Arguably President Bush's finest hour was here, a few days after 9/11 when he stood next to a New York City firefighter atop the rubble of downtown and vowed to bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice. That moment showed leadership, a man rising to the occasion of uncertainly and fear in the nation and giving it purpose and meaning. Even now, viewing that moment through the long distorted prism of the last seven years, it still stirs me.
Presidents need to identify those moments. They need to seize the opportunities to educate, inspire, offer wisdom, set a plan and otherwise tell the nation "Here's what is happening and here's what we will do."
The thing is...John McCain sees these moments EVERYWHERE. He's always looking for a pile of rubble to stand on, grab a bullhorn and tell the nation to follow him. But he's grabbed the damned bullhorn at least a dozen times in the last two weeks. Unfortunately in the recent financial crisis, what he has said has been largely nonsense. When everything is a "9/11" moment, nothing is.
But Obama, on the other hand, makes me wonder if he sees ANY opportunity to climb on the rubble. Under what circumstances would he drop his cool demeanor, grab his own bullhorn and lead? Is the recent financial crisis a "9/11" moment? Maybe it is; maybe it isn't.
Or maybe it's up to him to make it such a moment by virtue of his actions.
My guess is that some people are still wondering about this.
You hit it on the head. Mccain is not afraid to take a stand and lead. Obama is a loudmouth coward that has never stood for anything nor has he every even put forward a piece of legislation. Great speaker, yes but not the leader that this country needs.
Posted by: JTR | October 03, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Well I wouldn't say that JTR. I think McCain's style is risky, self centered and often puts the national interest behind his ego. Obama is not a coward. No one with his background who has made it to where he has did so without being incredibly brave. Obama's style is laconic and laid back but so far it has proven to be effective. It just isn't that inspiring at times. His challenge will be to recognize when he does needs to make that grand gesture. That's something he can learn and grow into. I doubt Senator McCain will ever stop being a self-proclaimed "maverick."
Posted by: David Levy | October 03, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Have a look at this video which describes what I am speaking of. . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZTo0iGc_Dw
Posted by: JTR | October 08, 2008 at 05:44 PM
We're gong to have to agree to disagree here, my man.
Posted by: David Levy | October 17, 2008 at 06:13 AM