The De-Flowering of the Annual Impatience

Let me be very clear – I know the flower is spelled “impatiens.” Allow me to use the opening phrase as the beginning of the absolute cringe I feel every time a U.S. president has used that tired, tune-outing, mind-dumbing preemptive verbal strike, “Let me make myself perfectly clear.” Oh dear, here we go again…. That’s when zee z-z-z’s begin, yes? Well, guess who’s saying that almost every other week of late? Mr. Obama. Or, as “no-sayers” write: “Obumma.”

A Canadian-based poster on my forum proffered a question today I’ve heard (and read) numerous times this year: “Why are Americans so disillusioned with Obama?” (You know, the usual “pour quoi”of the uber-elite snobbish Canadians; a culture of such hubris in the world that one can barely stand to engage with them on rational issues. Or shall I pronounce it “ee-sews”? Oh, that’s how the UK-based upper-classes say it. Pardon me, it’s all so very confusing these daze. We are living in a global sphere, after all. How can one keep anything straight?) Anyhow, back to those utterly incorrigible, belligerent Canadians who dare to ask such an inflammable question of the notoriously entitled US of A. I'll answer her question here. (If she's still speaking to me. The above was just a joke, ya' know?)

The bottom line to the questions regarding America’s seemingly disillusioned perception of Obama is partially that: perception. The next? Inception. Next? Infection. Last? Impatience-ion.


Part I - Perception:
Something nasty happens when politicians ignore when they are out of touch, or, at the least, attempt to place a rosy glow over a difficult period in their leadership and country by posing an encouraging "all is well" attitude while external problems they are trying to alleviate are screaming in the headlines. Mr. Obama has fallen into the crevasse of bad PR at crucial times. Someone fell asleep at the PR wheel this year.

Obama has done more in less than two years for our country than the previous administration did in 8 years. He walked into a miasma that would have become worse had he not made compromises and sacrifices.

Nevertheless, the mis-steps in perception have cost him the support, trust and faith many had in his initial vision for change, as well as with his judgment. When one is a target, as any president is (particularly a Democrat in the midst of GOP and Tea Party swirling snakes who distort every move he makes - or doesn't), one must be cautious with how the public perceives your actions.

Prez's must have down time. Bush took more vacations to Crawford than Obama has taken vacations in the same time period. However, if oil is spouting into your oceans, smiling and having an ice cream cone while on a short vacation doesn't work. Going ahead with a tribute involving Paul McCartney at the same time thousands are losing their livelihoods due to that toxic leak; allowing your spouse to take a seemingly unnecessary trip to Spain, provides grist for the shrills. Despite any person’s need to relax in order to tackle their jobs with a refreshed mind-set and physical vigor, leaders simply cannot risk being seen playing golf, laughing, dancing or joking, when jobs are scarce, wars are fought and lives are lost every few minutes. There is a reason why Camp David exists. No press allowed! Obama hasn’t gone there very often. Big mistake.

Unlike Bush’s obligatory fly-over of Katrina, Obama went to the Gulf 8 times. Did we hear about more than one or two of them? No. His PR machine did a piss-poor job hammering that on network and cable outlets. He managed to get SOMETHING done on healthcare, unlike all of the other presidents before him. How often was that achievement mentioned by Democratic mouthpieces on the networks and cable outlets – or even from his own administration? Oh, it was mentioned, almost as a whisper.

You get the point: Unless you ring your own bell with a swagger, no one notices. Unless you continue shouting your achievements from a mountain top, no one will listen. Unless you defend your positions with a pounding gavel or hand, you are considered a wuss. Mr. Obama is too much of a gentleman to print a “Wanted Dead or Alive” poster. Sorry, Mr. President, but it appears that the masses want you to stop wearing nice suits and start acting like a cowboy. After all, look at how well our country fared under the last guy from Texas with that cutesy drawl and mangled tongue. You’re just too civilized in comparison.

Part II: Inception
Post Date: Tomorrow

BuzzNet Tags: obama,impatience,perception