PrintDecember 13, 2010
Bill Takes the Podium
The mind continues to reel over Friday's bizarre and historic White House Press Room performance, marking a milestone in the presidency. President Barack Obama's descent into ineffectuality, his minimal work ethic, and the phoniness of his reputation as a great communicator were all on display.
The most telling moment was when Obama bugged out, citing the intolerability of keeping Michelle waiting. It appeared that it had already dawned on him that he was looking like a fifth wheel standing there next to Bill Clinton, who held the press in a swoon, effortless expounding with no benefit of teleprompter.
But using his wife's anger and the need to party, was a really an awful excuse for a man charged with the heavy responsibility of guiding the ship of state. He looks, quite frankly, whipped. And more concerned with partying than governing. Others have commented that the troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan would no doubt love to cite their impatient spouses as a reason to leave their far more exacting duties. But with his choice, Obama reveals himself to be unserious about his responsibilities, and confirms the growing image that the real reason he wanted to be president was the perks -- the airplane, limos, parties, and recreational opportunities.
Andrew Malcolm of the Los Angeles Times has a great photo essay (Andrew supplies the fanciful captions) of this historic incident.
I do not see any way that the spectacle helps Obama. Even his supporters must acknowledge that he appears out of his depth standing next to Clinton, impatient get away and onto the social schedule. In their eyes (and he depends on them to turn out and vote in 2012) he looks smaller compared to the aura of Bill Clinton.
