That's Precisely Obama's Problem

Via Instapundit to Tom Maguire - if one takes into account executive leadership, as opposed to deliberative justice, especially the political sort, this sums up Obama's greatest weakness, not a strength:

Obama was wrong about the surge while McCain was right, but by and large I think the case could be made (but not by me!) that Obama is by far the more thoughtful and reflective of the two candidates and far more disposed to listen to a range of advice. My guess is that he would have a broader and arguably better decision making process than McCain.

Advice is important, true - but how wide does the range of it really need to be? Executives are hired and Presidents elected in good part because one believes they know generally how they are going to act, or react.

The advice has great value on the fringes, but does one greet the incursion of Russia into Georgia with strength and resolve, or does one ponder every variable going for days with seemingly having no substantive position at all?

Yes - all Presidents need good advice and the job requires true intellect. But Carter was trapped by his intellect, as much as he was by anything else. When we talk of great Presidents such as Washington, Lincoln and one or the other Roosevelt, depending on your view, we do not praise their supreme deliberative abilities - we praise their instincts, their love of country and most importantly their ability to act.

Contrasting McCain and Obama on those scores leaves little doubt about who would make the better leader. Assuming one likes his politics, Obama's temperament is more suited for the Supreme Court.

Comments

[JustOneMan]

hmmmm..."thoughful and reflective"...oh yes I can see Obamas White House --"Mr. President, Russia has just launched missles into Poland" Obama, "Wheres the Sunday NY Times and my cigarettes?....Ill be in the bathroon for a couple of hours being thougtful and reflective"

jeeshh.....

[Neo]

Presidential advice is .. should be used to fill in the gaps, not paint an entire story

[seekeronos]

Obama would be a frighteningly evil and liberal SCOTUS justice.

[PA]

voting "present" for SCOTUS decisions isn't terribly useful either.

[LifeTrek]

Far more thoughtful and reflective -- great, tell that to the Georgians or The Right Reverend Wright -- both of which were under the bus at one time or another while Obama pondered and reflected -- um, how it was going to affect his campaign that is!

But if he really is a deep thinker why is he wrong more often then not? Even that opposition to the Iraq war was not based on logical thoughtful arguments, but rather on political pandering.
(see: http://rotstar.blogspot.com/2008/05/does-judgment-make-grade.html)
Contemplative behavior works great in the classroom, but it does not work for a leader, and that is what we need, a leader.

I've known leaders and Mr. Obama, you are no leader (but your thoughtful and reflective and somehow you still reach the wrong conclusions.)
David

[Scrapiron]

Hussein O is bragging that his monthly budget for his campaign is more than Wasilla, Ak's annual budget, and he has more 'advisors' than Wasilla has employee's. Looks like Hussein is more into shooting himself in the foot to see if it hurts than in making his own decisions. Without every comment in writing (by someone else) Hussein O would hold the world's record for Ummm, Uhhh, and Duh's in a 10 minute speach. Bill O'Reilly, who has drank the koolaide, threw him pre-arranged marshmellow questions and Hussein Hem'd and Haw's around the block before answering with a canned answer.