In the fall of 1991, as his polls began sinking and America found
itself in a recession, President George H.W. Bush was urged to
show his compassion and concern for his fellow
Americans. Thus pushed, Bush descended from Camp David to
stroll into a local Thurmont, Maryland store to show his support
for the economy by buying -- socks. A pair of socks.
Alas, as with Jimmy Carter's unfortunate tangle with a killer
rabbit, the Bush socks episode became a metaphor for the Bush
presidency. His opponents never ceased to portray this
episode as an example of the "elitist" and "country club"
conception of trickle-down economics. It was a small thing, but
in the context of the day, like Carter's hapless episode
with the rabbit, it became a metaphor for a presidency in
trouble.
The Bush and Carter episodes come to mind watching this Obama
jaunt to Copenhagen for the Olympics. Image making is a risky
business in the White House. The Obama administration put their
man out there front and center at what was a distinctly
non-presidential task: getting the Olympics for Chicago. And
he failed. Spectacularly.
Now casting this as a talking point about meeting General
McCrystal to discuss Afghanistan won't wipe away the
image created of a president rendered impotent -- this time not
by a rabbit or a pair of socks, but by the International Olympic
Committee.
Now that's an Olympic-sized political accomplishment.
