Print
Return to online version

December 12, 2010

Persuasion by Proxy President

Monique Chartier

Despite a day that was keeping me on the jump Friday, I got to listen to Fred Thompson at the moment when, in his low key way, he was suggesting a more conciliatory way (in contrast with the approach taken by President Obama) that the president could have presented the unemployment-bennies-for-tax-rate-extension compromise legislation.

Such an approach would include a recitation of advantageous points about the bill to be preceeded by the caveat that

This bill is not perfect but...

In retrospect, the only flaw with this advice is that Thompson failed to specify which president should make this case.

Former President Bill Clinton made a surprise appearance Friday afternoon to speak on behalf of President Obama’s tax deal he recently struck with Republicans. The deal extends the Bush tax cuts that affect all household, even the ones that make the most income. ...

Clinton told reporters that he thought the deal was a good one and that there was not anything else out there any better.

And

There's never a perfect bipartisan bill in the eyes of a partisan," Clinton said. "But I really believe this will be a significant net-plus for the country."

Er, yes. Perhaps next time, however, we can advance to a tableau of President Obama out there solo but with a discreet earpiece to catch Coach Clinton's quiet promptings (and then eventually, out there sans earpiece) so as to preserve the image of the current president being ... well, the current president.

Comments

Yeah but...Obama said he had to be at a holiday party, so that's why Clinton was there in the White House briefing room. Can't keep the first lady waiting!

Posted by: Patrick at December 12, 2010 10:32 AM

Newsflash: Obama has no idea how to be President!

A one-term U.S. Senator and former state legislator with a well-formed self-image, but no experience running or managing anything and with a propensity to vote "present" when the chips were down enters the White House lacking clue one about how to lead, persuade, or govern.

Who would've thought it?

Posted by: brassband at December 12, 2010 11:44 AM

A part of a term Senator you mean.

Posted by: joe bernstein at December 12, 2010 8:26 PM

A national embarrassment.

Posted by: Tim at December 13, 2010 10:33 AM