Posted by
Philip Mella on Saturday, October 03, 2009 2:43:03 PM
Amid the apparently endless series of speeches and comments, on issues grand and frivolous, and informed by a nearly limitless confidence in a Midas touch that has thus far been a leaden failure, President Obama’s failure to secure Chicago for the 2016 Olympics is further evidence that his presidency is slated for mediocrity.
If political nuance were a virtue Mr. Obama would be a candidate for sainthood, since his every move on the global stage has been thoroughly scripted to comport with the world’s view that America is an over-valued stock. Indeed, if results are in short supply, he has succeeded in undermining the American exceptionalism that legions of patriots before him sacrificed to safeguard.
Whether it’s his Cairo speech, which set the tone for a newly chastised America in the context of college campus PC, his appearance with dictators such as Chavez, or his feckless demands for Iran to allow inspections, this president’s airy rhetoric amply compensates for a lack of substance.
He stunned our allies and brought smiles to our enemies when he capitulated to Russian demands to scrap the missile defense system for the Czech Republic and Poland, which reflected an apparent ignorance that Putin, not Medvedev is the man behind the curtain, if you will. His much-vaunted posturing for strong sanctions will never see the light of day because Putin and the Chinese are inveterately opposed to them.
That buys Iran more time to complete their nuclear program and puts Obama in the untenable position of having to either confront Ahmadinejad and the Mullahs—he’s more likely to demand that the U.S. begin drilling in ANWR—or stand by as Israel strikes.
Obama’s previously unwavering support for McChrystal’s troop surge has succumbed to his reprisal of McClellan paralysis compliments of his base, which sends an equivocal message to our allies in-country and strategic comfort to our enemies.
American history is replete with examples of presidents who, quite apart from innate intelligence, lacked the resolve and vision to lead our nation during perilous times. Some brought too fine a touch to the charge of foreign affairs, letting opportunities pass unexploited, or, obtusely misread the electorate on key domestic issues, squandering precious political capital in the process. It’s astonishing that Mr. Obama seems on a trajectory to accomplish both.
His lofty and misguided dream of landing the Olympics for Chicago is but the latest example of his adroit ability to misread the political landscape, compromising confidence in his leadership while embarrassing himself.