The Obama Style? Cool, Quick Learner

[babylonsister]

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/18510

The Obama Style? Cool, Quick Learner
by Bill Hare | November 6, 2008


Shortly after Barack Obama’s election, upon reflecting on what constitutes the Obama style, affording a clue as to how he would govern as president, I recalled a statement from historian Theodore H. White about Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

White wrote that what made Kennedy a remarkable talent was not only his own intelligence but in the way that he “used the intelligence of others.” This prompted reflection on stellar chief executives with an appreciable quality of using the talents of others, such as Roosevelt implementing the talents of the likes of Hopkins, Morgenthau, Knox and Ickes.

The fact that Obama was surrounded by acute political intelligence is manifested by the fact that, based on numerous laudatory comments from historians and current media chieftains, his recently concluded campaign was one of the best run in the nation’s history.

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If one quality is needed and has been met by crisis era presidents such as Lincoln and FDR, it is recognizing problems instinctively, using talent instinctively, and responding to issues instinctively. All too often a more deliberative approach during crisis mode is a luxury not afforded to the Oval Office’s occupants.

Whereas, when America’s meltdown occurred, John McCain appeared overwhelmed by the event, specifically with his damaging comment about the fundamentals of the economy retaining soundness and strength, Obama immediately went into crisis mode, solicited opinions of battle-tested experts, and developed a response.

Obama also successfully read where the electorate stood. After the meltdown occurred his standard stump speech zeroed in with laser-like concentration and coolness of delivery on the need for prompt remedial action as a prescription for the nation’s economic ills.

The emphasis on infrastructure development indicates that the model of FDR in his first term, with the nation gripped in the throes of depression, was readily discernible.