RSS
Home
The leadership vacuum: adapt, migrate, or become extinct
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Good leadership is the persuasive talent to inspire people to cooperate for the greater good.
The ability to adapt is the mark of intelligence.
Intelligent leadership combines these elements.
For all the hoopla these past three years characterizing Mr. Obama as the most brilliant political leader yet seen, little in the way of intelligent leadership has been demonstrated since January.
During the campaign he presented himself the slightly center left patriot capable of hobnobbing with radicals without contracting the disease. Yet the moment he swore the oath, he started breaking it, along with his promise to govern from the center.
Now, only 10 months into his term, his approval rating has fallen through the floor, his disapproval rating soars, more than half the country stands opposed, while 38% according to Rasmussen strongly disapprove, translation: mad as hell. Thirty-eight percent of 108 million voters is 41 million. Add another 20 million who are seriously alienated and the future for Democrats looks mighty dim.
Almost every Democrat policy initiative meets with strong opposition and controversy. Even with a big 'mandate' a year ago, and a huge majority in the House, PelosiCare only passed by two votes. Weak.
Obama appears incapable of strong leadership in foreign affairs or as commander in chief. Wild spending and crushing debt infuriate most voters. Healthcare reform has become a lighting rod to spark conservative resurgence. Cap and Trade lunancy looms, another lightning rod.
And today, the move to bring 9/11 'suspects' from Gitmo to New York for trial in civilian court fully televised, providing our enemies a global electronic platform to spew hatred, whip up extremism, put us at risk, and further promote the 'we suck' tour: Obama's DOJ on PC steroids.
Incredible that Holder and Obama would announce this ill-advised movement of 9/11 terrorists for trial only days after the Ft. Hood massacre. The insensitivity displayed by this President right after that atrocity was bad enough. He compounds it today bringing news he continues making excuses for killers.
But never mind. We wouldn't want to jump to conclusions about radical Islam, terrorists seething with murderous hatred in our midst, or rogue nations with nukes. Instead, listen to the intelligent leader who would have us turn our ire on Israel and Tea Party people.
At some point one keeps expecting Mr. Obama to demonstrate some of this celebrated intelligence, and adapt. At some point one hopes to see a change wherein he inspires a majority to cooperate.
Knowing full well the vast majority of people oppose closing Gitmo and oppose bringing terrorists from there to here, he goes ahead anyway. Few would condemn him (other than the hyenas on the Left) if he stopped and said, 'Hey, after deep deliberation we've determined closing Gitmo is a bad idea because there aren't really any good alternatives, and, we've decided, based on sound advice from both sides of aisle, it is better leaving justice in the hands of military tribunals, in part, because that squares with the terrorists' insistence they are enemy combatants.'
If he did something like that, and said something like that, his polling data would start to change overnight.
Further, adaptation on healthcare and cap and trade would be in order given our financial situation.
He might suggest the people choose one or the other because we certainly cannot afford both at this point. Presenting himself fiscally responsible and making the people choose, takes him off the hook to an extent and preserves the base in view of 2010.
Intelligent leadership, perceiving a narrowing dark hallway ahead economically, would make moves to broaden the road and open the options for more sunlight to pour in. In view of the worsening economy made worse by federal spending and plans to tax the marrow out of the very people who make the country work, the President has a ripe opportunity to make real changes that would give people real hope.
Adaptive wisdom would lead Mr. Obama to announce a return to proven policies: lower taxes, enhanced economic freedom through reduced regulation, encouragement of open markets, strenghtened lines of credit for small business, and a focus on rebuilding our manufacturing base, all moves sure to create jobs and get the country moving again. You know: real stimulus.
Intelligent leadership would manifest in decisiveness with regard to Afghanistan and Iraq and Iran and North Korea and Russia, demonstrating to the world we stand by goodness and security and Israel no matter what.
And intelligent leadership would refuse to pander to hyper-partisans and foreign powers solely for the sake of holding fast the reins of power.
So far, the leadership we have seen insists on riding a predetermined track, no matter where it leads, no matter the serial failures, accelerating down the line without any ability to adapt, persuading people of one thing: this is no longer a government of, by and for the people. The majority of people now realize they've been snookered. Few remain inspired, fewer still willing to cooperate.
By insisting on his way or no way, Mr. Obama has provoked a huge and growing backlash. By his refusal to listen to the people, he has created a leadership vacuum, a vacuum conservatives are working feverishly to fill in 2010, and 2012, praying Mr. Obama will continue on his track, doing most of the heavy lifting for them.
Mr. Obama is already a lame duck without even knowing it. Time to adapt, migrate or become extinct politically.
_________
"Communism is like prohibition, it's a good idea but it won't work." Will Rogers, 1927
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
