Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
I've been tooling around the Internet this morning, thinking about and processing the death of Osama bin Laden. I saw this caption under one of the many NY Times photos:
As crowds gathered outside the White House, there was little question that Mr. Obama's presidency had forever been changed.
"Little question"? "Forever changed"?
What's wrong with me? I didn't even really consider Obama in all of this. Yeah, he's CiC. But I thought about things/people that, to me, have "forever been changed" because of Osama's death at the hands of American forces: our reflections of the events of 9/11, Navy SEALS, our armed forces, the victims of 9/11 and other terrorist attacks, the children of victims, friends who died that day, first responders in NYC, Bush, Giuliani, our children's future history books, etc.
Obama? I didn't really think of his presidency. Yeah, he OK'd the strike. Yeah, he had been monitoring the situation closely. Yeah, he made a speech (I didn't see it). Yeah, he gets credit for being our leader while our armed forces finally completed a decade-long goal. Great. I believe he's as patriotically joyous as the rest of us. I do. But didn't he do what any other human would do? Say, "Yeah, go for it" when he heard there was a chance to get him. Right?
Has this really "forever changed" his legacy? Help me out. Is this another Timesian spin? I'm not hatin' on the guy. Really. I just don't get it.
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Apr '11
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
This is an initial reaction - the guy in charge gets the credit. In the following days though, the narrative will change with questions on the effectiveness of Gitmo and interrogation of detainees become the main story. This will put Obama and the left on the defensive and the story will slowly disappear as logic begins to set in that the very processes put in place during the Bush years - and despised by Obama - were pivotal in leading to the death of OBL.
Jun '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
Good for Obama, but since the process that just caught OBL started in the Bush Administration, Obama is still "leading from behind."
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
First of all I don't have a problem with him taking a bow today. He deserves it. No politics today.
But the left will play politics with it soon enough. They're shameless like that (see, e.g. the Giffords shooting).
Apr '11
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
As I watched the replay of the CiC's comments, I was struck by the self aggrandizement. (I thought I heard his shoulder crack as he patted himself on the back). No credit toward any of the numerous folks in the previous administration who worked so damned hard to see this day come about. No graceful/grateful nod toward Bush, who pushed so hard for this and took so much flack for the "torture" tactics which now we hear, did, actually, have an effect on the information gathering to lead to this day. How crass!
The bible says (in effect) that when you seek public praise for your efforts, the praise you receive will be all you get. (Jesus was talking about the Pharisees praying in the public square to be seen of their followers...better to be seen by God in private and rewarded by God openly!)
Well, the Times has given BHO his praise! I hope it suits him!
Oct '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
Obama made the right call in making sure it was done "up close & personal" and in not telling the Pakistanis ahead of time so credit where it's due. Other than that, Ursula, I think you've nailed it.
For the record, I turned off the announcement while the president was still talking about the "clear blue skies" on 9/11. I feel silly for asking but was any credit given to the previous administration?
Oct '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
Tommy De Seno: First of all I don't have a problem with him taking a bow today. He deserves it. No politics today.
But the left will play politics with it soon enough. They're shameless like that (see, e.g. the Giffords shooting). ยท May 2 at 8:07am
Heh. I wonder if they'll blame the violent rhetoric of Sarah Palin/the Tea Party for this? You know, out of habit...
Dec '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
Thanks Ursula -
Short answer - no and here's why. We all remember George H. Bush's leadership during Desert Shield / Desert Storm ( 20 years ago..? Wow where's that time go??). My wife was just returning with her unit in May and the reports were glowing with success and his approval rating were through the roof. Within a year, the economy tanked and his failed pledge of "no new taxes" along with the L.A. riots pretty much sent him packing. Since I'm on a movie binge today, I'll remind everyone the final scene of "Patton" where George C. Scott reminds the audience that reminder that "all glory is fleeting." Much can happen between now and 2012.
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
Absolutely. He has my tremendous respect for being willing to go into Pakistan, for ordering this type of mission, and for overseeing such a successful operation. Respect and gratitude.
Dec '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
There'll be a temporary uptick for Obama in the polls, but probably not as big an uptick as either one of the Bush's got when they attacked Iraq.
Feb '11
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
No. Sometimes people just do their jobs.
And everyone wanted bin Laden demonstrably dead. Even the Arab cab driver I rode with this morning.
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
The legacy media will do its utmost to turn President Obama into a god again, and for a month or two it might work.
Jul '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
I'll give the guy this much credit: It is obvious that the Pakistani military was sheltering Bin Laden and Obama ordered a mission a few hundred yards from their military academy. That had to tick them off.
Now, if he would just announce that he's cutting off all aid to Pakistan....
Jan '11
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
The man who deserves the most credit for OBL's demise spoke these words shortly after 9/11/01
"War has been waged against us by stealth and deceit and murder. This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others; it will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing."
The man who spoke those words probably doesn't care who gets the credit. He only cares that those words were prophetic and the prophecy Finally has come to pass.
According to reports: At St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, on the Tuesday of the memorial service for the victims a woman said, "I pray to God to give us a sign that He's still here."
He is still here.
Edited on May 2, 2011 at 5:32pmMar '11
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
President Obama made decisions that culminated in what and how it happened. I give credit where credit is due. Ordering a physical raid as opposed to bombing is certainly more satisfying and cathartic for this country.
My opinion on his handling of the economy, auto companies, bail-outs, taxes, spending, entitlement reform, etc. has not changed. So, everything has changed and nothing has changed. We get a celebration and he set the table. Everyone who had a hand in it, including our president, a sincere "Thank you".
Oct '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
Exactly. If it had all gone Carter on him (helicopters crashing, US personnel taken prisoner) we'd all be happy to layer on the blame. Even if he made the 'Go' decision for all the wrong reasons, he did make it. And at last his complete disregard for his allies leads to something good.
Now watch the pivot from 2008's 'vote for me because I'm not George W Bush' to 2012's 'vote for me because I am'...
Nov '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
Would that be the same Obama who just ordered a hit on KaDaffy that left several children dead, but missed the intended target? I'm more interested in what the operation reveals about our Pakistan "ally".
Edited on May 2, 2011 at 5:36pmDec '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
It changed my opinion of him. Two days ago, I was of the opinion that Obama would drop the ball at every opportunity. Now I know he can do some things right. Its a good feeling to know you aren't being governed by a complete incompetent.
The whole "forever changed his legacy" stuff is bunk though. As Johannes Allert said. President H. Bush is proof of how little military victories really solidify a Presidents "legacy"
Feb '11
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
Obama is still Obama with all the negatives he had before. This doesn't change my opinion of him one iota. As the clichรฉ goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day.
May '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
Clinton punted on Osama and if not for 9/11 I believe Obama would have too.
IMO W (and the military) get the credit.
Aug '10
Re: Has your view of Obama changed because of Osama?
A little. I admire that Obama allowed this to happen so cleanly on his watch (no messy multilateralism to gum up the works, no protracted civilian trial...). I'm grateful.
But this one success amid so many failures? It doesn't change much.