A Conversation with Barack Obama

[daniel green]

The experience of his first months in office suggests that both camps need to recalibrate in light of new facts on the ground. In Obama's universe, strength and subtlety are not mutually exclusive. He may make the wrong call—things could go disastrously awry, at home or abroad, on his watch—but one of the most interesting and underappreciated things to emerge from these early days is how comfortable Obama is in making the call. He savors exercising the power of the presidency. Woodrow Wilson described the office as "the vital place of action in the system." From the financial sector to the automobile industry to terrorism, Obama has personally taken on those institutional characteristics. He is the action.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/197889

[liptonlite]

The experience of his first months in office suggests that both camps need to recalibrate in light of new facts on the ground. In Obama's universe, strength and subtlety are not mutually exclusive. He may make the wrong call—things could go disastrously awry, at home or abroad, on his watch—but one of the most interesting and underappreciated things to emerge from these early days is how comfortable Obama is in making the call. He savors exercising the power of the presidency. Woodrow Wilson described the office as "the vital place of action in the system." From the financial sector to the automobile industry to terrorism, Obama has personally taken on those institutional characteristics. He is the action.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/197889iirc ... the First Lady predicted this before the election, when she told us words to the effect: "no better man than Barack Obama."


apologies for not being able to find the exact quote or a link. will keep trying, as her words said it all; very prophetic.

[watcher2005]

... He savors exercising the power of the presidency..
http://www.newsweek.com/id/197889


I don't think that is a good thing.

[daniel green]

I don't think that is a good thing.

You didn't read the whole interview, did you?

It is fascinating.

[theal3]

You didn't read the whole interview, did you?

It is fascinating.

Wonderful article. Very insightful. I'm pleased we have a president that understands many complex issues, and is willing to explain them, over and over if need be, but not in a dumbed downed way. Over the years in jobs an in organizations (over 40 years) I've worked with folks who get to high positions and are overwhelmed, and I've worked with great "leaders" who see the big picture, an oversee long range plans, and can communicate it to others. I've seen some get a position, then work as little as possible, while others seem to relish the "challenge" and make hard decisions -- and/or have many things on their plate at the same time. Barack is wise beyond his years, and up to the challenge, IMHO.

[Susan43]

You didn't read the whole interview, did you?

It is fascinating.

You're right, it is a fascinating look at the president. Thanks for posting it.

One sentence really hit home to me.

His pragmatism and willingness to change his mind when confronted with new information occasionally drives the liberal element of his coalition to distraction.

Yep, it sure does...:lol:

[baltoman99]

You're right, it is a fascinating look at the president. Thanks for posting it.

One sentence really hit home to me.



Yep, it sure does...:lol:



OMG!!! You got that right.

You know I read many other Liberal boards and you'd think by many of the posts there that George Bush is still in the Oval Office. The man is doing what he said he'd do. He'd listen to all points and if something is said that makes sense and causes him to change course he's going to do it.

Those who listened know that. Those who didn't are the ones comparing him to Bush I suppose.

[liptonlite]

:wub: Daniel? Susan? keepers of great files and finders of great links; not to mention repositories of facts .... I need help .... during the elections Michelle Obama ... iirc .... attempted to forewarn us what a great president her husband would be ... I cannot find it anywhere.

I so want a link to the exact quote. Please?

[daniel green]

"I know Barack better than anybody," Obama told Michele Norris. "I know him not as a politician, but as a husband, and a father and a man. And I want to talk about that and why I think he'll be an extraordinary president."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93944992

[liptonlite]

OMG!!! You got that right.

You know I read many other Liberal boards and you'd think by many of the posts there that George Bush is still in the Oval Office. The man is doing what he said he'd do. He'd listen to all points and if something is said that makes sense and causes him to change course he's going to do it.

Those who listened know that. Those who didn't are the ones comparing him to Bush I suppose.:lol: closest to Pres Obama that bush2 comes in any statistic is height. and ... sorry george, even there you fall short.

Barack Obama 6' 1 1/2"

George W Bush 5' 11"

[liptonlite]

"I know Barack better than anybody," Obama told Michele Norris. "I know him not as a politician, but as a husband, and a father and a man. And I want to talk about that and why I think he'll be an extraordinary president."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93944992YES! and thank you. Have both bookmarked and filed the link.

What is sad, there is no way we can share the exact tone in which the First Lady said that. Pres Obama had already caught my attention, but there was something in both how and what our First Lady said that inspired me to trust him to be a great leader. Is resonate the appropriate term?

[Susan43]

:wub: Daniel? Susan? keepers of great files and finders of great links; not to mention repositories of facts .... I need help .... during the elections Michelle Obama ... iirc .... attempted to forewarn us what a great president her husband would be ... I cannot find it anywhere.

I so want a link to the exact quote. Please?

Sorry Lipton, I went looking but can't find it at the moment. I'll give it another try tomorrow.

[liptonlite]

Sorry Lipton, I went looking but can't find it at the moment. I'll give it another try tomorrow.Hey now, when I can't find something, I know two posters who can - you and Daniel. And thank you, but relax post #9 and again thanks to Daniel and you. Two great keepers of the facts.

[theal3]

It's Newsweek: very credible.

The thing that gets me about the Right an their sources and guests on their TV shows etc. or hosts is that they are ALWAYS blasting the "Media," well aren't they part of the "media."???? and then they site obscure papers, or news article for "support" and use web sites now for "sources." It's just incredible to me.

You never hear them use facts from: Newsweek, Time, NY Times, LA Times: credible sources, or even Politico.... or Capital Hill, or a host of credible authors/writers....... Anyway. It was a great read, and thank goodness the American public saw the primary and the general and decided WHO they wanted to run the country, for at least the next 4 years. IMHO

[watcher2005]

You didn't read the whole interview, did you?

It is fascinating.

I'm glad you find it fascinating, but I still don't find "he savors exercising the power of the presidency" to be a good thing.

[liptonlite]

It's Newsweek: very credible.

The thing that gets me about the Right an their sources and guests on their TV shows etc. or hosts is that they are ALWAYS blasting the "Media," well aren't they part of the "media."???? and then they site obscure papers, or news article for "support" and use web sites now for "sources." It's just incredible to me.

You never hear them use facts from: Newsweek, Time, NY Times, LA Times: credible sources, or even Politico.... or Capital Hill, or a host of credible authors/writers....... Anyway. It was a great read, and thank goodness the American public saw the primary and the general and decided WHO they wanted to run the country, for at least the next 4 years. IMHO:biggrin: I find the highly edited, yet cited/credited youtube as a real factual source of amusement.

[liptonlite]

I'm glad you find it fascinating, but I still don't find "he savors exercising the power of the presidency" to be a good thing.Out of context that would be bothersome; in other terms that is called cherry picking. Taking one phrase and forming an opinion is not significantly different than accepting a sound byte or a headline as fact. Again, key word, context.

[watcher2005]

Out of context that would be bothersome; in other terms that is called cherry picking. Taking one phrase and forming an opinion is not significantly different than accepting a sound byte or a headline as fact. Again, key word, context.


It's the subject of a paragraph. What do you think the proper context is?

[liptonlite]

It's the subject of a paragraph. What do you think the proper context is?'k a paragraph ... how about in toto the entire article? That would be context.

Watcher2005, seriously, I respect you, as you want to keep all our elected officials "honest" and 'at their jobs.' And, I am seriously with you there. However, I do think we part ways on occasion, because I hope to never become cynically blind. While it is always in our best interest to watch all politicians carefully, we would betray our own objective by simply rejecting anyone.

Ask any FBI profiler for a description of anyone who would desire to be president. My guess? 99.9% of them would scare the carp out of us. But what makes us sentient human beings is to recognize the exception to the rule.

So, the fact Pres Obama is comfortable in his role is not an alarm bell. I for one am thrilled to have a thinking man in the White House. Such a refreshing change from the puppet karl and dick were controlling.

[watcher2005]

"Presidential Power-Tripping: Why executive authority is the most important issue this November," Radley Balko | May 22, 2008

©2008-9 Reason Magazine. All Rights Reserved.


http://www.reason.com/news/show/126621.html

[shiloh2000]

I'm glad you find it fascinating, but I still don't find "he savors exercising the power of the presidency" to be a good thing.

Neither do I. That power thing can go to a persons head.

[Carol25]

Hatred can too, people from the party of no want to criticise everything.....:glare:
It appears you are going overboard on the "party of no" thing. The all or none, everything or nothing, has got to go. Nothing is all black and white. We can't paint everything with such a broad brush. On either side, my friend.

[shiloh2000]

Hatred can too, people from the party of no want to criticise everything.....:glare:

And the party of lies don't?

[shiloh2000]

"Presidential Power-Tripping: Why executive authority is the most important issue this November," Radley Balko | May 22, 2008

©2008-9 Reason Magazine. All Rights Reserved.


http://www.reason.com/news/show/126621.html

"When our scholars lionize presidents who break free from constitutional restraints, when our columnists and talking heads repeatedly call upon the "commander in chief " to dream great dreams and seek the power to achieve them--when voters look to the president for salvation from all problems great and small--should we really be surprised that the presidency has burst its constitutional bonds and grown powerful enough to threaten American liberty?"

So very true!

[firsttoserve]

And the party of lies don't?

ATQ. Nope the Dems have been in power over 100 days, and it's been so much better than bush/dick. :thumbsup:

[watcher2005]

Yeah, instead of George Bush expanding the power of the executive branch, it's Barack Obama.

Even when an article advanced by one of his supporters refers to it, the power savoring is simply brushed aside.

Type "obama sides with bush" into your favorite search engine (not even a cleverly crafted search), read the articles, and get back to me on how much spare change we're getting.