[Alleged] President Obama didn't wait long after Tuesday's devastating elections to give critics another reason to question his leadership, but this time the subject matter was more grim than a pair of governorships.
After news broke out of the shooting at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas, the nation watched in horror as the toll of dead and injured climbed. The White House was notified immediately and by late afternoon, word went out that the president would speak about the incident prior to a previously scheduled appearance. At about 5 p.m., cable stations went to the president. The situation called for not only his trademark eloquence, but also grace and perspective.
But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a "shout-out" to "Dr. Joe Medicine Crow -- that Congressional Medal of Honor winner." Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?
Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. The president should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That's the least that should occur.
Indeed, an argument could be made that Obama should have canceled the Indian event, out of respect for people having been murdered at an Army post a few hours before. That would have prevented any sort of jarring emotional switch at the event.
Did the president's team not realize what sort of image they were presenting to the country at this moment? The disconnect between what Americans at home knew had been going on -- and the initial words coming out of their president's mouth was jolting, if not disturbing.
It must have been disappointing for many politically aware Democrats, still reeling from the election two days before. The New Jersey gubernatorial vote had already demonstrated that the president and his political team couldn't produce a winning outcome in a state very friendly to Democrats (and where the president won by 15 points one year ago). And now this? Congressional Democrats must wonder if a White House that has burdened them with a too-heavy policy agenda over the last year has a strong enough political operation to help push that agenda through.
If the president's communications apparatus can't inform -- and protect -- their boss during tense moments when the country needs to see a focused commander-in-chief and a compassionate head of state, it has disastrous consequences for that president's party and supporters.
All the president's men (and women) fell down on the job Thursday. And Democrats across the country have real reason to panic.
By the way, the fellow that Obama "shouted out" to is not a Congressional Medal of Honor winner.
Posted 2009-11-06 6:54 AM (#27464 - in reply to #27463) By: EternalVigilance
I don't want to appear insensitive to the magical messiah, but he looked down and read everything he said about it. He did find it in his vocabulary to use "horrifying" though.
Posted 2009-11-06 7:06 AM (#27466 - in reply to #27463) By: FreeByrd
How long will the flags fly at half mast this time?
They had better top the length of mourning done over Ted Kennedy.
We can, in fact, ensure that by demanding it, and by doing it.
Let our voices be heard!
REMEMBER FORT HOOD!
Posted 2009-11-06 7:12 AM (#27468 - in reply to #27466) By: Roundhead
Well, maybe this event did not warrant the level of off-script comment or impomtu response the arrest of Harvard Professor Gates did. And maybe it did not deserve special extemporaneous remarks. But after he has time to think about it -- outside the basketball schedule and his picks -- he’ll probably have more to say. (Possibly before he tees-up over the weekend or maybe after the ninth hole anyhow)
Or maybe he can decide -- at some point -- what type of "teachable moment" we should have over this?
Edited by FreeByrd 2009-11-06 8:10 AM
Posted 2009-11-06 8:05 AM (#27478 - in reply to #27466) By: FreeByrd
Don't expect strong denouncement. His behavior must be viewed through the lens of his prior actions and statements. Here are a few:
Posted 2009-11-06 9:24 AM (#27496 - in reply to #27495) By: Philomena
"that experience guides my conviction." No we don't need an interpreter or press secretary explanation.
“It is important for western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit.” That covers it. Is he either dumb or doesn’t he think we understand what he says – and the implications/consequences of it?
Edited by FreeByrd 2009-11-06 9:49 AM
Posted 2009-11-06 9:33 AM (#27498 - in reply to #27496) By: FreeByrd
Ft. Hood remarks Friday, November 6th, 2009 (duration 1 minute, 26 seconds)
OBAMA: "I would caution about jumping to conclusions until we have all the facts"
OBAMA: " ... a modest tribute" ...
Obama: 'I won't let up' fighting unemployment
& Fort Hood "Don't Jump to Conclusions"
Posted 2009-11-06 9:53 AM (#27504 - in reply to #27498) By: Savvy
He was willing to jump past a few conclusions for Professor Gates' arrest to conclude the department acted "stupidly".
Hmmm...
stupidly adv. Merriam Webster
Stupid:
1 A) slow of mind: obtuse; B) given to unintelligent decisions or actions: acting in an unintelligent or careless manner C) lacking intelligence or reason: brutish
2 dulled in feeling or sensation: torpid
3 marked by or resulting from acting unreasoned thinking or acting: senseless
4 a) lacking interest or point b) vexatious, exasperating
I’m thinking how much that applies to Obama.
Posted 2009-11-06 10:11 AM (#27507 - in reply to #27504) By: FreeByrd
Obama "jumps to conclusions" BEFORE having all the facts, saying the police "acted stupidly" and raising the issue of race in the arrest of his friend, Henry Louis Gates.
Posted 2009-11-06 10:12 AM (#27508 - in reply to #27504) By: Savvy
Regarding Obama's five-minute press conference this morning:
I noticed Obama referred to flags at half mast as a "modest tribute." When the American flag is lowered in grief, only someone with little regard for the flag would consider it a "modest" display. And if flags at half mast are, to Obama, a "modest tribute", does he not consider our fallen military entitled to extraordinary tributes?
When Harvard professor, Henry Louis Gates was arrested, Obama & Biden took time to host a 'beer summit' ... complete with all the trappings of extensive media coverage.
When Chicago wanted the Olympics, Barack & Michelle flew in separate jets nearly half-way around the world to be present.
These were extraordinary tributes to liberal elites and Chicago politicians.
Are our fallen military not worth more than 1 minute, 25 seconds and a "modest tribute?" or are we to conclude Obama cares less about military and police in America, than about bandishing unsubstantiated accusations of racial profiling and alleged mass-murderers who share his "Islamic faith?"
The press conference concluded as Obama jogged up steps leading to a column-lined White House porch and french door-entry ... apparently running from discussion of both alleged mass murder by a Muslim adherent and dismal unemployment topping 10% for the first time in over 30 years.
Obama clearly did not want to discuss the Texas murders long and jogging up steps is not usually action taken by someone who is heavy-hearted.
Could it be Obama was unaffected by both murders in Texas and dismal unemployment figures? I can't image someone downhearted jogging up steps ... it just seems so ... upbeat.
Posted 2009-11-06 10:24 AM (#27509 - in reply to #27508) By: Savvy
Notice this very subtle cue to the news media:
"... as we continue to learn more about what happened at Fort Hood, this Administration will continue to provide you updates in the coming days and weeks."
In other words, don't pay attention to any of the actual eye-witness accounts, and don't read too much into any of the independent news reports dealing with this event, but instead wait for my Press Secretary to spoon feed you guys with our own, "White House - approved" version of the truth. And until we provide you with that version, please refrain from any further broadcasts on this subject.
How sad that no one in the media has yet found the courage to challenge him on this particular remark.
Edited by VALEDICTION 2009-11-06 1:25 PM
Posted 2009-11-06 1:19 PM (#27524 - in reply to #27509) By: VALEDICTION
So are we to understand FOXNews is NOT a news organization ... and the White House Administration IS?
W.H.A.News?
Posted 2009-11-07 7:45 AM (#27581 - in reply to #27524) By: Savvy
That's an odd word for Obama to use. One could hardly label anything Obama says or does as "modest".
Posted 2009-11-07 8:26 AM (#27585 - in reply to #27509) By: FreeByrd
