I yearn to be able to respect a president I have political differences with. To be able to find common ground as fellow Americans and on occasions such as Memorial Day, out of respect for the office of the presidency, applaud his speech and say, “Well done, Mr. President; well done! We may differ politically, but today I stand with you!”
So why am I finding such difficulty in doing so, you ask? Why did his speech today get stuck in my butt? Did he gaffe? No….that was last year, before he was president. Big deal. I didn’t consider him presidential material then; but now that he is president, I expect better from a “leader” who promotes himself as a “reach across the aisle” uniter, bridging himself across the partisan divide. As Powerline in 2008 noted of Obama’s Memorial Day speech:
He continued with a town hall-style question and answer period that cast veterans in the only role with which the Democrats are comfortable–victims–and sought to politicize the holiday.
What’s become clear, is that this campaign-mode partisanship is the only style of speech deliverance President Obama seems to know. He seems oblivious to the fact that he is expressing partisanly divisive rhetoric. It probably sounds reasonable and down-the-middle to him; centrist. But this isn’t the case.
Here’s what left a bad taste in my heart from his 2009 speech (up to this point, his speech was fine):
I know that there is nothing I will not do to keep our country safe, even as I face no harder decision than sending our men and women to war — and no moment more difficult than writing a letter to the families of the fallen. And that’s why as long as I am President, I will only send our troops into harm’s way when it is absolutely necessary, and I will always provide them with the equipment and support they need to get the job done. (Applause.)
Narcissism at its finest laced to partisan campaign rhetoric. What else does that last portion serve, other than as a slam against the previous Administration? The implication is, “President Bush sent our children into harm’s way to fight a war of choice, and did not give them proper body armor and support.”
It might not be intentional; but the mindset is stuck on campaign-mode.
He did this during his speech at the Naval Academy. And he does this in EVERY speech.
That’s not leadership for America. That’s leadership for liberal Democrats.
President Obama’s notion of bipartisanship is “we’ll unite the country by YOU rallying around MY values and MY politics.”
Seriously, when has he ever reached across the aisle?
I would love to rally behind an American president- regardless of party affiliation- on national occasions like Memorial Day.
I just wish President Obama felt the same.
*UPDATE* 22:46
Speaking of outfitting them with the proper equipment to get the job done, check out CJ’s post regarding the same speech substance in the president’s weekly radio address:
This weekend has brought a lot of talk from the Executive Branch of government on military and national security issues. I hate to keep pounding the Obama drum, but I can’t let this one go. During Obama’s weekly radio address today, Obama said,
…all too often in recent years and decades, we, as a nation, have failed to live up to that responsibility. We have failed to give them the support they need or pay them the respect they deserve. That is a betrayal of the sacred trust that America has with all who wear – and all who have worn – the proud uniform of our country.
And that is a sacred trust I am committed to keeping as President of the United States. That is why I will send our servicemen and women into harm’s way only when it is necessary, and ensure that they have the training and equipment they need when they enter the theater of war.
So, I find it interesting that we’re sending in over 20,000 troops into Afghanistan WITHOUT proper equipment.
At a news conference this week in Kabul, Secretary of Defense Gates said, “I heard this on several occasions today, that the equipment is coming in behind the troops and is not here and available for them when they arrive.”
You know, I seem to recall when this happened on Rumsfeld’s watch that the country was shouting loudly in protest at this sort of travesty. Rumsfeld remarked quite honestly that “you go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want.” What’s different now? The Messiah is in office, so now it’s okay to send our troops into combat unprepared and underequipped?
Gates attributed the delays to “the amount of equipment that has to be brought in and, frankly, the relatively limited infrastructure in terms of airfields and so on of how to get it in here.”
When Gates met with Marines, some complained they didn’t have communications equipment. Others complained about vehicles. And yet, where’s the drum beat of opposition to this “travesty?” Nancy Pelosiraptor (to use the Tygrrrr Express term) even called for Rumsfeld’s resignation because of equipment shortages to our troops.
I just find it disingenuous for the President to publicly state one thing when the reality is quite different as stated by his Secretary of Defense. Maybe fighting a war isn’t as simple as the idiots in Washington think?
A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.
What very nearly drove me up the wall was when 0bama was talking about the military and asked what it was in this ‘age when people serve the most private interest’ that motivated the brave members of the armed services (my words, definitely not his) to put themselves in harm’s way to defend America. Had it been rhetorical, I would have seen it as another one of 0bama’s “I say this even though I don’t mean it” moments, but he genuinely did not understand. He wasn’t being rhetorical. He was being serious. He did not understand the love and devotion to country and fellow man that motivates people to enter into the military.
He was certainly genuine when he said he wouldn’t send troops into harms way. The lie was that he would send them when it was necessary. He won’t. He’ll sit back and let the country decay as our military goes underfunded so he can buy more votes. His is the party of “The war is lost.”
On top of all of this, rumors have surfaced that he plans to apologize to Germany for bombing during World War 2. If true, he might as well be spitting on the graves of the more than 100,000 brave men who gave their lives in the battle against the Nazis who lay buried across Europe. We fought Germany, and we sought to destroy them completely. Until they surrendered, we would destroy anything and everything we could to break them, and there is no reason why we should surrender for standing up and fighting against evil.
Evil must be fought. Not negotiated with. Not coddled. It must be wiped from the face of the earth by any and all means necessary. Our forefathers understood this. 0bama does not.
I noticed that as well. He is already campaigning for 2012. He knows no other way.
Every speech this guy gives has a slam at Bush, whether blatant or subtle. Also, everytime I hear him speak, I get the impression that he is a brat–always blaming someone–anyone–for his situation.
Even in jest–for instance, at the Correspondence dinner, when he said this is another responsibility Bush left him, to attend this dinner, every occasion, is a slam at Bush. I say, if he doesn’t want the job, then quit. Otherwise, grow up and do what you’re paid to be doing.
Obama has become entrenched in his role as community organizer–one who ‘rubs raw the resentments of the oppressed” in order to stir up resistance to established authority and secure payoffs in goods and services in return for calming the masses back down. This is the only “job” he ever held and the only skill he knows. It makes perfect sense then that he would conduct hiself like a Chicago street agitator and actually expect it to work with the steely-eyed leaders of our rivals and enemies. It is relevant to note that when a “community organizer” speaks of “unity” he means unity of the part against the greater whole, which in effect means the divisions of class warfare. To continue to instigate the resentments and agitation requires hostility directed against a straw man– and for Obama that is George Bush and anyone who can vaguely be connected to him, including imaginary anonymous villians (“There are those out there…”). Let the buyer of this shinola beware…
Crass, divisive, partisan and a punk. He has not learned to govern. Unfit for the office, period.
Gave this post a super DIGG…
You guys are spot dead on about the narcissistic self-righteousness this guy excretes from every pore. He is the “me, myself and I” President that frankly thinks he is still on the campaign trail !
Great post…
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As I pointed out in the comments section of my Memorial Day post: Lincoln never used the word “I” in the Gettysburg Address. Obama cannot help but focus on himself. Doing so reveals his obsessive psycho-pathology.
A man who treats the Presidency solely as stage upon which to strut his ego will never be a good President of all the people.
It sickens and saddens me to see this poseur acting out such a role on this important day. He is totally repulsive.
Wordsmith,
That’s exactly how it struck me, too. And yes, it’s true of all his utterances. I came upon something this evening that opened my eyes a bit. Are any of you familiar with “transnational progressivism”? Is it synonymous with the Democratic Party? Sounds like it to me.
See http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/archives_roll/2002_04-06/fonte_ideological/fonte_ideological.html. I just heard about this over at this page, http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/let-america-be-america-again/comment-page-3/#comment-266576, and one of the posters brought it up.
The pieces seem to fit. What do you think?
I swear to God, I have spent the day with a knot in my stomach, that was only relieved by actually throwing up.
I know why, and my wife and Father have tried to get me to “ratchet” it down, but I can’t.
Not yet.
After writing the White House (because I respect this site, I will not publish it here) I expect the Secret Service here soon. I didn’t directly threaten, but I know I’ve said enough to get me in trouble.
The wife and kids are safely away, and my boss and my lawyer has be given a heads-up. I will sit here with beers and smokes until they come.
This boy is a traitor to my country. “Boy” as in stupid naive moron.
The bottom line is the folk who go to war on our behalf go with the hopes and dreams of returning home, preferably in one piece, to proudly march in the homecoming victory parade. Most don’t dream of becoming heros, tho in fact they already are, they don’t go with the intent of giving their lives for the cause, tho they are fully aware that some among them will not come home and some will come home damaged and in pain. We who are left at home, whether we know these heros or not, honor them and support them in whatever feeble way we can and we expect our Commander in Chief to go the extra mile and do whatever is necessary to help and support these brave guys and gals it is his duty and moral responsibility, not just to our troops but to our country.
IMO President Obama does not accept that fact, to him the military is just another political tool useful for his personal safety and convenience.
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I was at the Naval Academy graduation. When many in the statium stood and clapped and praised when Obuma’s helicopter flew over, it was obvious this country is in deep doo-doo. We all must fight hard for conservative representatives that remain conservative.
Imagine my surprise that the Obama hate on this web site was not even toned down for Memorial Day.
Have I lost friends and loved ones in war? Yes! It was an honor remembering them yesterday.
And Just for Old Troopers interest… YES, I did serve in the military.
I truly enjoyed watching Obama in his role as President placing the wreath and speaking at Arlington.
Patvann and Old Trooper. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy your Memorial day!
I had a Day of Remembrance in Respect to the Fallen, visited a VA Hospital to thank Folks for their Service and did not go play golf instead of visiting wounded at Bethesda or Walter Reed like our President could have done.
But thanks for asking.
Let me offer another example of how Obama sees everything only in relation to himself: The National Day of Prayer. This is a day for Americans of all faiths to come together to pray for the country and to ask for God’s blessing upon us. Obama did not celebrate the day, I believe, for two reasons; first, because it was something Bush highlighted during his Presidency — and we know how much he hates Bush and everything he stands for; and second, Obama doesn’t pray, or didn’t want to pray publically. As if it’s all about him. He’s the great “O” and the great “I Am” in his mind. He should have been proud to come forth as the President of the United States of America to stand (kneel in prayer) with his fellow Americans for their sake and in solidarity with us. It’s not his thing, so to hell with the rest of us. That’s why Lincoln didn’t use the word “I” in the Gettysburg Address: it wasn’t about him, it was about our nation, our future, our citizens, especially those who had made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve this nation. I, too, wish I could support our President; but, I’ve reached a point with this guy where I just cannot listen to speak. I don’t believe a word he says; and I don’t believe he means anything he says. He absolutely is incapable of being a proud American because he doesn’t even know what that is. He should stop sticking his chin so high in the air — his royal crown will fall off.
RAP did you notice all the refernces Obama made to HIMSELF. The entire speach was about him and his administration. He wasn’t there for the troops or those who gave their lives so he could be there for a photo OP. The only person Obama was there for was himself. It showed to those not enamored by him. Sorry that you couldn’t see it but for those who have heard truly great speakers in the past, the words Obama mouthed yesterday were just that….Words.
@ cRAP
Civil Air Patrol doesn’t count as military service.
The fallen that now rest at Arlington were rolling in their graves. A person that hates everything that America stands for, hates everything that America is, was speaking on their behalf? If Obama loves America so much, why is he trying to change everything about it and apologizing for everything we’ve done?
I’m with Word on this. I would have loved to hear a great speech by the President. It didn’t happen. He cannot make a speech that isn’t about him. He could have taken the politics and himself out of that speech, but it isn’t in him.
Krusher…
They’re still young. They’ll learn.