Buck Up Mr. President

From Lou Dobbs:

'Buck up' Mr. President


Oct-12-2010

When it comes to spotting omens, it's hard to imagine a more dramatic one. President Obama was giving a speech when the presidential seal suddenly fell off his podium and landed with a thud. The "latest defector from the Obama camp," a magazine quipped.



The latest but not even the last of the week. National Security director Jim Jones earned that distinction by quitting Friday, joining the stampede to the exits.



If the White House had wheels, they'd be flying off. As they did with Jones, officials claimed each departure was routine, proving they're no good at faking the obvious. So many top players don't abandon winning teams.



The president needs to take his own advice. Faced with a midterm drubbing, he recently demanded that dispirited supporters "buck up."



You first, Mr. President. It's time to lead by example.



The nation can't afford a demoralized leader and no president has the right to wallow in self-pity.



Still, the way in which Obama chooses to fight the blues matters most. Merely pasting a smile on won't cut it, nor will filling the empty seats with more yes men make his Titanic seaworthy.



He inherited a recession and two wars, but he knew that was the deal when he ran. He won because he vowed to fix the problems, but has failed and lost the trust of the majority of Americans over his major policy choices.



By the same token, political recovery begins the instant he decides finally to listen to public concerns. The way forward is fairly obvious and within his control.



Click here to read his full opinion



Michael Goodwin - New York Post columnist





Posted by Lou Dobbs Staff at 12:00