Perhaps You Missed It? Obama Proved Himself Unfit To Lead During Debate

It took some reflection to realize, but I think most objective observers will agree that Obama committed what should be seen as a fatal mistake for any potential American political leader in Friday's debate. Were the media actually objective they would be pointing it out, particularly as Democrats and Republicans were deeply involved in sensitive, critical negotiations at the time.

McCain took it on the chin from many on the Right for failing to attack Obama on what is a critical weakness - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, especially while the entire country is watching Congress wrestle with contentious and crucial legislation to deal with the current financial crisis. But quickly reason it through.

Had McCain attacked Obama on issues relating to the current financial mess the media would be screaming that he put his personal ambition ahead of the country's interests by stoking the flames of partisanship at this seemingly perilous time. And Democrats on the Hill would be driving home the point because, in fact, McCain would have been playing politics with the crisis, something both sides have said they wouldn't do, at least not until things are resolved.

So, how did the egotistical upstart Obama play it? Just see one of his very first comments on that very topic itself:

Now, we also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain, a theory that basically says that we can shred regulations and consumer protections and give more and more to the most, and somehow prosperity will trickle down.

That's right. With the nation's economy and world markets allegedly in the balance, while two parties mostly at each other's throats in high-political season have demonstrated the maturity and restraint to hold their fire so that a much needed deal can be struck, Obama simply couldn't help but put his own ambition over the good of the country. He had to take a cheap shot for which McCain could have destroyed him for Obama's Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac positions and affiliations.

McCain held his fire based upon experience, good judgment and a desire to put the country first. Obama's selfish display proves he lacks those same qualities, required by anyone truly qualified to lead.

And it's also an indication of how Obama's first instinct is always to divide and never really to heal as he would profess.

Is Obama ready to lead?

Not even close.

Comments

[elixelx]

He's not limping, he's not quacking, he's not going to sign anything that smells like reparations for slavery!
Is George Bush behaving like the unpopular LAME DUCK that the Democrat Party had hoped to bum's-rush into signing a Bill that would mortgage America for the forseeable future?
This lame duck is kicking ass!

[SacTownMan]

After seeing Xerxes the past year I have never ceased to be amazed at how far the Chicago hack will go in his quest to become god king!

[Fred Beloit]

Sergeant Jopek's family do not want the Father of the Me Too World to use Jopek's combat death as a campaign tactic. The MSM doesn't give a s--- what Jopek's family wants; they just want Obama elected.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/09/28/family-told-obama-not-wear-soldier-sons-bracelet-where-media

[Spartan112]

So his fatal moment was something that didn't happen? Fascinating.

[Fred Beloit]

"So his fatal moment was something that didn't happen? Fascinating."
Agent 112, could you possibly spare a few moments to explain to poor, slow me what this statement of yours means, and in layman's terms? Thank you.

Meanwhile you should enjoy reading the piece by Roger Kimball that this good idea comes from:
"Were it up to me, I would make a deal: for every mosque erected in the West, we get a church or synagogue of equal size in Mecca or some other Islamic hot spot. The word for this bargain “reciprocity,” an idea that is a sine qua non for any religious freedom worthy of the name “free.”"
http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerkimball/

[Fred Beloit]

Dan: "And it's also an indication of how Obama's first instinct is always to divide and never really to heal as he would profess."

Reminiscent of Bill Clinton's presidential style, the perpetual campaign. Obama just had to use the "failed policies" talking point. This allegedly dual citizen just can't help himself.

[Fred Beloit]

Here is an interesting video, the first two minutes after the short commercial. It might be titled "Prosecutors Gone Wild". (Caution, children should watch only with adult supervision. It is not good for youngsters to see American public servants talking like tin-horn dictators. What hath the Obamans wrought?)

http://www.kmov.com/video/index.html?nvid=285793&shu=1

[Fred Beloit]

HotAir has the video. The case is quite clear. Repubs, warning of the dangers, wanted Fan/Fred reforms and regulation. The Dems said everything is fine, smart people need not apply. Some of these SAME Dems are now "fixing" the problem. Inmates in charge. Really inspires confidence. Scroll down:
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/27/house-gop-rejects-latest-bailout-proposal/

[WileECoyote]

McCain knows he can use Obama and the dems prior position on F/F regulation in one of the other two debates, after the bailout legislation is passed; this whole mess started under Clinton as a welfare system of sorts to promote mortgage loans to those who otherwise wouldnt qualify.

[Fred Beloit]

Riflemen of the future (or riflepersons), get your geek on:
http://www.plnewsforum.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/40517/
via PowerLine

[Lala]

Anyone just see Thaddeus McCotter R MI on Fox News? According to him, bailout is not a done deal.

[Worst President Ever]

Perhaps McLame shutup because Rick Davis - McLame's campaign manager and president of Homeownership Alliance - said in 2003 that: "[Fannie and Freddie] are subject to an innovative and stringent risk-based capital stress test," Davis wrote. "The toughest in the financial services industry."

But more damaging is that Davis was collecting money - and a lot of it for doing essentially nothing other than knowing Mclame - from Fannie / Freddie until last month.

"It's only getting worse for John McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis. Following the news that Davis was paid $2 million over five years as president of an advocacy group set up by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the New York Times now reports that Freddie Mac paid Davis's lobbying firm $15,000 a month up until last month."

http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/2008/09/24/blog-buzz-rick-daviss-fannie-freddie-scandal-continues-mccain-and-the-bailout-obama-leads-in-a-poll.html

And even MORE lobbyists in McLame's campaign:

"Aquiles Suarez, listed as an economic adviser to the McCain campaign in a July 2007 McCain press release, was formerly the director of government and industry relations for Fannie Mae. The Senate Lobbying Database says Suarez oversaw the lending giant's $47,510,000 lobbying campaign from 2003 to 2006.

And other current McCain campaign staffers were the lobbyists receiving shares of that money. According to the Senate Lobbying Database, the lobbying firm of Charlie Black, one of McCain's top aides, made at least $820,000 working for Freddie Mac from 1999 to 2004. The McCain campaign's vice-chair Wayne Berman and its congressional liaison John Green made $1.14 million working on behalf of Fannie Mae for lobbying firm Ogilvy Government Relations. Green made an additional $180,000 from Freddie Mac. Arther B. Culvahouse Jr., the VP vetter who helped John McCain select Sarah Palin, earned $80,000 from Fannie Mae in 2003 and 2004, while working for lobbying and law firm O'Melveny & Myers LLP. In addition, Politico reports that at least 20 McCain fundraisers have lobbied for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, pocketing at least $12.3 million over the last nine years."

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/09/9663_mccain_fannie_freddie.html

[WileECoyote]

Do you really want to get into that discussion WPE, with so many of Obama's higher ups having more direct (as in being part of the upper management of F/F) involvement in this mess?
You self righteous liberal. Barry's glass house is bigger than John's, by a country mile.

[Fred Beloit]

Why Mr Ever, you have been over at TPM getting new instructions today haven't you?
"But more damaging is that Davis was collecting money - and a lot of it for doing essentially nothing other than knowing Mclame - from Fannie / Freddie until last month."

But this Dem is king of all banks and loaners, now isn't he? Didn't this Dem say all was well with Fan/Fred? This Dem had the responsibility and the power to exercise the famous Congressional "oversight" Pelosi is always blabbing about. What grade would you give this Dem on his job performance? King Barney, King of the Franks.

[PA]

"The Senate Lobbying Database says Suarez oversaw the lending giant's $47,510,000 lobbying campaign from 2003 to 2006."

How come Obama and Dodd got all the phat money rather than McCain?

[mary]

PA, hadn't McCain made it clear that he wasn't happy with what wa happening at f and f?

[LOL]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/opinion/28rich.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[seekeronos]

"--- Riflemen of the future (or riflepersons), get your geek on: ---"

Methinks that this weapon will be a LEO- or military only weapon for the very distant foreseeable future.

[D. Aristophanes]

So, Dan - Obama's fatal mistake was to criticize trickle-down economics? Got it.

But please, can you also list the other long-standing conservative ideas that are off limits for discussion in a presidential debate during these perilous times? Can Obama talk at all about the dangers of privatizing social security, or would just bringing that up cause another Great Depression? What about birth control? If Dems even hint at their differences with Republicans, will it cause women's wombs to shrivel up around the globe? Can we even whisper the name 'God' ... or will that invite plagues and pestilences upon our fields and livestock?

Or perhaps in future debates Obama should just spell out the grown-up words - e-c-o-n-o-m-y, b-a-i-l-o-u-t, w-a-r, etc. - because clearly viewers of these campaign events are children who cannot handle adult talk.

[joeb]

Harry Truman said being President of The United States was like "riding a tiger". It will be fun to watch Obama try to ride the tiger.

[seekeronos]

Our noble guest and master playwright, Aristophanes saith:

"--- Or perhaps in future debates Obama should just spell out the grown-up words - e-c-o-n-o-m-y, b-a-i-l-o-u-t, w-a-r, etc. - because clearly viewers of these campaign events are children who cannot handle adult talk. ---"

Say, why even bother with the ruse of an election, O Aristophanes?

Why not resume the practice of installing the benevolent despotism of the ancient Greek Tyrants - for sure that is what Lord Obama would be.

I mean, all these dumb sheeple - these poor, benighted and besotted plebeians who could not think ten minutes beyond the next football game or NASCAR event should not even waste their precious time voting.

Let's just cancel the Republic and her Constitution, and set up our cocoa-skinned blessed saviour as High Despot and Great Leader, and let him do all of our thinking for us.

Because after all, we REALLY cannot trust these pitiful, moaning cattle who pitifully beg for a Protector and a Sovereign to wisely cast a vote for their own governance, no?

[Lala]

Take the Obama test - see if you agree or disagree with him on issues - at the completion of the test you'll see comparisons to what others think

http://www.barackobamatest.com/

[redherkey]

While there is little we know about the earlier-years Obama, one thing we have learned is he never competed in high school or college debate. As a high school coach, one of the very first things I teach our teams is the concept of the affirmative having presumption. If both teams did nothing more than stand up and have total silence, the negative would win as the status quo is considered to be the better option until the affirmative convincingly demonstrates otherwise.

When given repeated opportunities for demonstrating a strong plan, Obama either talks about advantages (of a completely undefined plan which lacks any capacity for solvency given its lack of specificity), or more frequently, he attacks the status quo. Granted, this is a major flaw in leftist thinking, arguing what we call an all harms approach with no plan. While this kind of approach makes you popular with the under-educated, agitated nutball types, it doesn't get you a job in management based on your own competence.

Either an Obama presidency will be a complete disaster ala Jimmy Carter, or it'll be run by his handlers as a true president-by-proxy.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"Take the Obama test."

Lala, I took the thing and my opinion on polls and rigging the questions to achieve the pollster's desired answers was reaffirmed. "Is the ocean blue or green?" is pretty simple until one realizes there isn't enough info there: which ocean? how far out? how close to a river mouth? Then, my own views are closer to libertarian (if I was going to play "party") than to either of the majors. I would probably come close to the same score on a similar test for Johnny Mac........

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"it'll be run by his handlers as a true president-by-proxy."

Red, there's your answer as to exactly what will happen. The dems yearn for a leftist utopia but realize that they must go slowly....(See the fencing wild pigs analogy) Obie is a complete socialist and would derail the train.

[Fred Beloit]

Oh, DDDD Aris, are you saying that none of the moonbats in Congress owns investments in the stock/bond market?
"Can Obama talk at all about the dangers of privatizing social security, or would just bringing that up cause another Great Depression?"

Let me posit another proposition. Every stinking socialist one of them has such investments. You know why? Because of taxes and inflation (both beloved by the Dems) it is dangerous not to be so invested. "Do as they say..." By the way, DDDD, My recommendation is BUY.

[neelynzus]

Actually, Dan, Obama was just being a smart politician while McCain was demonstrating the abject political stupidity of Republicans. Those of us who have supported and contributed to McCain and other citizens deserved more from him.

It is disgusting that Barney Frank and the other Democrats who have pandered for Fannie and Freddie and blocked attempts to reform them are getting off with a free ride. Where the hell is the Republican response to the Democrats lying and fingerpointing? Congressional Republicans should have demanded Frank's and Dodd's resignation from their Financial Services and Banking Committee chairs before agreeing to negotiate.

Senator McCain, after January when he is still Senator McCain, will have the opportunity to ask the Obama Justice Department, headed by, perhaps, Jamie Gorelick, to look into Democrat coverups in the Fannie/Freddie mess. When they refuse maybe he can whine a little and try to raise the stink he should be raising now.

First the McCain campaign stifles Sarah Palin and now this. Unbelievable!

[chris paul revolution]

need some bengay?
sore loser