Some things never change, and when it comes to politicians, when things do change, it’s usually not for the better. One of my biggest complaints with Barack Obama during his campaign, was his less-than-stellar voting record during his short term in the Senate. On very few occasions did he tender a “yes” or “no” vote on any matter, almost always opting for the ridiculous option of “present”.
I used to joke, then, about the very fact that voting “present’ was even an option. Only in our Federal Government could such an insipid notion hold water. What does that mean? “I’m here!” Great, but you were elected to represent, to lead, to make decisions. I found it to be one of the most unsettling things about the man. He clearly is adverse to making any decision that may irritate or alienate any substantial group of voters. Whether they be Muslims, Hispanics or African-Americans, any issue that may lead him into their disfavor will always find a soft spot with out President. Only if you’re an average white person should you be concerned about being ignored by our President, or be the victim of a knee-jerk reaction. Think “Cambridge Police Department”.
With immigration he came in squarely on the side of Mexico. These decisions are always easy for him. Health care “reform” was also a no-brainer because it is the Crown Jewel of his party and he was determined to get it through, even at the expense of a second-term. But hard calls are not his cup of tea. Compare him to McCain, who, even in his weakened political state, and even though he has made decisions based on political expediency at times, he was never one to shy away from something he truly believed in, even if it cost him friends and political allies. It was McCain, after all, who demanded the surge in Iraq which eventually led to our victory there. He paved the way through the political jungle for Bush, knowing we had to either give our troops what they needed to win, or get out. Now…Obama is quick to claim some sort of credit for the outcome there, even though voting against that same surge was one of the few decisive votes he ever made. Again…it was a vote that was easy for someone from the far-left.
And now it is the Bush Tax Cuts. Obama has decided to instruct his political army to wait until after the November elections for that vote. Thanks. Even as businesses wait to see what their future will be, unemployment and the economy in general gets worse and worse, it is once again politics winning out over common sense. I guess the fact that he wants to wait until AFTER November gives us all a pretty good idea what the vote will be. An excellent time to raise taxes and bleed yet more money from the private sector.
Anyone who voted for this guy and is still singing his praises should be credited for only one thing. Blind loyalty.