President Obama In Command

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Obama Administration
Posted on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 06:42:58 PM EST
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This dkos diary has me chuckling because well Tweety had to go a decade ago really. But I also think it really misses something that has happened in President Obama's first month in office - at least imo - he has forged a relationship of trust with the American People. He is a tremendous politician. The cable chatter and the Media chatter do not matter, as his poll results demonstrate.

I think we have to agitate for our views (see Digby, Jane Hamsher and Greenwald all the time), but at this point, President Obama's political fate (and historical fate for that matter) will be completely determined by the efficacy of his policies. Anyone watching his masterful performance today in his presser at the end of the silly "fiscal sensibility" conference could see it - it was President Obama in command. It is how it feels and how I think the American People perceive it.

[More...]

It's true that his economic team has been pretty abysmal on the PR front and who knows what they will come up with for the financial crisis (and his stimulus package is clearly inadequate), but when he personally takes the stage, he is in command.

While the sniping and the blind adulation make for interesting discussion topics, the political reality is President Obama is in command now, of public opinion and the public agenda. Whether he succeeds or fails is entirely in his hands.

Speaking for me only

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President Obama In Command | 40 comments (40 topical)

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This is all, so... (5.00 / 0) (#1)
by Pacific John on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:01:35 PM EST

... '80s. RWR could look good in front of the cameras, and reassure people no matter what the subject matter. Obama gets this brand of leadership. Smart guy.

Buy as you say, in the end, he'll sink or swim with major events like the economy or the timing of a national emergency.

You get my point (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:07:13 PM EST

Obama has Reagan-like command of the agenda.

What he does with that will determine his fate.


Reagan's people were masters (none / 0) (#16)
by BernieO on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 08:19:21 PM EST

at manipulating the media. I still think they will have a huge impact on how the public interprets what Obama does.

I am not sure they will be able to manage their message well if the corporate media turns on him.


: That's the Dem opposition (none / 0) (#22)
by Pacific John on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 08:51:53 PM EST

theory (sort of the opposite from BTD's iirc) that the media will eventually ravage Obama. I thought they would turn on him the day after the convention, so that shows what I know.
My favorite current theory is the one Moyers, Greenwald and Rosen discussed a couple of weeks back, that Obama has to juggle the Village's desire for status quo, with the populist desires for change of the progressive base to maintain his popularity for the next couple of years.
Obama might just pull it off if he can sell both sides on his on his charismatic leadership.
Again, Reagan is the model. He gave comforting signals to both the Village and his base, and famously didn't lift a finger for the social right that he privately accused of wanting to go "off the cliff with flags flying."
But still, by 2012, he can screw his base, the Village, or both, and get away with it, if the economy roars back.
All he has to do is play to the camera.

Bill Clinton told Larry King (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by oculus on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:07:46 PM EST

he suggests President Obama be a bit more optimistic, or at least sound that way.

Let's hear what Hillary has to say... (none / 0) (#4)
by KoolJeffrey on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:14:21 PM EST

...for a change. Obama is being realistic. Bill is being grouchy.


Somerby has the lowdown on this nonsense (5.00 / 3) (#5)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:15:42 PM EST

Bill said a lot of great things about Obama.


Bill did say good things. (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by oculus on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:21:46 PM EST

Well, actually... (5.00 / 4) (#10)
by christinep on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:35:43 PM EST

saying that Pres. Obama should project optimism isn't exactly what I would call criticism. When you suggest to someone that the selling would be a bit easier with some more sunshine, guess what??? That is the kind of suggestion a friend or someone with your interests at heart would make. And, it is a good suggestion.


: like BTD sez, daily howler has it (none / 0) (#40)
by DFLer on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 12:24:00 PM EST

CUOMO (2/20/09): Would you like to see [Obama] be more positive? He's had some dour proclamations recently. And yet he kind of came in on this wave of hope--"I'm the voice of hope." Has not been that hopeful lately.

CLINTON: I'll tell you what I would like. First of all, the last thing that you want to do when you take office in a time like this is give people a lot of inane happy talk and false promises about how quickly we can get out of this...
Somerby interjects:
Sickening, isn't it? Sickeningly stupid? What was the first thing Clinton said, when asked if Obama should be "more positive?" Clinton praised the new president because he hasn't offered people "a lot of inane happy talk." And sure enough! When Cuomo asked a second time, Clinton said it again:
CLINTON: But I actually--I like the fact that he didn't come in and give us a bunch of happy talk. I'm glad he shot straight with us.

Stage prresence... (5.00 / 2) (#6)
by weltec2 on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:21:39 PM EST

Yes, he has stage presence. But there is still the foundation, and the foundation is weak. Without a foundation the stage will crumble. TPM gets down to it this morning:

Obama Admin Backs Bushies On Missing Emails
By Zachary Roth - February 23, 2009, 5:27PM
Change we can believe in? Maybe not so much.
The Obama administration is siding with the Bush administration in trying to kill a lawsuit brought by watchdog groups that seeks to gain access to Bush White House emails, reports the Associated Press.

If he remains unable to find his spine on the fundamental questions of crimes committed by the previous administration -- and I do not believe he will -- than this fine oratory castle that he has built in the air will crumble and we will all suffer as a consequence.

: Obama (none / 0) (#20)
by Samuel on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 08:46:02 PM EST

thanked a war criminal for his "service to the country" during the inauguration. The only chance of Bush being tried is if the country actually flips out over it and we'll be distracted for the next few years - so never going to happen.

Optical illusion (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by koshembos on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:22:24 PM EST

Obama may be "in command" but doing badly on the economy where the people will be scrutinizing his actions. The stimulus is way too small; his solution to the dead Citibank and B of A is life support - this leads nowhere.

So he is a good showman, big deal.

For a pol (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:30:30 PM EST

it is a a very big deal.


Well, I'm hoping for more (5.00 / 3) (#19)
by Coral on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 08:44:24 PM EST

than a pol, I'm hoping for some underlying philosophy that will move the nation in a positive direction.

I agree with you that without political skills, being able to move events/people/Congress in the direction you feel it needs to go is unlikely.

He got the stimulus passed. Not sure what else he really means to do. He is all over the map in terms of policy, feinting now toward conservatives, or "moderate" conservatives, now toward a more progressive stance.

I'd say he has another month to establish a clear direction. The moment must be seized, because we are in a crisis that is beginning to look like it is getting out of control.


: Well (none / 0) (#26)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 09:58:59 PM EST

Your hopes are misplaced in politics.

Great pols (5.00 / 2) (#27)
by cal1942 on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 10:00:48 PM EST

are able to enact bold policy.

See FDR, our greatest politician.

Obama had opportunities very early on and settled for far less than needed and far less than could have been accomplished.

Now he's failing to act in the banking crisis, showing no signs of making the moves that will help the economy turn around.

The fidgeting over deficits is not encouraging. In reality deficits are only a political issue for a very small number of people. Most people could care less about deficits. They do care about having jobs and feeling secure in the jobs they do have. They care about food and shelter and if they feel those are at risk they aren't particular about how they're secured only that they're secured.


The jury is out (5.00 / 2) (#30)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 10:22:05 PM EST

I have written it often - two paths for Obama now - FDR or Jimmy Carter.


: Yup (none / 0) (#31)
by cal1942 on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 10:23:25 PM EST

I guess I'm missing the gene that (5.00 / 6) (#11)
by Anne on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:45:22 PM EST

should be making me look upon Obama as truly being in command; or maybe it's that I fear what he's doing with that commanding presence - like once again going to commune with the GOP on ways to get spending under control AND he's convening a "health care summit" next week.

I've got goosebumps at the possibilities those two things inspire.

I'm sick of optics, sick of being managed, tired of being strung along at the possibility of truly liberal policies and agenda, only to be jerked back to the reality that Obama would rather court the GOP and insert their half-baked and wrong-headed ideas into everything than be responsive to actual Democrats - but boy, can he command a teleprompter, deliver a speech, scold and lecture like no one else.

It was bad enough when the GOP mucked around with things that matter to me, but it's so much worse and so much more damaging when it's being done by a Democrat, for God's sake.

That "silly" fiscal responsibility summit - to be followed by a health care summit - matters because the people participating in it are the people who will shape the policy, advise on the spending cuts, play with health care like a cat with a mouse. These people are going to determine where all of this is headed. Silly? No. Collegial and bipartisan and pragmatic - oh, joy! - and probably the beginning of the end of real reform, and real economic progress.

Fear is fear, and it keeps the masses in line (5.00 / 6) (#13)
by Inspector Gadget on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:52:45 PM EST

Bush used the fear of terrorists, Obama is using the fear of our financial well-being and all that goes along with it.

That's why I enjoyed Clinton's comment that Obama needs to be optimistic. Clinton got people to manage their lives and their successes just by telling them they could. I don't ever remember a day of fear caused by Clinton.


: Very good observation. (none / 0) (#18)
by Samuel on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 08:43:09 PM EST

This division of fear types amongst the parties is funny in the sense that Fascist dictators utilize both these fear mechanisms. Bismark started the first social security program! Makes some think.

in watching and reading (5.00 / 4) (#15)
by NYShooter on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 08:12:00 PM EST

people I respect, there seems to be a growing consensus that Obama, and his administration, while not quite the "Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight," is The Gang That Can't Quite focus."

King Soloman wanted to cut the baby in half; Obama wants to cut it in twelve slices. In their zeal to give everyone a little something, they're going to end up with everything going down. They fear he still really doesn't quite "get it," the terrible seriousness of our situation. They feel that overwhelming fire power is called for, and also feel he could have rallied the people (they are more than ready) and accomplished real results.

A growing sense of dread is forming; he had a choice to make: be a great politician, or be a great leader.

It's beginning to look like he's simply hard wired to be a great politician, and can't quite make the transition to Leader.


12 slices (none / 0) (#17)
by Coral on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 08:36:16 PM EST

Interesting. I have some of the same feeling, but still enjoy seeing his appearances, which do inspire confidence.

If the stock market weren't on this long downward slide and the Treasury Dept/Summers policy on the banking crisis weren't so confused, I'd be one of Obama's biggest cheerleaders.

I'm just wondering...where all this is going to go.


: oh, I agree (5.00 / 2) (#24)
by NYShooter on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 09:50:17 PM EST

He wasn't my first choice, but when he became my only choice, I became his biggest rooter. You would have to be really insane to not hope with all your heart for his success, or not be inspired by his earnestness.
But I was talking about people who in my opinion are truly gifted, and have an insight, I also believe, may be more accurate than we common hopers and wishers.
They used the word, "dread," which, as you may know, is different than "fear," or "apprehensive."
Soldiers on a battlefield experience fear; inmates at Buchenwald experienced dread.

So far (5.00 / 2) (#23)
by cal1942 on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 09:42:12 PM EST

the indicators aren't good. It appears that there simply won't be the kind of bold action that's needed to bring the nation back to life.

The bi-partisan foolishness that worried so many of us during the primaries sadly appears to have been a justifiable concern.


You're sick of politics (none / 0) (#12)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:48:14 PM EST

but it is a necessary evil.


He Seems Comfortable in... (5.00 / 0) (#14)
by santarita on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 07:54:40 PM EST

pursuing his agenda. He reminds me of a young idealistic guy who has just been promoted to a supervisory role and is trying to put into action some long cherished notions. I say, "Good Luck".

BTD Running a bit Optimistic (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by pluege on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 08:50:06 PM EST

I surely hope you are right about Obama making the corporate media irrelevant, but I think its a little early to tell; and with crisis busting out everywhere, Obama could get tripped up at any moment...or perhaps it is because of all the crises that the American people are sticking, for now with Obama. Whichever, it would be a tremendous accomplishment if Obama could by-pass the idiotic corporate media with their trivializing, insidious republican water-carrying distractions, and instead speak directly to the American people.

If we stop believing in Obama (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by Coral on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 09:57:51 PM EST

where are we going to go? Pelosi? Reid? The situation is so ominous, that we have to hold on to the only hope that's left.


: We have to press (5.00 / 2) (#28)
by cal1942 on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 10:10:47 PM EST

and press hard for needed policy.
Letting Obama off the hook is not an option.
Greenwald put it quite nicely:

Prioritizing support for a political leader as the highest objective is horribly bad for both a political movement and the leader.

: We need to believe in ourselves (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by Inspector Gadget on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 10:11:34 PM EST

and keep a close watch on the politicians. They are going to protect their fat paychecks, lobbyist payouts, PAC contributions, and benefits before they watch out for our social security, healthcare, schools, and overall well-being. The power they hold is no greater than the power we GIVE them, and right now I'm very concerned over how much the country is focused on what the gov't is going to do to save us rather than what we are going to do to make sure they don't over-step their authority at our expense.

: If Obama is the only hope we have (5.00 / 4) (#32)
by Anne on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 10:39:55 PM EST

left, we are in serious trouble.
He is not the only hope, and endowing him with that kind of power, as if he were some kind of god, is a huge mistake.
Be strong in what you believe, and look to him to implement and advance the agenda that you hold dear; do not cede judgment on policy and agenda to one man.
Hope, as I see it, rests in the concerted and collective efforts of the people to inspire the president to bring his leadership to bear to see that the things that matter to us are brought to fruition.

Yep (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by zaladonis on Tue Feb 24, 2009 at 05:19:50 AM EST

Obama is in command just as Bush was after 9/11.

Unfortunately, being popular and being competent are two different things. And the American people have, in recent years, been more dazzled by seduction than by substance.

Obama's patchwork and inadequate response to the economic crisis does not bode well.

I'm not holding my breath on his health care (none / 0) (#33)
by suzieg on Mon Feb 23, 2009 at 11:09:43 PM EST

plan/solution after reading the following:

http://www.counterpunch.com/redmond02232009.html

February 23, 2009

Kennedy and the Corporate Lobbyists Craft a Business-Friendly Health Plan
Ted's Table
By HELEN REDMOND

So now we know where Senator Edward Kennedy has been in between treatments for his cancerous brain tumor and recuperating at his compound in Hyannisport, or at his other home in Florida. He's been in secret, invitation only meetings with lobbyists from: Aetna, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the Business Roundtable, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PHRMA).

Apparently, Mr. Kennedy doesn't give a rat's ass about President Obama's promise of transparency and limiting the influence of corporate lobbyists in his administration. Mr. Obama is aware of these secret meetings with lobbyists but so far hasn't expressed any concern or disapproval.