President Obama - President Bartlett and President Palmer rolled into one...
Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet is an "ideal" president. He is handsome and endowed with great personal integrity, a sense of humor, a fierce intellect, and a toughness tempered by compassion. In the fictional world of 'West Wing," he was referred to as the "most popular Democratic president in recent memory."
David Palmer, from the the series "24," is the first African-American President of the United States. A former United States Senator, Palmer's role as President is often vital to the successful foiling of terrorism. Palmer is seen as a good leader who makes difficult decisions without much hesitation.
Why do I make this comparison? President Obama pointed at Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in the crowd at last night's State of the Union and said, "Good job tonight." You know by now he was referring to the U.S. Special Forces raid into Somalia. Swooping in under the cloak of night, this helicopter mission by the U.S. military's Africa Command, based in Stuttgart, Germany, freed an American and a Danish hostage and killed nine pirates in a mission that President Obama said he personally authorized.
And this wasn't the first time.
In April, 2009, Obama gave the order for Navy snipers on the stern of a destroyer cut down three Somali pirates in a lifeboat and rescue an American sea captain in a surprise night-time assault in choppy seas on Easter Sunday,
Then, of course, the President gave the order in May of 2011 for special forces to fly into Pakistan and kill Osama bin Laden, fulfilling a campaign promise to do so.
All due credit to the US military. Do we have several Jack Bauers running loose in the world?
We all know President Obama has a keen understanding of domestic policy and projects it will like President Barlett. He's saved the American economy and brought our nation forward on matters of civil rights. Though the Right claims he over-reaches and the Left often believes him too timid, we have to remember we're not living in the fictional world of 'West Wing.'
And although there aren't constant national security emergencies facing President Obama as in the '24,' he certainly deals with matters with the cold-blooded ruthlessness of President Palmer.
A second Obama term could propel him into the ranks as one of the most effective Presidents in history if he hasn't already reached that pinnacle. While there have been other presidents, would-be presidents, and men and women - leaders - who never aspired to hold that office that could have performed just as well in similar circumstances, Barack Obama was - is - the right man for our time.
Tell me I'm wrong.
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