Aura dazzles but argument gets things done. Consider the debate on the Democrats Health Care bill and the increasingly negative response to Barack Obama’s performance. Democrats have the numbers to pass the Health Care bill—256 votes in the House, 38 more than the 218 majority; 60 votes in the Senate, enough to defeat a filibuster but they haven’t come up with arguments, at least not yet, to put those numbers on board. Its something not many predicted that bright January inauguration morning.
We knew that day Obama was good at aura, at generating enthusiasm for the prospect of hope and change. His inspiring speeches—the Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner in Des Moines, Iowa, the race speech in Philadelphia, the countless rallies in primaries, caucus and target states—helped him capture the Democratic nomination and then win the Presidency by the biggest margin in 20 years.
It turns out, that Obama is not so good at argument. Inspiration is one thing, persuasion another. He created the impression on the campaign trail that he was familiar with the major issues and regularly ticked off his positions on them but he has not proved so good at legislating.
Rest here from Michael Barone, Senior Political Analyst, Washington Examiner
Related Posts:
Self Immolation Week at the White House from the Washington Examiner
Bully Boys: A brief history of White House Thuggery from Michelle Malkin