As the nation's political junkies dissect the recent stimulus package proposed by Congress and the historic inauguration of The One himself approaches, Weekly Standard Editor Fred Barnes asks questions that anticipate the readiness and efficacy of the upcoming Obama presidency.
Barnes' questions do not focus on policy minutiae but rather examine the character, management style and leadership qualities of the President elect, all of which are distilled to just a few questions:
1) Does Obama know what he is talking about?
2) Will Obama be a pushover?
3) Will Obama be another Jimmy Carter on national and foreign security policy?
4) Does Obama have the "nerves" for the job?
These are questions that are explicitly or intuitively part of the process that voters use to decide any candidate's qualifications. They are common in both the private sector and politics. For example, we can be sure that Democrat House and Senate leaders have been weighing these questions very carefully since the election. The recent $850 billion dollar wager on stimulus indicates that Congress knows who and what they are dealing with in the Executive.
Our enemies have been conducting the same analysis for many months which makes the foreign policy part of this equation much more problematic. Whereas skyrocketing crude oil prices were the cause célèbre in the summer of 2008, the plummeting prices of energy recently have made President elect Obama's foreign policy challenges much different.
A worldwide crash in commodity prices offers welcome relief to net energy importers (us) and crisis for exporters from Iran to Russia. It's estimated that Arab investment losses in the last several months exceed $2.5 trillion dollars. That amount of money will alter the foreign policy of any country, friend or foe.
President elect Obama is ascending to the presidency at a tumultuous moment in global politics. While his supporters cling to the "it's all Bush's fault" argument, we will soon see if this man is up to the job.
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Comments (15)
President elect Obama is... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Justice58 | January 17, 2009 9:51 PM | Score: -11 (11 votes cast)
President elect Obama is ascending to the presidency at a tumultuous moment in global politics. While his supporters cling to the "it's all Bush's fault" argument, we will soon see if this man is up to the job.
Well, keep your eyes & ears open, HughS. President Barack Obama is going to show ReThugs how it's done. You might learn something. ;)
3 More days! Woo Hoo!
1. Posted by Justice58 | January 17, 2009 9:51 PM |
Score: -11 (11 votes cast)
Posted on January 17, 2009 21:51
2. Posted by NoEggplants | January 17, 2009 9:58 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
1 NO
2 YES
3 YES
4 NO
2. Posted by NoEggplants | January 17, 2009 9:58 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on January 17, 2009 21:58
3. Posted by hermie | January 17, 2009 11:53 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Show how it's done?
The only thing he has done is to get elected to office. Other than that, he has never showed any kind of leadership or succeeded in any task where he had to actually show results or be accountable for failure.
3. Posted by hermie | January 17, 2009 11:53 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 17, 2009 23:53
4. Posted by macofromoc | January 18, 2009 12:25 AM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Well, keep your eyes & ears open, HughS. President Barack Obama is going to show ReThugs how it's done. You might learn something. ;)
For example.......
4. Posted by macofromoc | January 18, 2009 12:25 AM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 00:25
5. Posted by Justice58 | January 18, 2009 1:18 AM | Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
For example.......
Like.... how to get us out of this recession, how to have affordable healthcare, how to end the War in Iraq, how to build America's image after George Bush torn it down, how to respect the Constitution, how to create jobs.
How To Respect & Live By The Constitution!!!!!!!!!
Any questions?
5. Posted by Justice58 | January 18, 2009 1:18 AM |
Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 01:18
6. Posted by Jason | January 18, 2009 8:08 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Does Obama know what he is talking about?
He's flying by the seat of his pants.
Will Obama be a pushover?
He was, is and will be.
Will Obama be another Jimmy Carter on national and foreign security policy?
Absolutely.
Does Obama have the "nerves" for the job?
Yes, as long as he has a cigarette at the ready.
http://www.rightklik.net/
6. Posted by Jason | January 18, 2009 8:08 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 08:08
7. Posted by Sky_Captain | January 18, 2009 10:06 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
J58 , in post #5.
Yes, I have a question.
Where is the Chosen One's qualification to be President? You know, the one REQUIRED by the Constitution?
7. Posted by Sky_Captain | January 18, 2009 10:06 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 10:06
8. Posted by Justice58 | January 18, 2009 10:33 AM | Score: -4 (4 votes cast)
Where is the Chosen One's qualification to be President? You know, the one REQUIRED by the Constitution?
You're really being ridiculous. President Obama wouldn't be president if he hadn't met the qualifications. Geez, why am I even answering this question? (Eye Roll)
8. Posted by Justice58 | January 18, 2009 10:33 AM |
Score: -4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 10:33
9. Posted by LaMedusa | January 18, 2009 10:43 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
True, but it won't be the same Constitution as the Forefathers signed. It's going to be a new set of rules imposed on a North American Union. The United States as we know it is being dissolved.
If Obama is still in office, I can't wait to see what his excuse will be for invading Afghanistan.
9. Posted by LaMedusa | January 18, 2009 10:43 AM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 10:43
10. Posted by Double | January 18, 2009 10:48 AM | Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
I think Obama's past successes will show us what kind of success he will have as President.
10. Posted by Double | January 18, 2009 10:48 AM |
Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 10:48
11. Posted by GianiD | January 18, 2009 11:13 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Past successes??
Which ones?
What has he actually accomplished, well, besides 1dding at least 7 states to the union(by his count) and getting his bulldog faced wife a kickback job because of pork he directed at a local hospital.
11. Posted by GianiD | January 18, 2009 11:13 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 11:13
12. Posted by bill pulkownik | January 18, 2009 12:42 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
your questions about this thing that was chosen by the evil powers{the money men of this world} and the shadow brokers, plus his commie friends, when he thinks he can slither to fulfill his obligations to these people. do not cry americans when you hear and feel the pain, and the I TOLD YOU SO'S. IT IS COMING
12. Posted by bill pulkownik | January 18, 2009 12:42 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 12:42
13. Posted by Dave Noble | January 18, 2009 7:15 PM | Score: -2 (4 votes cast)
"True, but it won't be the same Constitution as the Forefathers signed. It's going to be a new set of rules imposed on a North American Union. The United States as we know it is being dissolved."
May the gods continue to give you visions, Delphic Oracle.
We await with bated breath your coming revelations from the Swirling Vapors.
13. Posted by Dave Noble | January 18, 2009 7:15 PM |
Score: -2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 19:15
14. Posted by J Weaver | January 18, 2009 10:28 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Justice 58....The Constitution is something that the ex Professor should know about. Everyone in Kenya knows he was born in that country[Kenya] not Hawaii. He is just one slick cookie. Don't forget, "I told you so".
14. Posted by J Weaver | January 18, 2009 10:28 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on January 18, 2009 22:28
15. Posted by Justice58 | January 19, 2009 12:52 AM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
J Weaver,
Just stop. Is that all you've got? Please! (Major Eye Roll)
15. Posted by Justice58 | January 19, 2009 12:52 AM |
Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on January 19, 2009 00:52