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Loose Canons
Barry’s Failing Blame Game
From the golf courses of Martha’s Vineyard to the shores of Tripoli and beyond.
From the golf courses of Martha’s Vineyard to the shores of Tripoli, President Obama’s re-election strategy is running out of steam. As our economy remains stalled and unemployment remains high, it’s tougher and tougher for even Obama’s closest allies to swallow his “it’s all the Republicans’ fault” line.
If he can’t shift the blame, he can’t win. But the Teflon has worn off. Unless the media can save him — or the Republicans nominate another John McCain — Obama will be “one and done.”
Obama’s blame-shifting strategy isn’t working well among the sentient (and even some liberals) because it’s clearer each day that the nation’s economic ills are mostly of Obama’s making, and that his proposals to spend more will only accelerate our economic decline. (The outright lie he keeps telling about the three trade agreements Congress can act on immediately is very instructive. All three are still sitting on his desk, and haven’t yet been submitted for congressional action. Only the likes of MSNBC and the New York Times will cover for him on so big a lie.)
And to the extent people are even thinking about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the coming Palestinian intifada against Israel, it’s equally clear that these problems are also of Obama’s making.
The media will break their picks helping Obama shift the blame on economic issues because that’s their focus. But the Obama-media partnership can only seek to conceal by not covering the explosions we’ll see abroad. If the problems in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel become as big and bloody as they may well be next year, even the media won’t be able to protect Obama, and the blame will be his and his alone.
As I’ve written here before, Obama is desperate to prevent Iraq and Afghanistan from falling apart before Election Day 2012. In Iraq, the situation is — already — nearly desperate. Terrorist bombings have taken dozens of lives in just the past two weeks, there is a resurgent al-Qaeda presence there, and it’s all too obvious that Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki is too closely tied to Iran to do anything to prevent Iraq’s neighbor from planning and implementing its strategy to gain hegemony over Iraq once we leave.
To pull the covers over this, Obama — and now his newly installed Defense Secretary Leon Panetta — have been trying to get the Iraqi government to modify the agreement reached by the Bush administration which mandates that all U.S. forces be removed from Iraq by year’s end. Panetta’s diplomatic skills are not yet evident. After eleven days in office, Panetta was widely reported as telling the Iraqi government, “But damnit, make a decision” on whether U.S. troops would stay.
Late last week, a Politico report said that Panetta had declared an agreement with the Iraqis so that U.S. troops would stay there at least through 2012. That was quickly repudiated by the Maliki government and “clarified” by Panetta’s people who pointed out that Panetta didn’t quite say that. (Politico’s reading of the transcript was fair. Panetta strongly implied that there was an agreement.)
Obama’s Iraq muddle is of his own making. His doublespeak says that we need to get out by the deadline, but we should stay if the Iraqis want us, and — please, please, Mr. Maliki — say that you need us. Obama’s plan to blame Republicans for the inevitable fall of Iraq may or may not succeed, depending on how quickly the Iraqis toss us out and how soon Iran asserts control of its neighbor.
Obama is playing the same game with Afghanistan, though our “ally” there — Hamid Karzai — is one of the few allies we have who is less coherent and loyal than Maliki. According to a report in the Friday U.K. Daily Telegraph, the Afghanis have apparently agreed that U.S. forces will stay there ten years past Obama’s 2014 deadline until 2024. If that agreement is actually signed, the media will take Afghanistan off the screen altogether. Unless the Republican candidate can argue convincingly that Obama’s Afghanistan war is failing — as nation-building always does — Obama will probably be able to dodge the issue throughout the campaign year.
He may be able to slide by on Libya, and Syria, and even Iran. But not on Israel.
Obama may yet be able to claim some sort of victory in Libya if Gaddafi is swept from office. But to what avail? As the apparently-untouchable Bashar al-Assad continues to slaughter the Syrian rebels, the contrast between Obama’s actions will be stark if anyone can be brought to care. Libya was supposed to be so easy that the French were eager for war. Syria is a hard target: Obama lacks the judgment to conclude that decisive action is essential against a state sponsor of terrorism and the courage to pursue such action.
But it’s almost impossible to see how Iran or Libya — or Syria — will figure significantly in the 2012 campaign. Few Americans will care about these hotspots if there is no open war involving U.S. troops there. Few voters will choose to vote for Obama or whomever his opponent may be based on Obama’s dangerous policies toward those nations.
Last week, President Obama demanded that — on the basis of the uncontained anti-regime riots in which Bashar Assad had ordered the continued massacre of the rebels — that Assad must step down. But, as Frederick the Great said, diplomacy without arms is like music without instruments. Not even Obama’s cabinet took him seriously.
Last Tuesday Mizz Clinton derided the president’s demand before he made it, saying “Okay. Fine. What’s next? If Turkey says it, if King Abdullah says it, if other people say it, there is no way the Assad regime can ignore it.” But, as Clinton says, it’s safe for Assad to ignore Obama.
About the Author
Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies. You can follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (47) | Leave a comment
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Lawrence Boccardi| 8.22.11 @ 6:29AM
How is it possible, that even we unwashed masses, knew the future of Israel, after Mubarek's removal, but we let Obama and Hillary deny it?
Gary B| 8.22.11 @ 6:53AM
Mr. Babbin said, "If his blame-shifting strategy succeeds, it will be the result of Republican ineptitude."
Isn't most bad stuff in DC the result of Republican ineptitude?
Obama slanders Congress every day, yet they won't defend themselves against a blatant liar. So, the seething, decades-old anger among Americans who aren't mentally ill is twofold: Anger with the liberal/media complex that's ruining America and anger with RINOs, who are their secret allies.
Stan Redmond| 8.22.11 @ 6:01PM
The Republicans can scream yell jump up and down all day long. They aren't going to be covered by the media regardless.
Keith I| 8.22.11 @ 7:25AM
What makes you think that the ObaMau administration didn't also surmise that the "brotherhood" would renew Egypt's aggression toward Israel? Just ask Huma Abedin.
Mike D.| 8.22.11 @ 7:47AM
The predators of the world see one big juicy, fire roasted turkey leg when they look at this feckless weakling in the white house. This is like Barney Fife being the police chief of NYC!!!
jothepro| 8.22.11 @ 9:52AM
Hey Mike D., That was a pithy comment. Love it.
Buck Ofama| 8.22.11 @ 12:09PM
Except that Barney Fife IS allowed to carry his single bullet in his pocket.
King O'Icarus has no clothes or pockets.
SpiralArchitect| 8.22.11 @ 4:41PM
This is 'intelligent design' of another sort.
Hard to grasp why so few care to review the POTUS background, all the indoctrination of hate for all that is America. This person thinks America is evil and has one objective: bring down America to where (he thinks) it belongs.
Icarus? You have misplaced your metaphore. Obummer is forcing America down with the intent of destruction. Icarus was not seeking destruction as I recall, though the end result is not much different.
Michael Tomlinson| 8.22.11 @ 7:48AM
A competent candidate will beat Obama like a drum. Of those now running Perry and Romney are the most likely to get the nomination. Perry is clearly the conservative with an impressive history of election wins (he's never lost or quit) and a record second to none from the state that has created most of the nation’s jobs. In an election cycle where jobs are going to be a major factor that is going to help Perry in the primaries and general election.
Of those thinking about a run Paul Ryan would be a good candidate, but he's got to broaden his appeal beyond Republicans who understand and support his Medicare reform plan (of self-identified Tea Party supporters - 70% - oppose cuts to Medicare and Medicaid a McClatchy-Marist poll found). If he runs he needs to forcefully tell the public I want to give you a plan like the one Congress has then quickly show how. Tunnel vision might be his biggest weakness.
There are wildcards like Sarah Palin and among Republicans she has potential to win the nomination. A Quinnipiac University survey found 31 %of Republicans would vote for her "enthusiastically," 24% said they could "never" vote for her and the rest of the Republicans (42 %) said they would "consider voting for" her. Among independents who lean Republican 48% would consider Palin too. So she’s got a chance, but she has significant baggage (resigning from the Alaska Governor’s office and her statements that she’d support Democrats in elections are just two).
Outside the GOP an ABC/Post poll found 59% of Americans said they would not consider voting for her. In a year Republicans want to win can they afford a Palin? It depends on how much worse things get. Who would have imagined a person with as thin a resume as Sarah Palin and dubious intelligence would be President. A good stump speech can get you a long way in a bad economy.
Dai Alanye | 8.22.11 @ 8:34AM
Early polls are useless. Period.
Harry the Horrible| 8.22.11 @ 9:02AM
Agree.
This overconfidence on the election is disturbing.
First there is a fair chance that the conservative end of the GOP Primary is going to be overloaded. This may split the conservative vote and send someone like Romney to the General, where the campaign will be about as effective as McCain's.
Second Obama has an immense amount of money and power backing him: Soros, Unions, the MSM, the parasite classes, etc. He has between 35% and 45% of the vote, without getting out of bed.
Winning is not assured. Its uphill all the way.
old white guy| 8.22.11 @ 10:36AM
the parasite class should not be allowed to voted. only those who produce not those who take should get to vote.
Buck Ofama| 8.22.11 @ 12:10PM
WHAT???? I thought that it's not the effort that matters but the equality of the outcome!!!!
WARE MY GUBMINT CHEK?
NO MUH SAYIN?
RCV| 8.22.11 @ 1:15PM
People who can't write a simple sentence properly should not be allowed to vote either. Just sayin.
SpiralArchitect| 8.22.11 @ 5:20PM
Bring out yer dead.
Never underestimate the power of the dead!
Oh, there is still time to grant voters rights to the illegals...
RCV| 8.22.11 @ 1:15PM
Early polls are useless unless they support your position.
Jones| 8.22.11 @ 4:12PM
The GOP nominee will not be running just against 0bama. He/she will be running against NBC CBS ABC CNN MSNBC the New York Times the Washington Post, Hollywood, etc.
Doug| 8.22.11 @ 4:40PM
"Who would have imagined a person with as thin a resume as Sarah Palin and dubious intelligence would be President."
Prior to the 2008 elections, I felt the same way. But after this dullard named Obama won it all, I no longer put anything past the American voters.
Conservative View| 8.22.11 @ 7:51AM
I am struck by a comment that the President made some time ago. He said, if memory serves, that each nation must be able to defent itself. He was talking about the Mid East. That sent a clear, unmistakable signal to the Arab world, that the United States would not come to the aid of Israel if Israel were attacked, that Israel would be left to defend itself. With statements like that, we just gave Hammas an ingraved invitation to attack. Let's face it, as a community organizer he makes a great foreigh affairs expert.
Chalkdust| 8.22.11 @ 8:01AM
Focus groups tell the Republican presidential candidates that they will gain little traction on attacking Obamaniack's foreign policy. So far, not one Republican presidential candidate has shown the uncommon good sense to break with the pack.
Timothy L. Pennell| 8.22.11 @ 8:08AM
Every day, he says the SAME THINGS.
"We've got to come together." (And do what I want to do) "We have to stop bickering, and do what is Necessary, for the Country." (I want to RAISE TAXES, so I can SPEND MORE MONEY) "We need people to set aside their differences to get things done." (Republicans need to STFU, and DO WHAT I SAY. So let it be written. So let it be done)
Surprised?
He's a BULLSH*T ARTIST. If you've ever known any Bullsh*t Artists, you know that they don't know how to DO anything. They just RUN THEIR MOUTHS. And, they can't take any BLAME, because they're not really MEN.
He's never had a REAL JOB, in his life. Never got his hands dirty, broke a sweat, or got a callous, in his life. He is NOT a Professor of the Constitution. He did NOT teach any classes. He was a Guest Speaker. He came in and RAN HIS MOUTH. That's what Bullsh*tters do. They run their mouths.
They LIE.
And, in this sense, he is the KING of the Bullsh*tters.
His list of LIES is too long to go in to, again. Let's just say that, he hasn't told THE TRUTH, once. From PROMISING to take Public Financing for his Campaign, if McCain agreed to do, also (McCain DID go the Public Finance Route. B.S. Boy did not) to being oh so Transparent (He is just the OPPOSITE) to not having Lobbyists in his Administration, and Putting Legislation up on the Internet for 72 hours before a vote. CSPAN, Guantanamo, Renditions, The Patriot Act.............
You get the picture.
But, this is different. This one is BIG. The swagger is gone. I see FEAR in his eyes. I see DESPERATION. He's tried all of the Liberal Solutions. He has recited the Progressive Bible by heart. MORE TAXES. TAX THE RICH. Support the UNIONS. REWARD our Friends and PUNISH our Enemies. STOP Drilling for Oil. DESTROY the Coal Industry. Curb the Fishing Industry.
REGULATE Business, til they do your bidding.
You know: Paul Krugman 101.
He's used Keynesian Stimulus, to REWARD his friends. No Roads. No Bridges. No new Electrical Grids. No New Infrastructure. NO JOBS.
He used the HUNDREDS OF BILLION$ to shore up his Core Support. Funneling the money to the States, for their PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS.
That would be: Robert Reich 101, I believe.
Now, he's got nothing. He ignores his Oath of Office, and THE LAW, by going around Congress, at every turn. He is willing to FLOOD THIS COUNTRY with ILLEGALS, to hold on to power.
He's not that different from Khaddafi. He's not that different from Assad. In fact, he's just like GOEBELS.
He's out there, now, REPEATING THE SAME LIES, over and over and over, again. That's how The BIG LIE is done. You have to repeat it, over and over and over, again. And it has to be a WHOPPER! Something like....Oh, I don't know....."I've been the President for almost 3 Years, but, I'm not responsible for anything that's happened, during that time. George Bush did it. The Republicans in the House are to blame. And, if only people would do what I say, we'd be sitting pretty. There's nothing wrong with America. There's something wrong with everyone in Washington EXCEPT, ME."
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to Martha's Vineyard, for 10 days at a 28 Acre, Ocean Front, Estate, where I can enjoy the beach, listen to the waves, eat Lobster and Caviar, the Finest Steaks your money can buy, drink some Fine Wines, maybe some Champagne, and smoke Cigars, as I continue to FOCUS ON JOBS like a Laser Beam, and contemplate the SHARED SACRIFICE, that we must ALL endure, if we're gonna get back on our feet, again."
Buck Ofama| 8.22.11 @ 12:12PM
Highly respected, productive members of society:
Farakunt
Al Sharpdum
Jesse Jackass
Jokebama, aka O'Icarus, O'Token, etc.
Intelligent Design| 8.22.11 @ 9:28AM
If Obama were president for 150 years, he would still blame his predecessors for his failures.
Mike D.| 8.22.11 @ 9:55AM
In revolutions, you have to totally defeat opponents AND you have to defeat any ideas or concepts that may give rise to counter-revolutions that your opponents may have. Thats why propaganda is so critical to these leftists, they have to defeat truths through lies.
Gary B| 8.22.11 @ 10:08AM
And, isn't this clear evidence that liberalism has failed? Its smartest and most powerful proponents can not help Obama. His smarter-then-everyone-else, Ivy League team is out of answers.
Why? Because liberalism is a luxury that thrives on stolen resources during times of abundance. That bad day has finally arrived. There is no more abundance; there is NO MORE MONEY.
The panic we're witnessing is that of a greedy parasite that sucked its host dry. It's now at its most dangerous, as it frantically seeks another.
Trinacria| 8.22.11 @ 5:41PM
Extremely well stated. Truer words have never been spoken...
idalily| 8.23.11 @ 12:04AM
Agreed. Unfortunately, I don't know a single liberal who can look at Detroit and see it for what it is: the inevitable consequence of liberal ideology.
SpiralArchitect| 8.22.11 @ 5:22PM
+1
Who Knows?| 8.22.11 @ 11:15AM
Got gold?
Mike D.| 8.22.11 @ 11:40AM
Yep, bought 30 ounces at $878 per.
moncler coats on sale | 8.22.11 @ 11:42AM
i think goverment should not allow parasite class should to vote
RCV| 8.22.11 @ 1:16PM
i think stupid people should not to vote be allowed
Truth to Power| 8.22.11 @ 1:38PM
You will have have some free time on election days.
Reprobate Charlatan Vomitus| 8.23.11 @ 1:21PM
I don't bother with silly sanctmonious hypocrisy of what is stupid, on
"I supported Obama from the beginning" (8.6.11 @ 1:11PM)
and on
"He will be re-elected" (8.22.11 @ 4:00PM)
and on
"Obama beats every one of the sorry lot of "conservatives" who've thrown their hats into the ring" (8.22.11 @ 4:06PM)
on being so stupid, and such an idiot, I not only sanctimoniously espouse my support for the dithering idiot liar in chief of downgrade matters, I am so stupid, and such an idiot, I am still, to this very day, after all the words and actions of the dithering idiot liar in chief of downgrade matters, wholly in support of the dithering idiot liar in chief of downgrade matters, as sanctimonious Christian expert hypocrite, sanctimonious Bible expert hypocrite, and sanctimonious Constitution expert hypocrite matters.
MacDaddy| 8.22.11 @ 1:50PM
I continue to expect ( I called it out first in February of 2009) that Obama will not be the nominee of the Democratic party in 2012.
As the world economy gets worse, Soros will pull the plug and vote with his money for Hillary. If Obama willingly goes along, he gets the UN presidency as a nice parting gift.
If Obama the narcissist resists, I've got one heck of a conspiracy theory for you....
Al Adab| 8.22.11 @ 2:04PM
Perhaps Dr. Occam could adress the issue, but isn't the constant blame casting at others indicitive of an underlying psychosis? The inability to accept the consequences of one's actions reveals a deep rooted mental instability. What options are available under the 25th Amendment?
Trinacria| 8.22.11 @ 6:17PM
It's really far less complicated than that, AA (though I hasten to note there's no shortage of psychological pathology there). The fact is that his constant finger pointing is indicative of 2 things:
1) Profound immaturity.
2) Profound incompetence.
He's like a petulant child who, after a lifetime of being coddled, finds himself out of his depth and facing the reality that he can no longer expect to be awarded success based solely on "who he is". Lacking the requisite skills and intellect to formulate a plan, or the caability of looking inward to find the root cause, the child employs the only weapon at his disposal - blame everyone and everything else (and why not? bitching and moaning and playing the victim has gotten him this far).
Clearly, anyone who can utter the words (with a straight face), "Today the rise of the oceans began to slow and the earth began to heal" has major underlying psycological issues; however, the "blame" thing is the result of a life lived free of accountability (and a dash of Reverend Wright's grievnace ideology thrown in). Plain and simple.
Oldefarte| 8.22.11 @ 2:20PM
I'll possibly startle some here by decalring that this country's current foreign policy by this administration could/should have been predicted right after 11/4/08 when our current president was elected. This event was the classic case of a trojun horse'd capture of a fortressed nation without a shot or weapon being fired. The encouragement under the public radar of these continual citizen uprisings within the middle east is no doubt a natural consequence of same, since the subduing of any resonse/involvement from this country militarily was assured on 11/4/08. Previously, Iran's Shah was overthrown and a Muslim radical terrorist-oriented government was installed in its place; and the eventual copying of that scenerio will transpire throughout all of these Muslim dominated middle eastern countries will take occur. The Muslim Brotherhood is seen as the dominent political organization within Egypt presently, and no doubt it [or a similar organization] will rise up within each/every one of these previous secular governed countries. Israel sadly will find itself much more dangerously surrounded and threatened [and the Jewish community within this country hopefully now understands its mistake on 11/4/08 and will politically support the Republican candidate in November of next year in order to protect their/our friends/relatives within Israel]. This spring uprisings are all no doubt being subversively encouraged from our present administration in DC; and the eventual outcome of same will not be in this country's [or Israel's] best interests, I can assure everyone of that!!!!!!!!
Pat| 8.22.11 @ 5:07PM
As a Californian, I can accurately state California doesn’t have a foreign policy – we treat everyone, foreign or domestic, with equal contempt. But many in our state are thinking of adopting one because we can then speak about bad stuff happening in foreign countries – like in this Libya place which we assume is located somewhere a bit south of Mexico – and getting everyone talking about our state’s foreign policy would take their minds off how bad things actually are within the Golden State. Under our state’s one party system of government, we often need to divert folks’ attention so blame doesn’t trace back to “the Party” – Gorbachev taught us that little trick while on a state visit to Disneyland.
The Feds quietly borrowed California’s domestic policy early in Obama’s administration so, in return, we’re looking toward Washington to learn foreign policy ins and outs. And yeah, we did recognize all the elements of our domestic policy Mr. Obama and you could have at least given us some of the credit, buddy.
Like borrowing heavily from anybody who will lend us money. Or, miniscule budget cuts to show our deep concern for prudent fiscal management; we especially prefer laying off DMV clerks, although nobody really important ever gets cut and certainly no highly paid union people. Raise taxes as well but disguise the increases as much as possible (we prefer the term “fees”) . And we’re against those greedy, polluting private businesses anywhere within the state, which covers almost all of them, unless they are willing to “contribute” to the right causes.
But we do admit we have much to learn about drafting an effective foreign policy. For instance, we now understand that if it wasn’t for rogue countries like Libya, California could balance its annual budget. And we welcome regime change there and offer all freedom loving Libyans 25% off a day pass to either Disneyland or Lego Land – know also that we cordially welcome you and your tourist dollars to our state and trust you liberated Libyans will be gratified to learn many Californians can also converse with you in your native Spanish.
Trinacria| 8.22.11 @ 6:23PM
"As a Californian, I can accurately state California doesn’t have a foreign policy – we treat everyone, foreign or domestic, with equal contempt. "
Not true, Pat. As a fellow Californian (I just reallized how dirty it makes me feel to say that), I can tell you that we don't treat everyone with contempt - just the hard working, tax paying, law abiding conservatives. Illegal immigrants (sorry - undocumented workers) and condescedning liberal pseudo intellectuals are treated with the utmost respect!
Pat| 8.22.11 @ 6:56PM
Trin, you're right of course. And as businesses continue to abandon our state for other venues, the melting pot will become a lot smellier - wonder if anyone will notice.
Steelwimp| 8.22.11 @ 9:40PM
What I do not understand is that Ben Stein (who bears some physical resemblance to Jed Babbin?) is all over O'Reilly (and Laura Ingraham) saying that we gotta soak the rich, and it is not Obama's fault, and he inherited a disaster from Bush, and it all would be worse etc. What is a girl to do? Stein has always presented as a fiscal conservative, so what is happening with him?
RCV| 8.22.11 @ 10:45PM
He's just speaking the truth.
Farhan | 8.23.11 @ 7:07AM
yeah you right!
____________________
http://sticky.tk
Clint Brooks| 8.23.11 @ 1:31AM
The operative word is "presented" Stein is and never was a consevative.
Rick| 8.22.11 @ 11:49PM
Your a bigget and a rasist!