[quote=SK in CV][quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
I think Obama is doing a better job of “telling the story”, but that’s simply rhetoric standing in the place of substance. At some point, there needs to be a serious and substantive discussion on tax reform, entitlement reform, foreign policy and strategic policy (which will drive reform of the DoD) and immigration policy. Up to this point, we’ve settled for kicking the can down the road and Obama has missed some golden opportunities, especially regarding tax reform and reform of the financial sector.[/quote]

I have to agree with all of this. Obama is a great story teller. The problem has been (my opinion here) is that he promised change, but was more comitted to getting things done, without regards to whether they really were consistent with the change he promised. Too concerned with changing the tone in Washington, than changing the policies in Washington. Form over substance. The exact opposite of what a tranformational leader needs to do. And he underestimated the republicans dedication to party over policy. There never was peace to be made, he never should have tried.

He did miss golden opportunities, and I think it’s unlikely he’ll get the chance again. There never was much he could have done about the economy given the political realities. It cost more money that it should have, but what was done accomplished as much as it could have. But there was plenty he could have done with all the other things you mentioned. I think you attribute it to lack of leadership. I attribute it to bad tactics. But whether by malevolence or incompetence, it just hasn’t worked.

I doubt another four years of him will help much. But I have little doubt it’s better than the alternative. It will be a slow easy roll.[/quote]

SK: Perhaps “lack of leadership” is too harsh and too simplistic. Lack of experience, combined with bad tactics, cost Obama dearly. I also think Obama was maybe too caught up in his legacy, and thus was committed to pushing “signature” legislation, like Obamacare.

Comparing him to, say, LBJ, really shows not only the different styles, but also the fact that LBJ was an outstanding dealmaker and thus knew the backroom aspects to legislation, unlike Obama, who didn’t really cut his teeth or pay his dues. His rise was truly meteoric and, as a result, he transitioned rapidly from academia to legislature to the Executive Office without really stopping along the way to learn the system.

I also couldn’t agree more re: the GOP alternative in either 2008 or 2012. McCain would’ve confronted the same problems and, if he didn’t do worse, it is doubtful he would’ve done better. I don’t see any of the present GOP nominees stepping in in 2013 and rapidly changing the game. The problems we’re confronting are both structural and systemic and all of the old “fixes” simply aren’t going to work.

And that is truly the most unfortunate part about Obama. He was in the right place at the right time, historically speaking, and has sadly fumbled the opportunity away.