The Obama Psyche Problem

[NoodleyAppendage]

Stay with me for a moment. I've reread Obama's autobiography and its clear that an undertone of feeling "different" or "the outsider" has pervaded his life. This alienation was driven (if not compounded by) the absence of his father. The deep seated need of many persons (males in particular) to seek reassurance and acceptance from a father figure is not unknown to psychology or history. I believe Obama is such a person. A person who is left floating through life seeking acceptance from others in the absence of a firm grounding that a consistent father figure would have provided. Some will "poo-poo" this as arm chair psychology, and they may be right. However, if we look at Obama's longstanding tendency towards "consensus building," which in actuality is nothing more than capitulation to other persons demands in exchange for acceptance, I think a case can be made that it is not in Obama's psychological repertoire to be recalcitrant in a debate and hold fast to his position. I see nothing over his years in the Senate and White House that would indicate that he has drawn a firm line in the sand ahead of a debate. He tends to broadly define the goals of a problem, but will not adopt an extreme position early in a negotiation with which to bargain with in later stages. He starts his debates wanting to meet in the middle, rather than pull people to his side of the argument pole. This middle ground approach is a safe one psychologically for him because it minimizes ill feelings from those of authority. It is a clue into our President's psyche and should guide us in understanding how he will approach other contentious issues for the next two years.

In a nutshell, it is not in our President's psyche to be a champion for progressive ideals because he avoids polarization during debates. He is truly a middle man, who tragically will fail because he will lose the love of his base and never gain the respect of his enemies.

I like him, but I will not vote for him again.

J

[Mimosa]

1. I see it now.

When he was campaigning he convincingly presented himself as an Alpha male.

As someone who was also raised in a broken family, mainly by maternal grandparents, I now see that Obama shares the weaker parts of my own personality. Will do anything to please, but end up pleasing nobody, not even myself. But Obama has it different in that he could harness much strong support from others.

[Bluerthanblue]

6. Pres. Obama stressed the concept of unity and working collectively

during the campaign.

If anything, I think his upbringing helped him to understand the perspective of many different backgrounds. He wasn't a child of privilege, he understands what it is like to be without a father, from a 'broken-home', what PREJUDICE does from all sides. To some African Americans he isn't "one of us"- to 'whites' he isn't "one of us"- to those whose ancestors have deep roots in the US, and to those who are recent immigrants, he isn't "one of us"-
All sorts of groups marginalize those who don't fit in- and see themselves as "unique"- "set apart". Pres. Obama looks to what unites us rather than what divides us. That isn't a comfortable thing for most people. It's far easier to whip up anger and resentment than it is to inspire cooperation and compromise.
If Obama is unsuccessful it won't be because he alone has failed, (though he'd probably say he could have done better because he has high expectations of himself) it will be because WE-- Democrats, Republicans and Independents were unwilling to change- because politics as usual is preferable to working at finding a common ground. He didn't claim to be a Messiah, but the expectations that people had of him would require him to be one.

A LOT of people embraced the concept that candidate Obama offered of someone who would work to end the politics of personal destruction and partisanship-

from a 8/28/08 speech in Illinois:

"So Joe Biden won’t just make a good vice president. He will make a great vice president. After decades — after decades of steady work across the aisle, I know he’ll be able to help me turn the
page on the ugly partisanship in Washington so we can bring Democrats
and Republicans together to pass an agenda that works for the American
people."

He's never hidden his desire to unite this country, or his belief in bipartisanship. Maybe people weren't listening closely.

:shrug:

[Mimosa]

9. We listened and believed.

Obama cannot make the Repiglicans like him. They are out to destroy him, not work with him. His attempts at bipartisanship are bearing rotten fruits if any at all.

[NoodleyAppendage]

10. He is blind to this fact. Secretly he thinks if he tries hard enough anyone will like him.

He truly is Shakespearean in his tragic nature.

J

[Bluerthanblue]

14. I don't think he really cares who "likes" him- that is your

perspective.

If he wanted people to "like" him, he'd do the easiest thing, which isn't necessarily the right thing.

Like it or not, half this country is made up of Republicans. He is the president of the United states. Unlike Bush- he understands that.

[JuniperLea]

22. Is that what your great mind reading skills and crystal ball tells you?

I think that is utter fertilizer... hot, steamy, un-composted fresh fertilizer.

I think he doesn't give a flying rat's ass what the obstructionists think of him. When someone is hell bent on doing the right thing, shallow and petty congeniality votes don't mean a damn thing. Nor should they.

If that were true, he'd be doing everything he could to convince as many people as he could through whatever quick fix he could grasp that he is worthy of your vote in 2012. Clearly he is doing the right thing in spite of popularity contests, which he's winning anyway! His approval numbers are way the hell up!

Loud and obnoxious does not equal truth.

[Bluerthanblue]

12. it takes more than listening and believing-

and I agree with you that most Republicans are unwilling to work 'with' us. Pres. Obama hasn't been able to count on his own party to support him though right from the start.

I don't blame him for this failure. I don't see him as emperor or dictator. And I wouldn't want him to govern like Bush did-

Pres. Obama doesn't have to get the Republicans to like him. He has to govern fairly and wisely. If people elect candidates like those that were just elected, well then, maybe that is what "the people" want. "be careful what you wish for" comes to mind.

we are living in very dark times.

:shrug:

[JuniperLea]

21. This post makes far too much sense!

Why do you hate DU?

:hug:

Why would anyone vote for change, then demand the status quo? Why do they want Pres. Obama to run roughshod over everyone, use the bully pulpit? That kind of change is fleeting and will disappear as quickly as it appears.

I see what Pres. Obama is doing, and it's why I voted for him. You can't make superficial changes and expect real change. Government needs a fundamental change. Politics needs a fundamental change. That kind of change is indeed painful, and I must say, I'm frustrated as hell.

I for one am ecstatic that our President doesn't let all this obstructionism get to him, and I'm glad he's not letting his own frustration show. Unbridled anger and emotion should be left to the Great Orange Whiny Boner. The day my President shows THAT kind of weakness is the day I give him a great big Johnny Cash salute! Until that time, it's reserved for ALL obstructionists on ALL sides.

[NoodleyAppendage]

24. Turn the other cheek philosophy. That's worked so well over the centuries. Sigh.

Aside from massive public efforts at nonviolence, that typically resulted in the assassination of the leaders of such movements, there is little-if-any evidence that turning the other cheek has worked in political wrangling...particularly in US political affairs.

J

[JuniperLea]

28. Where did you get "turn the other cheek?"

So, because public efforts at nonviolence have had adverse results, we should abandon all thought of nonviolence? Where do you get that any nonviolence movement equals turning the other cheek? You don't stand still and turn the other cheek... you keep moving and progressing.

Please... take it elsewhere... the ground will be scorched if you don't get some water on that fertilizer...

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. How much did you charge him for his session to find out all of this?

n/t

[NoodleyAppendage]

11. $15.95. The cost of his book at the local second-hand bookstore. n/t

J

[siligut]

3. Education can overcome some maladaptive schemas

What you said, "He is truly a middle man, who tragically will fail because he will lose the love of his base and never gain the respect of his enemies." Is truly very sad. Repetition compulsion, can be overcome if recognized. However, I often wonder if people realize just what Obama is up against. He is trying to use diplomacy with criminals. He is trying to follow the rules with assholes who keep changing them and then even coloring outside those lines.

[Edweird]

4. Meh. I'm an outsider. A misfit. I don't need -or particularly want- the approval of others.

I am who and what I am, take it or leave it. I don't speak all 'outisders', but I see an attitude similar to mine more often than not among other misfits.

[kctim]

5. The "Obama Psyche Problem"

is not with President Obama himself, but rather with those who scream how wrong he is for being a 'middle man' even though his approval numbers are 80+ percent.

[Mimosa]

8. The November election showed Obama's real approval numbers

And they have changed since early 2009.

[Bluerthanblue]

15. no, it showed how foolish anger can make you.

I believe people will come to rue their choices- or regret their apathy.

[NoodleyAppendage]

16. So, true. So, true. n/t

J

[JuniperLea]

26. No, they showed that history does repeat...

Please look at the mid-term votes of every past president for the last 40 years or more. The fact is, it's not as bad as it has been in the past. The GOP gained far fewer seats than have been gained by the mid-term opposing party for decades.

Please do not further RW talking points.

[woo me with science]

7. So, say we accept your armchair psychology.

What is your prescription?

A pill?

Analysis?

Some sort of therapy?

How about residential treatment?

[NoodleyAppendage]

13. I'm afraid it is characterological. Very intractable and difficult to treat. n/t

J

[somone]

17. A risk-averse, confrontation-averse leader is a shitty leader

in any organization. I wish he had some real-life work experience.

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/02/131733220/liberals-obama-doesn-t-compromise-he-caves&sc=fb&cc=fp
Even some Republicans share this view of the president as a poor negotiator. "It's sort of like telegraphing your passes in basketball. It's easy to steal a pass," says Jim Walsh, a former congressman from upstate New York, now with the lobbying firm K&L Gates. He says this kind of politicking just is not in Obama's blood. "He's never been in the leadership position in either body," Walsh says, "so he didn't have to do the negotiating, the horse-trading, that a Mitch McConnell would have grown up on, or a Harry Reid would have grown up on, or a John Boehner would have grown up on. The president has not had to do this." In fact, this president has always expressed disdain for the negotiating games that make up the daily routine in Washington.

[NoodleyAppendage]

18. Wish we had this info widely in the media in 2007!!!!

I would have been nice to know this prior to the Democratic Primaries.

J

[treestar]

19. This post is brought to you straight from the right wing

Like anyone elected a Senator, let alone POTUS, can possibly feel "left out."

:rofl:

I've only heard this from right wingers before! They thank you for spreading their crap!

[NoodleyAppendage]

20. Democrats (used to) think for themselves. I can have an opinion without being from the right wing.

I think we're seeing different psychological phenomena in your post.

Denial and reaction formation.

[treestar]

23. Psychologist should stick with helping the mentally ill

Rather than second hand guessing at public figures - it is all bullshit since no psychologist sat down with Obama, who then did not waive his privacy rights for said report. But there is no way Obama has the slightest mental issue - he is extremely self actualized.

Like I said, it is Republican bullshit.

The countless DUers who can't stand the slightest compromise are the ones with the problems. Getting along with others is paramount to a healthy psychology.

Not getting what you want out of the POTUS is one thing, even if you want unreasonable things but moving on to his psychological state? Too much.

[WinkyDink]

25. And how did YOU come to conclude "he is extremely self actualized," HMMMMM???

Petard. Hoist.

[NoodleyAppendage]

29. READ HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Clues to his bargaining style are within. Not rocket science.

I'm not privy to anything other than what Obama himself has admitted to in his autobiography. His father's absence is a pivotal event in his life and has framed how he approaches others and seeks acceptance.

I've been around DU probably longer than you (since inception), so please can the "Republican" discussion closure technique. How about debating the issue on the merits?

Question for you. Please provide one instance where the President has staked out a position in a debate to the far left (or at least more leftward than the middle).

J

[JuniperLea]

27. That's my biggest frustration with DU...

All the RW talking points!

I'm thinking my new avatar should be a fertilizer spreader...

[NoodleyAppendage]

30. Again...preferring not to debate the merits of the argument. Just reflexive lockstep thinking.

My biggest frustration with DU are members who care little to engage in debate and prefer to reflexively throw out talking points.

J

[nadinbrzezinski]

31. You realize this kind of analysis goes on all

The time...that includes intelligence agencies. The most famous was the study of Hitler during WW II.

By the way cult of personality is not healthy.

[PlanetBev]

32. I think Noodley hit salient points

In another time, another place, Obama's approach might work. However, the the modern GOP are like a marauding hoard of barbarians, who kill the men, rape the women, sell the children into slavery and burn down the village. There is no placating them. The more conciliatory Obama is, the more villages they will pillage and burn.

Put another way, the Republicans are like Mako Sharks and Obama is chum in the water. And unfortunately, when he goes down, the rest of us will be shredded along with him. :scared:

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. While these kinds of analysis are always fascinating

Facts are all I need. First he's never a progressive...voting record is quite obvious.

He is a wonderful word smith...

And we need to engage in movement politics...and I hope that last lesson is finally learned. Believing party leaders will save us is down right stupid. Also believing this is sports. Then there is the famous cult of personality that Americas seem to have increasingly become pretty adept at it.