I don’t remember voting for Mr. Rogers for president, but I think that’s who I got. Barack Obama doesn’t wear the same sweater and sneakers day after day, and Rahm Emanuel isn’t exactly Mr. McFeely, but we’ve got an administration whose theme song is “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.”
It’s time for Barack Obama to take off his bipartisan sweater and replace it with something tough. His courtly, civil manner only goes so far.
How can he change?
First, bring in George W. Bush for an afternoon. Those of us who didn’t like 43 laughed at his cowboy swagger, but Bush, it turns out, had the last laugh. He was the boss, and he got his way. From Bush, Obama can learn how to wear the presidential suit of power. It doesn’t fit him yet, and W is the perfect tailor.
Second, fire somebody. Anybody. My favorites are Timothy Geithner and Larry Summers, who aren’t credible reformers for ordinary Americans. But other staffers will do. People pay attention when heads roll, and they respect the head roller.
Third, strong-arm the passage of a jobs bill. Ditto health care. It’s time to study Lyndon Johnson and knock some heads together. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid need to understand who’s boss.
Fourth, quit inviting Jamie Dimon to the White House. The CEO of JPMorgan Chase ought not to have ready access to our president when millions are unemployed. We must regulate big banks, and like it or not, friends have to go.
Fifth, confront the Republicans at every opportunity. They created the mess we’re in and should be held accountable. If Republicans continue their obstructionist posture, remind the country that they don’t make good neighbors.
Which brings me back to Fred Rogers. Though adults often loved his show, a lot of kids didn’t.
Kids understand the playground, after all. Sometimes there’s a place for the tough guy, and everyone else needs to get out of his way.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Curious Passivity of Barack Obama
During the 2008 campaign, Barack Obama signaled to us the pattern we now face in our leader. It first surfaced when candidate Obama allowed his detractors—for weeks—to portray the Reverend Jeremiah Wright as an extreme nut without ever trying to reframe the issue. Finally Obama emerged with one of the best speeches he’s given, on race, and Reverend Wright disappeared.
Now with Obama as our president we see this same passivity as he retreats into the background when he’s needed most. For months he allowed the House and Senate to dither on health care reform, without inserting his leadership into the process, and, as a result, we still don’t have a bill.
Then surprise hit, when it shouldn’t have. Ted Kennedy’s seat is gone, and where was the administration? As David Axelrod weakly explained, “I think the White House did everything we were asked to do. Had we been asked earlier we would have responded earlier.”
Since when does the party in power allow any important election to occur without aggressive intervention on the part of the administration? Where is the Democrats’ equivalent of Karl Rove, who would never have allowed such a surprise on his watch?
As a result of this foolish passivity, we’ve lost our 60 votes and with them the hope of a meaningful health care bill. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting for the Reverend Wright speech.
In Obama’s interview with George Stephanopoulos earlier this week, the president talked passionately about the need for health care reform, but backed away as usual from getting involved in the legislative process. We should let the House “make its [own] determinations,” he said. Why? After all, he’s tried this and it hasn’t worked. It’s time to call in Nancy Pelosi and apply some pressure.
But that’s not Obama’s style, at least not yet. He’s still operating in passive mode, preferring his role as facilitator to leader.
Facilitation wasn’t a total disaster in his first year; he’s gotten some big stuff done. But bigger stuff lies ahead—and awaits a president to take the lead.
Now with Obama as our president we see this same passivity as he retreats into the background when he’s needed most. For months he allowed the House and Senate to dither on health care reform, without inserting his leadership into the process, and, as a result, we still don’t have a bill.
Then surprise hit, when it shouldn’t have. Ted Kennedy’s seat is gone, and where was the administration? As David Axelrod weakly explained, “I think the White House did everything we were asked to do. Had we been asked earlier we would have responded earlier.”
Since when does the party in power allow any important election to occur without aggressive intervention on the part of the administration? Where is the Democrats’ equivalent of Karl Rove, who would never have allowed such a surprise on his watch?
As a result of this foolish passivity, we’ve lost our 60 votes and with them the hope of a meaningful health care bill. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting for the Reverend Wright speech.
In Obama’s interview with George Stephanopoulos earlier this week, the president talked passionately about the need for health care reform, but backed away as usual from getting involved in the legislative process. We should let the House “make its [own] determinations,” he said. Why? After all, he’s tried this and it hasn’t worked. It’s time to call in Nancy Pelosi and apply some pressure.
But that’s not Obama’s style, at least not yet. He’s still operating in passive mode, preferring his role as facilitator to leader.
Facilitation wasn’t a total disaster in his first year; he’s gotten some big stuff done. But bigger stuff lies ahead—and awaits a president to take the lead.
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