Print
Return to online version

August 25, 2009

Ajami: Obama Cult of Personality = FAIL

Marc Comtois

Fouad Ajami:

American democracy has never been democracy by plebiscite, a process by which a leader is anointed, then the populace steps out of the way, and the anointed one puts his political program in place. In the American tradition, the "mandate of heaven" is gained and lost every day and people talk back to their leaders. They are not held in thrall by them. The leaders are not infallible or a breed apart. That way is the Third World way, the way it plays out in Arab and Latin American politics.

Those protesters in those town-hall meetings have served notice that Mr. Obama's charismatic moment has passed. Once again, the belief in that American exception that set this nation apart from other lands is re-emerging. Health care is the tip of the iceberg. Beneath it is an unease with the way the verdict of the 2008 election was read by those who prevailed. It shall be seen whether the man swept into office in the moment of national panic will adjust to the nation's recovery of its self-confidence.

Comments

A great piece in the WSJ this morning.

Obama is trying his best to make this country into his own filthy, miserable, banana republic, replete with all the destructive policies of a third world country. Keep 'em stupid and dependent and they'll keep him in office - the Chavez model of government.
Great job, Obama!

Posted by: Mike Cappelli at August 25, 2009 11:38 AM

mike capelli,
If stupid and dependent were the characteristics of an Obama supporter you would be door man at the White House.
OldTimeLefty

Posted by: OldTimeLefty at August 26, 2009 10:32 PM

Lefty
As I read these articles, all you do is
attack anyone who disagrees with your
Liberal mind set. I'm surprise you haven't blamed Bush yet. You are the fool. Every time I read any of your writings I think of Barney Frank, Hmmm I wonder why. Just remember this. In the law of the jungle, the weak are always weeded out. That is how the world is. Now the weak rule, something is wrong with this picture. But nature has a way to fix things.
RiverFox

Posted by: RiverFox at August 30, 2009 9:03 AM