Obama bitten by Fear: No Change When Scared
Recently, I read an article that referred to President Obama as “snake bitten.” If anything proves that true, it is the week just past.
Obama was the talk of the town after Tuesday night’s State of the Union address. Like the speech or not, find it effective or not, Obama had the conversation. And he had the news cycle. Talk of reductions in government regulation, talk of entrepreneurship and innovation, talk of taxation. While I may not believe in the President’s words (as I stated in an earlier post, based on his own historical conversations) many wanted to hear more. The President headed off to Wisconsin to visit businesses in bloom, and made yet another Sputnik reference. (I stated on my radio show that whoever gave him that reference to use should be fired. I stand by that.) But through it all, the snake was waiting….and it was hungry.
Egypt had been brewing. Since the turmoil in Tunisia, there have been multiple hot spots throughout the Middle East that had the right combination for mass protests. We see them now in Jordan, Yemen and other areas. By the time this is posted, or you read it, those might be ancient history compared to the new protests that have emerged.
But Egypt holds special significance, as it took Obama out of his element (fantasy) and in to his fear (reality.) Obama in fantasy spoke of how America is great at innovation. The fact that he favors innovation originating from government hands is not a factor to Obama. Nor it is a factor that government can not create jobs, or wealth. It is the citizens and the free market that does that. He was not talking specifics in Wisconsin, but rather playing off the “Hope” theme with “Winning The Future!” As former Governor Sarah Palin pointed out, “WTF?” indeed!
And now Obama is in his fear, which is reality. And in the weakest, most inept part of his fear, Foreign Policy. Certainly we witnessed his weakness during his world apology tour soon after his election – with the most famous (and offensive) speech being delivered in Cairo of all places. We watched as he bowed to world leaders and apologized for America’s ego. Recently, we watch President Obama say nothing about Iran. When the people of Iran wanted to vote – to have the opportunity to decide their leaders and their fate – they were shot in the streets. The people pushed to protest, and looked to the world for some back up. (Always note that when the people of an oppressed land look to the world, they are never looking to China or Russia. They are always, and only, looking to the United States!) Yet President Obama remained woefully silent. He could have, with a massive amount of restraint and understatement, gone to the lectern (any lectern!) and stated that he believes in the right of free people to live free, and to choose their own leaders. He could have left out the words “Iran” or “Iranians” if he wanted to. Just walk to the microphone, and say those words while wearing a green tie. It would have been enough…but it was too much for Obama.
Egypt lies on the cusp. The Mubarak family is pushing for the continuation of the dynasty, the military will not be ignored and the Muslim Brotherhood is trying to seize an opportunity along with countless other hardliner and socialist outfits. And, let’s not forget the Egyptians themselves (over 100 dead as of this post) who want to live free, and choose their own leaders. Those Egyptians are looking for some back up.
What the right decision is may still be unknown, and I will be discussing it on my radio show over the next few days. What is known is that leadership does not wait for polling data, nor does it wait for what some other world leaders might do. Leadership does not sit by while people die in pursuit of freedom. It does not speak in couched phrases and political doublespeak. It speaks clearly, without timidness or fear. Leadership does not fear reality…it recognizes it.
Obama’s comments on Egypt were his attempt at leadership. In them, he dismisses the idea that the Egyptian people have the right to live free, and choose their own leaders. He continues with idea that President Hosni Mubarak will stay the leader of Egypt, then scolds Mubarak like a child on the importance of listening to the people (unless those people are members of the Tea Party…in that case, pay them no mind.)
His comments rang hollow. He missed the moment. He lacks the leadership. The snake is about to bite. It is not an inability to understand the issue, or to read the latest intelligence briefings. It’s the fear of the reality. The reality for all of us (in Egypt, and in America) is that President Obama is no leader.
Obama Must Not Win.
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