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The Obama Watch
Obama Plays the Credit Card
If every second sentence is “Bush stinks” then inevitably the first sentence must be “I am great.”
Barack Obama has succeeded in becoming the anti-Reagan in much the way Bill Clinton became the anti-Truman.
The late President Harry S. Truman was famous for keeping a small plaque on his desk reading “The Buck Stops Here.” Rush Limbaugh cleverly encapsulated the Clinton style of administration by jesting that Bill’s motto was “The Buck Never Got Here.”
The “buck” refers to a practice used in card games in the Wild West in the 1800s. Scoundrels were prevalent, adept at prestidigitation, so players were reluctant to let any one of their number deal all the cards. The buck was a designated object placed in front of a player, then moved to the next player in a few minutes or a few hands. The player with the buck was responsible for dealing over that little while. If one cared to forfeit his turn, he could pass the buck forward. Thus, passing the buck came to signify sloughing off responsibility, while letting the buck stop here means accepting the burden of management.
Truman generally lived up to his credo, taking on both the yoke and the heat. Clinton, by contrast, was adept at alibiing himself by claiming that various thorny calls were actually the province of underlings.
Ronald Reagan, self-consciously playing off Truman, put a conspicuous plaque on his desk as well. It said: “There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.” Judging by Barack Obama’s press conference remarks about the Louisiana oil spill, he has fashioned the obverse slogan: “There is no limit to the credit you can get if you don’t care who did the accomplishing.”
More than a month into the Gulf gush, folks were getting antsy over the seeming insouciance of Obama. They were not looking for him to gush oily salesmanship, but to speak sincerely from the heart and to demonstrate a command of the situation. There was a sense that BP has been earnestly floundering while the administration could offer nothing more substantive than the blame-corporations-first boilerplate so beloved of Democrat boiler rooms and thousand-a-plate dinners.
The White House responded to the Conventional Wisdom by putting the President out front to conduct his first press conference in nearly a year. Although I could not attend in person, I forced myself to endure it electronically. The gist of his message was simple enough. If the BP strategy of putting mud down the well succeeds in stopping the spill, the administration gets the credit. Why? Because BP was operating at the direction of a cast of government geniuses led by Secretary Chu who won the Nobel Prize in physics (and we all know Nobel Prizes are only awarded the deserving). But if the mud-plug backfires, it is the fault of BP, an irresponsible bunch of profiteers who corrupted inspectors with excessive chumminess.
Heads I win, tails you lose, as Jackie Gleason told Art Carney in a classic episode of The Honeymooners. No less than BP itself, Obama manages to poison the well and muddy the water at the same time.
The deeper meaning of Ronald Reagan’s emblem was that forfeiting credit is more than a strategy, it is a virtue. The grab for credit turns the act into an operation of, by and for the self, smothering the altruism needed for devotion to the needs of the other. Once the doer commits to serve the nation, he only projects his personality to the extent it does not cast a shadow on the broader landscape of the communal project. Try to get a World War II medal wearer to tell you what he did to earn the accolade and most of his energy will be invested in shrinking his contribution.
Indeed I recall a Reagan address in which he said (preparatory to violating this injunction a tad): “My mother told me it is not nice to crow.” Perhaps only those with the grace to refrain from blaming others can restrain their own boasting. If every second sentence is “Bush stinks” then inevitably the first sentence must be “I am great.” This certitude is a distortion of rectitude, in life no less than in Scrabble.
My friends argue we should judge Presidents by policies, not by character, but I think otherwise. On Memorial Day I need a President I would die for, and there decency counts far more than accuracy.
About the Author
Jay D. Homnick, commentator and humorist, is a frequent contributor to The American Spectator. He also writes for Human Events. Here he speaks at the Rally for Religious Freedom in Miami on June 8, 2012.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (42) | Leave a comment
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Enemy of the State #666| 6.1.10 @ 7:43AM
There is nothing decent about a usurper-n-theif who's first moves was to acknowledge his involvement and support to the enemies of this Great Nation, the one and only United States of America. This crapweassel known as the "won" is a disease upon these God given lands of prosperity, opportunity, and free thinking energenic, generous, and forgiving peoples. The "won" has made a great strategic error in believing himself the "won" who would hand over the wealth of others to his minions of evil. He futher reveals himself to be the most "vile" of men who would take credit for others hard toils.
As we have witnessed before with this punk, known as the "won" is quick to announce to himself and the world alike, that he is as much the getto trash and they are. We are quickly learning of a person who sat for twenty years in a house of ill-repute known only to it's members of hate whitey that he and he alone will be responsible for the fall of both human civilities and greatness to acheive a world of humanity, humility, one of peace and love for one another and respect for a loving God, replace with the allah dining devils as their approach to suffering , death and destruction.
Those who stand in glass houses will regret the day they throw the first stone. The shattering walls will consume even those who would duck for cover.
Lullaby's, Legends and Lies| 6.1.10 @ 7:50AM
Prestidigitation? Come on now Jay!! It's way too early in the morning, to be throwing around such big words like that. By the way, to anyone else who didn't get it either, prestidigitation means, "magic tricks performed as entertainment". Duh!!
But you're right, this is not the right time for this Administration to be looking to set itself up to look competent, and to make BP look incapable. This situation in the Gulf, is a "No-Win" situation for everybody involved, it's simply a just "Do-Something-Do-Anything" situation!! Stop pointing fingers, stop trying to take credit where no credit's due, and just take responsibility for it!! An Old Jedi once said, do or do not, there is no try!! Good advice!!
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 6.1.10 @ 8:11AM
Writing an article about Obama's ego appears to be a double entendre. Yes, he has an ego, most politicians do.
Most politicians are self centered and spin tales of homilies and family life to show or indicate they are one of the people.
What separates Obama is the fact that he hates America and in particular the American public.
Hoffmann| 6.1.10 @ 11:05AM
It's not Obama that hates this country, it's people like you and several others on this site. Your buddy Reagan sold this country off to the highest bidder. You guys need some new ideas beacuse your old ideas stink.
Jim| 6.1.10 @ 1:35PM
Hoffmann, You have not read Obama's book about his life. He has made it absolutely clear he is not a proud American he's even shows distain for it's citizens it was made clear when he ridiculed Pennsylvanians for clinging to their Rifles and Bibles
You are reacting with words like a child out of anger. Just because others see him as they do doesn't warrant your anger.
Nate W.| 6.1.10 @ 7:38PM
Around the time of our most recent presidential elections, respectable media outlets (yes, even some liberal ones) were trying their best to understand what this Senator Obama was all about (seeing as there wasn't much of a congressional record to go by). Rev. Wright, and Bill Ayers , among others, were brought up as possible philosophical influences on our soon-to-be-President.
Is it now such a surprise that Obama's M.O. seems to be out of a hatred for America, when we know he sat, year-after-year, listening to emphatic sermons beseeching "God f*** America!"?
hoffmann| 6.3.10 @ 10:36AM
You just see what you want to see. Open your eyes!
Louis Jenkins| 6.1.10 @ 8:21AM
The Pretender n Chief is at it again. When, oh when, will this stuff (BS) stop. As Gore claimed credit for the internet, global warming, and who knows what else, the "won" will claim credit were it isn't due. While most politicians spin tales of homiles about family life, to be honest, his stories leave me hanging. Seems his tales come from the Twighlight Zone. But the one thing that seems to connect with his constituients is, "It's Bush's fault."
Petronius| 6.1.10 @ 8:33AM
Word on the street is Sestack was to become B O's "image maker". Just like Jiminy Peanut's strategy known as slight of plan, the same script is on the teleprompter. It's acceptable to do nothing so long as one looks good while not doing it.
Jim O'Brien| 6.1.10 @ 10:11AM
I never heard Reagan say anything like, "I am the president, and ....."
In contrast, Obama frequently reminds us of his position. I guess he realizes that he has a huge credibility problem. He is a treacherous impostor.
Hoffmann| 6.1.10 @ 11:27AM
Reagan was a B Movie actor who got the role of his life when elected. He declared war on the american worker and put us on the debt laden course that we are still on. Talk about an impostor. Reagan defines the term!
JoeTicket| 6.2.10 @ 12:47AM
Hoffmann you must be on hallucinogens, sold your soul? or a paid rabblerouser...make no sense
Karen| 6.2.10 @ 4:41AM
You are a raving idiot. Reagan cut the top marginal tax rate from 70% to 28% and DOUBLED the yearly revenues during his term. Obama has brought the nation to its knees economically. Reagan stood up to and brought down the Iron Curtain and the Soviet Union without firing a shot. Obama is poking our allies like Britain, Israel and half of Europe in the eye while kissing the tushes of our enemies. We are far more endangered with a fool like him at the helm.
Reagan greatly loved and respected this nation and its citizens. When Clinton was first running for president, he and his accolates blathered on about Reaganomics until they polled and found out that Reagan was the most beloved living American. Even liberals are beginning to realize the mistake they made in electing this socialist neophyte to office.
You are a tool, completely hoodwinked by the liberals and their subservient media, the progressive schools and unions who have fooled and wooed you. GET A CLUE!! Reagan was 100 times the man and president Obama claims himself to be. Reagan was one of our greatest presidents. This one is worse than Carter, purposely tearing this nation apart brick by brick. Reagan and Obama aren't remotely on the same level--like king and jester. Wise up or put a cork in it!
hoffmann| 6.3.10 @ 10:33AM
Just keep worshipping at the alter of stupidity. Your the one's that brainwashed. Just keep listening to half-wit Palin.
Hoffmann| 6.3.10 @ 12:22PM
Karen, It is not Obama who brought this country to its knees, but your hero Bush with his policies.
Mark MacInnis| 6.1.10 @ 11:14AM
We don't need a president who finds failure "enraging"...we need a calm cool leader who will put together a team which will work the problem and find a solution....rage is counter-productive. Sadly, we elected a leader who couldn't find a teachable moment with two hands and a flashlight.....
RCV| 6.1.10 @ 1:35PM
We have exactly that, a calm cool leader, not a cowboy with his "bring 'em on", "mission accomplished" antics.
Larry| 6.3.10 @ 2:30AM
I'm not sure that being too clueless to do anything without being directed by a teleprompter counts as being "cool".
Hoffmann| 6.3.10 @ 10:39AM
RCV, Thank you. You are a shining light is a sea of ignorance.
Maddox| 6.1.10 @ 11:37AM
Mr.Hoffman, you may need to seek help for your Koolaid addiction. It has dulled your ability to comprehend fact.
Hoffmann| 6.1.10 @ 11:44AM
Listening to Limbaugh , Beck and your other drug addled heroes has caused you to suffer from brain damage. Quit drinking the Tea.
Jeff Davis| 6.1.10 @ 12:10PM
The gigantic pool of pollution billowing into the Gulf is a fine metaphor for Obama's ego. It's a putrid bloated plume of corruption beyond anything that could be imagined by ordinary folk.
Hoffmann| 6.1.10 @ 12:35PM
Think it's more of a tribute to Sarah Palin/Republican Party-Drill Baby Drill.
JimE| 6.1.10 @ 6:02PM
Hoffman troll, hit the road loser.
hoffmann| 6.3.10 @ 10:28AM
Same to you chump. But, I'll stay here, it's still a free country.
Jeff Davis| 6.2.10 @ 9:57AM
Top Ten Reasons Obama Can't Lead
10. Jesse Jackson removed parts of anatomy.
9. Andy Stern won't return calls.
8. Oprah won't return calls.
7. Malia won't return calls.
6. Public doesn't recognize real talents.
5. Mean people make it hard.
4. Victim status might be lost.
3. Leadership is so petty bourgeoisie.
2. Never has. Never will!
1. Teleprompter is broken.
Andy_Krow| 6.1.10 @ 3:40PM
RE: Hoffmann
"Listening to Limbaugh , Beck and your other drug addled heroes has caused you to suffer from brain damage. Quit drinking the Tea. "
Remind me of that in November... okay? Can you remember that. bunkie?
Hoffmann| 6.3.10 @ 10:44AM
Yeah bunkie, I will.
Margie| 6.1.10 @ 3:44PM
I think Hoffman ought to take up with Liberal Reader. I've heard he's in Troll rehab.
Great article, Mr. Homnick! And your, "Obama manages to poison the well and muddy the water at the same time." ~Is almost as good if not better than Quin's post the other day about the "Onionized workers."
Flee| 6.1.10 @ 3:54PM
He likes it this way with global warming too. If it snows too much, blame global warming. If its too hot, blame global warming. Just like jobs created and saved. He wants all win/ no lose propositions and we all know this doesnt work in reality. I guess our Pres believes reality does not apply to his eminence.
Brian| 6.1.10 @ 6:59PM
obama is a wanker and so is hoffmann, if you don't like what is written in these posts, leave fool
Hoffmann| 6.3.10 @ 10:26AM
Brian, Sorry you cannot handle disenting opinion. You need to open your mind.
Nick the Knife| 6.1.10 @ 8:15PM
Actually, Bill Clinton did say, "The buck never got here." when asked about his culpability in the Waco disaster. He blamed Janet Reno of course.
Marc Jeric| 6.2.10 @ 2:28AM
Abu Hussein al-Nairobi (or whatever Kenyan village he was born in) welcomes the BP disaster; it will lead to its nationalization without waiting for the globaloney warming hoax to work.
David| 6.2.10 @ 6:10AM
It amazes me the effort Pingback takes in order to have his multiple comments or whatever he blieves they are. I simply ignore them and his column as a cost of doing business, kinda like the Viagra commercials.