A bad week for Democrats compounded by an awful moment for Barack Obama.
By ROBERT A. GEORGE
Updated 9:18 AM CST, Fri, Nov 6, 20009
NBC Chicago
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.
New York writer Robert A. George blogs at Ragged Thots. Follow him on Twitter.
Anonymous Coward User ID: 196395 (OP) 11/6/2009 10:42 AM
Re: news politics Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
There is a 99% media blackout on this topic. While it is important not to gloss over the tragedy for political gain, it is important that Obama be exposed for the swine he is. How long was it before 9/11 became "The day Bush sat in a school reading a book about goats"?
The MSM is currently tiptoeing around motive when it is transparently obvious. The public is too well-informed now by other, more legitimate means for the major news outlets to perpetuate their lies and half-truths with impunity.
Yes, Hasan is a fucking scumbag for what he did. But don't lose sight of the bigger picture: that an event like this is quickly sidetracked and skewed until the true meaning behind it is lost.
Yeah, Whatever the same as it ever was... User ID: 473345 11/6/2009 11:15 AM
Re: news politics Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
It is hard to be someone other than who you are in a time of crisis
Mmmmmmm... yes. Thinking of Bush and the 'goat story' right about now.
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 811906
Mmmmmmm, are you also thinking that TOTUS hasn't gone to Texas yet to meet with the families? Not like he doesn't have the transportation.
Remember how Bush was reamed for not getting to New Orleans sooner after Katrina? Why hasn't Bammy made it out to Ft. Hood yet?
Watch the video posted above, his remarks are equivalent to "oh and by the way, I should also say something about a little thing that happened in Texas, but first let me thank my administration".
Anonymous Coward User ID: 811645 11/6/2009 11:40 AM
Re: news politics Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in, broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, WOW, What a ride!
Anonymous Coward User ID: 679788 11/6/2009 11:53 AM
Re: news politics Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
OMG did you just see him now. Please could he have showed some emotion? NOt even a fake tear? WTF? He doesn't even have to pretend he cares? SO if you are on the left our servicemen do not count at all but if you are an abortion doctor then you get more concern? Would it have been wrong to say my main concern is our service men and their families I will defend my economic failure on another day.
Evil Twin Senior Forum Moderator 11/6/2009 11:56 AM
Re: news politics Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
That reporter will be fired shortly. To visualize the coming apocalypse, imagine, if you will, Oprah & Rosie O'Donnell wrestling for the last rib at an all-you can-eat Bar-B-Q...
Anonymous Coward User ID: 679788 11/6/2009 11:57 AM
Re: news politics Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
Oh, yes! I haven't seem Obama so upbeat in months. He spent the first two minutes of his speech campaigning and gladhanding with his buddies before he finally got around to even mentioning those whom he said had been "kilt" and couldn't be bothered with the detail like the number who had lost their lives.
Now today he is warning us not to "jump to conclusions"! Like what? One of his fellow muslims did this and all he could to was laugh and gladhand and pat on the back his supporters?
This is much worse than the My Pet Goat that got so much criticism because he knew before he took to the podium what had happened and how many killed.
Anonymous Coward User ID: 811956 11/6/2009 12:19 PM
Re: news politics Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
Oh, yes! I haven't seem Obama so upbeat in months. He spent the first two minutes of his speech campaigning and gladhanding with his buddies before he finally got around to even mentioning those whom he said had been "kilt" and couldn't be bothered with the detail like the number who had lost their lives.
Now today he is warning us not to "jump to conclusions"! Like what? One of his fellow muslims did this and all he could to was laugh and gladhand and pat on the back his supporters?
This is much worse than the My Pet Goat that got so much criticism because he knew before he took to the podium what had happened and how many killed.
Quoting: Bluebird
Seriously...Obama spent the first part of his speech giving fricken SHOUT OUTS to his cronies! It's refuckingdiculous!
upliftedlala User ID: 373282 11/6/2009 12:29 PM
Re: news politics Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
Thanks op for posting this. I was watching it live and could not believe what I was seeing. Nobody seem to say anything about it so I thought maybe I was taking it the wrong way. I told my wife and she couldn't believe it. This man hates America and those that serve it!!!
Anonymous Coward User ID: 291938 11/6/2009 12:36 PM
Re: news politics Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting
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This article is from NBC out of Chicago!!!!!!
