Four More Years

Politics 101 and Three Years To Go.

We knew going in that Barack Obama had little experience as an Executive and it sure is showing now. As the nation’s economic woes continue to slowly work themselves out, a new popular President in the midst of his honeymoon with both Congressional chambers in the firm control of his allies seems unable to control his own party let alone secure the support of well wishing Republicans through meaningful negotiation and compromise.

His debut before a nation looking for leadership has been dismal, threatening disaster for all if he does not get his way. But what stands in his way? Congressional allies who can deliver him a victory tomorrow? No, it is the thought that the American people might really dislike the details of how Washington has changed as it now prepares to continue throwing dump trucks full of our cash out the window at just about anything that moves, except a struggling small business that might be able to create a job or two.

When one considers that Obama was put over the top and elected with the votes of one of five self described “conservatives” fed up with George Bush and wanting a “change”, we see a politician unable to come to grips with how to work with those who may not have shared his left leaning ideology. It was easy throwing rocks from outside the big house, but now that he’s inside he must steer our ship of state through rough waters and understand that those who disagree with him, regardless of party, also won on Election Day.

These are the missteps of someone who has never had to run anything or take responsibility for what happens. Rest assured that should things get worse as our President learns on the job what it takes to be an executive, George Bush will continue to surface as the great cause of all our ills and he will be verbally tarred and feathered with the same venom displayed during his time in the big house. Obama again will rely on the disengaged Americans who don’t sweat the details about what happens in Washington in an attempt to bully the process toward his desired goal, even if he neglects to remind us that this is a global problem, the roots of which had been building for a long time.

Obama has been unable to settle down and understand some basic truths about governing this great nation: a President must instill confidence, not fear; he must unite, not divide; and he must advance the general good through skillful maneuvering of the legislative process. America is coming to know this man and is becoming increasingly concerned. It is arrogant to assume that everyone likes what he is trying to do, especially when polls show most do not. We are collectively concerned and for good reason.

From the get go, comparisons have been drawn to previous Presidents. During the campaign he was the next Kennedy. The inaugural address was to be like Lincoln. The handling of the economy, like FDR. We are learning that Obama is another Woodrow Wilson or Jimmy Carter and what a disastrous ride we are in for.