The author of this piece would disagree with me, but dare I say, it’s about time!
White House Dossier
Honestly, this is tawdry.
President Obama, to paraphrase HIS OWN FIRST CAMPAIGN VIDEO released a few months ago, has a job to do and should be leaving politics alone right now.
It’s fine that he raises money at this point. He has every right to try to amass the war chest that he will need to get himself reelected. In politics, money talks, and BS walks. Actually, BS has a lot to do with getting elected too.
But his remarks, even at his fundraisers, should not be campaign speeches. And, particularly while out on official business, he should not be waging a campaign.
Even if it’s fake official business.
It’s obvious to everyone that Obama’s Midwest jaunt is a campaign bus tour. Obama’s remarks yesterday made this clear.
The latest outrage is that Obama is engaging two of the GOP frontrunners, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. The president sat down with Wolf Blitzer today and coyly clobbered them both.
From CNN.
Asked to respond to Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s assertion that members of the armed services would prefer a commander in chief who served in the military, Obama said presidential candidates have “got to be careful” about what they say. But as Perry just got into the presidential race, Obama said, he will “cut (Perry) some slack” for the moment.
Regarding former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s remarks that “corporations are people,” Obama conceded that corporations play a critical role in the generation of wealth but stressed his disagreement with some conservatives over the closure of tax loopholes benefiting certain major corporations.
“If you tell me that corporations are vital to American life, that the free enterprise system has been the greatest wealth creator we’ve ever seen … that I absolutely agree with,” Obama said. But “if on the other hand you tell me that every corporate tax break that’s out there is some how good for ordinary Americans … then that I disagree with.”
The president should simply refuse to talk about the GOP candidates until next spring. It’s just undignified for him to be attacking this early. And it puts him in the frame of mind where for the next year and two months, he’ll be making decisions based on what his political hacks – and Romney’s and Perry’s – are thinking.
He’d do better politically and for the country if he’d just be president. Responding to every peep out of the Republicans is amateurish self indulgence.
Related articles
- Romney refuses to engage on Perry, focuses on Obama (via CNN Political Ticker) (reclaimamericafromthelunaticfringe.wordpress.com)
- Donald Trump Praises Rick Perry, Keeps Open Possible 2012 Presidential Run (huffingtonpost.com)
- Trump praises Perry, keeps open a possible run (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Obama: I’ll be ready for GOP in 2012 (cnn.com)
- Romney contrasts business experience with Perry (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- President Obama And Mitt Romney’s New Best Friend (alan.com)
- Romney’s Perry Opportunity? (andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com)
- Oh my: Perry up 11 points over Romney in new Rasmussen poll (hotair.com)
Bah!
I remember when I cared whether a President had served in the military. But let’s be honest about it. Most Republicans won’t even hold to that principle. After all, Ted Kennedy was in the Army and Jimmy Carter in the Navy. Ronald Reagan was in some movies.
I don’t seem to remember them having a whole lot of respect for combat veteran John Kerry. It’s a tired old line that they trot out when it’s convenient, but certainly don’t live.
I don’t seem to remember them having a whole lot of respect for combat veteran John Kerry.
WK That’s a great point! Not to mention that all those in charge of the war(s) during the Bush administration were “chicken hawks”.
But the most absurd statement Perry made was that Obama never served his country. WHAT THE HECK IS HE DOING NOW!!!! ???
To them, he’s not serving the nation, because they figure that the black man must be stealing the White House silverware or something …
Speaking of John Kerry, my father is a hard-core Republican and Vietnam veteran who’s hated John Kerry for decades because of his actions when he came back from Vietnam.
But when the GOPers were wearing those “purple band-aids” at the convention and asserting that Sen. Kerry hadn’t really earned his Silver Star, my father was almost willing to vote for the man, because what they were doing was belittling every decoration the military awards.
When someone snipes at you, it’s okay to snipe back. Obama has an advantage–as President, anything he says merits attention, compared to a state Governor and a former state Governor.
If Perry and Romney were smart, they’d save their shots for January ’12 like everyone else…but I doubt they’re that smart.
Good point GMpilot!
WK your dad sounds like an honorable man! God Bless him.