"This president got elected because he was cool. He could be defeated because he is cold. "

[in_cog_ni_to]

Mr. Cool Turns Cold

In her autobiography, Helen Gahagan Douglas recalled telling President Franklin D. Roosevelt about her visits to the camps of migrant workers. She was especially poignant about the children and their lack of Christmas toys when the president tried to stop her. "Don't tell me any more, Helen," FDR told the woman who is probably best known for losing a dirty Senate race to Richard Nixon. She was stunned. Roosevelt was crying. Can anyone imagine Barack Obama doing anything similar?

The answer -- at least my answer -- is no. And this is quite amazing when you think about it. FDR was a Hudson River squire -- down to his cigarette holder and cape. Nonetheless, he could connect to the less fortunate. Obama, in contrast, was raised in the great American muddle, not rich and not poor. Yet when the stock market fell over 500 points last week and the image that night was of the president whooping it up at his birthday party, the juxtaposition -- just bad timing, of course -- seemed appropriate. He does not seem to care.



This quality of Obama's, this inability to communicate what many of us think he must be feeling, has lately cost many trees their dear lives -- reams of essays and op-ed pieces. One of the more interesting ones, by Drew Westen, a psychology professor at Emory University, ran in Sunday's New York Times. It cited Obama's frequent inability or unwillingness to explain himself or to appear empathetic. All this is true. But Westen's most salient point was contained in the title: "What Happened to Obama?" The answer: Nothing.<snip>

<snip>
Obama is the very soul of common sense. As he talks, I nod my head in agreement. Mostly, I think, he has done the right thing. But I doubt anyone will ever recount how he cried in the Oval Office any more than I can recall a soaring passage from a speech. This president got elected because he was cool. He could be defeated because he is cold.

http://www.nationofchange.org/mr-cool-turns-cold-1312846856

[Robb]

1. I don't agree with the article

...but I will say, clicking through as an old ink-stained wretch, that's the most attractive layout for a news website I've seen yet.

[gateley]

4. Wow - you're right. I probably wouldn't have clicked on the

link were it not for your comment. I like the site and from first glance, its content (although I don't agree with this particular opinion, either). I'd never heard of it before, so thanks for mentioning it. :hi:

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[gateley]

3. I CAN see Obama crying at a story about no toys for Christmas --

in private.

The one thing I firmly believe, regardless of how mad or frustrated I become with him, is that he's a GOOD man who does CARE.

His public persona is different, as is true of us all.

My dad was a doctor and I vividly recall an occasion when he had to tell a family member that their loved one had died. He was very professional, almost clinical, and when he hung up the phone he sat down and put his head in his hands and cried a bit. He cared SO MUCH, but he couldn't lose it in front of his patients. I think Obama is cut from the same cloth.

[Bluerthanblue]

6. beautifully said-

I have no doubt that Pres. Obama cares. That he doesn't tear up all the time like the last Pres. or the Speaker of the house does, isn't evidence that he doesn't care.

:hug:

[Guilded Lilly]

8. I'd much prefer a non weeper, thank-you...

Boehner's self-indulgent emotional tears are never shed for anything but himself and his past. Narcissist tears don't interest me in the least.

I believe Obama is a very private, emotional man.
I agree totally with your statement :)

[FiveGoodMen]

7. I think your faith in Obama is based on wishful thinking.

By their fruits you'll know them.

(Or: Actions speak louder than words.)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice. - Tom Paine

[pnorman]

9. I've gone through enough biographical material on FDR to doubt that story of him being overcome

with emotion over the plight of those "present-less" migrant children. Eleanor perhaps, but not Franklin. But the point is well taken. Obama due to his unique upbringing, has all the empathy one could wish for. But he has developed an extraordinary command of his own emotions. In the end, this might adversely affect his vote in 2012, as well as his "coat-tails". I personally will stick with him until AFTER 2012!

PS: This story comes to mind whenever I see unthinking Obama-bashing, on DU or elsewhere: http://leishacamden.blogspot.com/2008/10/not-that-it-matters.html