Posted by
VBushmills on Thursday, September 10, 2009 7:28:24 AM
From the beginning, people have been confused about just who Barack Obama is; a common Chicago street thug, a hard-edged, get-even socialist, or a puppet, singing and dancing for some as yet unrevealed master(s).
When George W Bush assumed office he believed he could "work with" the Democrats in Congress pretty much as he had in Texas. It's not so much that he couldn't, than the seeming fact that it never sunk in that he couldn't that was his undoing. If they had tied him to fence post and pulled his pants down the Democrats couldn't have had their way with him any more than they did...except for that one thing, the war on terror.
After last night's performance I wonder if Obama will ever learn that what started out as a very convincing man has ended up a parody of himself in eight short months.
But still, we are left wondering; is the President's inability or unwillingness to deliver to the American people and the Congress particulars about health care "reform" part of a grand strategy, laziness or cowardice?
When Obama and the Congress began this process, he simply passed off to Reid and Pelosi the chore of filling in the blanks, coming up with details. The House came up with a bill (actually more than one) that had worked itself through a few committees and pretty much reflected what Pelosi, Waxman and a few others wanted in a "reform" package, namely a complete takeover of America's health care. Every "lie", from death panels, rationed care, and rather quick path to single-payer, were (still are) in that bill.
In opposition, the people came out from the woodwork in droves. Obama said the claims were all lies, but never once, (still hasn't) filled in the blanks with details. With no "X's" and "O's", the people were right, Obama wrong.
It was determined early on that what he wanted was a blank check based on broad general feel-good themes, i.e. high public-poll approval for a "plan" that hadn't been formulated and presented to the public yet. All the Dem's wanted that, too, as that is line of least resistance. Obama's charm and persuasion could bring them over. Instead, polls moved south. As that quest for general authority diminished in the public's eye, and the Senate struggled with every device known to man to "fool the people" still one more time...its plan is still in the hopper...Obama still refused (or abstained) to provide details for that plan that is running around in his mind.
Last night was his big chance. His last chance. His last stand. But instead of delivering a stern message to Congress, with particulars about what he wanted in "his plan", he fell back to what he believes is his best, and probably is his only skill...tap dancing and a song. If he'd only worn a top hat and tails.
I sincerely believe that is all he has...answering several questions for Obama-watchers out there.
Regardless of the "grand plan", Obama is a coward in its execution, and if he has handlers, they have noticed this and consider it a growing liability...especially if he continues to believe he can talk America out of its knickers every time we need to be convinced about a thing. His inability to deliver a constant message is but one problem. The other is the constant cry-wolf whine. Even his own party, who cynically complains about the GOP or Bush at every chance, see a sincerity in Obama's "pity me" posture that is unnerving. And the people sense it the same way a dog senses fear. Last night that fear was palpable.
For awhile, people said Obama was a better liar than Clinton, but even in the toughest of times, Clinton could lie with aplomb. Maybe he just believed his own stuff more than Obama does, I can't say.
Remember, Obama called this meeting...unprecedented in scope, history, and in the end, insincerity. As a bold gambit, it ranked right up there with Custer splitting his men.
And as Johnny cash wrote about Custer in 1965, "Well, he won't do that again."
Bernard Chumm