During the last couple of weeks before election day two years ago, remember what everyone—even Republicans—were feeling? That whereas John McCain seemed overwrought and almost desperate, Barack Obama appeared cool, cerebral, in command. What’s struck me over the last couple of days is how completely Obama the cool has been replaced by Obama the overwrought. It’s as if Obama had spent a couple of nights last week reviewing tapes of the final days of the 2008 campaign, deciding for some reason to model himself on the man he beat.
Campaigning in Massachusetts on Saturday and in Ohio yesterday, Obama, sounding hoarse, looked angry and defiant. Everything about this was wrong—everything. Why has he lost his voice two weeks before election day? Either the White House has overscheduled him or he himself is unable, this time around, to handle the physical challenge of campaigning. Why does he appear so defiant? Why is his rhetoric so heated? Why is he attacking the Republicans with such virulence? Either his political operation has failed to grasp the central challenge for the president—to win over Independents, most of whom, polls indicate, are now leaning toward the very Republicans the president is denouncing—or Obama is indulging himself, surrendering to emotions he can no longer hold in check.
We’ve all gotten used to the idea that Obama and his supporters are mistaken in their policies. But now something else seems to be taking place. The President and the his closest advisors—and in any administration, only about half a dozen people actually run the White House—appear to be feeling the pressue. Angry, exhausted, desperate. No candidate who looks like that can win over Independents—or even energize his own base.
The President of the United States is coming undone.
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Jul '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
He's definitely unhinged. Take a look at the photos of him over on Drudge. Rush Limbaugh says his eyes look "demonic".
Aug '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
Call him in Peter. Burnt toast.
May '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
My first instinct is to make a joke, but these are serious times that call for a strong president. This guy is really worrisome.
All the same, I can't wait for the made-for-TV movie--the fetal position under the Resolute Desk and all that.
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
Peter Robinson: During the last couple of weeks before election day two years ago, remember what everyone—even Republicans—were feeling? That whereas John McCain seemed overwrought and almost desperate, Barack Obama appeared cool, cerebral, in command. What’s struck me over the last couple of days is how completely Obama the cool has been replaced by Obama the overwrought. It’s as if Obama had spent a couple of nights last week reviewing tapes of the final days of the 2008 campaign, deciding for some reason to model himself on the man he beat.
Campaigning in Massachusetts on Saturday and in Ohio yesterday, Obama, sounding hoarse, looked angry and defiant. Everything about this was wrong—everything. Why has he lost his voice two weeks before election day? Either the White House has overscheduled him or he himself is unable, this time around, to handle the physical challenge of campaigning. Why does he appear so defiant? Why is his rhetoric so heated? Why is he attacking the Republicans with such virulence?
IMO, Because that's actually who he is and his mask is apparently off more regularly now as he enters the final days leading UP to his electoral thrashing.
Edited on Oct 18, 2010 at 6:10pmMay '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
Take it from a gambler. He's on tilt. That's when your chips really start to disappear.
This, combined with his statements that, post-election, Republicans would have to start listening to him, indicates a mind somewhat divorced from reality. After the 2006 debacle, Dubya manned up, went in front of the press and said "it was a thumpin" before trimming his sails.
I'm usually inclined to give the benefit of the doubt when politicians act out in times of stress. But am rapidly running out of both doubts and benefices.
I hear Elba's nice this time of year.
Jul '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
David Limbaugh
IMO, Because that's actually who he is and his mask is apparently off more regularly now as he enters the final days leading UP to his electoral thrashing. · Oct 18 at 6:09pm
Edited on Oct 18 at 06:10 pm
Yep, this has always been a guy with a basket full of anger issues, but he's learned to mask them. Now events have put him in touch with his inner Barry.
Aug '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
Kennedy
Elba ? Thnk Gd he hasn't tried to conquer Europe. Unless the speech was a bank shot.
May '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
I see no reason to be all that surprised he's not reacting well. Two things: First, he has rarely - if ever - heard "no" before. He's followed an upward trajectory most of his life without putting much of his own strength or ability into the effort. Second, and more significantly, the presidency is the first responsible job he's held. The presidency is delicate even in the hands of those who are very competent; I'm pretty sure it's never been someone's first real job.
Jul '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
Peter Robinson: We’ve all gotten used to the idea that Obama and his supporters are mistaken in their policies. But now something else seems to be taking place. The President and the his closest advisors—and in any administration, only about half a dozen people actually run the White House—appear to be feeling the pressue. Angry, exhausted, desperate. No candidate who looks like that can win over Independents—or even energize his own base.
The President of the United States is coming undone. ·
I think you're right, Peter. I also think, (re both McCain & Obama) that something I routinely babble on Saturdays and Sundays this time of year is relevant.
Namely, it's easy for an offensive coordinator to look like a genius on 2nd-and-2 at midfield. It's also easy for a defensive coordinator to look like a genius on 3rd-and-12.
The problem, as I see it, is that Obama already scored big.
Sep '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
If he had an axe in his hand, he'd be Jack Nicholson in The Shining.
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
I've said it before: America's a tough community to organize.
Aug '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
And we, wide-eyed, would be the Shelly DuVall of history.
Poifect==============
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
Kenneth
Now events have put him in touch with his inner Barry. · Oct 18 at 6:15pm
"His inner Barry." Priceless. You should trademark that.
Sep '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
Its a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it. - Stephen Wright
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
A lot of wisdom in that little paragraph.
Jun '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
I was a high school senior in 1974, and the Obama White House is starting to exhibit that same desperation, the same controlled panic, that I saw in the last months of the Nixon Administration. At that time, you started praying for the President's mental health along with his physical health. Nixon disgraced himself, but at least he had some foreign policy skills and some political maturity to go along with his more negative qualities. I don't know that Obama has any positive qualities--maybe he's a good father. President Obama hasn't necessarily committed any crimes, and doesn't have to resign, but he's experiencing the same painful national rejection that Nixon felt, and he's handling the stress even less well than Nixon did. Even with all of Nixon's personal troubles, he never stopped seeing the big picture. I think Obama only sees Obama. That's his World. That's almost worse than 35 years ago.
Edited on Oct 18, 2010 at 6:41pmJul '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
David Limbaugh
Kenneth
Now events have put him in touch with his inner Barry. · Oct 18 at 6:15pm
"His inner Barry©
." Priceless. You should trademark that. · Oct 18 at 6:35pm
Done
Jul '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
Thank heaven we have a stalwart line of succession.
Although Daniel Inouye is a bit creaky in the hinges.
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
This is a "first-class temperament" at work? He is actually making G. W. Bush look presidential, a thing I wouldn't have bet a nickel on a couple of years ago. And over what? Yes, his party will get a thumpin' in a couple of weeks -- but nothing worse, substantively, than what Bush got in '06 or Clinton in '94. The immaturity on display here is beyond astonishing -- it really is scary.
Jul '10
Re: Maybe He Needs a Vacation in Spain, or, You Know What? This is Actually Getting a Little Scary
Apparently, the creases in Obama's trousers are no longer crisp and knife-like.
When you've lost David Brooks, you've lost the country.