his ability for reasons of political correctness. I've seen this from both sides of the academic job search--it's a depressingly common phenomenon.
May '10
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
dogsbody
Tim Groseclose
I have long agreed with Cardoza—that Obama really is a professor at heart.
I would say rather that he is a wanna-be professor. During his stint instructing at the U of Chicago law school, he didn't publish any original scholarship. It seems to me that, sadly, all his life he was promoted beyond his ability for reasons of political correctness. I've seen this from both sides of the academic job search--it's a depressingly common phenomenon. · Dec 16 at 8:24pm
Yes...Barack Obama is the Peter Principle at it's most depressing...
Jul '10
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
But now that he has been President he is a legitimate area of study. He could lecture on himself all the live long day and Columbia or Coopers Union would eat it up.
Mar '11
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
I disagree that Obama is an atheist. I think that he definitely believes in a god, and in fact has at least one divine vision a day: when he's shaving.
Dec '10
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
Would you want to take a class from that guy? I can just imagine the lecture hall being littered with straw men he's demolished. Nightmare!
No, I think now that he's been King-o-the-World, he's going to have to be enticed with a bigger title than "Professor." I've been saying all along we should get him the job of UN Secretary General and then promptly evict the UN from the US and withdraw from the charter.
/dusting off hands while walking away. My work here is done.
Sep '10
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
I agree with the other comments - Obama couldn't be a professor. That actually takes some amount of work.
He is the most unpersonable president, which just seems like a strange contradiction knowing the amount of flesh-pressing it takes to reach the White House.
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
Nicely put. Remember: he never produced anything for the Harvard Law Review nor while teaching at the University of Chicago Law School.
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
So, Tim, you don't think that he is a bitter clinger?
Sep '10
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
A class with Professor Obama would simply prove the age old dictum that the incineration of inumerable strawmen produces more heat than light.
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
Paul A. Rahe
Nicely put. Remember: he never produced anything for the Harvard Law Review nor while teaching at the University of Chicago Law School. · Dec 17 at 7:31am
Good point. He wasn't even actually a professor, only a lecturer.
Jan '11
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
Tim, I hope you don't mind a little editing of your take on Cardoza. The changes just seemed to be apt - variations on a theme, if you will.
"A particular criticism is that, especially during his first year in office as Speaker, Newt was afflicted by the “idea disease.” Namely, the Speaker would introduce a new program “every week, and sometimes almost every day.” After introducing the ideas, however, the Speaker would do very little to try to pass them. Like a university professor, Newt seemed to relish the idea of the program more than seeing it put into practice."
Apr '11
Re: Congressman: Obama “Might Prefer to be a University Professor than do the Job he Holds Today.”
Paul A. Rahe
Nicely put. Remember: he never produced anything for the Harvard Law Review nor while teaching at the University of Chicago Law School. · Dec 17 at 7:31am
I'm not sure that it's true. I've a friend who is a professor of auto-ethnography in Australia, and Michelle Obama's PhD. was pretty autobiographical. There would be something kind of awesome in studying a class on Obama, taught by Obama, who has thought long and hard about the subject. Perhaps in a few years time, while he lives on the glory of his just published third book and writes his fourth autobiography, hoping for the same success as 1-3.