esrosedotblog

UNCALLOW

I rue the day that I wrote here, back in 2008, that Obama was too callow to be an effective president.

I soon changed my tune when I saw how he dealt with the decidedly un-callow Hillary Clinton.

Thereafter, of course, the uncallow, even mean spirited ("get off my lawn"), John McCain.

He dispatched both, not easily but rather cleanly.

I am reading David Plouffe's The Audacity to Win and even given some slack for paying deference to the CIC, it is clear that the skillful candidate in charge made tough decisions and then followed with diligent follow up. He did not let the political pros manipulate him.

So far we have seen that continued toughness on display.

Today and yesterday are good examples. He heard about Haiti at 6pm and had a task force out and going by 10pm including a naval force on the way.

He hammered the congressional Democrats and held them hostage 8 hours without cell phones in the White House until they came up with a pretty good agreement on the health reform bill.

And today he is giving the banks a spanking.

His management skills are on full display. His wisdom and character are in force.

He has also shown considerable skill in getting his way with the Pentagon and Congress on budget issues ever since he landed in office.

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Labels: Administration Obama