President Obama is, rather pathetically, still in campaign mode. He scheduled his speech in counterpoint to Cheney's previously scheduled talk. Why is the president lowering himself into a spitting match with the former administration? How does this make him look good or advance his goals? Is he so afraid of contradiction that he must do constant public battle to protect his own ideas?
Rhetorical questions all, because it is painfully obvious that Obama can not tolerate the mere thought of a challenge to his Brave New America. The fact that he may be wrong is unbearable, and the mere suggestion of such heresy must be addressed immediately, and publicly, from the heights of the presidential bully pulpit.
Four months of ideological speeches has already been a long time; four years will become much longer, especially as criticism of his policies increases. With time, such an increase is inevitable, especially if our peevish president is successful in getting his every whim. When inflation roars onto the economic scene as a result of the stimulus, when people are turned away from overcrowded hospitals due to government-run health care, when--God forbid--another radical Islamic terrorist rains death and destruction upon our country, Obama will be forced into an ever-more defensive position. Perhaps he should start now to reserve his nightly 30-minute time slot with the MSM networks.
I think Obama should pace himself, show a bit of internal strength and fortitude, and let dissenting voices die out unaddressed in many cases. The fuss would end far more quickly with such an approach. Alas, such humility is not our new president's nature. Every discouraging word must be silenced and snuffed out. It seems that is especially true when the dissenting voice is not self-serving and has something vitally worthwhile, and very true, to say.
The campaign is long over, and the realities of the presidency appear to be weighing heavily upon Barack Obama's shoulders. He once remarked during the campaign that he was "from Chicago, and we don't play." Neither do the terrorists, Mr. President. Keep that in mind when you're moving the Gitmo gang into a prison near the citizens you swore to protect.
