Posted by
Cindy of TX on Friday, February 06, 2009 1:38:12 PM
As I watched President Obama's speech (rant? whine?) last night, I must tell you that I was stunned. It seemed to me more of a tantrum. I was put off, right from the start, with a little quip about how nice Air Force One is - which seemed a little out of place as a preface to a speech based upon America's current economic "catastrophe. Of course, the president must have the security and luxury of Air Force One...but to boast of it? Bad form.
And, was it just me, but did Obama seem out of control - perhaps even losing his famous cool? He's on television so often, I rarely turn around to watch him, as I do other things on the computer...but the tone and content of this speech had me spinning around in my chair to see what the matter was. Soon enough, the obligatory "let's blame Bush" attack was unleashed, as he sarcastically emphasized to his Democratic House audience (as they were enjoying a "retreat" at a plush Virginia spa and resort, paid for by us) that he inherited a large deficit and it was tied up with a ribbon or some juvenile metaphor referring to a gift or a package. This is not what I expected from the eloquent and well-spoken president. This was exactly who I thought he was: vindictive, petty, and mean-spirited. I believe he showed himself for his true self in this speech, and those of us who opposed him already recognized him. I wonder if anyone was surprised to see this side of him?
To my point: it occurred to me as I listened that he must be confused about representative government. He lectures the legislators as though convincing them - just them - is all there is to it. He must not understand that the reason there is reluctance among some of the moderate Dems and all of the Republicans is that their CONSTITUENTS are writing and calling by the thousands, telling them to oppose this version of the economic stimulus bill. Duh. These men and women are beholden to those who elected them, more so than they are to House and Senate leadership, or to the President. That's the beauty of checks and balance. Now, that's HOPE I can believe in.
Some type of bill will pass, but I'm heartened that President Obama has had a struggle of it.