When I was in the USAF, they told us that every leader is as good as their followers

[MrScorpio]

I remembered that when I jumped in STEELY_DAN's thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9015468

So, given SD's suggestion that President Obama take a more vigorous role in the nation's leadership...

I was wondering, would you follow him, knowing what you know about him now?

Let's have some fun!

[MineralMan]

1. Yes. In fact, I'm following him now. We must give him a

Congress that will enact the legislation we need. Any less will result in progress being set back for many years.

It may not happen, but not without me trying to make it happen. I will not be denied in trying.

If that effort fails, at least I will know that I tried. That's what I can do. That's all I can do.

[peace13]

2. 'knowing what you know about him now?'

Do tell..what do we know?

[MrScorpio]

4. From what I've figured about Obama...

Is that each person sees in him whatever they want to see in him.

So, I figure that you'll get a different answer for everyone you'll ask.

[Angry Dragon]

3. " they told us that every leader is as good as their followers"

I need you to expand on that some more.

[MrScorpio]

6. It's pretty much one of those simple military aphorisms

I took it to mean that it could go both ways: Any leader's success or failure depends on how his or her followers perform in behalf of that leader and the follower's success or failure depends on their leader's leadership.

It's just the kind of stuff that they'd drill into our head.

[Angry Dragon]

8. Kinda like balance and teamwork

[MrScorpio]

9. Yep, there you go

[LiberalFighter]

5. d

[MrScorpio]

7. a

[Touchdown]

10. When I was in the Army, they taught us not to pee on our hands.

It seems we had better lessons than you.:hi:

[MrScorpio]

11. I hope that you learned your lesson well

[TexasObserver]

12. When I was in the USAF, they told us "you can delegate authority, but not responsibility."

Sorry, Scorpio, but they taught us a lot of things about leadership, and the president doesn't have them. Remember "praise in public, criticize in private" for addressing the shortcomings of underlings? I don't recall "throw them under the bus at the first sign of trouble, but put up with anything your enemies foist on you" as part of the training.

I disagree with your premise. Troops can't be better than their leadership. He's been woefully weak in terms of leadership. He caves in to the GOP constantly, and gets absolutely nothing out of it. He capitulates to his enemies and alienates his supporters.

He came in with widespread support and control of both houses of congress. He wasted the opportunities that presented him.

No one supported him more than I did in 2008, but his promise of leadership has not been fulfilled. He's simply made a lot of bad choices, and it has made his administration a disappointment. He needs a lot more Democrat in his leadership. He needs to stop listening to the likes of Alan Simpson and start paying more attention to the ghosts of FDR and LBJ.

[MrScorpio]

16. I was wondering...

If Obama is still redeemable to the folks around here, if he were to show leadership, like SD said. Of course, like SD and myself, that answer is yes. But others aren't interested in it.

I'll acknowledge that, perhaps, some people never supported him in the first place and would toss Obama under the bus the first chance they got. And others who supported him before feel burned by him and have now taken away that support. The man inspires a myriad of reactions.

Hmmm, that gives me an idea for another poll....

[VMI Dem]

13. This hypothetical will never come to pass.

[hobbit709]

14. "Don't follow leaders, watch the parking meters"

[kctim]

15. Yes, and proudly

Luckily, a "leader" is not usually replaced because of the minority opinions of a few of his/her "followers."