Althouse: The President "got hazy... I told him this will never work without adult supervision from the White House."

March 10, 2013

The President "got hazy... I told him this will never work without adult supervision from the White House."

"I don’t think he comprehends that this is part of getting something done.... He’s been under the view that if he gets involved, it poisons something. But no, we want presidential leadership...."

Said one of the Republican Senators who went to dinner with Obama on the night of the Rand Paul filibuster.

45 comments:

Original Mike said...: It's not his involvement that poisons things, it's his behavior.; 3/10/13, 12:27 PM
Original Mike said...: But I don't think he's capable of changing his behavior. He has never had to negogiate before, and he doesn't know how to do it.; 3/10/13, 12:28 PM
Anonymous said...: You could tell from the article that a few of the senators were impressed at being with the president, they should not be fooled. There is not a bipartisan bone in the president's body. He'll use this as evidence of him reaching out, but the other side unwilling to compromise. He thinks that merely by letting other people talk from time to time, that is compromise enough, but if they don't agree with him, they are being intransigient.; 3/10/13, 12:28 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Bargain. riiiight.
The only "grand bargain" democrats want is higher tax rates, more spending (tax giveaways to wealthy donors and cronies) larger government and more government controls over private affairs, and a welfare state that harvests more voters to perpetuate the above .

Republicans say: spank me daddy.; 3/10/13, 12:33 PM
rgr said...: With the president's lack of negotiating skill/experience perhaps some other "adult" from the White House can do the job - Biden supposedly has those skills and experience. Anyone else?; 3/10/13, 12:34 PM
Nonapod said...: He wants to keep distance from himself and any appearance of actually governing. He does best when he's running against things, making lots of noise and lecturing. He's a problem pointer outer, not a problem solver.; 3/10/13, 12:35 PM
YoungHegelian said...: Jeez, Obama couldn't be bothered to shepherd through his signature legislative accomplishment ("Obamacare"), which was done by Pelosi & Reid.

You think he's going to bust his hump over something as icky as all this fiscal crap, which he clearly detests?

No way!; 3/10/13, 12:35 PM
George M. Spencer said...: "Speak not evil of the absent for it is unjust."

Ruie #89 in George Washington's "Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour"; 3/10/13, 12:38 PM
Original Mike said...: "He's a problem pointer outer, not a problem solver."

In my years of mentoring young scientists and engineers, I find that they do indeed separate into these two categories. The lab can go far with problem solvers on the team. Problem-pointer-outers aren't even progress-neutral. They are a net drag.; 3/10/13, 12:41 PM
Brian Brown said...: Obama has no clue what leadership is.; 3/10/13, 12:43 PM
Brian Brown said...: He's a problem pointer outer, not a problem solver.

I can't think of an example of Obama actually pointing out a problem. He usually argues against straw men.; 3/10/13, 12:43 PM
dreams said...: This is an example of why the Republican party is called the stupid party, stupid.; 3/10/13, 12:45 PM
Bender said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 3/10/13, 12:46 PM
Bender said...: "adult supervision"

So which condescending prick was it this time, McCain or Graham?

Fact of the matter is that real adults (1) don't have such arrogant attitudes and (2) don't look to "grand bargain" with backroom deals rather than respecting the constitutional process of only making "deals" that are out in the open in regular legislative business on the floor of Congress.; 3/10/13, 12:47 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Teh grand bargain is to do it he chicago way - or the highway.; 3/10/13, 12:47 PM
G Joubert said...: Bottom line, he has no leadership skills. He fills that void with perpetual campaigning and an affected charisma. Those'll only carry you so far.; 3/10/13, 12:49 PM
gk1 said...: It will turn to shit like everything else obama touches. Why would this be any different?; 3/10/13, 12:50 PM
Nonapod said...: Jay said...

I can't think of an example of Obama actually pointing out a problem. He usually argues against straw men.

Largely true, but what I meant was he's the proverbial squeaky wheel. When there's no problems he has to invent them (Strawmen as you say) or at least turn a molehill into a mountain that only more government can "fix".; 3/10/13, 12:51 PM
AllenS said...: Obama's been affirmative actioned through life, that's why he is the way he is. He keeps getting promoted without having to accomplish anything. Why should he change? Why should he get involved? That's for those people who work for him. Talk to them.; 3/10/13, 12:52 PM
edutcher said...: He voted "Present" because that's what he does normally. Tell me again how "brilliant" this guy is. I can just see ValJar and Axelrod winding him up in the morning.

The original tabula rasa.

Not to mention empty suit.

PS They want "adult supervision" from the White House?

Time to bring back Dubya, Darth, Rummy, and Condi.

PPS Seantor #2 reminds me of the generals who visited the bunker in the last days of April '45. They could still be seduced because they wanted to be.; 3/10/13, 12:55 PM
Original Mike said...: I have no problems with the Republicans talking to him. But, at this point, I am adamantly opposed to a "grand bargin". Obama has poisoned the well. Future budgets must be advanced by regular order.; 3/10/13, 12:56 PM
Petunia said...: Well, if they're looking for "adult supervision" from the WH, their best option is Bo.; 3/10/13, 1:04 PM
Michael K said...: Obama should listen to Coburn who has no axe to grind but he won't. He is an agitator, not a problem solver.; 3/10/13, 1:15 PM
kcom said...: I don't think he comprehends it either. He really doesn't understand the job.; 3/10/13, 1:17 PM
kcom said...: I don't think he comprehends it either. He really doesn't understand the job.; 3/10/13, 1:19 PM
machine said...: Sooooo...even the GOP recoginzes President Obama as the adult in the room....

Sick burn.; 3/10/13, 1:21 PM
Cincinnatus said...: Obama really has no clue how to be President and more strangely no clue how to get legislation passed.

It was obvious in 2008 that he wasn't a serious candidate and had no clue about doing the job. But he seems unable to learn anything on the job.; 3/10/13, 1:23 PM
SGT Ted said...: If he gets involved, he can then be held accountable and blamed for things going wrong.

So, President Golfpants will not get involved, but will keep campaigning against George W. Bush.; 3/10/13, 1:25 PM
SteveR said...: I always find these "insights" into the president to be uninsightful. Nothing about his life gives any hint of compromise or leadership. I don't think he's capable of change.; 3/10/13, 1:25 PM
Drago said...: machine: "Sooooo...even the GOP recoginzes President Obama as the adult in the room...."

Does machine have a reading comprehension problem (possible) or does he/she have an honesty problem (more likely)?

I'm predisposed to assume it's an honesty problem.

Perhaps machine can clear up this issue by cutting and pasting that portion of AA's linked article that indicates "..even the GOP recoginzes President Obama as the adult in the room.."

Of course I won't be holding my breath.

LOL; 3/10/13, 1:31 PM
Zach said...: Senator No. 2: “He’s been under the view that if he gets involved, it poisons something. But no, we want presidential leadership, we want to solve this. . . . He should be the convener.”

If Obama really believes this to be true, then someone else should be president.

I mean, this guy got reelected last year. His second inauguration was less than two months ago, and he's already decided that the best he can do is nothing?; 3/10/13, 1:40 PM
edutcher said...: machine said...

Sooooo...even the GOP recoginzes President Obama as the adult in the room....

What part of, "this will never work without adult supervision from the White House.", eludes him, I wonder?

Obviously, said adult supervision has yet to materialize.; 3/10/13, 1:57 PM
Matt Sablan said...: Just once, if he'd follow through on a promise, I think he'd find that people work with him more.; 3/10/13, 2:18 PM
AllenS said...: "It is wonderful to be back in Oregon," Obama said. "Over the last 15 months, we've traveled to every corner of the United States. I've now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it."; 3/10/13, 2:18 PM
Matt Sablan said...: "He's a problem pointer outer, not a problem solver."

-- One of the first things I decided when I started in an office is that if there was a problem big enough for me to point out, it was big enough for me to immediately offer reasonable solutions or volunteer to find them. "Suggesting is volunteering" one of my later bosses said, which is sort of a personal work motto of mine.; 3/10/13, 2:20 PM
Unknown said...: They ask for adult supervision from the president, because that's the role of the President. Asking for adult supervision is another way to say please do your job.
Metaphors are hard.; 3/10/13, 2:22 PM
Joe Schmoe said...: Original Mike, I agree with your assessment that Barry has no negotiating experiences or skills. His quotes that stick with me are when he goes on about how 'messy' democracy is, but when we rise above it we accomplish all sorts of gooey goodness.

He doesn't get that the 'messiness' is necessary to test the proposed measures and advance the ones that work while shit-canning the ones that won't. He thinks humans just get together and bicker for awhile before deciding whether they want to do something or not. Once they decide they do, apparently he thinks they wipe the slate clean and start from scratch with a kum-baya mentality.

Anyone who's had to do anything outside of lefty politics understands that the messiness is inherent and integral to the process. What succeeds is when the people participating allow their ideas to be challenged and are willing to give them up if said ideas don't hold up under scrutiny. When nimrods cling to bad ideas even when their weaknesses are shown to outweigh their strengths, that's when we wind up with shit like Obamacare. Part-time employment is becoming the norm, and only Obama is dumb enough to think that giving artists free health care would unleash a tidal wave of economic prosperity.; 3/10/13, 2:59 PM
Joe Schmoe said...: I love the posts about problem solver v. problem pointer outer. My experience: I went through a phase of problem pointer outer early in my career. It was actually the genesis of my critical thinking skills. After awhile, no thanks to any mentors but thanks to a couple of good books on management, I started to think more like a problem solver. So there's hope! If you run into a PPO who is early in his or her career, don't hesitate to pull them aside for a chat. PPO is a good trait; it just needs to be married with PS skills. Don't ever give up probing for weaknesses, but don't let it paralyze you either.; 3/10/13, 3:11 PM
Baron Zemo said...: Since he did nothing while he was in Congress except vote present, he has no idea of how Congress works.

Just as he has no idea how business works since he has always been on the government tit in way or another.

He just doesn't get it.; 3/10/13, 3:14 PM
SomeoneHasToSayIt said...: Obama feels . . . if he get involved, it poisons something

How convenient. Sounds like classic slacker excuse making, to me.; 3/10/13, 3:50 PM
Firehand said...: ...a few of the senators were impressed at being with the president...
That's part of our problem right there, not just with the Oval Office occupant but for too many in Congress: there's far too much prestige seen in that office and whatever clown happens to currently be occupying it.
Far too much deference(way beyond respect for the office) and too little "Uh, hey, dumbass, YOU WORK FOR US, not the other way around. Or have you forgotten?"; 3/10/13, 5:00 PM
Phil 314 said...: Leadership is not part of his skill set; 3/10/13, 6:22 PM
Sam L. said...: My impression is that he doesn't want anything to come back at him, should something fail. I'm guessing he sees Obamacare failing...; 3/10/13, 8:17 PM
paul a'barge said...: Peggy was talking with John McCain and Lindsey Graham while she let both men shove their meaty hands up Noonan's skirt.; 3/11/13, 10:03 AM
Nomennovum said...: Nothing will come of this. Obama is not out to solve problems.; 3/11/13, 10:27 AM