"We make you and we can break you" was the ominous axiom attributed to MGM's Louis B. Mayer in Hollywood's golden years. Dazzling stars with created personas who began to believe their own PR and dared to wander outside of Mayer's agenda, were held up to ridicule and unceremoniously dumped.
Two years ago, the public relations professionals along with true liberal ideologues and most of the mainstream media were tingling with delight to have found a dream candidate for president: an unbelievably attractive, pectorally perfect, dreamily fit and trim Barack Obama with the 50,000 watt smile who oozed intelligence from every pore and spoke political poetry with manly baritone resonance. By election night, the other guy was devoured like a Pismo clam.
If L.B. Mayer were alive, he would have grabbed Barack Obama in a nano-second and retired his other Hollywood stable of studs to concentrate on "the one."
It is understandable that after an easy election, President Obama continued to see his role as salesman-in-chief, traveling the country in Air Force One, putting on that happy campaign face, relaxed and confidently practicing the art of public relations. An expert must have advised him that his brilliant smile and easy laughter were his finest attributes, because that is what he continues to project in almost all circumstances.
When President Obama stood before both chambers of Congress recently with his sort of non-State of the Union address and said about the economy "I get it," there was wild cheering and a standing ovation. But does he really get it?
Trouble began when the economic distress of average Americans became a gravely serious issue. Journalists who were die-hard supporters started to notice a fork in the road with the mood of America becoming somber while the President continued to hold Wednesday evening at the White House cocktail parties for privileged supporters, often featuring pop-culture performers. Last week he flew across country to deliver one-liners on Jay Leno's Tonight Show and announced that he would take weekends off to unwind in the gym or practice bowling.
Even the President's hero, President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew enough to present a solemn attitude in public no matter how much caviar, cigars and celebrities he was enjoying in private.
The first rumble in a growing chorus of media discontent were criticisms about the President not being able to deliver the simplest of remarks without a tele-prompter. Then he made an impromptu visit to the White House press room to hang out and was questioned about his recent appointment of William Lynn, former lobbyist for defense contractor Raytheon, as Deputy Secretary of Defense. "I can't end up visiting you guys and shaking hands if I am going to get grilled every time I come down here" the President said with surprise.
It peaked last Sunday when a cheerful, almost giddy President gave an interview to Steve Kroft of CBS's 60 Minutes. The President was laughing out loud when referring to GM's plight of considering bankruptcy and Kroft quipped, "Are you punch-drunk?" It was a shockingly rude remark in an interview with a sitting President. Still the President was not fazed and explained with more laughter that sometimes "gallows humor" was needed to get through each day.
Is this an issue of Presidential hubris, or just a nervous mannerism of inappropriate laughter in a time of peril. Is easy familiarity now breeding contempt as media puts down their collective drool cups to perceive him differently?
President Obama must stop worrying about style and become a serious Commander-in-Chief.
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