Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting

[Hazcat]

By ROBERT A. GEORGE
Updated 2:56 PM CST, Fri, Nov 6, 2009



President Obama didn't wait long after Tuesday's devastating elections to give critics another reason to question his leadership, but this time the subject matter was more grim than a pair of governorships.

After news broke out of the shooting at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas, the nation watched in horror as the toll of dead and injured climbed. The White House was notified immediately and by late afternoon, word went out that the president would speak about the incident prior to a previously scheduled appearance. At about 5 p.m., cable stations went to the president. The situation called for not only his trademark eloquence, but also grace and perspective.

But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a "shout-out" to "Dr. Joe Medicine Crow -- that Congressional Medal of Honor winner."  Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?

Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. The president should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That's the least that should occur.

Indeed, an argument could be made that Obama should have canceled the Indian event, out of respect for people having been murdered at an Army post a few hours before. That would have prevented any sort of jarring emotional switch at the event.

Did the president's team not realize what sort of image they were presenting to the country at this moment? The disconnect between what Americans at home knew had been going on -- and the initial words coming out of their president's mouth was jolting, if not disturbing.

It must have been disappointing for many politically aware Democrats, still reeling from the election two days before. The New Jersey gubernatorial vote had already demonstrated that the president and his political team couldn't produce a winning outcome in a state very friendly to Democrats (and where the president won by 15 points one year ago). And now this? Congressional Democrats must wonder if a White House that has burdened them with a too-heavy policy agenda over the last year has a strong enough political operation to help push that agenda through.

If the president's communications apparatus can't inform -- and protect -- their boss during tense moments when the country needs to see a focused commander-in-chief and a compassionate head of state, it has disastrous consequences for that president's party and supporters.

All the president's men (and women) fell down on the job Thursday.  And Democrats across the country have real reason to panic.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/A-Disconnected-President.html

Comments at link

[alfsauve]

And not to get too picky................no actually, this is important.


Joe Medicine Crow is NOT a Medal of Honor recipient !  

No dis-respect to Mr Crow and his accomplishments, but the President was flat out wrong.  Medal of Freedom--yes,   Medal of Honor----no.

To me it shows a utter lack of respect for the MOH recipients on behalf of the president in not knowing and evidently not caring about the difference.   I imagine that to Obama all medals are just candy to be given out to appease the masses.    Ether that or there is evidently no difference between ignorance and apathy for BHO.

[Hazcat]

And not to get too picky................no actually, this is important.


Joe Medicine Crow is NOT a Medal of Honor recipient ! 

No dis-respect to Mr Crow and his accomplishments, but the President was flat out wrong.  Medal of Freedom--yes,   Medal of Honor----no.

To me it shows a utter lack of respect for the MOH recipients on behalf of the president in not knowing and evidently not caring about the difference.   I imagine that to Obama all medals are just candy to be given out to appease the masses.    Ether that or there is evidently no difference between ignorance and apathy for BHO.

Alf,

You are correct on all of the reasons.  It comes down to an America and US Military hating president!

[Pathfinder]

...
But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a "shout-out" to "Dr. Joe Medicine Crow -- that Congressional Medal of Honor winner."  Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?

Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. The president should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That's the least that should occur.

Indeed, an argument could be made that Obama should have canceled the Indian event, out of respect for people having been murdered at an Army post a few hours before. That would have prevented any sort of jarring emotional switch at the event.

Did the president's team not realize what sort of image they were presenting to the country at this moment? The disconnect between what Americans at home knew had been going on -- and the initial words coming out of their president's mouth was jolting, if not disturbing.
...
If the president's communications apparatus can't inform -- and protect -- their boss during tense moments when the country needs to see a focused commander-in-chief and a compassionate head of state, it has disastrous consequences for that president's party and supporters.

All the president's men (and women) fell down on the job Thursday.  And Democrats across the country have real reason to panic.

No, they didn't fall down, they are doing what they are paid to do. Sad fact is, the people advising him - Soros, Emanuel and others - just don't care about him being a bumbling fool, a dangerous fool given the power he now holds. It does not matter - let me repeat that - it does not matter - how badly he behaves. He has embarrassed this country on many occasions with his inappropriate gifts, bowing to foreign leaders, snubbing other leaders, and in general behaving like the trailer trash he is (and we thought BJ klintoon was bad?).

His job is to destroy the US' standing in the world any way he can. In many cases, like this one, it is spontaneous, based on his total lack of grace and compassion. It is intended, it is purposeful, and (sadly) it will continue. It is his real job to be this way. President of the United States is just a role for him to play.

[Rastus]

The people got the shining star they wanted.

I hope it get's worse for them alone so they can have all they can stand.

[Sponsor]

[seeker_two]

Do we expect anything less from our Scum-mander in Chief?..... 

[twyacht]

TWO things any POTUS has to have is reverence and grace (or class).

When there are disasters or tragic crises events, natural or man made, The POTUS is looked to for leadership, encouragement, and a reassuring faith that as Americans, we will do what is necessary to support those affected, and remember those who died.

BHO has done neither, did not have the benefit of the teleprompter, and his rookie lack of any executive experience makes him look more like a buffoon every month.

Only 3 more years to go!!!

I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.
Barack Obama

"What I was suggesting -- you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith..." --in an interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, who jumped in to correct Obama by saying "your Christian faith," which Obama quickly clarified.

Americans... still believe in an America where anything's possible - they just don't think their leaders do.
Barack Obama