November 18, 2013

Tom Brokaw, David Gregory, and Chris Matthews daintily allude to Obama's masculinity deficit.

On yesterday's "Meet the Press," Tom Brokaw said it was "just inexplicable" that the Obamacare website "suddenly landed the way that it did, in utter chaos." The President should have pressured "Kathy Sebelius and other people" about the "rollout" which was "going to be our big play for the second term."

"Big play" picks up on that football metaphor Obama used 4 times in his November 14th remarks. "We fumbled," he said, though in real football, it's an individual player who fumbles. But here was this "big play," and somebody fumbled. Was it "Kathy"?

The moderator David Gregory, immediately steps up to frame the next question in macho terms: "Who's got the muscle?" The manly (though 50-years-dead) JFK somehow shoulders his way into the conversation. Gregory turns to Chris Matthews and says:
You were making the point to me this week about, you know, where's his Bobby Kennedy? Who's got the muscle? When the president says, and he did say, "The user experience of this website is everything," who had the muscle in the White House to get it done and make sure the president gets what he wants?
Muscle, muscle, muscle. If a right-winger had phrased the question that way, somebody would call this misogyny. These 3 men — Brokaw, Gregory, and Matthews — are hankering for a muscular man who can nail the big play. He depended on a Kathy when he needed a Bobby. And here's what Chrissy Matthews said:
Everybody goes to their battle stations when there's chaos. 
I'll see you your football metaphor, and raise you a military metaphor.
You always go to where you've been arguing before. But I've always been arguing this president doesn't have a chain of command, a very clear line of authority and unique responsibility. I remember Sebelius, who I like of course, most people do like her, she's a public servant. 
She's liked. Kathy's likeable enough. She's a good servant.
But when she was asked, "Who's in charge?" in that committee, under oath, she started to talk about someone, the head of C.M.S., who handles Medicare and Medicaid. Among 30 or 40 other responsibilities, this person had the rollout responsibilities.
And was "this person" male or female? Female. Marilyn Tavenner. Can you say her name without vaulting back in time to your old macho icons Jack and Bobby? They knew what "responsibilities" to give their Marilyn.

Matthews reaches even further back, to an even manlier man:
Look at Japan, the occupation of Japan, it simple: Put one guy in charge, Doug MacArthur. 
Put one guy in charge. Doug. Call him Doug, not Douglas. Not — in the style of "Kathy" — Dougy. He's Doug. And there was a guy! Put one guy in charge.
You put somebody in charge and they're uniquely responsible for its success or failure. Obama doesn't do things that way. He's got floaters, like Valerie Jarett, floating around. 
Floaters. Like Valerie Jarrett. The disrespect! They can't even spell her name right in the transcript. Floaters, like Valerie Jarrett, floating around. Matthews being a good Democrat somehow feels secure that the double meaning of "floaters" won't bring on the accusations of racism that would surely have burst forth if a Republican had talked about Jarrett like that.
He doesn't want to have a real chief of staff, like a Jim Baker.
He's saying — it's hardly subtle — that Jarrett's not a real man. You need a man. A man like Bobby or Doug or Jim.
He doesn't want to give authority to people, and I think it's been a real problem.
So what does this say about Obama, not wanting to bring in real men, who take charge, who make the play, who exert authority? He's not man enough to work alongside real men? He needs to play with the ladies, ladies who don't know their place — who dither and float?

87 comments:

DrSquid said...

yeah, that sounds about right.

chickelit said...

At long last, the MSM is regaining credibility.

SGT Ted said...

Floaters. Like Valerie Jarrett...

Poop floats. Its a fitting metaphor. Even if they didn't mean it.

tim maguire said...

If a right-winger had phrased the question that way, somebody would call this misogyny.

It's much easier when you are forgiven for everything in advance. And we offer that absolution to anyone! That's right! ALL may be redeemed! Just come forward and accept the Bible of Liberalism, it is your path to redemption in all things.

Except questioning liberals in public. That is the 2nd commandment: always keep our dirty laundry private.

Meanwhile...on the "fumble" front--how typically Obama to universalize a personal action. Take credit for taking responsibility while at the same time blaming someone (anyone!) else.

Henry said...

They should have put Richie Incognito in charge of the thing. That's all they needed. A take charge guy. Someone to ride the slackers until the ponied up some good code.

Out of chaos the inchoate excuses become every more discernible. Some dissolve back into nothingness with the sound of a whimper; others accumulate spin.

"We just needed to execute better." That's what we're hearing the most.

That's what the line of the losing coach.

pm317 said...

Hey, let us play "Who's the boss?"

Anonymous said...

Bill Clinton Was the First Black President.

Barack Obama is the First Female President.

rehajm said...

Watching this segment I half expected a look of discovery to flash across Brokaw's face as he exclaimed, "My God, I'm in a cult!"

Anonymous said...

Hillary Clinton Can Be the First Lesbian President.

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth Warren Can Be the First Native American President.

John henry said...

Isn't a floater that one finds face down dead floating in a river somewhere?

Surely they didn't mean to allude to the patented "Chicago Way", did they?

Who should we expect to be fishing out of the river this week?

John Henry

Matt Sablan said...

""We just needed to execute better." That's what we're hearing the most. That's what the line of the losing coach."

-- That's right up there with "The better team didn't win today."

John henry said...

If we are going to speak of Obie's manhood, shouldn't we ask Reggie Love?

Or am I just being a homophobic h8ter?

And while we are at it, perhaps we could ask Vera Baker to weigh in on the subject.

John Henry

Hagar said...

I don't know about misogyny. "Muscle" is mob term, and yes, applied to a Republican administration by Matthews, it would certainly have carried some overtones all right.
However, since this is a progressive administration, "muscle" is OK; just fighting fire with fire, yah know!

Scott said...

When it comes to Democrats, it's always about style, isn't it?

That's why the GOP is the stupid party. Republicans think that if the American public evaluates the superiority of their policies, they'll get the votes. For Democrats, it's about personal style, building a following based on identity, and trashing the opponent's brand.

That's why these leftish Sunday morning TV talking heads think Obama's masculinity is an issue at all. It shows the debasement of American political culture that swirls around the Democrat party like water going down a drain.

Or something.

Anonymous said...

After Filming, Tom Brokaw, David Gregory, and Chris Matthews Took Showers in the Network Gym, Then High-Fived Each Other While Wearing Only Towels Around Their Waists. That is How Manly Men Do It.

Heartless Aztec said...

Chrissy?

Hagar said...

Of all the TV "anchormen" I have seen in my lifetime, I think Tom Brokaw is the stupidest. Just flat stupid.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

Could it be when Oprah talks about lack of respect and racism that she doesn't mean Republicans?

gspencer said...

Tough to be manly when everyone around the One, including the One himself is either a homo, a pillow-dite, a wimpo-dite, or a girly man.*

This explains why these leftist so-called journalists, each one a through-n-through girly man, have to pretend the One is manly.

*Explains further why the One is purging the military's officer ranks of warriors.

Anonymous said...

In the Sauna, Manly Men Tom Brokaw, David Gregory, and Chris Matthews Took Turns Picking the Fox News Female Newscaster They Would F**k. Gregory Tried to Alpha Dog it By Picking Megyn Kelly. Matthews Said That Wouldn't Have Been His Pick, Anyway. Brokaw Picked Juan Williams in a Dress. More High-Fives and Adjusting of Towels.

gerry said...

He's not man enough to work alongside real men? He needs to play with the ladies, ladies who don't know their place — who dither and float?

Lucy Ricardo!

I'd never insult Lucille Ball, who knew how to run a business (as opposed to Desi Arnaz), and whose technical expertise extended I Love Lucy episodes' watchability perhaps centuries (she insisted upon using expensive film (and upon two-camera production for artistic reasons) vs. cheap kinescope like The Honeymooners). But the Lucy character fits perfectly as the assistant to Obama's limp leadership and hubristic methodology, and his Ozymandiastic destiny.

gerry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MadisonMan said...

Of all the TV "anchormen" I have seen in my lifetime, I think Tom Brokaw is the stupidest. Just flat stupid.

I disagree. I think ascending to the top of the heap in Network News -- by becoming an anchor -- requires a lot of smarts.

I've seen lots of statements in my life similar to yours. That Limbaugh is stupid. That GWB is stupid. Could a statement be more facile?

gerry said...

If we are going to speak of Obie's manhood, shouldn't we ask Reggie Love?

Maybe Obama is relying too heavily upon Reggie's feminine intuition too much in matters of state?

Anonymous said...

While in the Sauna, Manly Men Tom Brokaw, David Gregory, and Chris Matthews then Played the "Top Gun" Game, Where They Try to Decide Who Would Be Maverick, Who Would Be Iceman and Who Would Be Goose. Matthews Always Ends Up Stuck Being Goose, Which Upsets Him.

RecChief said...

Some observations:

1."They knew what responsibilities to give their Marilyn." Are you comparing Sebelius and Tavenner to Marilyn Monroe? That's disturbing on a number of levels and caused instant nausea.

2."Doug Macarthur" - They don't respect anyone, so why am I surprised taht they show this level of disrepect to one of the greatest Military minds this country has produced? I cannot imagine any circumstance in which they would have been on a first name basis with General MacArthur, let alone a diminutive form of address such as Doug.

3. "Put one man in charge." Leftists always seem to find the totalitarian good in every situation.

4. Responsibility. NO one in this administration is held accountable for anything, unless it is "going off message" and telling the truth. President Blame-Shifter or President I- didn't- know- until- I- read- it- in- the- papers are both apt descriptions.

No wonder he wears mom jeans.

RecChief said...

Matthew Sablan said...
""We just needed to execute better."


I have had several conversations over the years, in college and after, with seemingly mild and not hard core leftists who think that Communism is a viable political system. Many have told me that it wasn't executed properly and if only the "right people" were to implement it, it would work like a switch watch.

MaxedOutMama said...

Yes, you got it, Ann.

A surprisingly large component of "liberal" culture today is based upon disrespect, and when we must acknowledge failure, we must first set up the scapegoat.

And Rehaim, you nailed it, and I almost choked laughing. So true, and so pathetic.

So now we blame the women for problems that CLEARLY arose out of political decision making (or deferral of decision making due to political reasons), because we cannot tell the truth about what happened here.

The Obama administration isn't even attempting to implement this law. That's the bottom line. Perhaps they aren't because they realize it would not be well received if they did, but to date they have refused to issue the regs until the last minute, dropped enforcement of multiple provisions such as the employer mandate, didn't implement the small business exchange provisions, didn't set up a working exchange in time for people to actually buy the insurance, and now they are trying to seek scapegoats to blame this on.

No one who is not in a cult can fail to pin the responsibility upon the Chief Executive!

jacksonjay said...

I nominate Martha Stewart to serve as Secretary of Kick-Ass.

cubanbob said...

But when she was asked, "Who's in charge?" in that committee, under oath, she started to talk about someone, the head of C.M.S., who handles Medicare and Medicaid. Among 30 or 40 other responsibilities, this person had the rollout responsibilities."

Abbott and Costello did it better in their famous whose on first skit. Clint Eastwood was right-an empty chair is in charge. If the electorate had any sense of shame anyone who voted for this disaster of an Administration and political party would refrain from voting entirely for the next twenty years.

Virgil Hilts said...

Do you really think that if Obama could have found someone, somewhere in this country with more expertise, experience, management know-how and governing chops, than Valerie Jarrett, to be the chief adviser and confident to the most powerful government officer in the world, that he wouldn't have done so? I'm sure he looked really hard.

Titus said...

The entire health care debacle is one of the most incompetent things I ever observed. So many people would of been fired if this happened at a company.

It's like 65 degrees out here today-weird.

tits.

gerry said...

Do you really think that if Obama could have found someone, somewhere in this country with more expertise, experience, management know-how and governing chops, than Valerie Jarrett, to be the chief adviser and confident to the most powerful government officer in the world, that he wouldn't have done so? I'm sure he looked really hard.

Good heavens, that would have gotten Obama in so much trouble with Jarrett, and with all the yelling, guilt-generating remarks, and where-bodies-are-buried-threats, Obama probably couldn't find comfort in anyone's arms.

Xmas said...

Are we saying that Obama needs to reach into the Clinton cabinet and bring back Janet Reno?

Kathleen Sebelius is the muscle. Both Sebelius and Janet Napolitano were former governors of purple states. Obama's transition team should have picked them for their leadership and political abilities. (I'm not even sure if that's true, but let's give his transition team the benefit of the doubt here.) They should know how to fight to get what they need.

Matt Sablan said...

I bet he's wishing he still had Rahm.

pst314 said...

Chris Matthews, who reported that he felt a thrill go up his leg when listening to Obama, could easily reenact that scene in The Rocky Horror Picture Show where Dr. Frankenfurter, who replaced his old boy toy Meatloaf with a blond bodybuilder, "He had a certain naive charm, but no muscle."

khesanh0802 said...

Does not bode well for the next three years. MSM is leaving the sinking ship and I doubt that there is anything coming which will entice them back on board.

Robert Cook said...

"At long last, the MSM is regaining credibility."

No, they're not. They won't.

Anonymous said...

He doesn't want to give authority to people, and I think it's been a real problem.

That's not the problem. Valerie has a LOT of authority, but she lacks 'responsibility'

The Cabinet Secretaries seem to have the responsibility, but lack the authority to buck Valerie...

"There is nothing that any president needs more than a team of competent people around him who can keep him and his key initiatives on track."

More than that, he needs a team that will tell him the truth, even if together they proceed to tell lies to others. Having a group creating a bubble of lies around you is a sure path to disaster.
Carter is maligned as a POTUS, but his problem was over management not under management. As a veteran of the Rickover selection process, I doubt he tolerated yes men, but rather looked for technocrats.
Similarly, folks in both parties denigrate both Romney and McCain as candidates, but both would have created a better WH staff process than these clowns...

Rahm was the only realist in the WH. When he left there was nobody left who was both in touch with reality and had the nads to tell the POTUS what was possible and what wasn't



Heartless Aztec said...

"I bet he's wishing he still had Rahm."

Rahm told the President the truth and was gone in short order. Daley too.


Robert Cook said...

"Republicans think that if the American public evaluates the superiority of their policies, they'll get the votes."

Hahaha! There is scarcely much difference between the Republicans and the Democrats these days, but to the degree there is, the Republicans don't have the "superior" policies.

In fact, it is primarily in matters of style that any significant differences exist between the parties, and the Republicans largely come across as foaming-mouthed lunatics and imbeciles. As a matter of style, the Dems definitely have a better game.

mccullough said...

So much for the Team of Rivals. The administration is the '62 Mets. Can't any of them play?

Robert Cook said...

"After Filming, Tom Brokaw, David Gregory, and Chris Matthews Took Showers in the Network Gym, Then High-Fived Each Other While Wearing Only Towels Around Their Waists. That is How Manly Men Do It."

No. Manly Men don't wear towels.

Hagar said...

" I think ascending to the top of the heap in Network News -- by becoming an anchor -- requires a lot of smarts."

Some examples, please?

As far as the broadcast networks go, I have long wondered, considering the money that those outfits throw around, how come they do not come up with better talent?
And that goes for "special correspondents" as well as anchors.

But Brokaw is just wooden-headed stupid.

Robert Cook said...

"So many people would of been fired...."

Would have been fired....

Hagar said...

and with the most annoying voice of them all, which is saying something, considering what the rest of them sound like.

MadisonMan said...

Some examples, please?

You don't think Cronkite was smart? Or Chancellor. You think Sawyer is dumb? Matt Lauer? Any of the Fox News anchors?

Rising to the top in any organization requires a lot of smarts. Your statements would have a lot more credibility if you just came out and said you find Brokaw's credulous shilling for the Democratic Party wearying, and you pay no attention to him because of it.

He's dumb is just a playground insult that carries no weight.

But if you want to be thought of as a lightweight thinker, by all means continue.

Known Unknown said...

He's dumb is just a playground insult that carries no weight.

A dumb guy would've never been able to get by with that horrendous of a speech impediment.

This is a man who butchered the word "Israeli" for how many years on network news?

None of them are textbook 'dumb.' Just easily led.

Levi Starks said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michael said...

Madison Man: "Rising to the top in any organization requires a lot of smarts."

Not really. Lots of connivers, bullshit artists (see BHO, POTUS), back-stabbers get to the top with few smarts. They make a practice of eliminating the smart people as they rise thus removing any doubt of the one with "smarts." BHO's technique of creating "silos" or "lanes" is another way of ensuring that A and B don't get together and compare notes that the leader is an empty suit.

Michael said...

Question: is there anyone in this whole Administration who could change a tire? Or are they all such highly evolved creatures that they have transcended the necessity of actually making things work?

Chris Lopes said...

"Put one man in charge."

The American people already did that, twice. His names is on the popular name for this unpopular law. That he isn't acting like he's in charge doesn't absolve him of the responsibility for this dog. If he didn't know, it's because he didn't want to know.

cubanbob said...

" I think ascending to the top of the heap in Network News -- by becoming an anchor -- requires a lot of smarts."

You seem to confuse cleverness with intelligence. A clever person rises to the top of a dung heap. A smart person climbs off the heap.

Drago said...

Obama's dead-enders: "obama killed osama!!!"

Obama: "WE fumbled...."

Has there ever been a more poignant and transparent example of an affirmative action hire behavior on the part of the unqualified "affirmative action-ee" and his acolytes?

Drago said...

MadisonMan: "You don't think Cronkite was smart? Or Chancellor. You think Sawyer is dumb? Matt Lauer? Any of the Fox News anchors?"

There is no question that all or almost all of the old school media types were smart and grounded in the real world in ways today's journalists can't even touch.

Cronkite, Chancellor, Huntley-Brinkley etc were all sharp.

Sawyer I'm not sure about.

Walters was a political animal and successful infighter.

They inherent liberalism in the policy positions of the above named individuals (yes, including Sawyer)is the real issue and how that bias colored what subjects were covered and how.

My favorite latest Cronkite episode is the wind farm controversy where Cronkite and his neighborhood lefty pals didn't want the turbines located anywhere within their sight lines.

When confronted with this clear liberal hypocrisy, Cronkites response? "Be kind to an old man...."

Anonymous said...

Well Drago, there are the examples of "My military" and I, I, I in lots of speaches, but I doubt that's what you are seeking :)

"Now, I have not made a final decision about various actions that might be taken to help enforce that norm," Obama said. "But as I've already said, I have had my military and our team look at a wide range of options."

Scott said...

Hahaha! There is scarcely much difference between the Republicans and the Democrats these days, but to the degree there is, the Republicans don't have the "superior" policies.

And that's the trash talk component. You don't have to defend trash talk, you just have to proffer it as received wisdom, and aren't you just stupid for not agreeing with me?

It's easy as fuck to be a liberal intellectual.

Anonymous said...

Drago and MM,

When ever I hear about how bright the press is, I'm reminded of Mike Wallace and "Ethics in America"

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/press/vanities/fallows.html

rcocean said...

Haha. Very funny, although Chris is the best straight-man in the business.

"You got these floaters, floating around..."

I'll have to use that at work.

Illuninati said...

One of the strongest characteristics of the left is that they never take responsibility for anything they do. They are like adult children, they have the Peter Pan syndrome except they are not good like Peter Pan. The males are generally more severely affected with the ailment than the females.

Even after the disastrous roll out of Obama care, the media are still not holding him fully responsible. How can one hold a child responsible for a job which would normally require a man?

The reporters who are also afflicted with the Peter Pan syndrome at least have enough sense to recognize that sometimes children need adult supervision. Since the left has no male adults they look to women like Valerie Jarrett to man up to the job. Since she has not succeeded they are ready to turn on her.

Scott said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Scott M said...

So what does this say about Obama, not wanting to bring in real men, who take charge, who make the play, who exert authority?

That's he's so inured to central authority that his central authority requires a central authority.

Andy Freeman said...

Obama can't have a masculinity problem; he wears mom jeans unironically.

Matt Sablan said...

"One of the strongest characteristics of the left is that they never take responsibility for anything they do."

-- Like Tom and Daisy. And we're back to The Great Gatsby.

gerry said...

"Rising to the top in any organization requires a lot of smarts."

Ever heard of "The Peter Principle"?

Biff said...

There has to be a "Dreams From My Father" connection here, somewhere.

damikesc said...

At a point, you need a man to stand up to him. Women aren't going to do it, clearly. He needs a man who doesn't need the job at all to serve.

Bush had no problem having highly qualified cabinet officials. Obama won't do the same.

Lydia said...

I bet he's wishing he still had Rahm.

Wonder if he's also wishing he'd listened to him in 2009 because Rahm was against going for a big overhaul of health care; he wanted incremental stuff.

Joe Schmoe said...

The post topic reminds me of an old joke:

Q: What kind of wood doesn't float?

A: Natalie

Rimshot please!

Henry said...

Ever heard of "The Peter Principle"?

The Peter Principle presumes that you rise one level above your level of capability. So it confirms the statement you reject.

n.n said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
n.n said...

It's not easy to reconcile diametrically opposed agendas. The progress of gender confused/infused roles is further evidence that their cognitive dissonance, while still manageable, is following a certain path to a dysfunctional convergence.

wildswan said...

Is Obama following the course of late Communistic sclerotic decay as happened under Brezhnev? That weird inability to see what is going to happen in the next few weeks? - as for example, saying the website would be like Kayak only two weeks before it opened? That is so strange. Would that mean that Hilary is not going to be elected or even able to run?

These women - yes, Obama is hiding behind them. But in defence of Sebelius, note that she moved the whole website project out of her office and far away very quickly. Years before others saw it would fail, she got rid of it. So maybe we should think of this - maybe it can't work. It doesn't need men and mighty muscles, it can't work as Sebelius saw, in this scenario saw. (She said nothing because she is an ambitious )

ngtrains said...

Ever heard of "The Peter Principle"?


I think that is exactly the principle To which Henry is referring.

Sometimes it hard to distinguish sarcasm in email.

Kansas City said...

I don't think they are talking about gender, so much as about competence. However, every time I think of Obama throwing a baseball like a girl, I wonder.

Blair said...

Only the Left could preoccupy themselves with such things, because only the Left have no comprehension of what genuine masculinity is.

I'm Full of Soup said...

None of these three ever did or was ever responsible for the big things they are discussing. Their main career responsibility was handling a mike [IOW fondling a penis-shaped instrument and holding it very close to their mouth]. So Chrissy, Davie and Tommie are kinda girlie like.

Unknown said...

Chrissy: "Everybody goes to their battle stations when there's chaos."

Ann: "I'll see you your football metaphor, and raise you a military metaphor."


Funny, my 1st thought was not military, but rather Star Wars and Firefly! These WH & MSM goons are all hollywood wannabees, void of any military smarts.

The Godfather said...

A lot of the criticism of Obama is unfair to women. I've worked with/for a lot of women over the last almost-50 years, and I've found that, although women may exercise leadership in somewhat different styles than men do, they are just as capable of exercising decisive leadership.

Obama isn't. It is almost beyond comprehension that the President of The United States would not have had the people responsible for the roll-out of Obamacare on the hot seat form months, grilling them about how things were going, what problems were cropping up, what was being done to fix them, etc. It is even more incredible that, after the disaster hit, the President of the United States didn't fire a single one of the people responsible. Even for Benghazi they found a few fall guys to fire.

This guy is NOT a leader of any kind. He thinks he's a magician, who can say the right words, and make the right motions, and all the wonderous things will appear.

And WE elected this faux magician two times! Please figure out a way to replace him with Jimmy Carter. It would be a great improvement.

Unknowable said...

I think they meant "floaties"...

Those blowup things for children that are supposed to keep them from drowning when they get in over their heads.

Saint Croix said...

I had trouble getting past "Chrissy Matthews." Too funny.

Jon Burack said...

Fascinating. Best take-down of Mathews I have ever seen. There is a larger issue. What the ACA catastrophe shows is the bloated, no longer effective, sclerotic state. It is an institutional crisis unfolding here, not a lack of macho charisma. But liberals love their macho heroes and think they always "get it done." Obama is just as macho as JFK or "Doug" MacArthur. That has nothing to do with it.

GlobalTrvlr said...

Jesus, that was beautiful, Ann

Zach said...

Sexual imagery aside, this administration does seem to let lapses in execution slide without visible consequences.

There's an old quote about Jimmy Carter that said he was missing the edge of neurotic competitiveness that was burned into a Nixon or a Kennedy. Carter was always a big fish in a small pond, and until he was in the White House he was never faced with a problem where you could work very hard and still fail.

Part of the reason Kennedy had his brother and Nixon had, well, Nixon's entire White House, was because they were both paranoid about failure. There is absolutely zero chance that either man would have simply taken it on faith that their #1 domestic program was progressing without a hitch.

Zach said...

Speaking of the neurotic need to excel issue, that was one reason why I thought that Obama's awful publication record as a Law Review editor and junior faculty member were very significant. Perhaps uniquely among American presidents, Obama's life has taught him that he doesn't need to go the extra mile or hustle for an advantage. He just shows up, smiles, and waits for the next opportunity.

I'm sure he's great at squeezing his way to the front of the line when an opportunity arises. But the idea of doing something right now, with the power and authority available at the moment, is conspicuously lacking from every stage of his career.

Unknown said...

"Manly" isn't the right standard; "strong" is. Same goes for "womanly," only more so, as "womanly" can imply "girly" to some. If the governor of your State, or the president, were a woman, would you rather she be a "womanly" woman or a "strong" one? Me, I'd vote for a woman who behaves, dresses, watches movies any the heck way she wants, girly or not, but who in her public role is strong and decisive. (And a small-government type, since I'm one of those who believes that government is best that governs least, and all that.)

Democrats seem to place this weird emphasis on something that they try to sell as a "collaborative" style but which is instead a "committee" style: the buck just keeps going around and around and around.