Obama, obviously the best President in the past 60 years. It's truly inspiring -how he has handled himself and kept his composure considering all he has had to deal with.
It's also great that Ms. Dowd has drooped the derogatory "Barry" reference .
It's also great that Ms. Dowd has drooped the derogatory "Barry" reference .
93
Hey Mo, O's got no emotion?? Watched him speak at church after Newtown? Watched him speak about recent shootings? O 's a deeply feeling president who tries not to get swamped by emotion or swept along into disastrous reactive emotion. Aren't those the qualities we want in a president?
95
"Obama’s military leaders announced that they had killed two top ISIS leaders."
It's very strange that the Obama administration is able to pull one of these rabbits out of a hat just when they need one. A cynical person might suspect that they knew all along, and were just saving this strike until they needed a P. R. win.
It's very strange that the Obama administration is able to pull one of these rabbits out of a hat just when they need one. A cynical person might suspect that they knew all along, and were just saving this strike until they needed a P. R. win.
9
Too cool for school is how I've been referring to him for years.
11
The Pres treated fools, idiots, and just plain haters of successful black men the way they deserved, with cool and utter disdain neatly wrapped in diplomacy. He handled the business of the office the best he could despite the numerous barriers put forth by Congress and he managed to bring about healthcare reform when no one else could get it done. His face doesn't need to be carved into Mount Rushmore, he is already better than any face up there.
78
That "bristling resistance to what he sees as cheap emotion. (See: flag pin, 2008)" was the moment I really sat up and paid attention to this Barack Obama. It was a small thing, but it had such weighted significance and character in an American politician after witnessing two decades of otherwise sinking mediocrity and cheap partisanship--and to be willing to suffer the equally cheap criticism that resulted--that I knew this was a politician I could be proud to vote for. And by and large, he did not disappoint after 8 years. Watching what appears to be coming over the horizon after he's gone, I fear that he will be missed. Yet, I'm also grateful for the indelible example he set during his term(s) in office. He kept the bar higher than the mediocrity he was (sadly) faced with in Congress.
69
If you're going to list some of the incidents to which Obama reacted with too much "cool" and not enough emotion, you should also mention tose to which reacted eloquently and expressed emotion just as eloquently: Sandy Hook, other mass murders and most of all the slaughter in the church in South Carolina. No other president in this history major's recollection anyway, ever stood and sang Amazing Grace to the congregation.
I'm not crazy about Obama (he's mostly been a big disappointment) but his performance in that church was stunning and came up from the bottom of his heart.
I'm not crazy about Obama (he's mostly been a big disappointment) but his performance in that church was stunning and came up from the bottom of his heart.
14
Rush Limbaugh was going to leave the country if the ACA was passed. Unfortunately he broke his promise. It is so sad that our country seems to have forgotten what diplomacy is, and its usefulness, especially in working toward peace. Terrorism only works if people fly into a frenzy over it. In the us our consumer culture seems to be making us feel absolutely entitled so if the service provided is not right, we become enraged. Same with other politicians, raging soon boxes you into a corner. Obama has been masterful at dancing out of difficult diplomatic situations at home and abroad. I am going to miss him.
45
Sometimes Dowd is a confused Mean Girl. I'm not sure what her point is here, besides jumping the snark. Obama has maintained a ton of status quo; he's come down on the side of dreadful center-right war, interventionism and corporate-run government. He is now rushing through a few quick salvos to the left, like opening up more protected environment, and Cuba outreach to try and shore up the election and his legacy. But his demeanor, dignity, and intelligence are what I have loved and admired about him most.
36
OB panders to criminals, dictators, etc. You people in the COLLECTIVE swoon when he reads his script from his teleprompter but they are just hollow words with no meaning.
OB is interested in photo-ops, optics, golf, selfies, and acting silly.
OB is the most undignified President since LBJ and the most anti-American in my lifetime.
Our country is great in spite OB and his clowns, no because of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OB is interested in photo-ops, optics, golf, selfies, and acting silly.
OB is the most undignified President since LBJ and the most anti-American in my lifetime.
Our country is great in spite OB and his clowns, no because of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13
For the past 7+ years, Ms. Dowd and the GOP members of Congress have had a great gig going, getting a pay check...for what?
34
Obama has, throughout his two terms, acted like a president. God help the US is the GOP circus act ever gets near the presidential levers. Believe me, the US will have no world respect if it elects either Cruz or Trump.
54
Obama is one of the few politicians in America who could be at Easter church services today and not be a hypocrite.
49
Many readers take this piece to be an attack upon Obama, but it's not. It credits him with many accomplishments, and simply laments "That anthropological detachment — the failure to viscerally connect [...] — may keep him from being a Mount Rushmore president." That is, Obama has not sufficiently charmed the public, although he has done many good things. He also has done some bad things, but Maureen has not focused on these, but simply points out that Obama's personal detachment has limited his opportunities to do more good.
I guess the idea is that if Obama had clicked with the public more, the Republicans would have been forced to be more cooperative? A doubtful claim, if that 's what she has implied.
I guess the idea is that if Obama had clicked with the public more, the Republicans would have been forced to be more cooperative? A doubtful claim, if that 's what she has implied.
5
Obama is a master chess player, I will grant that. If that aspect of his personality makes him cool or detached in some instances, so be it. However, when I see Obama, I see a man who obviously loves and respects his family. A man who can mourn and openly cry for the young children killed at Sandy Hook. A man who can give a speech that, in the tradition of black American ministers, shakes the rafters. A man who can eulogize the son of his Vice President and mourn with him, and without hesitation openly comfort his friend with a kiss. A man with timing many comedians would envy. A man who can meet with his constituents and put them at ease, including children and even a crying baby. This is not an aloof or cold person.
That he refuses to glad-hand with the Republican leadership, who have shown him nothing but disdain and disrespect since his first campaign, only makes me respect him more. He maintains his dignity in the face of their open hostility and bigotry.
He thinks with his brain and feels with his heart and is one of the most balanced people I've ever seen. I don't think we'll see his like again for a long, long time.
That he refuses to glad-hand with the Republican leadership, who have shown him nothing but disdain and disrespect since his first campaign, only makes me respect him more. He maintains his dignity in the face of their open hostility and bigotry.
He thinks with his brain and feels with his heart and is one of the most balanced people I've ever seen. I don't think we'll see his like again for a long, long time.
88
"it was W.’s unwarranted invasion of Iraq that unwittingly created ISIS..."
An equally persuasive argument can be made that O's premature withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq created ISIS.
An equally persuasive argument can be made that O's premature withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq created ISIS.
13
What is fascinating is how people forget issues of security around anything terror related. THe adage don't wear your heart on your sleeve comes to mind; are we suppose to be in on what our POTUS is doing behind the scenes to deal/help with the Brussels attack?
10
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buena_Vista_Social_Club_%28film%29
Check out this 1999 film. Also Leo Brouwer (Mezquida)--probably the greatest guitar composer in the 20th century.
Then ask who actually has a better life?--these joyous musicians in a Socialist country the GOP tried to strangle to death--or the GOP candidates?
See also JA Loomis, "The revolution of Forms"--on Cuba's attempt to build beautiful art schools, until the embargo forced subjugation to horrible Soviet architecture. JFK, The Times reported, had his eye on a rapprochement shortly before his death.
For travelers to Cuba, it's hard to say Cubans are "poor--implying spiritual poverty too. "Low budget joie de vivre is more like it." My middle aged Cuban teacher friend, in a farming town, would bicycle from fruit to vegetable stands listening to classical music on her MP3 player. Always in great shape.
No American knows the "Third World" better than the multicultural, cosmo-politician Obama. Bringing quiet elegance to the world--in the cause of civilization. Read his books.
Certainly not in the same league as Cheney enriching Haliberton Oil & Gas--which some say made $39.5 billion on the Iraq war. Who--exactly--would benefit from Trump deals?
Obama's eye is on the immediate ball--and the next few after that. Sunglasses and all.
Check out this 1999 film. Also Leo Brouwer (Mezquida)--probably the greatest guitar composer in the 20th century.
Then ask who actually has a better life?--these joyous musicians in a Socialist country the GOP tried to strangle to death--or the GOP candidates?
See also JA Loomis, "The revolution of Forms"--on Cuba's attempt to build beautiful art schools, until the embargo forced subjugation to horrible Soviet architecture. JFK, The Times reported, had his eye on a rapprochement shortly before his death.
For travelers to Cuba, it's hard to say Cubans are "poor--implying spiritual poverty too. "Low budget joie de vivre is more like it." My middle aged Cuban teacher friend, in a farming town, would bicycle from fruit to vegetable stands listening to classical music on her MP3 player. Always in great shape.
No American knows the "Third World" better than the multicultural, cosmo-politician Obama. Bringing quiet elegance to the world--in the cause of civilization. Read his books.
Certainly not in the same league as Cheney enriching Haliberton Oil & Gas--which some say made $39.5 billion on the Iraq war. Who--exactly--would benefit from Trump deals?
Obama's eye is on the immediate ball--and the next few after that. Sunglasses and all.
28
"The Smartest Man in the Room" and "Too Cool for School". All excuses
for "the dancing with the socialists" fool that says to argentine students, Socialism or capitalism, doesn't matter, pick either. You are a pathetic excuse maker for a savant and narcissist that now fiddles while Rome burns...ISIL this!
for "the dancing with the socialists" fool that says to argentine students, Socialism or capitalism, doesn't matter, pick either. You are a pathetic excuse maker for a savant and narcissist that now fiddles while Rome burns...ISIL this!
8
Maureen forgot about Obama lacerating Trump at the WH Correspondents dinner right after giving the order to take out Bin Laden, who was dead less than 24 hours later. That day Obama was the epitome of cool in dispatching both of his enemies in contrast to Bush's 'deer in the head lights look' while reading My Pet Goat on 9/11. The dude wins because he's usually better than they are, and that is why they hate him.
49
Good column, Ms. Maureen, a bit long. But please, "...fanatics who are not an existential threat..." don't you do it too! Stop using "existential" wrong. You can say, "...fanatics who are not a MORTAL threat...", okay. That's about dying, being killed, ceasing to exist, etc. "Existential" is about living, and the experience thereof. It's a philosophical term.
9
Wow! Maureen got charmed. But, why not, President Obama is the most elegant President since John Kennedy.
16
I remember Tipper and Al Gore dancing at an inauguration and feeling queasy at his robotic like upper body stiffness. The guy had no moves. Obama's got moves... a few more anyway before he's out the door.
4
Poor Maureen!! No we do not want you as president. Your constant badgering of both President Obama and Hillary Clinton are just more of your uncontrolable envy that any man and woman on the international stage are more intelligent that you.
Please do us all a favor and limit your columns to subjects you can be objective about. Perhaps you should consider volunteering for the Sanders campaign.
Please do us all a favor and limit your columns to subjects you can be objective about. Perhaps you should consider volunteering for the Sanders campaign.
15
President Obama saved me from fretting, tossing & turning all night. How did he do that? It wasn't magic, but it was his tango! All the while, US soldiers were moving in on the #2 ISIS operative. I now feel calm and cool despite my initial heartbreak & jitters regarding Belgium. Always the statesman; President Obama reminds me of James Bond, except Obama has far more class.
Thank you, Mr. President. You've restored honor to the Oval Office.
I will be missing you . . .
Thank you, Mr. President. You've restored honor to the Oval Office.
I will be missing you . . .
38
",,,that outrageous sin of being polite to your foreign hosts.."
Yes, yes, not to mention the sin of POTUS being made a fool of by a criminal caribbean hack and a hourly-wage doorstep dancer?
Yes, yes, not to mention the sin of POTUS being made a fool of by a criminal caribbean hack and a hourly-wage doorstep dancer?
5
Obama was at the White House correspondence dinner entertaining the likes of Dowd& Company while the SEALS were riffing up the helicopters to strike Bin Laden. The president can tell jokes and kill Bin Laden, go to baseball game, tango, walk and chew gum and still strike ISIS.
30
"Much Ado About Nothing"
2
Killing two top ISIS leaders. That’s keeping Barack Obama’s eye on the ball?
There’s an expression about what you do with the hand you’ve been dealt. For Maureen Dowd it’s always replaying the George W. Bush invasion of Iraq, rather than addressing the question of where the new president should have gone from there. That means forget about Barack Obama’s determination to reverse any aspect of U.S. involvement after the invasion that might have proven successful, Barack Obama’s dismissal of ISIS as the JV and pinpricks disguised as U.S. action that have had little or no impact, and Barack Obama’s policy of U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the world stage with the horrendous consequences that has engendered.
There is no dearth of countries prepared to be marshaled into a force capable of defeating ISIS. That has not and will not happen without strong leadership propelling that force, which means the United States. Which also means, with Barack Obama as president, that it will not happen.
A little back, after the ISIS attack in France, the French proposed that marshaling, putting France front and center in the otherwise leadership vacuum. The jokes came from the late night comedians. The French, that's right, the French, as leaders, with the U.S. nowhere to be found.
There’s an expression about what you do with the hand you’ve been dealt. For Maureen Dowd it’s always replaying the George W. Bush invasion of Iraq, rather than addressing the question of where the new president should have gone from there. That means forget about Barack Obama’s determination to reverse any aspect of U.S. involvement after the invasion that might have proven successful, Barack Obama’s dismissal of ISIS as the JV and pinpricks disguised as U.S. action that have had little or no impact, and Barack Obama’s policy of U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the world stage with the horrendous consequences that has engendered.
There is no dearth of countries prepared to be marshaled into a force capable of defeating ISIS. That has not and will not happen without strong leadership propelling that force, which means the United States. Which also means, with Barack Obama as president, that it will not happen.
A little back, after the ISIS attack in France, the French proposed that marshaling, putting France front and center in the otherwise leadership vacuum. The jokes came from the late night comedians. The French, that's right, the French, as leaders, with the U.S. nowhere to be found.
3
I hope it is Obama's last tango. He should not have had a first tango. What a terrible dancer and an embarrassment to our country. Maybe he should take a few lessons from Arthur Murray Dance Studios or stop dancing altogether.
4
So sorry Ms Dowd that president Obama doesn't live up to your standards and expectations.
4
Miss Dowd goes to a ballgame and keeps her eye on Obama. Nothing like an island vacation to remove the bad taste of this election year or two and that brownie in Denver.
2
Great column. Maureen balanced the not so good ... Obama's aloofness... with the good. Conservatives, and perhaps others, believed he should have raced home after the attacks last week. Obama knows that terrorist want us to alter our lives to "award" their acts. He didn't grant them that pleasure, not from him. But his own countrymen blasted him for doing the smart thing. He also knows that there's more to this world than the Middle East and he wasn't going to let the terrorist get in the way of this very important trip. Hail Hail Obama, and thanks for the informative, nuanced column.
12
Remember George W. Bush promised to get those who attacked us with a megaphone post 9/11? So what happened? He was persuaded by Cheney and Rumsfeld to reverse course and pull our troops out of the mountains of Afghanistan into Iraq.
And what did Obama promise to do? That's right, eventually pull out of Iraq but go after Bin Laden and those who would do us harm. And so he did! And how many Republicans gave him credit for it? I can't remember one!
I'm glad we have Obama and can only dig up this quote thinking about Republicans:
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. and I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
And what did Obama promise to do? That's right, eventually pull out of Iraq but go after Bin Laden and those who would do us harm. And so he did! And how many Republicans gave him credit for it? I can't remember one!
I'm glad we have Obama and can only dig up this quote thinking about Republicans:
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. and I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
25
It is bizarre that I find Dowd missing the ball by buying into Obama WH marketing.
"While Republicans who would succeed Obama talked loco last week — Ted Cruz vowed to carpet-bomb ISIS and Donald Trump refused to rule out nuclear strikes — Obama’s military leaders announced that they had killed two top ISIS leaders.
The president can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball.""
The NYT itself used the word "boast" to describe the recent WH marketing campaign that released operational basics about a campaign, by troops currently at risk in Syria and Iraq, to assassinate Daesh leaders. The press release boasting is a marketeer's response to Brussels, all propaganda pr, needless but for that purpose.
Assassination is dangerous precedent that should not be used for msrketing purposes, not a substitute for a policy in foreign policy, and for the success of the mission and the safety of those on the hunt those sleeping well fed and safe higher ups should SHUT UP. But, the Obama WH is and always has been run by its marketing division. Operational security and america's future missions are so legacy irrelevant. Propaganda first, last, always. Boast away.
"While Republicans who would succeed Obama talked loco last week — Ted Cruz vowed to carpet-bomb ISIS and Donald Trump refused to rule out nuclear strikes — Obama’s military leaders announced that they had killed two top ISIS leaders.
The president can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball.""
The NYT itself used the word "boast" to describe the recent WH marketing campaign that released operational basics about a campaign, by troops currently at risk in Syria and Iraq, to assassinate Daesh leaders. The press release boasting is a marketeer's response to Brussels, all propaganda pr, needless but for that purpose.
Assassination is dangerous precedent that should not be used for msrketing purposes, not a substitute for a policy in foreign policy, and for the success of the mission and the safety of those on the hunt those sleeping well fed and safe higher ups should SHUT UP. But, the Obama WH is and always has been run by its marketing division. Operational security and america's future missions are so legacy irrelevant. Propaganda first, last, always. Boast away.
7
Where was Obama last Saturday March 19? Why wasn't the U.S. flag lowered at half-mast to honor the memory of the victims of the ISIS suicide bomber? Is there doubt about ISIS taking credit for the carnage, claiming it was in response for Turkey's participation with the West allies' campaign against it in Syria?
7
Ms. Dowd just wrote a column about the President without calling him "Barry" and that was almost laudatory. And she didn't make a snide anti-Clinton aside. The earth just moved under my feet!
18
My, my, my. M.Dowd has finally said something nice about President Obama. Feeling a bit guilty are you, Maureen?
19
bin-Laden, al-Qaduli, and who knows how many other key al-Qaeda and ISIS leaders. Dead, at the hands of the "weak," "feckless" Muslim sympathizer Obama, the guy who takes his time, chooses his targets carefully, and takes them out. And who, besides the tin-horn dictator Saddam, did W, resplendent in his flight suit on the deck of the Abraham Lincoln, get? Nobody, that's who. Shoot first and ask questions later works great in spaghetti Westerns. In the "war on terror," not so much.
20
Poor Cuba!!
How long do you thin it will be before IT &T, goes back to owning their telecommunications system>
And the ubiquitous Coca Cola signs appears on ever street sign?
And Donald Trump and/or Sheldon Adelosn get to open casinos?
And little boys follow tourists down the street advertising their mothers, sisters and cocaine?
And the Cubans don't know what hit them.
(And 'beware what you wish for" becomes their national mantra?)
How long do you thin it will be before IT &T, goes back to owning their telecommunications system>
And the ubiquitous Coca Cola signs appears on ever street sign?
And Donald Trump and/or Sheldon Adelosn get to open casinos?
And little boys follow tourists down the street advertising their mothers, sisters and cocaine?
And the Cubans don't know what hit them.
(And 'beware what you wish for" becomes their national mantra?)
4
Maureen, President Obama is "Too Cool for School!" That's why we love him. This is his final lap and he's enjoying it. And well he should. He has endured the slings and arrows of a Republican Congress, been stymied at every turn, and now he's about to glide into public life with the best part of his life ahead of him.
Our love goes with you Mr. President....Enjoy! You've earned it!
Our love goes with you Mr. President....Enjoy! You've earned it!
37
Blaming Bush for the rise of ISIS has become a standard talking point in certain quarters, but is also simplistic. In retrospect, our going into Iraq was a big mistake. But our pulling out the way we did may have even been a bigger mistake. I think Obama may even regret it at this point. Things had quieted down (relatively speaking) after the surge, and our pulling out the way we did left a vacuum. Also, nobody can know for sure what the Middle East would have looked like if Saddam Hussein and his sons had survived. Again, this is not to justify the invasion, but ISIS actually predates the Iraq War, and I think that the dynamics of this are just too complex to pin it on one person.
6
Being the POTUS is always solitary in terms of responsibility and emotion. While Ms Dowd has always criticized President Obama as detached, any sign of emotion would be attacked, by friends and foes alike, as weak.
Perhaps there are exceptions in history. Even now, many still doubt President Reagan's presidency. Who really made the decisions? One might argue Mr Reagan was successful in ruining USSR by outspending it. Or it was really the time for it to fall and he was responsible for giving rise to the modern day Russia. Then there were his cabinets, kitchen cabinets and Mrs Reagan.
So it is a bit ironic Mr Obama has started out with the call of unity and the tent of rivals; but in the end, he has to bear the weight on his own.
So yeah, the cool hand Barry has managed to multitask but is still able to tell things like they are. Remember he behaved normally with the full knowledge that Osama Bin Lade was eliminated, avenging the 911 incursion.
There are many criticisms about the drone war and some are legitimate, but the president wannabes in the GOP camp are clueless when the world's fate hangs in the balance. Lord saves us if there is another W taking the reign, even for one term
Perhaps there are exceptions in history. Even now, many still doubt President Reagan's presidency. Who really made the decisions? One might argue Mr Reagan was successful in ruining USSR by outspending it. Or it was really the time for it to fall and he was responsible for giving rise to the modern day Russia. Then there were his cabinets, kitchen cabinets and Mrs Reagan.
So it is a bit ironic Mr Obama has started out with the call of unity and the tent of rivals; but in the end, he has to bear the weight on his own.
So yeah, the cool hand Barry has managed to multitask but is still able to tell things like they are. Remember he behaved normally with the full knowledge that Osama Bin Lade was eliminated, avenging the 911 incursion.
There are many criticisms about the drone war and some are legitimate, but the president wannabes in the GOP camp are clueless when the world's fate hangs in the balance. Lord saves us if there is another W taking the reign, even for one term
22
By the way, President Obama can dance - in more ways than one
11
America......We, the Brits, love your president, Mr. Barrack Obama.
Perhaps because he is 'too cool for school'. We're not very keen on anyone who
emotes all over the place. Stiff upper lip and all that!
Perhaps Mr. Obama would like to come over here and run our land for a bit!
That would be so 'cool'!
Perhaps because he is 'too cool for school'. We're not very keen on anyone who
emotes all over the place. Stiff upper lip and all that!
Perhaps Mr. Obama would like to come over here and run our land for a bit!
That would be so 'cool'!
46
Plenty of us love him here as well. If it were up to me, he'd be POTUS for the rest of his life.
24
"I traveled with the president to Havana"
Dowd sneaks that in there and no one notices!
Quid pro quo - what more is there to say about this BOGUS Dowd column?
She was part of this frivolous junket and taxpayer funded vacation - not a single "Barry" says it all...it's her tiny share of the cost to go...
Dowd sneaks that in there and no one notices!
Quid pro quo - what more is there to say about this BOGUS Dowd column?
She was part of this frivolous junket and taxpayer funded vacation - not a single "Barry" says it all...it's her tiny share of the cost to go...
8
Glad to see you in a supportive mode, Maureen. Obama deserves it.
23
After the Brussels attacks Obama could have stood before a camera saying, "ISIS, this is for you", as he raised his middle finger. Instead, he went to a baseball game and later danced a tango.
Same message, just a different way to deliver it.
Same message, just a different way to deliver it.
36
Maureen -
When I voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 I thought I was voting for a president not a pyschotherapist or substitute dad. Judging from your columns I guess you felt otherwise.
Grow up and give the American electorate a little more credit while you're at it.
When I voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 I thought I was voting for a president not a pyschotherapist or substitute dad. Judging from your columns I guess you felt otherwise.
Grow up and give the American electorate a little more credit while you're at it.
56
Et tu Dowdy? You're lucky I remembered "in Paris"; I was about to re-cancel my subscription.
3
Given the mess our President was handed I would give him a standing ovation. He inherited not only the mess created by Andreas husband Allan Greenspan and his merry band of Fraudsters Blankfein, Fuld, Dimon ( incidentally they would all be in jail Maureen if this wasn't America)But he inherited the never ending M.E. horror show created by the chicken Hawks (voted for by Hillary) to serve the special interests of the Saudis and Israel. And let's not forget the do nothing but obstruct G.O.P. I wish he had gone for a single payer and completely disengaged us from other people's wars and wasn't going for yet another job killing trade pact but overall pretty darn good Thank you Sir.
36
MAY I HAVE THIS TANGO Please Mr. President? A lithesome, charming request from Gail Collins. How could he resist? Of course she's chosen to trod on his oes with her 9 inch stilettos. But no matter. It's all in good fun. Perhaps Obama would have let her throw out the first baseball at the historic game he attended in Cuba. Bloodless? No emotion? Gail, wake up! I know it's your place to do a hatchet job on your intended targets in your columns (that have me emitting belly laughs). Bit it was not a cool act I saw when Obama comforted the families of the children and teachers slain in Newtown. It was not a cool act when Obama expressed outrage at the all too frequent mass shootings that occur in the US. It was not a cool act when Obama said that he was outraged by the poisoned water in Flint MI. And for the record, I think Obama's done the right thing by borrowing the tactic from Teddy Roosevelt of blowing a raspberry at a gridlocked Congress and expanding the Executive branch to do the work of the people. He also had the good taste to talk about slipping in the shower rather than to mention the top threat to national security. Gun Violence. Over 32,000 killed and over 60,000 injured by guns. You're about as likely to die or be injured in a car accident as to be killed or wounded by a gun. The public firestorm of outrage the GOP would have generated had Obama made that comparison. Yet he may declare gun violence as the top threat to homeland security.
9
I have become very tired of Maureen's cynicism. She is obsessing over Hillary
and repeats obsessively about how cool and detached Obama is. Obama has done a magnificent job see his accomplishments. I will stop reading her column now. She is depressing nd a Trump lover.
23
He's not running for re-election and he doesn't care what you think, Maureen.
Looking at ALL the choices we have available for the upcoming election I wish he could run for a third term.
Looking at ALL the choices we have available for the upcoming election I wish he could run for a third term.
36
it was W.’s unwarranted invasion of Iraq that unwittingly created ISIS, as the veteran war correspondent Michael Ware points out in his new movie, “Only the Dead.”
-------------------------------
And you think Michael Ware was objective and did not take liberties with facts in making this movie, huh, Mo?
Wanna buy a bridge from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn, Mo?
-------------------------------
And you think Michael Ware was objective and did not take liberties with facts in making this movie, huh, Mo?
Wanna buy a bridge from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn, Mo?
4
Maureen, you really don't get Obama. Very tiresome to hear the same misguided tropes, yet again.
30
" His identity is defined by his desire to rise above the fray."
he had no relevant skills when elected and has demonstrated none since
he had no relevant skills when elected and has demonstrated none since
4
He's good at making excuses and passing the buck
4
I like the idea of a leader who is not touchy-feely. I relate more to a leader who shows dignity and restraint. Unfortunately, in this age of extreme everything, including emotions, such a lack of emotional display is considered suspect.
Just at the current Republican campaign.
Just at the current Republican campaign.
13
I'm pretty sure it takes two to tango. Our President is not dancing alone, as much as the do-nothing Republicans have tried.
14
Thank you, Mo. Finally, you give Barry some long overdue Respect.
6
Dance free/Freedom Mr. President.
11
What a welcoming change in Dowd`s column , took a very long eight years to realize what a cool President Obama has been. Looking at the Republican candidates Obama is and always have been a total class act.
And it is not his last Tango, there will be more.
Stay tuned Ms. Dowd.
And it is not his last Tango, there will be more.
Stay tuned Ms. Dowd.
19
Watching the video of President Obama dancing the Tango was pure delight! What a class act is this president! Calm, cool, classy and cultured.......all a breath of fresh air after ¨you know who¨!
31
I don't need or want my President to hold my hand every time something bad happens. I want him to do exactly what President Obama's doing. Working on the problem.
If Americans are feeling lost, confused or scared they can go and sit in their momma's laps and cry. Obama isn't our mommy. His job is to keep the country safe, not hold our hands. People, especially the right, need to stop crying about how scared they are and take a good look around themselves.
We really do face more danger every day from lighting strikes, bath tub slips and drivers texting instead of paying attention to the road.
To the American people I say stop being crying whimps and let the man in the White House do his job. Then we can put Clinton there and let a woman show us what she can do. The last thing we need is a bully who feels the need to brag about his penis size.
If Americans are feeling lost, confused or scared they can go and sit in their momma's laps and cry. Obama isn't our mommy. His job is to keep the country safe, not hold our hands. People, especially the right, need to stop crying about how scared they are and take a good look around themselves.
We really do face more danger every day from lighting strikes, bath tub slips and drivers texting instead of paying attention to the road.
To the American people I say stop being crying whimps and let the man in the White House do his job. Then we can put Clinton there and let a woman show us what she can do. The last thing we need is a bully who feels the need to brag about his penis size.
26
The creation of ISIS, many former Obama administration heads of Intelligence and Security agencies point to Obama's withdrawal of Troops from Iraq as ISIS creation and rise. Remember the wisdom of OBama proclaiming them to be the JV team? Declaring in one of his common photo op's "I have ended this war!" But since Obama ended the war in Iraq, he now professes the new war their plus the fray in Syria are not his war but someone else's. "Not mine!" The mess in the Middle East belongs to Obama.He claim's ISIS is contained and it's territory shrinking. ISIS may be shrinking in Iraq and Syria, but this Obama created cancer is spreading across the world at light speed. Not to worry though, they are not an existential problem. How did Peggy Lee put it; ..........."Is that all there is, is that all there is. If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing. Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is"
If that's all there is"
4
Doesn't anyone remember the 'status of forces agreement' that Bush 2 signed? The Iraqis under Maliki kicked us out basically. because they wouldn't give our troops immunity.
12
No, not 'vertical solitude.'
Tango is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire.
Tango is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire.
12
This President's decisions are of course based upon his perceptions of often paradoxical realities.
Dilemmas & contradictions aren't facile to overcome, and his harshest bashers are slightly more than demagogical cheap shooters.
Major issues consist of usually ambiguous phenomena, and the divisive, ugly elections of GOP legislators over the Democrats is de-moralizing, weakening our nation with animus & bad faith of obstructionism--yet, Romney lost, and thus national disunity seems to have ultimately won.
I'd not claim BHO as perfect, but I fail to value GOP opposition as much more than fools, opportunists, and anti-intellectual liars.
Our presiding Chief of State is our military Commander in Chief.
He & I abhor the Iraq & Afghanistan wasteful, counter-productive land wars to nowhere good.
He is constantly demonized for weak leadership in judgments & decisions
Historians will be flummoxed.
Dilemmas & contradictions aren't facile to overcome, and his harshest bashers are slightly more than demagogical cheap shooters.
Major issues consist of usually ambiguous phenomena, and the divisive, ugly elections of GOP legislators over the Democrats is de-moralizing, weakening our nation with animus & bad faith of obstructionism--yet, Romney lost, and thus national disunity seems to have ultimately won.
I'd not claim BHO as perfect, but I fail to value GOP opposition as much more than fools, opportunists, and anti-intellectual liars.
Our presiding Chief of State is our military Commander in Chief.
He & I abhor the Iraq & Afghanistan wasteful, counter-productive land wars to nowhere good.
He is constantly demonized for weak leadership in judgments & decisions
Historians will be flummoxed.
12
From the beginning what I liked (a lot) about Barack Obama was that he was an outsider. He was a mixed race -defined as black- kid in a white family in a primarily white school school in Hawaii. He was the son of an African father who was never part of his life. And he had been an American child in an Indonesian school where he shared neither their nationalism nor their religion.
He has no tribe. He has been forced, by circumstances, to view life from the outside. And in 2008, I saw this as a very good thing. Tribalism is what forced me from the Republican Party in 2003. The old Dixiecrat racists, the theocratic evangelists and the conservative purists are all just tribal forms in different guises. It's always "us agin' them".
I've been proud of the President for whom I gladly cast my vote in 2008 and 2012. Maybe it's the Irish thing in Maureen that makes her foam at the mouth when Obama doesn't take the maudlin, cry-in-your-beer approach.
To me, he comes across as a man who cares deeply and thinks deeply, too deeply, in fact, to succumb to cheap, rush-to-judgment optics. He tries to speak to us as rational adults. Evidently, a good majority of us prefer being treated as gullible children.
He has no tribe. He has been forced, by circumstances, to view life from the outside. And in 2008, I saw this as a very good thing. Tribalism is what forced me from the Republican Party in 2003. The old Dixiecrat racists, the theocratic evangelists and the conservative purists are all just tribal forms in different guises. It's always "us agin' them".
I've been proud of the President for whom I gladly cast my vote in 2008 and 2012. Maybe it's the Irish thing in Maureen that makes her foam at the mouth when Obama doesn't take the maudlin, cry-in-your-beer approach.
To me, he comes across as a man who cares deeply and thinks deeply, too deeply, in fact, to succumb to cheap, rush-to-judgment optics. He tries to speak to us as rational adults. Evidently, a good majority of us prefer being treated as gullible children.
38
Thank you for saying that. Your comment expresses my feelings about our "exceptional" president.
10
Obama's reign of terror will be regarded as the Golden Age of Islamic terrorism. Islamic terrorists are free to rape and murder at will, while Obama's only response is to dance, blame Christians, and disarm Americans. Muslims are committing genocide against Christians in the Middle East and elsewhere, and the coward Obama won't even acknowledge it. He'll stop to acknowledge a giant Che mural
4
Obama may seem too cooly removed from crisis, but it is a quality I personally find reassuring. There was nothing cool, certainly, about the way he sang 'Amazing Grace' after the Carolina church tragedy. Sometimes I think Maureen is a bit unfeeling in her ongoing Obamanizing. This man, like other gifted African-Americans, faced invisible resistance to every step taken up the ladder of success. Not even having Harvard or the Senate on your resume can remove the invisible obstructions placed by our society in this particular upward climb. Aggression or strong stance is easily perceived as a threat. To get ahead a black man is not encouraged to be an Alpha male, and it is this very society that now judges Obama to be too 'feminine' in his attitude. For those wishing for a more passionate and visceral response to national trauma there is someone waiting in the wings of the Oval Office. But take care in what you wish for. Barack's last tango could easily morph into The Donald's first pole dance.
24
The worst president in well over 100 years. Candy coat it all you want to....but that is a FACT.
5
Only to Rush Limbaugh and Faux News viewers.
24
Worst than GW Bush? WOW.......
8
Yet you cannot provide a viable "fact" to back up your hyperbolic, uninformed talking point.
20
"it was W.’s unwarranted invasion of Iraq that unwittingly created ISIS"
No. The proximate cause was Obama's pulling out the troops, which our military professionals advised him not to do. Next, Obama played down the threat with his "JV team" comment and failed to nip ISIS in the bud. I remember vividly seeing a long line of ISIS troop-carrying vehicles that our planes could have wiped out in a few minutes.
No. The proximate cause was Obama's pulling out the troops, which our military professionals advised him not to do. Next, Obama played down the threat with his "JV team" comment and failed to nip ISIS in the bud. I remember vividly seeing a long line of ISIS troop-carrying vehicles that our planes could have wiped out in a few minutes.
4
Obama's premature withdrawal of troops -against all advice - for cheap temporary political points will go down in history as the greatest military blunder ever
5
Let the Syrian dictator and ISIS fight it out with each other, and let's stop bombing and droning the latter. If we stop bombing them, maybe they'll stop bombing us, and whoever wins, stability will be restored. We have an obligation to defend our puppet regime in Iraq, but it's rotten and doomed to fall eventually. Sure, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and maybe even Russia (who has a border with Syria) may intervene on one side or the other, but that's their affair. The only dog we have in the fight is Israel, and none of these is foolish enough as to attack the Jewish state. If they were to do so, THEN we could get involved (but they won't).
1
Maureen, your comments are the product of the salons and parlors of the city. You forgot a few of the details along the way. Doing "the wave" with a brutal autocratic dictator (after Brussels had occurred). Castro set Obama up for the proverbial "slam dunk" by offering to release political prisoners if a list of names were provided. Oops, forgot the list--that was available. Obama lets Castro disparage the United States and what does Obama do? Publicly agrees with him. The picture with Che--another murderous "thug"--forms the backdrop. The limp hand gesture. Did Obama do anything--anything--say anything to let the Castro brothers dicatators know that we do not accept their authoritarian, dictatorship form of government? SO, Maureen, there was a lot of information you left out--or forgot?
3
It will be a sad day when President Obama leaves the White House. His election - twice - is a fact we Americans can celebrate. He was, and still is, the best person for the job. He is a brilliant and compassionate man. There's no way a Trump or Cruz will get the keys to the White House. No way.
22
It'll be sad for ISIS. the rest of the world will cheer
1
Well, I think President and Mrs. Obama should invite Congress and Latin America's embassy personnel to a tango party with great Cuban inspired cuisine. Building bridges takes some creativity, even if you are Fred Astaire in yoyur dreams.
4
Rush Limbaugh? ... Ted Cruz? ... Donald Trump? Who are those guys?
And Larry Wilmore? ... just an old fart pretending to be a Millennial.
I have heard that the reason Senate Republicans will not give the time of day to Judge Merrick Garland is because the newly configured Supreme Court would immediately revoke the 22nd Amendment.
Keep your fingers crossed.
And Larry Wilmore? ... just an old fart pretending to be a Millennial.
I have heard that the reason Senate Republicans will not give the time of day to Judge Merrick Garland is because the newly configured Supreme Court would immediately revoke the 22nd Amendment.
Keep your fingers crossed.
2
Anyone who believes in public grammar school and high school, Social Security and Medicare is already a socialist.
Countries like Germany and Denmark just add universal health care (and get better quality for 40% less), universal university or trade school, and parental leave.
And Forbes ranked Denmark the number 1 country to do business and ranked the US number 22.
Countries like Germany and Denmark just add universal health care (and get better quality for 40% less), universal university or trade school, and parental leave.
And Forbes ranked Denmark the number 1 country to do business and ranked the US number 22.
8
Kindly explain why healthcare costs are rising faster after the ObamaCare disaster than before?
2
Health care costs have been rising faster than inflation for 50 years. Even Nixon said it was a problem.
And health care inflation has been the lowest in 50 years with Obama care.
https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_health_care_inflation_rate
However, if Republicans don't like Obama care they should fix health care. They have had the same 50 years and have only fought against fixing health care.
What is the Republican plan? It was Obama care before Obama put his name on it. It was Romney care that came from the right-wing Heritage Foundation think tank.
The individual mandate was the conservative value of accountability and responsibility. The exchanges were free market competition.
When Obama agreed to this Republican approach, Republicans then called it government take-over of health care and death panels.
Remember the summer of death panels? The Tea Party activists interrupting all the town hall meetings?
Where are the death panels? There aren't any and never were any. Go look up death panels in Wikipedia.
But all those Tea Party people don't even ask themselves who told them these things and maybe they should stop listening to those people. They are just on to the next crisis - Ebola, Guatemalan kids at the border, Benghazi, and not it is the e-mail server. Go look up George Bush White House e-mail server while you are at it.
And health care inflation has been the lowest in 50 years with Obama care.
https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_health_care_inflation_rate
However, if Republicans don't like Obama care they should fix health care. They have had the same 50 years and have only fought against fixing health care.
What is the Republican plan? It was Obama care before Obama put his name on it. It was Romney care that came from the right-wing Heritage Foundation think tank.
The individual mandate was the conservative value of accountability and responsibility. The exchanges were free market competition.
When Obama agreed to this Republican approach, Republicans then called it government take-over of health care and death panels.
Remember the summer of death panels? The Tea Party activists interrupting all the town hall meetings?
Where are the death panels? There aren't any and never were any. Go look up death panels in Wikipedia.
But all those Tea Party people don't even ask themselves who told them these things and maybe they should stop listening to those people. They are just on to the next crisis - Ebola, Guatemalan kids at the border, Benghazi, and not it is the e-mail server. Go look up George Bush White House e-mail server while you are at it.
4
Larry - How so? Every financial examination contradicts your claim. Here's one of many:
http://www.factcheck.org/2014/02/aca-impact-on-per-capita-cost-of-health...
Where's your context?
http://www.factcheck.org/2014/02/aca-impact-on-per-capita-cost-of-health...
Where's your context?
4
Has anyone suggested that Obama leave the Supreme Court slot open, so that his Democratic successor, Bernie or Hillary, can appoint HIM to fill that opening after his term in office as President is over? My guess is it's now too late, because after the election the lame-duck Congress will confirm Merrick Garland as preferable to whoever the new President - even if it's Trump (shudder) - would nominate. But Obama on the Supreme Court would be a SPLENDID choice.
16
Of course it is not too late ... Obama can withdraw the nomination. But what makes you think the Senate would confirm Obama?
3
I agree, Robert. Obama on the Court would be a perfect choice.
I also think that, to make this possible, Garland should simply withdraw his name from consideration right after the Democratic landslide (especially if it includes regaining control of the Senate, as it very well may.)
I also think that, to make this possible, Garland should simply withdraw his name from consideration right after the Democratic landslide (especially if it includes regaining control of the Senate, as it very well may.)
6
On what grounds cd they fail to confirm him? He has no judicial record, and so has no questionable decisions to explain away, He has a Harvard Law degree, and was Editor of the Law Review. And who can argue that two terms as President make an inappropriate background for a Supreme Court judge (cf. Wm. Howard Taft)? Obama is a true moderate who is thoroughly committed to compromise and fairness. Their only objection wd be that "we don't like him," and that argument is going to get thinner and thinner as the months roll by with a court deadlocked at 4-4. Having nominated Garland, Obama won't withdraw him, but if the Congress were to be foolish enough to reject Garland even after the election, then I say: President Clinton or Sanders should appoint hizzoner Justice Barack Obama!
3
The world is falling apart and this guy is dancing and running around the world with his equally out of touch family......
Is it 2017 yet?
Is it 2017 yet?
5
Out of touch family? The Obamas have handled themselves with class. Michelle Obama's gentle admonition to "keep moving " is very good advice for each and every American citizen, young or old. Out of touch? Applies to the Republicans in Congress very well.
8
So now Obama's family is a problem? And no dancing until all our problems are solved? You'd probably like Bush back in the White House, using his gut to decide what country to invade next.
9
You mean Secretary of State Clinton didn't straighten this out?
We'll have to check her emails...
We'll have to check her emails...
6
What else did you expect from an incompetent amateur? The perfect closing act to a disastrous presidency.
Yes Maureen, W. helped create ISIS, but Obama and Clinton fed it. Libya, Egypt and Syria were all foreign policy disasters.
Yes Maureen, W. helped create ISIS, but Obama and Clinton fed it. Libya, Egypt and Syria were all foreign policy disasters.
3
How so Dan? Proof? Context?
3
So I get how Bush helped create ISIS by destroying the existing Iraqi government, but what exactly did Obama & Clinton "feed" to ISIS?
Do you believe Obama actually overthrew Mubarak or that he didn't offer the corrupt dictator enough help to put down a popular uprising? Like, what would you have done? Ditto for Libya & Syria.
We have now tried three different approaches: invade & nation build; assist local insurgent forces with air-power while not getting deeply involved; do nothing. None of them very satisfactory but clearly the Iraq approach was the worst just because of the price tag. Also it helped create ISIS which made things in Syria even worse.
It's easy to carp from the sidelines. I repeat, what would you have done?
Do you believe Obama actually overthrew Mubarak or that he didn't offer the corrupt dictator enough help to put down a popular uprising? Like, what would you have done? Ditto for Libya & Syria.
We have now tried three different approaches: invade & nation build; assist local insurgent forces with air-power while not getting deeply involved; do nothing. None of them very satisfactory but clearly the Iraq approach was the worst just because of the price tag. Also it helped create ISIS which made things in Syria even worse.
It's easy to carp from the sidelines. I repeat, what would you have done?
7
Brava, Maureen. If only you could overcome your feminine envious spite toward Hillary long enough to attain the cool equanimity you manifested today for President Obama. I had abandoned all hope for you. Can it be the benevolent spirit of Easter? May it persist!
4
Maureen, something is terribly wrong. Your comparison between death by bombing and bath tub. When someone does not understand that bath tub deaths will never threaten to explode in numbers, or that they don't require billions on dollars of investment in security and entire changes of lifestyles ... well that person doesn't deserve to be president ... even columnist.
4
I guess this is better then nothing, Dowd!
2
If only jaded columnist had term limits.
24
"The president can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball."
Anyone who thinks Obama is just sure of himself is being superficial about him. I am sure he is proud of the good he did and ashamed of the bad, and because of the latter, that much unsure of trusting himself in the future. I think that the measure of a President is how much of each thing did he do - how much of a good effect and how much a bad effect did he have on the American people.
Obama supporters obviously think he did more good than bad. And comparing Obama to almost any Republican makes him look like a Godsend, the only adult in the room. Comparing Obama, however, to the integrity and passion for justice to the American people of Bernie Sanders, makes Obama look, in the main, a cold person, whose selfishness and manipulation were often just in behalf of how he looked to people. Clinton is the protege that outdoes the master when it comes to coldness and manipulation.
I had a great hope when I voted for Obama in 2008, chose the lesser of two evils in 2012, but I'll be darned if I am going to settle for a Clinton this time around.
Anyone who thinks Obama is just sure of himself is being superficial about him. I am sure he is proud of the good he did and ashamed of the bad, and because of the latter, that much unsure of trusting himself in the future. I think that the measure of a President is how much of each thing did he do - how much of a good effect and how much a bad effect did he have on the American people.
Obama supporters obviously think he did more good than bad. And comparing Obama to almost any Republican makes him look like a Godsend, the only adult in the room. Comparing Obama, however, to the integrity and passion for justice to the American people of Bernie Sanders, makes Obama look, in the main, a cold person, whose selfishness and manipulation were often just in behalf of how he looked to people. Clinton is the protege that outdoes the master when it comes to coldness and manipulation.
I had a great hope when I voted for Obama in 2008, chose the lesser of two evils in 2012, but I'll be darned if I am going to settle for a Clinton this time around.
1
I'm not a fan of flag pins either, so I was pleased our president felt the same way. Similar to wearing your religion on your sleeve and just as unnecessary — character resides within. Those concerned with dissecting irrelevant details are projecting (and probably get it all wrong).
Given the mess bequeathed to President Obama by Cheney & Co., along with the unprecedented, damaging and constant Republican obstruction he's faced, I'd say he's done a very good job.
VP Biden was proven correct, “This man has a spine of steel.”
And he tangos remarkably well.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Given the mess bequeathed to President Obama by Cheney & Co., along with the unprecedented, damaging and constant Republican obstruction he's faced, I'd say he's done a very good job.
VP Biden was proven correct, “This man has a spine of steel.”
And he tangos remarkably well.
Thank you, Mr. President.
24
With the current candidates to replace him, boy, are we going to miss this guy!
22
Better to play ball than throw bombs; better to tango than get entangled with open-ended traps. We will miss a steady hand at the helm.
26
Damning with half praise. Who will your next target be when Obama is gone?
7
You are still critical of President Obama who has been the epitome of dignity, understated elegance and cool, collected deliberation. So he does not wear his heart on his sleeve. But have'nt you heard of his stirring, empathetic words and his overtures across the aisle only to be rebuffed by the know-nothings and do-nothings? Do you want him to bawl and cry a river like Boehner instead of being teary-eyed, pained, choked to try and find the right words? Maureen, do you see the specimens vying for his job - Raving, foulmouthed, unstable creatures? Maureen, even your snark will not be sufficient. Then you will be ruing the good old days. It will be too late then.
22
It was Bill Clinton who said about Obama - cool on the outside and burning with passion for America on the inside; and that is exactly what President Obama is.
Telling jokes while waiting on the Laden raid, doing tango while ordering hit on the ISIS top leaders.
Telling jokes while waiting on the Laden raid, doing tango while ordering hit on the ISIS top leaders.
26
What do you want Obama to do? Should he strap on a flight suit, stand next to a jet and smile for the cameras? Oh, wait, George Bush already did that.
24
It is amazing there is so much love for Obama. In my opinion he has been a mediocre president. He slept through his first term. He lacked power and courage even when Democrats had control of both the Senate and the House. He was caught unaware (or pretended so) when NSA spying became public. He promised a lot, accomplished little. A half baked healthcare "reform". What else? He continued with the policies GW Bush. Guantanamo is still there. He did not fight for the interests of the common people. He failed the trust of people who supported him. I voted for him twice and I am very disappointed with his leadership. Yes, he is black, sexy to some, smart, well educated, but those add no value to the outcome at the end.
2
Ms. Dowd, what, pray tell, does the cost of President Obama's sunglasses have to do with how much the Chinese decide to charge for tea?
I know that you are a columnist and paid for your opinion, but it would be so much more valuable to the readers if such petty spite was left out of it.
I know that you are a columnist and paid for your opinion, but it would be so much more valuable to the readers if such petty spite was left out of it.
19
Just when you think tone-deaf Obama can't get more out of touch, Obama just announced his plans to commit high treason by admitting even more refugees against the law, against the will of Congress, and against the will of The People.
One can't help but question Obama's mental state. He's withdrawn into a fantasy world where reality is ignored.
One can't help but question Obama's mental state. He's withdrawn into a fantasy world where reality is ignored.
4
The president can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball.
-------------------------------------
He can go to a ballgame with a dictator and do a shleepy tango in Argentina while the DRONES keep their eyes on the "ball". When the much awaited drone report comes out, we will know how many sleazebags were killed and how many more innocents were wiped out by his commands.
Optics matter and this guy does not get it. Somehow, when there is a mass shooting not involving a Jihadist, he manages to bring on his waterworks and show uncanny emotion.
-------------------------------------
He can go to a ballgame with a dictator and do a shleepy tango in Argentina while the DRONES keep their eyes on the "ball". When the much awaited drone report comes out, we will know how many sleazebags were killed and how many more innocents were wiped out by his commands.
Optics matter and this guy does not get it. Somehow, when there is a mass shooting not involving a Jihadist, he manages to bring on his waterworks and show uncanny emotion.
4
You forgot Ft Hood and his administration describing that terror attack as "workplace violence." And sticking to it.
3
Obama has to whitewash his support for and enabling of terrorism
3
Everybody screams "do something and do it now!" Instead the President does the math and tries to solve big problems, one little problem at a time. It may not satisfy the media that demands dramatic moves and instant results, but it does tend to avoid doing incredibly rash and foolish things like invading Iraq to show that we are tough. If you look at what has actually happened in the USA in the last 7 years and measure it against what has happened in the rest of the world, it's impossible to conclude that we have been led astray. Isn't that a lot better than being led into an unnecessary war while tanking the economy by someone you'd rather have a beer with?
14
No one can live up to Maureen Dowd's ever-changing standards of political dexterity.
4
"Obama’s military leaders announced that they had killed two top ISIS leaders."
Those are not Obama's military leaders, they are U.S. military officers. We are not another Cuba, at least not yet.
Those are not Obama's military leaders, they are U.S. military officers. We are not another Cuba, at least not yet.
5
The chief of the Military, is the Commander in Chief, OUR PRESIDENT, even yours!. And the buck stops at him, for good, or for bad.
14
Jaundiced much, Ms. Dowd? Your Man of Ice in his Fortress of Solitude openly wept over yet another shooting, nearly choked up over Sandy Hook, did a pretty fair bro-hug over Hurricane Sandy, looks with passion on his wife and daughters, and manages to inspire many of us with his resolve in the face of relentless, hateful, and largely unfounded opposition and obst. From their depths in the wake of Dubya and Darth's murderous ramble through the world, global opinion of America and Americans has risen to levels we had to no right to expect again so soon.
21
Has Maureen Dowd forgotten how upset President Obama got after the mass shootings caused by our own citizens on our own innocent children and adults? I shall never forget. I also remember how hard he worked to end the ease with which it could happen again. Maybe he has no more tears.
He'll be my hero as long as I live!
He'll be my hero as long as I live!
24
As a news junkie, I always check with Dowd on her days, as I do with the rest of the horses in the NYT stable. But, how many more times do I have to read this same column? Jeez louise, we get it. Obama has a contained presentation, and doesn't schmooze well. Somehow the implication is that if this guy would have followed the Dowd recommendations, he'd have fallen in with the good ol' boys in the GOP and they all would had them a hell of a barbecue. But no.
Perhaps the next occupant of your beat will be more to your liking. Mr. Trump does seem to have an emotional side.
A few more things:
1) Comparing Limbaugh's mean-spiritedness with Larry Wilmore's teasing comments… Really?
2) It's weird that you clearly understand that Obama's "cool" approach to terrorism is more effective than fulminating at a podium about things that could never happen, yet still criticize Obama's attitude. It's like, personal.
3) Compare number of deaths from terrorism in U.S. to "active shooters" at the mall, movie theater, schools, etc. Then compare federal spending on anti-terrorism to … whatever we are doing about domestic gun violence.
Perhaps the next occupant of your beat will be more to your liking. Mr. Trump does seem to have an emotional side.
A few more things:
1) Comparing Limbaugh's mean-spiritedness with Larry Wilmore's teasing comments… Really?
2) It's weird that you clearly understand that Obama's "cool" approach to terrorism is more effective than fulminating at a podium about things that could never happen, yet still criticize Obama's attitude. It's like, personal.
3) Compare number of deaths from terrorism in U.S. to "active shooters" at the mall, movie theater, schools, etc. Then compare federal spending on anti-terrorism to … whatever we are doing about domestic gun violence.
11
Maureen does not like President Obama. This is not news. She is willfully blind to several things: his intelligence and grace, his thoughtfulness, his ability to remain calm and articulate despite all of the provocation not to be, and his ability to get things done despite the GOP blocking any action he takes in the House and the Senate. She chides him for using executive orders without acknowledging the GOP pledge to make his a failed presidency by denying any and everything he wanted to do. The President brings a cool intellect to issues and problems, no doubt in part to the training he received in law school as a method of parsing problems. He has borne the scorn of the opposition with grace and humour. His heart has shown on more than one occasion when there has been tragedy in the US. Maureen is like Goldilocks - he will always be too hot or too cold (by analogy) and never just right. I believe that he will be seen through the lens of history as one of the US's great presidents. At least Maureen acknowledges in the last sentence that he can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball.
By the way, I give him kudos for his tango. To do that in public was brave. It could have been fodder for lots of late night jokes had he been bad at it.
By the way, I give him kudos for his tango. To do that in public was brave. It could have been fodder for lots of late night jokes had he been bad at it.
25
The "King of Drones" has shifted our military focus from counter-insurgency(winning hearts and minds) to counter-terrorism (managing kill lists) without much heat because the detractors are stuck in an old partisan narrative about Obama being incapable of keeping us safe. Meanwhile, an inept , impotent and borderline seditious congress hurls insults from the peanut gallery. I'm pretty sure we won't kill terrorism one jihadist at a time but what to do when congress can only criticize not act?
3
So tired of Dowd. Her shtick needs an update at least.
8
Sorry Joe, women are allowed to work outside the home
1
This column bu Maureen Dowd is caustic, and it's fair, and my main regret about this election is that I cannot vote for this President again.
8
We get it Maureen, you're not fond of Obama! You need to grow from there already.
8
He is too cool for school, as you said. He no more has his eye on the ball than Ted Cruz is a nice guy. Obama has shown over and over that he is only interested in himself and has not a clue about presidential optics.
As to W, yes, we should not have invaded Iraq. It did destabilize the Middle East. But too cool for school did us no favors by running away and abandoning the mess made in Iraq. Obama is as much to blame as W for ISIS The elite need to come to grips with this. Imagine if we had fled Europe after 1945, or Japan or Korea. Gosh, Maureen, we would have had to go back in and fight to free these areas again. All it takes is a little awareness of where you are in history. Something the POTUS has no grasp of
As to W, yes, we should not have invaded Iraq. It did destabilize the Middle East. But too cool for school did us no favors by running away and abandoning the mess made in Iraq. Obama is as much to blame as W for ISIS The elite need to come to grips with this. Imagine if we had fled Europe after 1945, or Japan or Korea. Gosh, Maureen, we would have had to go back in and fight to free these areas again. All it takes is a little awareness of where you are in history. Something the POTUS has no grasp of
1
George W. Bush negotiated the Status of Forces agreement that took us out of Iraq. Iraq insisted, that is right, insisted that we remove ALL of our forces from Iraq. Those are the facts.
10
Applause and a fond farewell to one of our best Presidents. Having myself witnessed and endured 7 years of politically vicious, racially vicious comments about him, to which I remained silent at all times, for better or worse. The Republicans failed to derail his spirit, his intellect, no matter how ludicrous their behavior, always racially tinged, as it was. Kudos Barack. Godspeed to you and yours. Cool Hand Luke all the way.
17
A letter below illiterates it, I will say it. i am quite fond on Obama and what he has been able to do. He has come through with grace under fire, and yes, they did not like him because he was black, case closed.
But really. I'm 57 and I would say the United States IS unraveling internally. People are still to close to loosing everything if they miss a paycheck. The wingnuts and profiteers have made our national K-12 schools somewhat dysfunctional. People cannot secure housing, on and on.
If we were not so closed to teetering on collapse there would be no Donald Trump-take it as an omen, Americans and let it sink in how far we've sunk since Reagan promised the exact opposite 35 years ago.
But really. I'm 57 and I would say the United States IS unraveling internally. People are still to close to loosing everything if they miss a paycheck. The wingnuts and profiteers have made our national K-12 schools somewhat dysfunctional. People cannot secure housing, on and on.
If we were not so closed to teetering on collapse there would be no Donald Trump-take it as an omen, Americans and let it sink in how far we've sunk since Reagan promised the exact opposite 35 years ago.
2
The only time Obama really seems to show any emotion is when he attacks Republicans. I wish he could display emotion like that when he denounces terrorists. But that always seems to be when he is most blasé
2
It may be that an accurate evaluation of a President can't be made until he's been out of office half a century or so - but as for the present, it's likely we can regard this Presidency as truly significant, today as well as in future. Here's an inherently decent sort, a gracious and capable mind, who established a near-monumental precedent by being the first person of color to hold the office.
Unfortunately, that status of color precipitated a racism-based tantrum and a determination by the political opposition to ruin this Presidency. An historian's study will doubtless conclude that this opposition was, long-term, a failure, and that, given the turbulent nature of the time, this President has acted prudently and well.
Mr. Obama has his imperfections, as do we all. He will be remembered as an achieving office-holder, and positively.
Unfortunately, that status of color precipitated a racism-based tantrum and a determination by the political opposition to ruin this Presidency. An historian's study will doubtless conclude that this opposition was, long-term, a failure, and that, given the turbulent nature of the time, this President has acted prudently and well.
Mr. Obama has his imperfections, as do we all. He will be remembered as an achieving office-holder, and positively.
22
ISIS didn't exist before Obummer's precipitous flight from Iraq. Revisionist leftists...7 years and no responsibility for the shattered world peace? Shameless.
2
It was President Bush who decided on the pullout date. You have the revisionist history. Bush did not want it happening on his watch.
12
Shows zero common sense
Golf when throats are slit
Baseball and tango during blmbings
Golf when throats are slit
Baseball and tango during blmbings
1
Obama has been criticized for wearing Mom jeans and now, assailed for wearing expensive designer sunglasses. And so it is with this column; a man who is too detached to be cool or too cool to attach? Is he supposed to toss those shades to Jeter and Air-Force-One-it over to Brussels to help sweep up debris or is he supposed to keep his schedule opening up relations with Cuba for the first time in 55 years? That's the problem with Obama; he's not a messiah and he is never going to ask Dowd to the prom. He is just a very steady guy no matter how you dress him.
25
Obama lives in an alternative universe. When the twin towers were attacked, even the Queen of England played the Star Spangled Banner in a show of unity. She was not out laughing doing some dance pretending that Islamic terrorism doesn't exist. Obama' foreign policies have been disastrous 100% of the time, and Hillary could be named a founding member of ISIS.
4
Maureen, as long as you can accompany this closet muslim fraud on his latest boondoggle, riding Air Force One at our expense, you can gush about how great this disaster of a president is. And to correct you, ISIS was not born by GWB liberating the Iraqis, but obama pulling out all American troops against the advice of all his military advisors. Obama and democrats own ISIS. They created this mess and Bush can't be blamed for this.
5
You can really revise history, can't you...?
13
He can tell the truth
3
I knocked on doors for President Obama both times he ran ... Never felt better of any civic action I've done ... Proud of him and his wonderful family ... Happy that he always seems to try do the right thing and thinks way past the bump of the day ...
Maureen ... You are even handed in your coverage ... Thanks for your column today ...
Maureen ... You are even handed in your coverage ... Thanks for your column today ...
4
And while he was doing the tango in Havana, his Special Ops team in Syria were zeroing in on one of the highest chieftains in ISIS, and they got him. So put that in your hat and eat it, boo-birds on the right.
People don't get that this guy does not panic, does not need to appear on an Aircraft carrier with a sign saying "Mission Accomplished" behind him.
"American Special Operations forces in eastern Syria killed a top Islamic State commander this week, Pentagon officials said Friday, part of a months long campaign the Obama administration boasts is eviscerating the Islamic State even as the group continues to demonstrate the power to sow violence in Western Europe."
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/26/world/middleeast/abd-al-rahman-mustafa...
People don't get that this guy does not panic, does not need to appear on an Aircraft carrier with a sign saying "Mission Accomplished" behind him.
"American Special Operations forces in eastern Syria killed a top Islamic State commander this week, Pentagon officials said Friday, part of a months long campaign the Obama administration boasts is eviscerating the Islamic State even as the group continues to demonstrate the power to sow violence in Western Europe."
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/26/world/middleeast/abd-al-rahman-mustafa...
20
Maybe Maureen is missing the days when a US POTUS barfed at his host's table as happened with her beloved elder Bush in Japan. She was more forgiving then I guess.
Maybe she will lighten up on Obama when he leaves office. The rest of us like him plenty right now.
19
You don't speak for "the rest of us". By the way, Obama's public approval rating is at an all time low.
1
Barack Obama's Presidential Job Approval Ratings from Gallup
Most recent weekly average
50
Mar 14-20, 2016
Term average to date
47
Jan 20, 2009-present
High point, weekly average
67
Jan 21-25, 2009
Low point, weekly average
40
12 times, most recently Nov 3-9, 2014
Most recent weekly average
50
Mar 14-20, 2016
Term average to date
47
Jan 20, 2009-present
High point, weekly average
67
Jan 21-25, 2009
Low point, weekly average
40
12 times, most recently Nov 3-9, 2014
10
Bottom line? We all have reason to regret that he can't serve a third term. He is far and away superior to all of his potential replacements.
37
What value would have been added to President Obama cutting his trip short to Cuba and South America to return home in the wake of the Belgium terrorist attacks, twiddle his thumbs? To his detractors, can he not, has he not done anything right other then spell his name correctly since being elected (and re-elected if I recall correctly)? The very thing terrorism strives to do is disrupt peaceful citizen's ordinary day-to-day ways of life. Because every time there's a terrorist attack he doesn't cave and become visibly moved, doesn't signal incompetence or weakness. He's been opposed pretty much at every turn, yet it seems the party that always looks inept and a bunch of fools is the party hardwired in opposition to him or anything he attempts to accomplish, the latest is opposing nomination hearings for a vacancy on the Supreme Court, clearly a constitutional responsibility, the ringleader being none other then Sen. Majority Leader Mitch "my number one job is to ensure he (then President Elect Obama upon being elected POTUS) doesn't get re-elected" McConnell. Well, we see how that turned out. Yes, optics do play a part in our politics and it appears the Right have a larger problem brewing in their potential Presidential nominee Donald Trump, what about his "optics" and rhetoric. But, his rise is also our president’s fault, right? Know this though, your anti-President Obama everything has in fact given rise to likes of Donald Trump and all he advocates. Reaping that sown!
12
"He feels that fanatics who are not an existential threat to us want to disrupt our lives and we should not let them; that more people die slipping in their bathtubs than in terrorist attacks."
The US suffers the equivalent of Brussels everyday before lunchtime. A tiny collection of nut cases or a lone wolf commits mass murder is Obama's fault? Statistics will show that homegrown "Christians" are a much larger terrorist threat in the US than ISIS. Obama is correct. You appear to be too emotional and unable to intelligently assess the terrorist threat.
The US suffers the equivalent of Brussels everyday before lunchtime. A tiny collection of nut cases or a lone wolf commits mass murder is Obama's fault? Statistics will show that homegrown "Christians" are a much larger terrorist threat in the US than ISIS. Obama is correct. You appear to be too emotional and unable to intelligently assess the terrorist threat.
18
Obama has proved, time and again, he is smarter, better, more sophisticated, wiser, and much more forward thinking than his critics, whom have tried, with increasing desperation and wihtout success, to smear him. The GOP's hatred and despicable attacks against him have spawned the likes of Trump and Cruz, making the president seem even more admirable by comparison.
27
Absolutely right. The President can go to a ballgame and keep his eye on the ball.
There will be suffering in this world, horrible suffering regardless of the actions the United States takes. This certainly means you try and do the right thing, but without the delusion it is going to fix everything. The President has learned this and I am glad that he has because few politicians or citizens have learned it.
They persist in the idea that you do the right thing and suffering disappears, and that is true as the Buddha pointed out is only true if what you do is accept suffering as part of the human condition. Birth, old age,sickness and death are not belief systems--they are the things that all humans experience one way or another. Obama has been developing wisdom and this is usually misunderstood by the majority or seen, sadly, as ignorance. It would be great if the majority always is wise, but while sometimes true,it is not always true. I am glad we have a President who for the moment does not think he can fix everything because the only way this works is to keep your eyes from looking fully at the consequences of your actions.
There will be suffering in this world, horrible suffering regardless of the actions the United States takes. This certainly means you try and do the right thing, but without the delusion it is going to fix everything. The President has learned this and I am glad that he has because few politicians or citizens have learned it.
They persist in the idea that you do the right thing and suffering disappears, and that is true as the Buddha pointed out is only true if what you do is accept suffering as part of the human condition. Birth, old age,sickness and death are not belief systems--they are the things that all humans experience one way or another. Obama has been developing wisdom and this is usually misunderstood by the majority or seen, sadly, as ignorance. It would be great if the majority always is wise, but while sometimes true,it is not always true. I am glad we have a President who for the moment does not think he can fix everything because the only way this works is to keep your eyes from looking fully at the consequences of your actions.
13
Thank you for your Buddhist perspective and I suspect in the face of tragedy and calumny President Obama has come to see this. It is difficult to find right action, right occupation and right views without constantly developing a calm mind, a recognition of the constancy of change and compassion for the suffering.
5
Again with the above-the-fray accusation, like it was his idea to be cool and aloof. It was the only real option left to him by the teeming rabble of under-the-radar race baiters in in Congress who vowed from the beginning to prevent him from doing anything.
Anything.
This is and was the classiest president -- and presidential family -- in a century, and maybe ever. That fact, and it is a fact, is made more clear by the day with candidates on the GOP said boasting about their genitals, deriding women, taking about copulating with rats with rats and just generally foaming at the mouth and running in circles with their pants down.
They aren't fit to drive past the White House, let alone step inside it.
Anything.
This is and was the classiest president -- and presidential family -- in a century, and maybe ever. That fact, and it is a fact, is made more clear by the day with candidates on the GOP said boasting about their genitals, deriding women, taking about copulating with rats with rats and just generally foaming at the mouth and running in circles with their pants down.
They aren't fit to drive past the White House, let alone step inside it.
27
Actually the tango isnt really about "vertical solitude". It is a pretty intense interaction with one's partner.
Being "presidential" doesnt need to be about ripping one's hair out and screaming about one's "hand size".
I like the No Drama Obama.
20
I've been a consistent, though sometimes challenged, supporter of the President. Grateful to see that time has affected Ms. Dowd and, as time often does, effected a change. This morning I thought about what was different in the great recession compared to the great depression. President Hoover was, to all accounts, decent man. But, his action, or failure to respond, to 1929 left our country in a terrible situation. FDR's acts probably saved us from the kind of turmoil and potential for civil disruptions that could have put us into peril for our way of life. Obama was a gift from heaven. What do you think would have happened had Mr. Romney won? The President steered our country away from the dangerous rocks and icebergs. And he continues to do so. I fret about the future, as old men are wont to do. But I trust my fellow citizens to put someone in office who will do as little harm as possible. We will vote for the least bad. Our fellow Americans who favor the Republicans need to vote against their party's choice. I suspect that the Republican vote may not be controlling; but a resounding rebuke for the existing candidates will send a message to the Republican party and our foreign neighbors that all of the people cannot be fooled this time. I hope for vote like Goldwater v. Johnson.
10
It's interesting that President Obama gets criticized on his reaction to both the Paris and the Brussels bombings. Between both incidents there were ISIS bombings in Lebanon, Nigeria, and Iraq with comparable casualties. Yet, our broadcast media did not not immediately transition into 24/7 coverage nor were there any comments on what the President was doing. So is this "Optics" or simply our institutionalized racism?
12
Yes, the Obama tangle was a good metaphor for his last few month, when we hope he will dance away to some historical graveyard of other failed presidencies. He started with such hope, but his arrogant, and lofty ideals, combined with his ability to simply ignore the obligation of the US to wear the badge of leadership, has left this country in a terrible and dangerous fix.
It is beyond belief that Obama could care less about the ISIS tragedy and considers their attack as "workplace" violence, or that they are not our problem. He thinks that by him and his lackey Secretary of State can simply state "we are winning" or as he said in the past they are simply a "JV team" and all is well. And, domestically, by refusing to work with the opposition in Congress as Clinton did, that he can instead bully his way through, via executive order, has failed to accomplish other than ramming through the horrendous Obama Care bill. Had he tried to work with others to craft a working health care bill, it was 'his way or the highway" and now our children and mostly grandchildren will be left with this monstrosity.
So, now he will hopefully dance off to oblivion to join the other great loser, Carter, and we might have someone as president who can hopefully clean up the mess and restore our international image and role as world leader. However, the 'chosen one' might prevail, and give us Obama's third term, and lead us further into the domestic and international morass we are in.
It is beyond belief that Obama could care less about the ISIS tragedy and considers their attack as "workplace" violence, or that they are not our problem. He thinks that by him and his lackey Secretary of State can simply state "we are winning" or as he said in the past they are simply a "JV team" and all is well. And, domestically, by refusing to work with the opposition in Congress as Clinton did, that he can instead bully his way through, via executive order, has failed to accomplish other than ramming through the horrendous Obama Care bill. Had he tried to work with others to craft a working health care bill, it was 'his way or the highway" and now our children and mostly grandchildren will be left with this monstrosity.
So, now he will hopefully dance off to oblivion to join the other great loser, Carter, and we might have someone as president who can hopefully clean up the mess and restore our international image and role as world leader. However, the 'chosen one' might prevail, and give us Obama's third term, and lead us further into the domestic and international morass we are in.
3
Hyper partisan blinders, much? Free speech is not at all free; but nonetheless open to all with mere opinions.
7
Sorry, but Obama is hardly an impeccable role model. His purposely divisive statements regarding anyone who disagrees with him are repugnant. Remember his comments attacking Paul Ryan in public at an event that was supposed to bring the parties together? Or calling out the Supreme Court justices at the State of the Union? How about his selective commentaries after tragic events? No wonder the police (and word has it) the Secret Service morale are so low.
His supporters confuse "cool" response with passivity and it certainly would not hurt him to show some empathy -- not just with those who agree with him, but all Americans.
Ms. Dowd repeats her familiar trope of GWB ruining the Middle East, without mentioning the mis-steps made by Obama in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Turkey. To say that ISIS is the child of GWB policy is just ridiculous -- did Al Qaeda, from whom ISIS sprouted -- also the result of GWB? Of course not.
Obama's message on terrorism seems to be "we'll get them eventually and don't worry, we can tolerate some collateral damage on our side, but none on the other". And, he continues to make analogies that make no sense -- comparing terrorism to falls in a bathtub. This is the mark of a lazy intellect and his supporters fall for it every time.
As for putting him on Mt. Rushmore? First, he doesn't deserve it and second, he wouldn't want to share the space.
His supporters confuse "cool" response with passivity and it certainly would not hurt him to show some empathy -- not just with those who agree with him, but all Americans.
Ms. Dowd repeats her familiar trope of GWB ruining the Middle East, without mentioning the mis-steps made by Obama in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Turkey. To say that ISIS is the child of GWB policy is just ridiculous -- did Al Qaeda, from whom ISIS sprouted -- also the result of GWB? Of course not.
Obama's message on terrorism seems to be "we'll get them eventually and don't worry, we can tolerate some collateral damage on our side, but none on the other". And, he continues to make analogies that make no sense -- comparing terrorism to falls in a bathtub. This is the mark of a lazy intellect and his supporters fall for it every time.
As for putting him on Mt. Rushmore? First, he doesn't deserve it and second, he wouldn't want to share the space.
3
Very right. Despite revisionist claims, Iraq was fairly stable in 2010, before we withdrew our troops. That presence kept pressure on the secular political parties to keep working together, to form a functional government. Once we left, the inevitable power vacuum destroyed the fragile power structure. Syria too, was ruined by our intervention. Assad may be a dictator, but he protected religious minorities and kept the country stable and free of Islamic extremists. By Obama's tacit support his overthrow, we threw the region into chaos. That led to the rise of ISIS, which was not an offshoot of al Queda, but an entirely new Muslim terror group. To blame President Bush for the pre-surge mess in Iraq is reasonable. To blame him for the present problems is delusional.
3
The withdrawal from Iraq was already negotiated by the Bush Administration before Obama was sworn in. The "president" of Iraq was not amenable to continued American presence in his country so American troops left as scheduled.
Syria was in a civil war before American intervention. In other words, chaos was already underway.
Syria was in a civil war before American intervention. In other words, chaos was already underway.
11
"I traveled with the president to Havana..." you lucky duck. When one considers your rudeness and denigration of President Obama these past eight years, many would have thrown you under the bus and rolled right on over. I think this speaks more to the magnanimous and egalitarian generosity of a truly kind and caring person than you deserve. Maybe you now better understand the adage, "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."
28
Lecturing foreign hosts is expected of todays American presidents - incredibly rude and counter-productive.
4
Obama looked absolutely foolish trying to dance the Argentine Tango, and his partner, while polite, must have been laughing internally. Anyone who knows anything about this most elegant dance knows that. Stick to basketball.
1
Maureen, are you softening in your twilight years, or simply unable to come up with any attack more stinging than "too cool for school". Are you really telling us that more ballpark franks and brew would have softened Republican lock-step-opposition to anything President Obama has proposed? Has he been responsible for the gridlock in Congress? Really? Even the Republicans don't claim that. They criticize him for doing too much, for going around their roadblocks.
Go re-play his speeches and your charge about detachment - failure to viscerally connect and vigorously persuade - will fall on its face. You would have to be too detached if his inspirational speeches did not run chills up your spine and his speeches about gun tragedies did not bring tears to your eyes. You would have to be un-persuadable if his speeches about race or about rights did not soften your biases.
But, perhaps you are softening. Earlier in your career, if Hillary had done the tango, your article would have been all about her hair, her legs, her weak chin, her insincere smile. And, what you would have done to Bernie couldn't be printed.
You could get your old fire back by using all of the material that Trump and Cruz are putting out there each day. They aren't too cool for school. The first is Too Dangerous to Go Alone and both are Too Dangerous for a Lady.
Go re-play his speeches and your charge about detachment - failure to viscerally connect and vigorously persuade - will fall on its face. You would have to be too detached if his inspirational speeches did not run chills up your spine and his speeches about gun tragedies did not bring tears to your eyes. You would have to be un-persuadable if his speeches about race or about rights did not soften your biases.
But, perhaps you are softening. Earlier in your career, if Hillary had done the tango, your article would have been all about her hair, her legs, her weak chin, her insincere smile. And, what you would have done to Bernie couldn't be printed.
You could get your old fire back by using all of the material that Trump and Cruz are putting out there each day. They aren't too cool for school. The first is Too Dangerous to Go Alone and both are Too Dangerous for a Lady.
5
We're down to picking on his sunglasses? Really?! How much did you're beloved W spend on his?
Endless snark, fresh from the D.C. cocktail circuit.
Endless snark, fresh from the D.C. cocktail circuit.
8
your last line should have been your lede. eight years and you never got traction with president obama. trump takes your call though. of course, trump will talk to the brooklyn paper. so don't get too excited.
4
Maureen,
Your Obama snark is really tedious. I wonder why the Times continues to give you ink. I only give you an Evelyn Wood's reading because you are so predictable. With all he was saddled with from the beginning and all the avowed opposition to anything he attempted, i think he's done an amazing job. He had a very steep learning curve and no good will from Congress. Of course he's seemed isolated because he was.
You should go work as a docent at the George W. Bush Library for penance.
Your Obama snark is really tedious. I wonder why the Times continues to give you ink. I only give you an Evelyn Wood's reading because you are so predictable. With all he was saddled with from the beginning and all the avowed opposition to anything he attempted, i think he's done an amazing job. He had a very steep learning curve and no good will from Congress. Of course he's seemed isolated because he was.
You should go work as a docent at the George W. Bush Library for penance.
11
Just say for arguments sake that GW did created ISIS. Does the next president ignore the problem because it was GW's fault? Does he fully disengage troops from the fragile new democracy in Iraq against the advice of his military commanders, the CIA director, defense intelligence director and many others just to fulfill a campaign promise? Was he not warned that we would just have to go back in under worse circumstances and is that now not what is happening? Did he not stand by month after month while ISIS swept across the Syrian border to take over town after town committing horrible atrocities and smugly call them the JV team? GW may have created the smoldering coals of ISIS but Obama threw the gasoline on the fire that is now burning out of control by foolishly pulling all troops out of Iraq.
2
I fail to see how Obama rushing back to Washington to respond to a terrorist in Brussels makes any sense at all. That's not the way the world works any more. Air Force One has as much communications power as the White House.
11
You're smart and funny, and always a good read. But you don't help. You will be so sorry when Obama is gone. I know I will, and I'm not even a Democrat!
8
Every political junky should make a pilgrimage to the LBJ museum in Austin, TX and a side trip West to his ranch. Listen to the tapes he secretly made of phone conversations. Whether you agree with what he did or not, you have to admire the direct, hands on approach he took to getting his ideas turned into actions. My favorite is when he tries to get Katherine Graham of the Washington Post to run a story about how Senators and Congressmen were spending their vacations. He thought, with tongue deeply and obviously in cheek, what the readers might think about their highly paid representatives off partying instead of working on the long list of things LBJ wanted to get done.
Contrast what you hear in these calls with Obama, who I have always called "The Meeting Facilitator", comfortable at the white board, recording what other people are saying.
Contrast what you hear in these calls with Obama, who I have always called "The Meeting Facilitator", comfortable at the white board, recording what other people are saying.
2
A Dowd column about Obama that doesn't trash Obama? That doesn't call him "Barry?" Mirabile visu. . .
4
I am not a fan of the president, but I wished he can preside another term. I did not vote for him, and on many topics disagree with him. But, as a father of a military recruit, I value the president's levelheadedness and disinterest in the incitement of hysteria. I find him adherent to American values on almost all topics.
Like him or not, what good would do us, if we toppled Assad, as many world leaders tried to entice us to do. Vis a vis Iraq, If we stayed to protect the antiSunni regime, we would suffer a lot more casualties. The president has been ostracized as unfriendly to Israel while the truth is that Netanyahu has derailed the peace process and abandoned the principal of 2 states solutions, built a wall to make sure pupils do not mix. I tried my best to dislike him, but petty leadership does not make good policy. His leadership quality is essential; minus the arrogance!
Like him or not, what good would do us, if we toppled Assad, as many world leaders tried to entice us to do. Vis a vis Iraq, If we stayed to protect the antiSunni regime, we would suffer a lot more casualties. The president has been ostracized as unfriendly to Israel while the truth is that Netanyahu has derailed the peace process and abandoned the principal of 2 states solutions, built a wall to make sure pupils do not mix. I tried my best to dislike him, but petty leadership does not make good policy. His leadership quality is essential; minus the arrogance!
15
Wow! Well said.
3
Maureen Dowd, master of the mixed message. As if the retail price of his sunglasses or the identity of the person sitting next to him (a reknowned American baseball player acting as cultural ambassador) has any bearing on the substance of Obama's policies. When will you yourself stop pandering, Ms. Dowd?
6
OOF. This was dreary. Please stick to writing fluff pieces about the entertainment industry, your column has become a chore.
11
Wait until we've had a new President in place until any comparisons are made. I think Mr. Obama will hold his own very well indeed. JGAIA-
8
For all his dignity and aplomb, perhaps the most damaging element oif Obama's legacy has been his style--the a-political politician, the man who despised democratic politics in the sense in which Clinton and LBJ, for example, relished it, but who nevertheless wanted the political system to do his bidding (based, I suppose, on his superior insight and refined sense of justice). This played right into Republican obstruction, even giving it a rationale, and on the other hand, inclined Obama to the weak leader's excuse of executive action in place of legislative consensus, which he not only couldn't, but wouldn't seek. And so he worsened the precedent established by Bush W.
3
It is about time Dowd got something right about this president. She has been to now here usual snarky know it all self about things she could never even begin to know how to do: lead a nation and lead the world.
10
Madame Dowd and her Salon continue their endeavors to blame the Middle East situation on George W. Bush. Had Truman left Germany, as Obama left Iraq, what world would we be in today?
1
Francis Drake was playing a game of bowls when told of the approach of the Spanish Armada. He replied, "We have plenty of time to finish the game and defeat the Spaniards.
Possibly apocryphal, although not for Obama, who also killed Osama while slaying Trump at the correspondents dinner.
Possibly apocryphal, although not for Obama, who also killed Osama while slaying Trump at the correspondents dinner.
10
If only mr obama had managed to to read my pet goat to some cuban children he would be even more respected...
Oh...wait
Oh...wait
4
Bravo President Obama! He has some smooth moves! Apparently Rush Limbaugh does not know the difference between Flamenco and Tango......which are worlds apart...so much for the cultural education of the GOP's so-called "leaders". More people who don't know what they don't know. As an American I feel embarrassed by their stupidity...the world is watching us.
8
Ms. Dowd writes, "The tango has been described as vertical solitude. And this president is all about vertical solitude."
I have never heard the tango described as "vertical solitude," so I googled the phrase. The only literary reference I found was on page 496 of the 2005 book, "Bushworld: Enter At Your Own Risk." in this passage describing Senator John Kerry:
'Like that other earnest Massachusetts liberal, Michael Dukakis, he is drawn to the sultry tango. (Then again, tango is called the dance of “vertical solitude.”)'
Author of this "Bushworld" book? Maureen Dowd.
Isn't there some kind of journalism rule about plagiarizing yourself?
And who next will she apply this odd phrase to -- a phrase that more accurately describes the spasmodic dance moves of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' character "Elaine Benes" on Seinfeld?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY_DF2Af3LM
Now THAT's vertical solitude. Last time I checked the tango is danced in pairs.
I have never heard the tango described as "vertical solitude," so I googled the phrase. The only literary reference I found was on page 496 of the 2005 book, "Bushworld: Enter At Your Own Risk." in this passage describing Senator John Kerry:
'Like that other earnest Massachusetts liberal, Michael Dukakis, he is drawn to the sultry tango. (Then again, tango is called the dance of “vertical solitude.”)'
Author of this "Bushworld" book? Maureen Dowd.
Isn't there some kind of journalism rule about plagiarizing yourself?
And who next will she apply this odd phrase to -- a phrase that more accurately describes the spasmodic dance moves of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' character "Elaine Benes" on Seinfeld?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY_DF2Af3LM
Now THAT's vertical solitude. Last time I checked the tango is danced in pairs.
9
Thanks for the good laugh, and for outing her quoting herself - "It's been called ..." when she's the one who called it that - that strikes me as really summing up Maureen Dowd. More than a little too impressed with herself.
8
I love this. He is a gentleman being a perfect guest. In true Argentine Tango, both become one dancer. This is not the case here. Being a dancer myself, I admire and appreciate Obama's very proper position, which is not authentic to true Argentine Tango.
4
In true Argentine Tango, both become one dancer.
-----------------------------------
Thank God he did not become 'one' with the hot partner. He then would have had to deal with a hotter Michelle and changed locks in his WH bedroom.
-----------------------------------
Thank God he did not become 'one' with the hot partner. He then would have had to deal with a hotter Michelle and changed locks in his WH bedroom.
2
Yah, it's really important to show us the optics of the presidents trip, tell us how we should consider them good or bad. In which case, a thousand pictures are worth a Dowd word. I didn't know Obama was an extravagant, impliedly shallow guy who wears really expensive sunglasses. The public needs to know this stiff. And standing next to Jeter. Wow! That would be so cool if it weren't that Ms. Dowd doesn't think it's cool.
We need to know what a tiny talent from Comedy Central wagged about the president, or fie! that our need to know would come with a little vial of Limbaugh venom. And we especially need to be told that Mr. Obama is "self-consciously alone", which is kinda hard to imagine without the help of Ms. Dowd. Maybe if you don't know what self-reflection is, you say things like self-consciously alone instead.
Yes, and the president absolutely fails to connect with people. Like when he spoke about the slaughtered kids in Sandy Hook, those were crocodile tears, like. Sure, I get that. And I completely agree his 'failure' should surely keep him off ticky tacky Mt. Rushmore.
It's a wonder Obama was ever elected, being so incapable of connecting viscerally and his lip curling and all. If he just were a republican, he'd turn on the water works in a split second and be "more emotionally responsive." He could rant and rave, in unctuous ways a la Cruz or spew an empty word or two, a la the Trump.
Obama just doesn't measure up. And thanks for showing us.
.
We need to know what a tiny talent from Comedy Central wagged about the president, or fie! that our need to know would come with a little vial of Limbaugh venom. And we especially need to be told that Mr. Obama is "self-consciously alone", which is kinda hard to imagine without the help of Ms. Dowd. Maybe if you don't know what self-reflection is, you say things like self-consciously alone instead.
Yes, and the president absolutely fails to connect with people. Like when he spoke about the slaughtered kids in Sandy Hook, those were crocodile tears, like. Sure, I get that. And I completely agree his 'failure' should surely keep him off ticky tacky Mt. Rushmore.
It's a wonder Obama was ever elected, being so incapable of connecting viscerally and his lip curling and all. If he just were a republican, he'd turn on the water works in a split second and be "more emotionally responsive." He could rant and rave, in unctuous ways a la Cruz or spew an empty word or two, a la the Trump.
Obama just doesn't measure up. And thanks for showing us.
.
13
He was too cool for school and looked down his nose at Congress and dirty hands. He wanted to please everyone, and those of us who supported him learned we got Spock instead. His early praise for Reagan instead of FDR, LBJ and other presidents who actually cared about the middle class presaged the Tea Party who took him and our nation to the cleaners.
1
Sigh...at least with Dowd we know what we're going to get: supposedly clever observations too precocious by half. Perhaps her appeal lies in her ability to keep us hoping for more.
4
I disagree with Dowd’s hysteria that the American people needed President Obama because they felt all alone. The President decided to remain in Argentina because he did what seemed best. By remaining clam he was sending a strong message to Isis that the President of the United States and its people weren’t in fear. Besides, the President had full access to intelligence and other means in order to determine whether this country was in danger of any attack.
Undoubtedly, Obama has the ability to learn about other country’s culture and what it presents. The President and his wife graciously danced the tango, the “dance of sorrow” because it’s fundamentally, part of Argentina’s culture.
Finally, President Obama has decided to “brush-off” any of the Republican Party’s criticism. Well, my fellow Americans, he’s become unstoppable and I say: Bravo!
Undoubtedly, Obama has the ability to learn about other country’s culture and what it presents. The President and his wife graciously danced the tango, the “dance of sorrow” because it’s fundamentally, part of Argentina’s culture.
Finally, President Obama has decided to “brush-off” any of the Republican Party’s criticism. Well, my fellow Americans, he’s become unstoppable and I say: Bravo!
12
Well, this week we seem to be able to give more than a couple of hundred comments on Ms. Dowd's column...thank you NYTimes for hearing my comment about the limited comments you have been allowing in the past weeks!
Now on to the column itself...
Not as frothy and bubbly as her visit to LaLaLand and the necessity of getting fluffy pancakes from the Beverly Hills Hotel. However, in a world of loud, noisy, quarrelsome Repubs, Ms. Dowd seems to be so much more distracted by BamBam's quiet "dancing."
Guess the subtlety is just lost on her...
Now on to the column itself...
Not as frothy and bubbly as her visit to LaLaLand and the necessity of getting fluffy pancakes from the Beverly Hills Hotel. However, in a world of loud, noisy, quarrelsome Repubs, Ms. Dowd seems to be so much more distracted by BamBam's quiet "dancing."
Guess the subtlety is just lost on her...
3
Maureen: Your column is all over the map. First, you attempt to take down Obama, then you grudgingly concede that he keeps his eye on the ball. When he leaves office, I bet you'll miss him. But he won't miss you. He's too cool for that.
10
President Obama is one of the very few modern Presidents who have shown the ability to play the long game, and that may be one of the most remarkable achievements of his Presidency. Especially given the 24/7 media world.
These achievements include the Iran and Cuban openings, killing of OBL, the degrading of ISIS, the price of gas, the deficit, rate of unemployment, and Obamacare. And I might add, keeping us out of wars.
Playing the long game in Europe and the Mideast requires not rushing in and solving everybody's problems. The Belgiums are realizing that. They are going to have to get their own house in order. Something they have never been expected to do. The same with the Syrian mess. Time for other nations to step up their game, instead of relying on America to either help or blame.
Having a President who is comfortable in his own skin. Who can filter out the Beltway and Media noise, gets us to this place. He will be missed.
These achievements include the Iran and Cuban openings, killing of OBL, the degrading of ISIS, the price of gas, the deficit, rate of unemployment, and Obamacare. And I might add, keeping us out of wars.
Playing the long game in Europe and the Mideast requires not rushing in and solving everybody's problems. The Belgiums are realizing that. They are going to have to get their own house in order. Something they have never been expected to do. The same with the Syrian mess. Time for other nations to step up their game, instead of relying on America to either help or blame.
Having a President who is comfortable in his own skin. Who can filter out the Beltway and Media noise, gets us to this place. He will be missed.
17
The best thing about Maureen Dowd is that she encourages us to think, to plan our responses to her words whether we agree or not. How many of us eagerly await her column to see if we are pro or con. I love this. We are having a wonderfully stimulating conversation with people across the planet almost every Sunday. Thank you Maureen. I, for one, am most grateful.
1
What is she trying to say here?
The truth is that the President did not respond to the Brussels bombing in the world the leader of the free world should. But then he has not responded to many situations including the disaster in Syria the way the leader of the free world should.
All the elegant gibberish and psychobabbling about his character by Dowd cannot conceal the historical failures of the present regime, not only in the Middle East but in relation to Europe, and Western Civilization as a whole.
The truth is that the President did not respond to the Brussels bombing in the world the leader of the free world should. But then he has not responded to many situations including the disaster in Syria the way the leader of the free world should.
All the elegant gibberish and psychobabbling about his character by Dowd cannot conceal the historical failures of the present regime, not only in the Middle East but in relation to Europe, and Western Civilization as a whole.
3
Maureen, I disagree about Mt Rushmore. He is my hero, and he will be deeply missed as our POTUS.
22
It strikes me that President Obama’s ability to stay cool and calm, to respond with grace under pressure, to demonstrate thoughtfulness in the face of confrontation and insult, to see the value in understanding the other side are all things that make him an excellent role model for how to behave, for how to get along in a difficult world and maintain standards . . . and yet . . . people persist in seeing these qualities as negatives . . . I don't get it . . .
20
Always something mean to say about our hardworking president who has brought intelligence, wisdom, restraint, humor, and graciousness to the office of the president, and earned the world's respect (except for some of the bullies).
We will miss him badly. As to Cuba, he worked with the hand he was dealt, and did it well.
Just like that tango, he made the best of an uncomfortable and insistent demand. Well done President Obama!
We will miss him badly. As to Cuba, he worked with the hand he was dealt, and did it well.
Just like that tango, he made the best of an uncomfortable and insistent demand. Well done President Obama!
15
It should be said that Maureen Dowd makes most of this point more elegantly than I have, so this is more about the current zeitgeist of insult and false claims than her article.
2
He is hard at work playing golf and traveling to Cuba and tangoing and attending baseball games. What a nice gig if you can get it.
1
I am not an Obama or Bush fan, but Omama needs to take responsibility for the expanding ISIS problems in the world. Speaking about baseball, the current presidential election is like a World Series of last place teams!
There is enough time to both do the tango and to thrash ISIS.
4
In her “Let’s Throw Spaghetti Against The Wall Snd See What Sticks” style of criticizing all things POTUS, Ms. Dowd writes that Raul Castro “bridled” when Andrea Mitchell asked him about human rights, and that “Latin correspondents noted that if she were not American, she'd have spent the afternoon in jail.”
And this is something else to criticize President Obama for? Cubans seeing an American journalist NOT suffer the consequences they would have if one of their own had asked an uncomfortable question of Mr. Castro?
I’m sure numerous Cubans noticed this, ESPECIALLY the journalists, so score another point for POTUS. This one incident is a small step in the direction of freedom for a country that will be taking many small steps over the next decade as Cuba re-connects with us.
It’s clear that Ms. Dowd really tries her gosh darn bestest to find fault with President Obama, but this latest batch of spaghetti just ain’t stickin.’
And this is something else to criticize President Obama for? Cubans seeing an American journalist NOT suffer the consequences they would have if one of their own had asked an uncomfortable question of Mr. Castro?
I’m sure numerous Cubans noticed this, ESPECIALLY the journalists, so score another point for POTUS. This one incident is a small step in the direction of freedom for a country that will be taking many small steps over the next decade as Cuba re-connects with us.
It’s clear that Ms. Dowd really tries her gosh darn bestest to find fault with President Obama, but this latest batch of spaghetti just ain’t stickin.’
7
You really are confused about Obama aren't you, Ms Dowd? He keeps us out of war, he rightly downplays the existential threat of ISIS, he provides healthcare to additional millions, he brings the unemployment rate down to 5%, he offers a truly bipartisan Supreme Court nominee, and still has time to dance the tango. I suppose you like your men frothing at the mouth. Is that why you seem smitten by Trump?
9
Sour grapes Maureen Dowd, and bloody obvious. What you dislike is that the man is actually exactly the opposite of what you report here. "Alone"? The president is alone? You look out at the world and you see what you have projected there. What you resent is that the president is so utterly at ease connecting with people, so full-heartedly present while maintaining his dignity in virtually any situation, so comfortable responding appropriately and warmly, even when he has major differences of opinion with the person. A good example would be Castro's attempting to make Obama share a revolutionary arm pump, which Obama smoothly deflected into a humorous moment by letting his arm hang limp while grinning broadly. He managed to make his own position entirely clear in that moment, while yet not offending and actually even expressing sincere affection for his host. The man's just really smart, and that makes him annoyingly difficult to skewer effectively, doesn't it.
The president's charm and easy way with people bugs you, whether it's dancing at a state dinner or relaxing with his beautiful and obviously loving and well-adjusted family. (They aren't just "elegant," Maureen - just spending 2 minutes reviewing a few pictures of this family makes clear their deep relationships, which is pretty hard to fake consistently for cameras.)
The president's charm and easy way with people bugs you, whether it's dancing at a state dinner or relaxing with his beautiful and obviously loving and well-adjusted family. (They aren't just "elegant," Maureen - just spending 2 minutes reviewing a few pictures of this family makes clear their deep relationships, which is pretty hard to fake consistently for cameras.)
17
I have two teenage boys. They both look up to Obama, they admire him. He has been an impeccable role model they way he conducted himself in the role of president. When is it the last time we had a president who inspired young people? The world, Americans and our family miss him already. Among the serous candidates for 2016 only Bernie Sanders has the integrity and the passion to do the same, but on a much narrower scale. Obama combines the leadership skills of Hillary Clinton and the authenticity of Bernie Sanders. I guess we need two to fill his shoes.
18
And yet, we hear again and again from the right about how he has lowered the stature of the US in the eyes of foreign leaders and on the international stage, overall.
Perhaps it's time for major media to survey world leaders, to see how THEY feel about the past 7 years of Obama-style leadership, outreach, confrontation, and support?
My impression from an admittedly provincial viewpoint is that the US has gained (back) vastly more respect from our traditional allies.
Perhaps it's time for major media to survey world leaders, to see how THEY feel about the past 7 years of Obama-style leadership, outreach, confrontation, and support?
My impression from an admittedly provincial viewpoint is that the US has gained (back) vastly more respect from our traditional allies.
12
"The US has gained (back) vastly more respect from our traditional allies"
Absolutely - and we can un-do all the good he did in fifteen minutes flat if we elect Trump or Cruz to this office. A devastating thought.
Absolutely - and we can un-do all the good he did in fifteen minutes flat if we elect Trump or Cruz to this office. A devastating thought.
4
This reinforces the vibe that the Obama Presidency is just another one of the tawdry reality shows infecting cable TV, with the same slobbering, worshipful fan base. The reality is that Obama has made America more divided, more corrupt, and more "average" than any of his predecessors. The "Shining City on a hill" has under Obama moved closer to becoming a grimy ghetto in a Banana Republic.
3
Now I regret the 22nd amendment (term limits) was passed in 1951, but too late of course.
7
To suggest that the President is detached or aloof is like focusing on Trump only for his belligerence. What is important is what these men are thinking. Clearly, Obama is playing a form of chess. Like how he boxed in Castro and made him respond to questions about human rights.
The baseball game and the tango make for right wing fodder, but unpack it a bit, and both are pure diplomatic plays. Baseball is one of the few cultural touchstones that both the US and Cuba share. In the context of ending 55 years of a failed isolationist policy, it allowed both sides to see and say "we are a lot like them."
The tango, of course, is a big part of Argentine culture. The President did attempt to refuse, but clearly understood that refusing could have been seen as an insult.
Still, he spent 3 innings at the baseball game, and did a tango that might have lasted a few minutes. In total, maybe 65 minutes. But you'd think that was all he did for the entirety of the trip, given how some are commenting.
The baseball game and the tango make for right wing fodder, but unpack it a bit, and both are pure diplomatic plays. Baseball is one of the few cultural touchstones that both the US and Cuba share. In the context of ending 55 years of a failed isolationist policy, it allowed both sides to see and say "we are a lot like them."
The tango, of course, is a big part of Argentine culture. The President did attempt to refuse, but clearly understood that refusing could have been seen as an insult.
Still, he spent 3 innings at the baseball game, and did a tango that might have lasted a few minutes. In total, maybe 65 minutes. But you'd think that was all he did for the entirety of the trip, given how some are commenting.
16
Every president inherits the work of his/her predecessor. I do not understand how you give Obama a pass on ISIS because of W's policies. That means W deserves a pass on 9-11 because plans were hatched (undoubtedly) under Clinton. What matters is response going forward and Obama COMPLETELY blew it. Completely, utterly and with callous disregard for consequences. It didn't fit his world view so he downplayed the risk, to disastrous results.
3
One of the best Presidents!
14
Obama has indeed moved mountains. It only took him doubling the national debt in 7 years to do it too!
4
Obama doesn't lead, he lectures. His "coolness" is derived from the same condescending attitude of a tenured college professor (a status he never attained in real life). Like most politicians, he really believes he's smarter than everyone else, despite limited prior experience. Like most liberal/progressives, he really believes he's in touch with the "common man", while his daughters wear $20,000 dresses. His legacy will be a series of flashy talking points, with no real substance (the ACA notwithstanding), which is fitting for his phoniness,
4
To say that Obama "lectures" reveals more about the listener than it does the speaker. With somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 of adults navigating the world at an adolescents level of development, I'm sure a good many of them hear "lectures." What adults hear are reasoned responses to highly complex issues.
13
"The ACA notwithstanding"
LOL. Priceless.
LOL. Priceless.
3
Exactly Joe Alter. Some people here are simply revealing that when Obama speaks they often don't understand. They were more comfortable with the ill-spoken, quasi-illiterate previous occupant of the Oval Office (and/or they liked hearing the word "nucular" more often; it gives them a thrill that Obama too often withholds).
6
Obama never, for a moment, takes his eye off the ball. He is most dangerous when he appears to be distracted, being at the annual correspondents dinner, joking and laughing, while at the same time dispatching Navy Seals to Bin Laden's lair. The paradox is that being on the wrong side of Obama may be a far more dangerous place to be than the wrong side of Trump or Cruz. Especially when Obama is looking away from you.
9
At the end of the day who would we really rather have sitting in the Oval Office: a lunatic like Trump or Cruz, a little-boy bully like "W" or a distant, calculating man like Obama? None is who we are as a people or a nation, but while I believe Mr. Obama has made serious errors in reactive judgement (Libya and Syria were badly bungled) better to be where we are today than in another military morass created by some GOP yahoo bent on placating the extreme right wing or the - as Mr. Trump so eloquently state the "uneducated" whom he so dearly loves.
2
"...Obama’s military leaders announced that they had killed two top ISIS leaders."
These deceased leaders have already been replaced by new ISIS leaders. They know how to tango, too.
These deceased leaders have already been replaced by new ISIS leaders. They know how to tango, too.
2
Yes, Maureen, we all know that Mr Obama's failing was not building consensus in Congress - not calling them all in one-by-one to the Oval Office for milk and cookies and persuading them to support his agenda, or at least not shut down the Goverment in protest.
Yet when one looks at the numbers - job creation/unemployment, lowered deficit and gas prices - the lowest percentage of those without health insurance ever recorded with lowered healthcare cost growth, and a much lower number of Americans killed by terrorism and war than under Pres. Bush, and his ISIL policy seeming to be yielding results without but a handful of US troops dying - Mr Obama's Presidency has to be rated among the best.
Yet when one looks at the numbers - job creation/unemployment, lowered deficit and gas prices - the lowest percentage of those without health insurance ever recorded with lowered healthcare cost growth, and a much lower number of Americans killed by terrorism and war than under Pres. Bush, and his ISIL policy seeming to be yielding results without but a handful of US troops dying - Mr Obama's Presidency has to be rated among the best.
17
Maureen at some point you have to let it go. You are probably still counting hanging chads in Florida
8
Obama would win a third term, if legal, in a landslide and Republicans know it. Another reason for them to hate him.
13
The President is a brilliant strategist and legal theorist--I just read a law review article he wrote at Harvard---I can't remember the volume number or title--can anyone help me out? It was brilliant --
7
Sadly, I lost a lot of respect for Obama when he privately advocated that Bernie Sanders get out of the race, before half of the states in our great country had had the opportunity to vote. That is profoundly undemocratic and I believe can only be attributed to his desperate desire to have Hillary carry on his legacy. Interestingly, Bernie won Washington and Alaska by larger margins than even Obama did in 2008. And from what I'm reading, turnout was also driven to record highs. Suggesting Bernie get out now was a serious, serious blunder.
1
Now that Obama is outside the country, he will better understand Bernie's appeal to the masses and to those outside the country (Bernie handily won the Democrats Abroad votes). Sometimes one has to step outside the white noise. Bernie truly embodies the aloha spirit that Obama is very familiar with. Although he greatly respects Hillary and has confidence in her abilities as a bureaucrat insider, he will soon understand why more than half of the democrats like Bernie better and trust him more.
1
I would have preferred that a different photograph, other than the Carlos Barria/Reuters photo you chose to accompany Maureen Dowd's commentary, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/27/opinion/sunday/obamas-last-tango.html
NYTimes, you are descending into the "If it bleeds, it leads" style of journalism.
NYTimes, you are descending into the "If it bleeds, it leads" style of journalism.
3
I don't know how often it will be necessary to say this but as of 2008 when Obama was elected, Al Qaeda in Iraq,as ISIS was then known, was dead as a doornail, it's handful of surviving operatives in hiding. In Bsghdad, Falujah, Ramadi and Mosul, construction was everywhere, cafes and restaurants were open for business, outside investment was pouring in, oil revenue was back above pre-war levels. The opening to ISIS in Iraq and Syria was entirely a product of Obama policies.
5
You can say it as often as you like but that doesn't make it true. The Syrian civil war gave birth to ISIS. Bush's failed selection of Maliki to lead Iraq and Rumsfeld's failed effort to train the Iraqi army led to ISIS victories in Iraq. It took 8 years to fight an insurgency during the war. What good would a "residual force" do?
3
Is he still spying on us? Killing hundreds of innocent people with his drones? The answer is yes. Obama has been the most disappointing president of my lifetime. Most aggressive on whistleblowers, most aggressive on journalists, and most closed administration despite promises. I don't care how 'wonderful' he is. He is a disappointment overall.
2
Thanks Maureen, just one thing -- I wish we could stop talking about Obama's exit. I'd like to stay right here in the present, with the super sane guy at the helm. Let's not push the river.
11
Let's give credit where credit is due: President Obama is responsible for the destruction of the Republican Party. They just could not abide having him in office. The just could not abide having him be successful. They gave birth to the Palinism and now Trumpism.
So, even though President Obama is responsible for the destruction of the Republican Party you know for sure that they will never give him credit for it!
So, even though President Obama is responsible for the destruction of the Republican Party you know for sure that they will never give him credit for it!
8
Say this about Maureen Dowd: once she's got a schtick, she doesn't let it go. She's been pushing her caricature of Obama the Aloof from the beginning, which leads me to think she's a lot less observant than she wants us to think she is. On the several occasions when I've been in the president's company, I've never seen him as anything but fully engaged with the room and accessible to everyone he encounters. He laughs easily and has a quick comeback. He seems kind. Those I know who have spent considerably more time with him have come away with the same impression. There are plenty of things to criticize about his performance as president. But this tired trope of his aloofness isn't one of them, unless you mean aloof to the likes of Mitch McConnell and his hateful cadre in the GOP.
11
After Havana, no media reports on Air Force 2, also along for the Obama's spring-break ride to a resort area a plane ride away from Buenos Aires. (Air Force One too big for the area's airport.) Approximately fuel cost for this "personal" leg of his trip approximately $200,000+ per hour. Yes, this elegant family continues to fleece the American taxpayer for their spring/summer/winter and in-between vacations.
6
How dare he go anywhere! Socialism! Benghazi! Whitewater! No president before him ever took any vacations! It's un-American!
Honestly, the proclivity of some people to criticize absolutely anything Obama does, no matter how incoherent the criticism, is just comic at this point.
Honestly, the proclivity of some people to criticize absolutely anything Obama does, no matter how incoherent the criticism, is just comic at this point.
12
I really don't know what Maureen Dowd wants. Her attacks on President Obama are so personal So he does the tango and has a good family. And along the way he has given us a little stability amid the insanity of terrorism and political intrigue.
Will she enjoy the Roman coliseum like atmosphere of a Trump presidency? Perhaps she will. There has never been a 'perfect' president and we probably would not recognize him or her if that thing existed. And we would probably crucify him if we saw him which has almost happened to President Obama.
I really must get over my addiction to the NYT and Maureen Dowd in her pettiness sure helps.
Will she enjoy the Roman coliseum like atmosphere of a Trump presidency? Perhaps she will. There has never been a 'perfect' president and we probably would not recognize him or her if that thing existed. And we would probably crucify him if we saw him which has almost happened to President Obama.
I really must get over my addiction to the NYT and Maureen Dowd in her pettiness sure helps.
4
Noting the comments from other readers, Maureen's cool analytic style comes across as negative, but in fact her conclusions are not different from those of Jeffrey Goldberg. The real question is whether President Obama's calm, considered and logical approach to global hysteria is an appropriate response. Truly, I think it is.
8
it was W.’s unwarranted invasion of Iraq that unwittingly created ISIS,
=================
Complete baloney.
Before it changed its name to ISIS, the group was known as Al Quaeda in Iraq. By the time Bush left office it had been defeated and scattered by the surge. After Obama decided not to seek a status of forces agreement and withdrew from Iraq, it faced no pressure and was able to reconstitute itself into the monster it is today.
=================
Complete baloney.
Before it changed its name to ISIS, the group was known as Al Quaeda in Iraq. By the time Bush left office it had been defeated and scattered by the surge. After Obama decided not to seek a status of forces agreement and withdrew from Iraq, it faced no pressure and was able to reconstitute itself into the monster it is today.
6
Try again. AQ in Iraq reconstituted itself as ISIS in SYRIA. They gained strength in Iraq because of the failed policies of Bush's handpicked leader (Maliki), and Rumsfeld's failed effort to properly train the Iraqi Army. Our residual forces would have been nothing other than sitting ducks.
8
You are in denial my freind ... Al Queda had little presence when Hussein was in power as he kept them in check. After W invaded Al Queda came into power ... The same power vacuum also created ISIS.
6
Having read through only the Times Picks among these comments, I am astounded to see that several commenters think Maureen is criticizing the president. Quite the contrary: her words are an extended paean of praise of his manner, his wisdom, his accomplishments and his family. Maybe you all need to read it again.
2
With a strange name and looks President Obama's skills and talent to get there and remain and get things accomplished have been nothing less than remarkable . True leadership and a steady hand . Health care , resisting the neo- conservatives and Likuds steering of our foreign policy as they did in starting the Iraq war, his heart felt singing of Amazing grace , distinguishing between ISIS and Muslims etc --- history will judge him even more favorable with time . As former president Carter has remarked there is a deep racism that masquerades as political opposition to him ..
A amazing constitutional lawyer , leader , Christian , model of integrity and true leadership
A amazing constitutional lawyer , leader , Christian , model of integrity and true leadership
10
A commentator on BBC who are doing a series on Obamas Presidency commented he had forgotten the disasterous economic and foreign wars that President Obama inherited. So have too many Americans , in fact a good part of the electorate still refuse to admit these conditions existed.
Yet our President with his cool , thoughtful approach got us through these problems and it's worth noting that the USA has and continues to have the most robust economic recovery of any Western nation.
Of course he wanted to do more but the American voters prevented him from even greater achievements by voting in a Republican House and then a Republican Senate
I fervently hope the President will play a global role in the future.
My vote he becomes Secretary General of the United Nations
Yet our President with his cool , thoughtful approach got us through these problems and it's worth noting that the USA has and continues to have the most robust economic recovery of any Western nation.
Of course he wanted to do more but the American voters prevented him from even greater achievements by voting in a Republican House and then a Republican Senate
I fervently hope the President will play a global role in the future.
My vote he becomes Secretary General of the United Nations
11
So Sanders is doing the Nader tango that will put a totally insane extremist Republican in control of the country. The current Supreme Court can easily be called the Nader court and the next, even more extreme court, can be the Sanders court. Sanders main campaign jingle is the Citizens United nightmare, but that will be like a sweet dream compared to what is ahead in the court.
2
An empty suit.
With no achievements before moving into the White House.
Should we have expected anything else?
With no achievements before moving into the White House.
Should we have expected anything else?
5
They don't let you just move in. He was elected twice.
10
Never underestimate the power of solace. Kind, humble solace.
2
Politics in a democracy are relative, Maureen. Would you have preferred old Johnny Boy McCain with his brilliant VP-in-the-wings or that Mr. 47%er with his own socially isolated perspective to be sitting in the White House instead? Come on, consider the alternatives and give the man a break.
4
Yet another Obama homer rambling on about the persona of a man ill suited for the responsibilities of the office he was elected to fill. A man unable to shed his community organizer skin and elevate his leadership mojo to one that manages the successful execution of government functions and competent oversight of those functions. Thankfully Obama's tango will be his last as president. America's experiment with an arrogant, lazy, self absorbed globalist president will soon be over. Cuba is the perfect retirement venue for him.
3
Ole! Maureen. Right on, as usual.
1
Mr. Obama is a feature of his moment in history which, we must remember, was NOT the defeat of Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea, but the reconstruction of Americans' faith in government and the economy in the midst of the Great Recession of 2008.
Hope and Change were his message, then, as well as a cool and steady hand, and although blunted by years of obstructionism after the 2010 Mid-Term Elections, these have remained his message and his style ever since.
Mr. Obama is not responsible for the lack of progress in the American Polity and the World Economy since 2008. That responsibility rests most heavily on the shoulders of the Tea Party and the other obstructionists among the American Right, like Trump and the Birthers.
For at every turn since January 2009, and especially after January 2011, the right wing has served as the DISLOYAL OPPOSITION. Having undermined the Presidency at every turn, and on every issue, having repeatedly shut the Government and proven how little they know about money, debt, finance and international trade, the right wing has dug a deep hole for itself and fractured its internal cohesion, it has deeply damaged America's effectiveness abroad, leaving open the path for petty potentates, like Vladimir Putin, and it has held back the American economy and American society, by failing to reinvest in America's Pubic Balance Sheet, namely, with 100s of Billions invested in America's roads, ports, airports, public universities and so on.
Hope and Change were his message, then, as well as a cool and steady hand, and although blunted by years of obstructionism after the 2010 Mid-Term Elections, these have remained his message and his style ever since.
Mr. Obama is not responsible for the lack of progress in the American Polity and the World Economy since 2008. That responsibility rests most heavily on the shoulders of the Tea Party and the other obstructionists among the American Right, like Trump and the Birthers.
For at every turn since January 2009, and especially after January 2011, the right wing has served as the DISLOYAL OPPOSITION. Having undermined the Presidency at every turn, and on every issue, having repeatedly shut the Government and proven how little they know about money, debt, finance and international trade, the right wing has dug a deep hole for itself and fractured its internal cohesion, it has deeply damaged America's effectiveness abroad, leaving open the path for petty potentates, like Vladimir Putin, and it has held back the American economy and American society, by failing to reinvest in America's Pubic Balance Sheet, namely, with 100s of Billions invested in America's roads, ports, airports, public universities and so on.
16
Obama photographed in front of mural of Che, alongside a Castro brother, while Europe was burning, was a fitting end to a Presidency that started with great promise, but left the country more divided and in debt than ever before. With the home stretch in front of him, Obama is letting his academic Left flag fly: no one cares about the Castros, except for the old New Left activists who still think Cuba is a model of good government. I am sure that Barack envied Raul's ability to just toss opponents into jail. In any case, this delusional Administration ends in a few months. It can't come soon enough.
4
It's tough being a cool-headed rationalist in a world of hot-headed, overemotional politicians, news media and pundits (hello, Maureen!), but President Obama has managed to pull it off.
There is no doubt that when the dust settles down (if ever), he will be regarded as one of America's greatest presidents, especially given the mess that he inherited.
And Maureen, don't worry! Obama will be gone in January. Presidents may come and go, but Washington pundits live forever. You will have a whole new set of targets to vent your spleen on next year. I bet you can't wait!
There is no doubt that when the dust settles down (if ever), he will be regarded as one of America's greatest presidents, especially given the mess that he inherited.
And Maureen, don't worry! Obama will be gone in January. Presidents may come and go, but Washington pundits live forever. You will have a whole new set of targets to vent your spleen on next year. I bet you can't wait!
6
Dance on Barack - if only the American people could get you to stay for a third term
16
OK.
Here's my tribute to this man who I had more hopes for when I voted for him twice, as many of you did.
This man has such grace, and intelligence, and integrity. I'm proud he's my President.
A man I have almost always been proud of - and never embarrassed by - a man who when I went to bed, was comfortable that he was in the White House with his finger on the button, a man who with an intransigent Congress still fought the good fight for 8 years, without getting down into the muck.
A man I trust.
A black man who over overwhelming odds held the heart of America in his hands and did not let them them down.
Who rose to every occasion.
Who loves his wife and children - who has spent 8 years in Washington with the guns of the right and the racists aimed at him and came out unscathed by any taint - any whisper - of scandal - personal or professional
A good man. A Presidential man. A man whose image can take it's place proudly among those on the walls of the pantheon of those who came before him.
I miss you already.
And I see no one of your ilk on the horizon.
Here's my tribute to this man who I had more hopes for when I voted for him twice, as many of you did.
This man has such grace, and intelligence, and integrity. I'm proud he's my President.
A man I have almost always been proud of - and never embarrassed by - a man who when I went to bed, was comfortable that he was in the White House with his finger on the button, a man who with an intransigent Congress still fought the good fight for 8 years, without getting down into the muck.
A man I trust.
A black man who over overwhelming odds held the heart of America in his hands and did not let them them down.
Who rose to every occasion.
Who loves his wife and children - who has spent 8 years in Washington with the guns of the right and the racists aimed at him and came out unscathed by any taint - any whisper - of scandal - personal or professional
A good man. A Presidential man. A man whose image can take it's place proudly among those on the walls of the pantheon of those who came before him.
I miss you already.
And I see no one of your ilk on the horizon.
29
@Nancy Parker, Englewood,Fl: Ms. Parker, your comment should be at the top of the list. President Obama is going to be missed buy more than just those who saw his presidency as a positive. The nay-sayers will miss him too, and they'll be like everyone who says they were at a historic event: "I was there."
4
"President Obama took over and directed the group to its picture in front of a Che Guevara mural."
You don't say.
You don't say.
4
It's a "trying to extend an olive branch to a former enemy" thing. You wouldn't understand.
Some people make peace, even when it's uncomfortable, and some don't.
Some people make peace, even when it's uncomfortable, and some don't.
7
I'm trying to figure out the value in Ms. Dowd's columns. They're generally so full of snark that I fail to get her point, and I don't usually read them anymore. Is she complimenting, criticizing, or giving a compliment followed by snark which undermines the compliment. It's confusing. I'm wondering if her colorful writing style might be better utilized in some other genre I have appreciated Obama's calm, more cerebral style. I find it so much more reassuring than fire and brimstone (think Cruz) or shooting from the hip (GW Bush). He appears calm and confident, both necessary in a good leader. There are always crises in the world, never more it seems than in the ME. One man and one country can't fix it, especially with an uncooperative Congress. Overall, I give President Obama high marks. Thank God he has managed to rise above the fray, as I am utterly disheartened and frightened watching the clown show among the Republicans during this campaign.
9
Obama, unlike the president before him, does know how to multitask. He can, literally, chew gum and talk at the same time.
4
Some people prefer emotions to brains, which goes a long way to explain the Tea Party and Donald Trump.
9
I was seduced into reading Maureen's column today, which I haven't in many years, because I imagined she would have something insightful to say about President Obama and the tango. Instead the piece was her usual negative and nasty presentation. FYI Maureen: the tango is not "vertical solitude". It is all about connection...a dance in which the partners are exquisitely connected while at the same time each maintaining his or her own center of balance. That is what I see in our President. As usual, you got it wrong.
13
I supported President Obama, twice, much to my chagrin, falling for the change part of his "hope and change" message.
His realism (pragmatic, common-sense, hard-headed, sensible), convinced me and millions of Americans that he would represent all of the people all of the time, the message Bernie Sanders is touting.
There has been no measurable change in the lot of the poor and middle class during his Presidency, and in fact things have gotten measurably worse.
There is no doubt in my mind that the man, once in office, proceeded to align himself with the Plutocratic Oligarchy, and subtly commenced to further disenfranchise the people, the same people who unwittingly placed their trust in him, never realizing yet another charlatan had been successfully foisted upon them.
Hillary has mistakenly presumed the Obama supporters are satisfied with his Presidency, when in fact we are anything but, and this presumption will be the boulder that will crush her attempt to become our President.
It is crystal clear she has no intention of representing the people, and has indicated as much in her evasiveness when asked.
Unwittingly, or perhaps not, Bill Clinton, while stumping for her, appeared to distance her from Obama, with his unequivocal condemnation of the "awful legacy", of the last eight years, see excerpt and link -
"Former President Bill Clinton referred to the last eight years of administration as an "awful legacy""
http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2016/03/22/82111862/
His realism (pragmatic, common-sense, hard-headed, sensible), convinced me and millions of Americans that he would represent all of the people all of the time, the message Bernie Sanders is touting.
There has been no measurable change in the lot of the poor and middle class during his Presidency, and in fact things have gotten measurably worse.
There is no doubt in my mind that the man, once in office, proceeded to align himself with the Plutocratic Oligarchy, and subtly commenced to further disenfranchise the people, the same people who unwittingly placed their trust in him, never realizing yet another charlatan had been successfully foisted upon them.
Hillary has mistakenly presumed the Obama supporters are satisfied with his Presidency, when in fact we are anything but, and this presumption will be the boulder that will crush her attempt to become our President.
It is crystal clear she has no intention of representing the people, and has indicated as much in her evasiveness when asked.
Unwittingly, or perhaps not, Bill Clinton, while stumping for her, appeared to distance her from Obama, with his unequivocal condemnation of the "awful legacy", of the last eight years, see excerpt and link -
"Former President Bill Clinton referred to the last eight years of administration as an "awful legacy""
http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2016/03/22/82111862/
3
C'mon Maureen.. You know what this is all about.. If it were George dancing you and your media buddies would have articles of impeachment siting on president's desk !!!!!!! Yet media wonders out loud "Why is the voter angry?"
1
Why does Ms. Dowd prefer Hallmark sentimentality to true feeling, which in an introvert like Obama is very strong indeed? Does she ever ask herself what it would be like were Obama to open the floodgates of wrath as a black man in what still is a very rascist country? We have not had such an intelligent, refined first family since the Kennedys. Obama has time after time turned the other cheek. Let us as a people be thankful for his restraint. Would she prefer the brash vulgar exhibitionism of Trump?
18
As if all of this President's considerable accomplishments were not enough, he has apparently, finally, at long last, somehow, induced Maureen Dowd to write a somewhat thoughtful column.
6
I used to love your columns, Maureen.
5
I love your columns, Maureen.
Pretty much sums it up. They are now nothing but bile.
1
Maureen, the President had a 50% approval rating. He had done nothing but work tirelessly for a better country. His administration had been scandal free. He is calm and measured and cool in crisis. He speaks in complete and articulate sentences. He stays above the fray but managesd to dissect Trump while waiting for word of his ordered killing of Bin Laden. Measured against his putative successors his honesty and demeanor are exactly what we need in s President. If you think going to Congressional baseball games would have made the Republicans any less obstructionist, you are wrong. From just before his first inauguration the Republicans decided to deny him bipartisan support. Racism,likely. Bad for the American people, definitely. For an Easter Sunday opinion piece you have cast stones and judged incorrectly.
31
His administration had been scandal free.
====================
You are willfully blind.
Among very many other examples, you should tell the families of veterans who died waiting for treatment on VA waiting lists that this administration has been "scandal free"
====================
You are willfully blind.
Among very many other examples, you should tell the families of veterans who died waiting for treatment on VA waiting lists that this administration has been "scandal free"
1
Does a detached President weep and spontaneously sing "Amazing Grace" over senseless, racial killings in South Carolina? I know this President's heart. it's always been in the right place and his deeds show it.
Ms. Dowd, you are going to miss Barack Obama as much as I am.
Ms. Dowd, you are going to miss Barack Obama as much as I am.
43
Thank you, Mr. President, for bringing class, respect, and common sense to your office while being surrounded by howling, self serving critics who never could get over that you happened to be black.
40
Never understood why Ms. Dowd has time and again criticised the President's level-headedness. This one voter here (and her entire family) loves it! That's exactly what many people around the world LOVE about Mr. Obama: that he can think before he talks, or writes, (unlike Ms. Dowd, it looks like), or he acts!!! How cool is that? Super cool, if you ask me! And yes, this President definitely deserves a big place in American history, and on Mt. Rushmore (if they can carve the mountain even more than already done). Mr. Obama has been a great President and he will be sorely missed by many in the world. There is nobody (either in the Democratic or the Republican Party) who even remotely matches his analytical skills, intelligence, and moral integrity.
40
Because he didn't socialize with the Washington establishment, of which ms Dowd is a member
4
A touch more gratitude, perhaps, Ms. Dowd, for a young president of
outstanding intellect and a steady hand.
outstanding intellect and a steady hand.
32
Why won't Obama reschedule marijuana and dare Congress, in an election year, to defy overwhelming public opinion and reverse him? He has made a very bad mistake, it is going to be a major blot on his record.
Make no mistake, the law of the land says cannabis has no medicinal use, and that risible lie is costing lives and more unnecessary suffering than any of us want to think about.
It's so bizarre, Obama gets a far better grade for his handling of recreational cannabis than he does on the crucial and much less controversial issue of medical cannabis.
Make no mistake, the law of the land says cannabis has no medicinal use, and that risible lie is costing lives and more unnecessary suffering than any of us want to think about.
It's so bizarre, Obama gets a far better grade for his handling of recreational cannabis than he does on the crucial and much less controversial issue of medical cannabis.
Obama's dispassionate competence and disdain for the "visceral" response has served the Republic well. He has played the long game with a steady hand and - though unlikely to make it to the top of Mt. Rushmore - has been a consequential president.
26
Speaking of keeping your eye on the ball: Why won't Obama reschedule marijuana and dare Congress, in an election year, to defy overwhelming public opinion and reverse him? He has made a very bad mistake, it is going to be a major blot on his record.
Make no mistake, the law of the land says cannabis has no medicinal use, and that risible lie is costing lives and more unnecessary suffering than any of us want to think about.
It's so bizarre, Obama gets a far better grade for his handling of recreational cannabis than he does on the crucial and much less controversial issue of medical cannabis.
Make no mistake, the law of the land says cannabis has no medicinal use, and that risible lie is costing lives and more unnecessary suffering than any of us want to think about.
It's so bizarre, Obama gets a far better grade for his handling of recreational cannabis than he does on the crucial and much less controversial issue of medical cannabis.
3
President Obama is a lame duck President. He is out of time. He will not
"untangle the Gordian Knots in a Middle East shattered by his predecessor".
It is possible President Obama picked Cuba and Argentina to visit because
of the low possibility of any failure, his high visibility, and the friendly
receptions. A win situation for him. However, ISIS and Iran are still
our enemies.
"untangle the Gordian Knots in a Middle East shattered by his predecessor".
It is possible President Obama picked Cuba and Argentina to visit because
of the low possibility of any failure, his high visibility, and the friendly
receptions. A win situation for him. However, ISIS and Iran are still
our enemies.
1
I was really sickened by this column. Repeating what Rush Limbaugh said was journalism worthy off a third-grader with no clue. When Ms. Dowd returned from her time off, I read a couple of her columns and thought they were so smarmy and mean-spirited that I stopped reading them completely. I thought I might tiptoe back in with this one. That was a complete mistake. Her meanness dripped every bit as heavily as before. She may have once been a good columnist, but she now seems to be hanging on by tenure alone. She needs to talk to her friend, NYT columnist Frank Bruni, for some lessons in how to write a good and appropriate column for today's readers.
27
Question. Do you remember what President Obama was doing right before bin Ladin was killed? Speaking at the press dinner. Cool. And then who got his phoney tv show interrupted when bin Ladin's death was announced by the President? Ah yes. The drumpf.
21
One can't help, also, remembering the deer-in-headlights G.W. Bush, interrupted reading a story to schoolchildren when informed the World Trade Center had just been attacked. That priceless look of "Uh-oh, I'm gonna have to do presidential-type stuff now ... somebody better clue me about what's going on here."
3
Our America is not all about doom and gloom. How can any American not be proud when they see this brilliant young President with his beautiful family descend from Air Force One? Yes he should be able enjoy a baseball game between a Cuban Team and an American team - he made this moment possible. Yes he should dance the tango. He deserves it because HE made America great again.
32
A great US president and a great symbol for a global world.
Bravo monsieur Barack Hussein Obama
Bravo monsieur Barack Hussein Obama
39
Obama will go down as an important president. Without the help of congress he has managed to quickly right a sinking ship. It may be stalled in the water but it is not sinking.
Our best hope in the world is to have made friends with every country in the world. While this may not happen it must be tried.
And Maureen, I don't want Obama at a Nationals game. It would ruin the day for the many who go there for relaxation. Imagine the traffic and the secret service hubbub. Yuck
Our best hope in the world is to have made friends with every country in the world. While this may not happen it must be tried.
And Maureen, I don't want Obama at a Nationals game. It would ruin the day for the many who go there for relaxation. Imagine the traffic and the secret service hubbub. Yuck
7
What the President has brought to the Presidency is patience, which for Americans is not a virtue we admire. A lesson we should have learned, which in this campaign seems to be all but forgotten, is impatience, will almost certainly set off the law of unintended consequences ---which our adventures in South America, Vietnam, and the Middle East should have taught us.
10
Obama has done so many things so well that history may eventually be kind to him. The problem is that his aloofness, which is valuable to keep him above the fray, is not inspirational to the rest of us who are either stuck in the middle of it or, worse, victims of it.
3
I for one am profoundly pleased with President Obama, particularly because he tries to take a thoughtful and rational approach to solving problems. I do wish that more of his agenda had been accomplished, but he is not a dictator and regional/racial/party/religious politics have prevented many overwhelmingly popular and necessary initiatives.
I don't know where he gets the strength but I am glad he has it.
As for Cuba, we need to remember the reason that Castro revolted.
I don't know where he gets the strength but I am glad he has it.
As for Cuba, we need to remember the reason that Castro revolted.
16
As for Cuba, we need to remember the reason that Castro revolted.
===================
Castro revolted because he wanted to bring a Marxist dictatorship that he controlled to the island.
===================
Castro revolted because he wanted to bring a Marxist dictatorship that he controlled to the island.
1
Dowd: "While Republicans who would succeed Obama talked loco last week..."
Maureen, Republicans have been talking "loco" much longer than "last week"; the "loco" talk in the Republican Parry started long before Trump and Cruz. The party of Lincoln lost its identity some time ago.
Maureen, Republicans have been talking "loco" much longer than "last week"; the "loco" talk in the Republican Parry started long before Trump and Cruz. The party of Lincoln lost its identity some time ago.
9
Obama's dancing while Belgians and Americans were dying at the hands of an terrorist organization he created was the most despicable, vile, classless act of the Obama regime. It proves that Obama is not a leader, is not an American, is not a man, and is nowhere near suitable or fit for the presidency.
3
Oh stop it already. So tedious. How many holes of golf did Cheney and Bush play while 4,000 of our troops and tens of thousands of Iraqi's were slaughtered under false pretexts. Perspective. Get some.
17
President Bush had the class and sense to stop playing golf during the Iraq war, which was started by the lies Bush inherited from Clinton and the lies he was told by the Democrat CIA Director he inherited from Clinton. Bush left a stable, ISIS-free Iraq (and Libya, Syria, etc) for Obama, but of course Obama screwed it up. Obama has played far more golf than Bush did.
And here's another inconvenient truth for you: 75% of US deaths and 90% of US injuries in Afghanistan have occurred under Obama
And here's another inconvenient truth for you: 75% of US deaths and 90% of US injuries in Afghanistan have occurred under Obama
Lots of prose wasted. Obama isn't cool. He is a cold fish. He really never liked the United States and isn't particularly interested in fostering it's national interest. Heartless, feckless, spineless, inexplicably arrogant, and generally disinterested will be his legacy. That and $9 trillion in debt.
History will remember he was the first (sort of) black President and, unless the scholar is lying, very little else. His divisiveness has scared the nation.
History will remember he was the first (sort of) black President and, unless the scholar is lying, very little else. His divisiveness has scared the nation.
2
Are you serious? This man has brought us back from the brink that the R's left us in and deserves his own Medal of Freedom!
4
On point. Thank you.
You have swallowed the Fox news cool aid. And that cool aid is now poisoning the entire country. The republicans reap the whirlwind.
5
While it may be true that President Obama can be maddeningly detached and definitely "too cool for school," and that a fair amount of Obama regret has settled in among his coalition, I look at his responses to the scourge of gun violence--his compassion for the victims and their families, his voice-in-the-wilderness recognition that something should and can be done--to gauge his heart. Never has a President spoken so forcefully about this senseless, enduring violence or been more vilified for stating the obvious.
12
Just another character assassination piece, but who could expect anything less? Especially when this country has already shown itself for what it is, in its next list of Presidential nominees.
There will come a day, and it might be very soon that we will appreciate having had a president who had the intelligence and confidence to stand alone, and keep this country from joining the fray so many think we should be rushing into.
Of course by then, it might already be too late.
There will come a day, and it might be very soon that we will appreciate having had a president who had the intelligence and confidence to stand alone, and keep this country from joining the fray so many think we should be rushing into.
Of course by then, it might already be too late.
10
I reached voting age in 1965 and in my humble opinion, from that time forward, Barack Obama has been our classiest, most principled and morally centered president. I will miss him.
660
Best president of my lifetime (that's back to ole Harry).
5
"Brussels, which he discussed rationally and briefly with ESPN at the baseball game " .
I don't get or appreciate this put-down. I saw Obama give a lengthy and heart-felt talk about his thoughts on terrorism and the way to approach and tackle it " my number one priority "- whist the hosting President on the lectern waited patiently.
This whole article seemed a mishmash of gossipy vitriol !
I don't get or appreciate this put-down. I saw Obama give a lengthy and heart-felt talk about his thoughts on terrorism and the way to approach and tackle it " my number one priority "- whist the hosting President on the lectern waited patiently.
This whole article seemed a mishmash of gossipy vitriol !
10
As another pointed out,Obama can go about the business of making friends out of former enemies,as in his trip to Cuba, and also take care of his presidential duties. He doesn't need to tell the world what he's doing about ISIS,he just does it. As in drone strikes. And when he's done his best, he wont be putting up a "Mission Accomplished " banner. Sabre-rattling and threats are a Republican specialty. As well as getting nothing done about anything.
12
What a fantastic column. I rarely agree with you Ms. Dowd, but you have perfectly captured this presidency. We will miss him next January. Just look at what we're left with on either side. The world is dangerous place, but thanks to whoever our next President is, it's going to be a lot more so. Can't we keep President Obama for just four more years?
4
I wonder if Maureen is ever going to recognize that Obama has moved mountains ... the economy, Iraq, the debt. the ACA ... etc ... she is running out of time ...
8
Obama didn't bribe Iran to keep their American prisoners just a little longer so his inauguration would get a bit a bigger bang or give Iran weapons to fund the Contras. He didn't vomit into the Japanese Prime Minister's lap or allow his Ambassador to Iraq to use incomplete sentences with Hussein and then go to war over the mistake. He didn't have sex with an intern in the Oval Office. He didn't start two losing wars, tank the economy and seem constantly unable to find the right exit or the right word. In fact he ran this country ably and with dignity in spite of the constant racism and obstructionism of the GOP. Sorry Maureen if you have a problem with the cool guy in the White House. Personally I say thank you Mr. President for your service.
27
What a lovely and smart column Ms. Dowd!
I know that President Obama has not always been there emotionally for 'the people' in terms of assuring us we will be OK. I know he should have made more of an effort to reach out to the nitwits in congress, but for me he has been a pillar of strength. With all the insanity of this political season just to see him calms me down. He is cool in a comforting way that is an anecdote to the hot winds blowing across this land.
17
Obama is a Rorschach Blot for all to project upon. The probably reality is that in person he is nothing like what his admirers and detractors think he is.
Those of who passed our Rorschach Tests (with flying colors!) can tell you rationally that Obama has been an excellent President and is a wonderful human being.
5
Oh, how he will be missed.
I see nothing on the horizon.
I see nothing on the horizon.
18
I guess you can't see Sanders.
2
bernie....he is the true heir
President Barack Obama on Saturday urged Americans not to stigmatize Muslims following this week's deadly attacks in Brussels, saying that doing so is "counterproductive" in the fight against radical Islam. In his weekly media address, Obama said Muslim-Americans are "our most important partners in the nation's fight against those who would wage violent jihad.
"That's why we have to reject any attempt to stigmatize Muslim-Americans, and their enormous contributions to our country and our way of life. It's also counterproductive,"
It plays right into the hands of terrorists who want to turn us against one another -- who need a reason to recruit more people to their hateful cause.
Obama the great Harvard Grad believes himself to be the all knowing of what is right for the American people when it comes to well, everything.
The quran says the same thing in the muslim Islamic jihadist terrorist quran as it says in every other muslim on the Earth.
Quran (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"
Quran (2:191-193) - "And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief or unrest] is worse than killing...
"That's why we have to reject any attempt to stigmatize Muslim-Americans, and their enormous contributions to our country and our way of life. It's also counterproductive,"
It plays right into the hands of terrorists who want to turn us against one another -- who need a reason to recruit more people to their hateful cause.
Obama the great Harvard Grad believes himself to be the all knowing of what is right for the American people when it comes to well, everything.
The quran says the same thing in the muslim Islamic jihadist terrorist quran as it says in every other muslim on the Earth.
Quran (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"
Quran (2:191-193) - "And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief or unrest] is worse than killing...
3
Please read a few passages from the Bible. In fact, someone got on film interactions with people being shown passages from the Bible who thought they were from the Quran. They were stunned and embarrassed to realize they had just read passages from the Bible and commented about them as barbaric and violence-inciting.
5
Please read a few passages from the Bible
================
Right. And most of us are worrying about the fact that some Methodist or Presbyterian terrorist is going to plant a bomb in our neighborhood.
================
Right. And most of us are worrying about the fact that some Methodist or Presbyterian terrorist is going to plant a bomb in our neighborhood.
1
or show up to kill some innocent people providing health services to women
5
Sweet essay- hits the nail on the head.
Dear Ms. Dowd - in all the years I've read your columns, this is the first time you treat Barack Hussein Obama with the honour and praise he has so richly earned and deserves. I hope you are incorrect in your prognostication that President Obama's "anthropological detachment" will prevent him from having his beautiful head carved into Mt. Rushmore. You were fortunate to travel with President Obama to Cuba. And yes, Obama's family is elegant and we are lucky to have them as our First Family, notwithstanding the incomprehensible loathing of Obama by all Republicans for the past 8 years, even since his DNC meteoric keynote speech in 2004. The three remaining Republicans of the 17 original first and second tier wannabe POTUS candidates - Trump , Cruz and Kasich - are worthless and unelectable examples of the GOP past. We are all waiting for the Tea Party Conservative train wreck to occur any day now. Thrilling to watch the video of President Obama dancing the Tango in Argentina with his Tango partner. There was beauty in his dancing while the world exploded in Brussels, while ISIS claimed responsiblity for the massacre. And seeing the President at a baseball game with Raul Castro in Cuba shows all of us who have his back how we appreciate his brilliance and accomplishments - his legacy - despite the worst obstructionist Congress in recent history. And wonderful too, Ms. Dowd,
to see that at last you appreciate the very great man who is our leader and President.
to see that at last you appreciate the very great man who is our leader and President.
9
I'm with you that Obama's beautiful head belongs on Mt. Rushmore, eventually. But what we urgently need in the very near future is Obama on the SCOTUS.
4
Whoa! What terrible nonsense Maureen Dowd's readers might have been spared if President Obama had been friendlier to years ago. Hillary, please take note.
3
Thanks Maureen Dowd for your objective writing and observations. You have consistently assessed this President very fairly from day one.
Cuba is 90 miles south of the U.S. border. That is the same distance between Florida and South Carolina. Can you imagine being mad "forever" with a country an hour and a half away from Miami. This dialog is not only sane, it is neighborly.
19
The Queen of Cheap Shots has spoken. We all knew she would not be able to resist dumping on the tango thing as soon as it hit the web. So sorry for your lowly tabloid misery Maureen, but the factual lackluster of your columns these days is failing to convince us you are a relevant voice in 21st Century presidential politics. Predictable and pathetic article. Snore...
14
Obama is from the hoped for future while the rest of America, including congress, trudges in the muck of the past.
17
Gee, Maureen, you, like so many others, suffer from selective amnesia when it fits the story you want to write. Obama's "anthropological detachment" includes a few vivid moments when this President, who never fails to carry himself (and therefore us) with elegant dignity, broke down and cried when addressing the slaughter of babies in Newtown CT. I don't see that as a failure to viscerally connect.
I do however, see a failure of the GOP to viscerally connect with any of the victims of their monumentally tragic policies no matter what the subject.
Oh, and need I remind anyone of the comments of one of their candidates; that not one of the bullet ridden bodies of those babies, or any other victim of gun violence, was worth considering extending regulations to these dreadful weapons.
I'd say that Obama is very present emotionally. And in the right way.
I do however, see a failure of the GOP to viscerally connect with any of the victims of their monumentally tragic policies no matter what the subject.
Oh, and need I remind anyone of the comments of one of their candidates; that not one of the bullet ridden bodies of those babies, or any other victim of gun violence, was worth considering extending regulations to these dreadful weapons.
I'd say that Obama is very present emotionally. And in the right way.
32
So so true.
6
President Obama has been a relatively safe haven of sanity and a gift to the world as a great orator. After Bush, Cheney and his henchmen, President Obama has been an oasis of clear, cool water.
One of your recent articles declaring that Hillary Killed feminism, although I am a Sanders voter and celebrating results from last nights wins, led me to prepare myself before I read another of your hyperbolic columns on this early Sunday morning.
One of your recent articles declaring that Hillary Killed feminism, although I am a Sanders voter and celebrating results from last nights wins, led me to prepare myself before I read another of your hyperbolic columns on this early Sunday morning.
6
" the lip-curling at needy lawmakers"
Surely you jest. All the lip-curling has been done by Congress. I do not blame the President for being relieved to be leaving those boorish swine.
Surely you jest. All the lip-curling has been done by Congress. I do not blame the President for being relieved to be leaving those boorish swine.
14
Perhaps much of the President's so-called detachment came from looking around at our legislative and judicial branches and realizing to himself:
"Oh my God. I am the only adult in the room!"
And he was right.
"Oh my God. I am the only adult in the room!"
And he was right.
29
Well done, well said Maureen, our antidote to the blatherings of Peggy Noonan
1
Perhaps you meant to quote Pink in "Raise Your Glass" with the ironic line, "Too school for cool." I both like and respect President Obama, and to me, both versions of the line are apt descriptions.
2
Well, Obama is sure of himself, even when he says he is not. Come on.
Dowd sounds most like a woman carping disingenuously about a husband or a son in order to tamp down the inevitable envy from her friends and other acquaintances.
President Bush successfully won a gorilla war, nearly impossible through an historical lease. It was a masterful victory, providing America with substantial geopolitical leverage. Obama created ISIS by departing from sixty years of established U.S foreign policy removing our forces and our top diplomats.
Syria is largely his fault too, ignoring Samantha powers for six years on the matter.
Obama is the failure not Bush, in the realm of international diplomacy and use of force.
Syria is largely his fault too, ignoring Samantha powers for six years on the matter.
Obama is the failure not Bush, in the realm of international diplomacy and use of force.
2
Yes, it was really quite something, watching Bush battle all those mad gorillas!
8
What an amazing testament to the delusional rewriting of history. And Texas landed the contract for rewriting American school textbooks. Disheartening to say the least.
12
Republicans missed a golden opportunity when Obama was elected. Their leaders could have embraced the moment and pledged to work with this first African-American President in the true spirit of bipartisan co-operation. This would have greatly benefited our country and would have gained them considerable progress in the African-American community.
Instead, they took the short-term approach and announced that defeating Obama would be their number one priority.
The long-term negative effects of this will be with them for years to come.
Instead, they took the short-term approach and announced that defeating Obama would be their number one priority.
The long-term negative effects of this will be with them for years to come.
22
I completely agree. In fact, had they done that in 2008, they very well might have won in 2012. But, the Republicans have been nothing if not short-sighted. They certainly haven't played politics to win anything other than reelection to their own seats. Strategically, embracing the President would have opened so many doors for the Party and they could have coalesced behind their conservative message supportively. It would have been better for them, better for their constituents, better for the country, and given the implications on foreign policy, better for the world. But seeing those possibilities and wanting them to happen are beyond the current Republican capacity.
6
Agreed. These Republicans are really good at pointing out what is wrong with everything Obama does, but offer no suggestions for improvement. They have shown that they don't care about the good of the country as a whole, just as Texas politicians have shown that they don't care for its residents. In a state with one of the highest levels of uninsured individuals, they decided to stick it to the president by not expanding Medicaid in Texas. It's a broken system, they say. Why throw more money at it? So, where are their suggestions for fixing the system? *crickets*
2
From day 1 the GOP tried to work with this egomaniac. From day 1 Obama refused all advice, really believing he is the smartest human ever. He was advised to not pull troops out of Iraq too soon, but he did anyway and ISIS filled the vacuum he created. The GOP warned him Obamacare would be a disaster, and it is! Costs are spiraling out of control, the exact opposite of what Obama promised. Obama was warned that Cash for Clinkers and his trillion dollar porkulus would fail, and the GOP was right.
Ah yes, the caged mountebanks of the Republican party, frothing at the mouth pounce at every mistep, imagined,or tangoed of this usurper of their rightful home, the White House.
7
Maureen traveled with the President to Havana. I was shocked -- shocked -- to read, that after being with the Presidential entourage engaged in a diplomatic mission, she did NOT refer to the President as Barry. She did not to type in a gratuitous slur against the President. She did not even type in a gratuitous slur against Hillary Clinton -- or Bill -- or any Democrats. She did not engage in snark. In fact, she compliments the President in the end writing, "The president can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball."
Amazing. When Maureen Dowd meets the subjects of her op eds in person and when she sees how they behave, she can write op eds that present visions for our future, instead of snark about the past. Who knew?
Amazing. When Maureen Dowd meets the subjects of her op eds in person and when she sees how they behave, she can write op eds that present visions for our future, instead of snark about the past. Who knew?
7
"The President can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball."
Yes, he can.
Yes, he can.
22
Obama is a socialist and too concerned about the legacy he thinks he will have but will not. His Argentinian speech about how communism and socialism and capitalism are the same and one should pick their choice was sad. Was he an affirmative action candidate at Columbia? I have always been curious as his transcript is so closely guarded and closed.
1
Could you tell us exactly why you think President Obama is a socialist?
2
Time in and time again you have depicted President Obama as a cool, detached, aloof, totally bereft of emotion individual. What exactly do you want him to be, Maureen? Cry baby Boehner or raving, ranting, foul-mouthed Trump or cold-blooded, calculating Cruz? I guess, only a dramatic display of emotion will appease you, not the calm, reassuring, stirring words filled with emotion and teary-eyed genuine pain. You went with him to Havana? Thank God! He came back in one piece.
9
Mr Obama has been denigrated by the best and still rises above the fray. good for him, he isn't perfect, who among us is?
4
"If he were up for re-election, the president probably would have forced himself to appear more emotionally responsive to the terrorist attacks, urged on by his staff."
Speculation like this makes me shudder and cringe -- and get really, really annoyed with you, Ms. Dowd. You DON'T KNOW what he might have done if he were up for re-election. Perhaps, he would have finished what he was doing rather than jumping into a new mess. Despite what Trump supporters, and the reactive masses, believe, ADD is not a valuable asset to the leader of the free world. Sometimes, you have to stay the course. And that might include a polite tango.
Whatever. I'm tired of people positing what mighthavecouldhaveshouldhave happened. We elected this man; he is doing a job. To imagine what he might have done in an impossible (re-election) scenario is loopy.
Speculation like this makes me shudder and cringe -- and get really, really annoyed with you, Ms. Dowd. You DON'T KNOW what he might have done if he were up for re-election. Perhaps, he would have finished what he was doing rather than jumping into a new mess. Despite what Trump supporters, and the reactive masses, believe, ADD is not a valuable asset to the leader of the free world. Sometimes, you have to stay the course. And that might include a polite tango.
Whatever. I'm tired of people positing what mighthavecouldhaveshouldhave happened. We elected this man; he is doing a job. To imagine what he might have done in an impossible (re-election) scenario is loopy.
6
Maureen....Just stop bashing Obama, Maureen. We would be lucky to have him for a third term. Ever stop to think what Obama could have accomplished with just a little engagement by Republicans? The "scorched earth" approach by Republicans for 7 years is unprecedented and is an embarrassing legacy. I hope they pay dearly for it in November. They should.
10
About time, Maureen. Some of us are not enamored of endless war in endless guises.
6
Obama left for 2 days of fundraisers the day after Benghazi
Left for fundraiser a $31,700 the afternoom of the second fort Hood attach
Refused to attend the solidarity march in Paris
Refused to the funerals in Paris
Did not attend Reagan or Scalia,s funerals
As always money trumps everything
Left for fundraiser a $31,700 the afternoom of the second fort Hood attach
Refused to attend the solidarity march in Paris
Refused to the funerals in Paris
Did not attend Reagan or Scalia,s funerals
As always money trumps everything
2
A cool piece about a very cool President. This liberal Democrat is very much going to miss him.
8
Everyone but Rush Limbaugh seems to understand the President runs a big government which can do more than one thing at once. Let Republicans stoke their own fires with images of the tango. For me, it was very cool the President went to play golf while the SEALS headed off to kill Osama Bin Laden.
11
President Obama took out bin laden while making jokes at the press dinner, and the number two daesh leader while dancing tango. He has set the bar so high for time management that no president will ever top it. Intimidate us, daesh? Well, watch me dance. God bless Barack Obama! The greatest president of the modern era.
29
Cool President. $485 shades. Elegant family. Jittery Americans who will keep him off Mt. Rushmore. No wonder Ms. Dowd was invited on the press plane! She probably did the wave with Andrea Mitchell.
2
Minor nit to pick on a minor column: "palacio" in Spanish can mean a royal residence, a large house, or a major government building or center. For example, "palacio de justicia" is better translated to the idiomatic "courthouse," not "palace of justice," which would be the less competent word-by-word translation. So "palacio de la revolucion" would be "revolution house" or "revolution center." Oh, and the initials in Spanish would be PR, not RP.
Congratulations to Barack Obama for trying to repair the stupidity of the Cuban embargo, Guantanamo, and the Iraq war. To bad the biggest adversary is...our "leaders," driven by greed, opportunism, incompetence and dishonesty.
Congratulations to Barack Obama for trying to repair the stupidity of the Cuban embargo, Guantanamo, and the Iraq war. To bad the biggest adversary is...our "leaders," driven by greed, opportunism, incompetence and dishonesty.
12
Love that he had a civilized meeting with Canada's Trudeau. Love that he is opening up Cuba. Love that he danced tango. We will miss him when he's gone.
29
I'm struck by the statement from Dowd that it's the Obama detachment and refusal to scramble after cheap emotional display that may "keep him from being a Mt Rushmore President". Is that what was irritating her about the President she insisted on calling "Barry" for quite a few years after he became POTUS? A cogent column from this writer, unusual when the subject is Obama, if only for its substance. But who is a modern "Mt Rushmore" President? Let me guess, Reagan, right? Reagan had all the theatricality Obama lacks. I'll take the guy who accomplished what he did despite the implacable opposition of the other party to let him do anything, even appoint a head of ATF or Surgeon General, let alone judges, let alone pass laws, even laws they previously were favorable towards. Despite the conspiracy theories about his birth and religion that failed to stop the American voters from giving him a 50%+ win in 2012 after 4 years of experiencing his Presidency. Despite unreasoning hatred that would have made FDR smile. Despite that other thing...what was it again? I can't quite put my finger on it...Anyway, I don't care much about Mt Rushmore Presidents (as if the mountain will suffer additional chiselling). Image is not substance or accomplishment.
15
Something we'll never have to worry about is Donald Trump rising "above the "fray". His preferred milieu is an open cesspool at a livestock ranch.
In the comment thread, some posters observed that while Pres. Obama was skewering Donald Trump at the correspondents dinner, Seal Team Six had been dispatched by him to kill Bin Laden.
Trump was visibly furious at Obama's "insolence", and it's very debatable that that was the moment that Trump decided to become the "Birther in Chief" as a way to exact revenge.
Obama's preternatural ability to "keep his eye on the ball" while chaos reigns and everybody in Washington prefer to indulge in self serving drama and political grandstanding is among his greatest strengths. It also can make him looked emotionally detached and insensitive, which we know is anything but true. He cares.
If that "keeps him off Mount Rushmore", so be it.
George W. Bush would probably give a better "halftime" speech to a football team, but I'll stick with Obama, thank you very much.
In the comment thread, some posters observed that while Pres. Obama was skewering Donald Trump at the correspondents dinner, Seal Team Six had been dispatched by him to kill Bin Laden.
Trump was visibly furious at Obama's "insolence", and it's very debatable that that was the moment that Trump decided to become the "Birther in Chief" as a way to exact revenge.
Obama's preternatural ability to "keep his eye on the ball" while chaos reigns and everybody in Washington prefer to indulge in self serving drama and political grandstanding is among his greatest strengths. It also can make him looked emotionally detached and insensitive, which we know is anything but true. He cares.
If that "keeps him off Mount Rushmore", so be it.
George W. Bush would probably give a better "halftime" speech to a football team, but I'll stick with Obama, thank you very much.
15
I have a feeling we will all be missing President Obama very soon after he leaves office.
He and the First Lady have served with dignity, grace and compassion for two terms.
God Bless Them.
He and the First Lady have served with dignity, grace and compassion for two terms.
God Bless Them.
27
All I can say is that we've had eight years with one of the smartest guys as president that we will probably see in a long, long time and the opportunity was spoiled by a bunch of racists who couldn't stand that there was a black man in the White House. Too bad for us, America.
38
Fifty years from now, nobody will remember the people who tried to gain influence or wealth by preaching hatred for President Obama. They will, however, remember Obama, the way people remember Jack Kennedy now - representing the best that American Democracy can produce.
22
Considering this supposed dispassionate eye the author and many others scribble about, I'd expect the President to have already endorsed Bernie. Apparently, though, that dispassion does not extend to his own post-Presidency position vis-a-vis a Clinton administration that would freeze out not only himself, but his wife and his post collegiate children were she to win 2 terms despite his endorsement of Sanders.
1
Perhaps a Donald Trump presidency-- full of bluster and bigotry-- might make many of his critics (like Ms. Dowd) appreciate the eloquent, understated President Obama.
6
Mr. Obama is a real President. Mr. Cruz and Mr. Trump are both pathetic and will bring the country to disaster.
9
Maureen Dowd is one of two columnists that seem smarter than their commenters. (Paul Krugman is the other.) Some people can't stand what she writes, but they read her anyway. I can't stand Friedman or the Brooks Brothers, so I stopped reading them long ago. But Dowd is irresistible. The frequent comment that the President is "the smartest one in the room" is probably not true when Dowd is around (and has racist overtones as well). Keep writing Ms Dowd, keep writing.
Unlike show business [Trump's expertise], politics [Cruz's specialty], or journalism [Dowd's talent], governance actual does require grasp of facts, intelligent analysis, and decisive action. That is why Obama looks so bad, and does better than most.
4
What is the fray? Is Trump and Cruz trumpeting insults the fray? When he is gone you and I will miss Obama. Lincoln also seemed above the fray, although he seemed to have more compassion than Obama shows. Looks are deceiving.
Obama did what he could in a divisive climate with no wriggle room. Call that a tango/
Obama did what he could in a divisive climate with no wriggle room. Call that a tango/
8
Of course President Obama should have canceled the rest of his trip and rushed to the airport to get a standby coach seat to Brussels. (Because Air Force One cost too much for HIM to use). He should have gone to Brussels to help the rescue workers there by helping them dig through the rubble all the while weeping and wailing about the inhumanity of mankind. Just what the people of Brussels needed at that tragic time,a full force presidential 'State visit' and all the security and arrangements that would have to be made to accommodate such a 'visit' to distract from the work of rescuing and helping the injured,id'ing the dead and the manhunt for the barbarians who caused this heinous cowardly act. I didn't see any of the rep'tea candidates nor any of his other critics make any effort to go there (and do what)if they had. Did President Bush rush to New Orleans with a bucket to bail water out of the flooded streets of that city after Hurricane Katrina? Didn't President Bush in the days after 9/11 tell Americans to 'keep calm,live your lives and go shopping' and don't let the terrorist win by changing our way of life. So President Obama is supposed to dropping everything when these barbarian terrorist create havoc in the world and fall to the floor in hysterical grief while other just criticize him and go on with their presidential campaigns (along with their snipping at each other). Do they really give a damn about what happened to the people of Brussels,not really. Not at all.
12
Given the animus that has been his "incoming" since before he was even inaugurated, if President Obama had allowed himself to be emotionally vulnerable to all that, he'd be a wreck by now. Instead, he has been a master of calm navigation and balance no matter what happens.
There is a lot to be said for a captain who can maneuver his vessel out of problems, rather than emotionally going down with the ship. If Obama had been captain of the Titanic, it would have made it to New York: he would never have allowed it to be running at speed through an ice field, no matter WHAT the company representative wanted. Don't knock cool caution.
There is a lot to be said for a captain who can maneuver his vessel out of problems, rather than emotionally going down with the ship. If Obama had been captain of the Titanic, it would have made it to New York: he would never have allowed it to be running at speed through an ice field, no matter WHAT the company representative wanted. Don't knock cool caution.
16
Mr Obama understands the aloha spirit. He lived it. And now he is witnessing Bernie Sanders representing the true aloha spirit, as Bernie sweeps through Hawaii caucuses. Bernie is the true heir to Obama, not Hillary. She can try to be his heir in policy but she can never never represent or even fathom the true aloha spirit that Bernie feels authentically in his bones.
2
Children, here we have an example of passive aggressive writing using the kick, kick, kick then faint praise method. One should call these puerile jabs filler.
20
Obama's only diehard fans are the vast majority of blacks of all types and white intelligent moderates, the first group an important but small minority of the electorate, the latter only a tiny slice. Yet Obama must be doing something right, since his approval rating is on the upswing and stands at 50% in the latest Gallup Poll. Obama's central popularity problem is that he's too smart for most Americans and acts with "unAmerican" detached dignity, like a European aristocrat in fact. Like such an aristocrat, he has too much dignity to fake stupid things which ordinary people deeply, but foolishly, think and feel. He's a wise, rational Stoic in a world of, frankly, relatively hysterical fools. We were so lucky to have him for eight years, instead of either Hillary or McCain or Romney, all three hired by the Israel Lobby to take us straight into an even more disastrous war with Iran than the Lobby's last puppet president took us into in Iraq. Unless Sanders pulls off a miracle, we'll rue the day Obama is replaced!
5
The divisions within the US between races, wealth, etc have gotten much worse under Obama because he has used the differences for political gain instead of trying to address the problem
2
I'm reserving judgment on the Obamas until I see if they stuff their coffers on the paid speech circuit like the Clintons did.
3
Maybe they'll just settle for a one single multimillion dollar (in current dollars ) speech in Japan, like Reagan did? Though his alzheimer's was advanced he never lost the knack of selling himself.
Or the Bush's pre-sold out, before retiring from the White House.
Or the Bush's pre-sold out, before retiring from the White House.
5
Are the Clintons the first ex president and wife to "stuff their coffers"by make speaches?I think not.
2
No, that great bastion of support for the little people, Reagan, was I believe the first. But the Clintons took it to a whole new level. Namely, $150 million plus and counting, since Bill says he'll keep giving paid speeches if Hillary is elected. The greed is appalling.
1
I will be sorry to see his term end. His inordinate decency rises so far above the ordinary that the likes of those sparing for the nomination on the right seem like buffoons. Obama represents what is good and original in America. His service to our country is the hallmark of dignity! That he represents us to the world makes me feel good about being an American. Frankly, I have had enough of the rancher and cowboy to last a lifetime. Trump and Cruz are so longing for a time long ago that we ought to have them have it out at 6 paces with pistols. It would make the NRA so proud! Obama may be far from perfect politically, but he is still an example in the best of human conduct for all of us!
23
I do agree something had to happen with policy with Cuba as the same was getting the same i feel it was not the place for the POTUS to be. He could have sent a group of senators and private sector to talk about relations and not just had them a meeting with our leader. i find it hard to stomach that he can meet with dictators that have terrible human rights records but cannot walk across the aisle here at home. I have been to both Cuba and Argentina and the only ones that have anything are those connected to the government elite! In Cuba you get your two chickens a month and free healthcare!
1
"... the failure to viscerally connect and vigorously persuade..."
On the premier life-and-death issue of going/not going to war, Mr. Obama has connected viscerally with a majority of Americans who throughout his presidency have polled "no" to more military adventurism of the kind he inherited.
As a footnote about the tango, see Jennifer Lopez's description of it in the 2004 movie "Shall We Dance".
On the premier life-and-death issue of going/not going to war, Mr. Obama has connected viscerally with a majority of Americans who throughout his presidency have polled "no" to more military adventurism of the kind he inherited.
As a footnote about the tango, see Jennifer Lopez's description of it in the 2004 movie "Shall We Dance".
4
Mr Obama piddled away a huge opportunity during his first 2 years by trying to be a non-partisan President, so wet behind the ears he traded away stuff Democrats had worked hard for years- well before he decided to make a run at the White House.
The typical knock on DC Democrats is that they bring a knife to a gun fight. Obama did not even bother to bring the the knife. For example, he took the Public Option & Single Payer off the table before the first meeting was held on the ACA - kind of like surrendering the Fort before it is attacked.
A lot of good Democratic House members paid in 2010 for his lack of leadership and unwillingness to go to bat for those who carried his water in the House during those 2 years. We do not ever hear him expressing regret for costing so many their seats due to his dilettante approach to legislation.
I did not vote for him as I feared he would be the kind of Third Way DLC type he is under the skin. Sadly I was right. If he would have had his way the Grand Bargain- a.k.a. the Grand Betrayal would have been enacted. He flat out lied about letting environmental, consumer and labor groups participate in Trade Negotiations- they were locked out for the TPP, TTIP and TISA while every lobbyist for every big money interest had a front row seat.
Obama had a chance to be an FDR type transformative President and settled for being Millard Fillmore. Now he pushes War Hawk Hillary over a real Progressive as Democrats try to clean up his messes.
Sad.
The typical knock on DC Democrats is that they bring a knife to a gun fight. Obama did not even bother to bring the the knife. For example, he took the Public Option & Single Payer off the table before the first meeting was held on the ACA - kind of like surrendering the Fort before it is attacked.
A lot of good Democratic House members paid in 2010 for his lack of leadership and unwillingness to go to bat for those who carried his water in the House during those 2 years. We do not ever hear him expressing regret for costing so many their seats due to his dilettante approach to legislation.
I did not vote for him as I feared he would be the kind of Third Way DLC type he is under the skin. Sadly I was right. If he would have had his way the Grand Bargain- a.k.a. the Grand Betrayal would have been enacted. He flat out lied about letting environmental, consumer and labor groups participate in Trade Negotiations- they were locked out for the TPP, TTIP and TISA while every lobbyist for every big money interest had a front row seat.
Obama had a chance to be an FDR type transformative President and settled for being Millard Fillmore. Now he pushes War Hawk Hillary over a real Progressive as Democrats try to clean up his messes.
Sad.
3
I just love reading the lib comments on Obama the great. You would think he never made an error in his life- just ask him and he will tell u so. In 2008 I gave seriou thought to voting for Obama but decided he was to inexperienced, hadn't worked much and really did not have a track record. His first 4 years was OJT. He let Reid and Pelosi ram thru Obama Care which was the beginning of the end for any possible relationship he might have with congress. The lib media covered up for him from the beginning even though he and his team lied, yes lied about keep your doctor, keep your hospital and save money. Premiums and co-pays r thru the roof on the backs of the middle class. Obama's inexperience and ego effected the way he even dealt with congress. He had never led nor had he really ever worked so he was clueless on how to lead and how to establish relationships that would help forge consensus. Forget that now , with 9 months left he could give a rip. I can't wait until he and his inexperienced band of seudo- intellectuals and policy wonks are history
2
Tango is not for the faint hearted. I would love to see Rush do a tango period. Obama did just fine.
5
In about 20 years, Mr Obama will be on the list of 10 best presidents. And he still won't bat an eyelash. Because what he cared about was doing his job the best he could, he didn't waste his time trying to make friends with people whose singular objective was to make him a failure. He kept his focus on what matters to the country; that is just another point in his favor.
Perhaps Ms Dowd is beginning to understand.
Perhaps Ms Dowd is beginning to understand.
7
Unlike Ms. Dowd,, I don't believe that the President has the job of being some kind of Great Father who has to give solace to us, the American people, when we
are alarmed. Obama models for us how to be resilient when the inevitably bad event happens. It's as if he was English-he certainly has the class-he embodies the correct old slogan: Keep Calm And Carrry On.
are alarmed. Obama models for us how to be resilient when the inevitably bad event happens. It's as if he was English-he certainly has the class-he embodies the correct old slogan: Keep Calm And Carrry On.
8
Apparently the trip to Havana has pacified and pleased not only the Cubans, but one American columnist as well.
1
By my calendar Ms. Dowd, our President is hardly leaving the stage. He has about 20% of his 2nd term left and clearly is doing a lot more than his critics thought he could despite their best efforts to neuter him, including showing how totally feckless his GOP wannabes are when it comes to understanding the meaning of the term Presidential .
8
"The lip-curling at anyone who does not see things as he does." Obama does not have a problem with people who see things differently. He has a problem with people who see things emotionally. Seeing things emotionally is not a virtue. Seeing things emotionally gets in the way of solving problems, which is what we elect presidents to do. If you call Obama arrogant or bloodless or other names, you are just telling us something about your own insecurities.
5
Well if you want to continue with a "too cool for school" prez who likes to go it alone rather than build coalitions and who is loathe of bothering with emotion around terrorism and who also voted against the Iraq war then vote Sanders. On second no thanks.
1
Seems to me that all the bruhaha in the media & Greedy Old Pirates party is that the President resists pandering to them. Poor things. But like Maureen said in a unusual burst of candor: The President has his eye on the ball.
Imagine. The President of the United States actually looking out for the National Interest. Refreshing.
Imagine. The President of the United States actually looking out for the National Interest. Refreshing.
12
My goodness Maureen, still pushing the "if-he-had-only-shmoozed-more-with-the-Republicans-he-could-have-gotten-more-done" narrative? Even after this Republican Presidential Primary clown-show has confirmed beyond a doubt that the party is dominated by racists and xenophobes who won't even acknowledge his legitimacy to hold his office? This sort of lazy "on the one hand/on the other hand" journalism is one reason that scoundrels like Trump can thrive.
5
Republicans have never wanted to be seen hanging out with the president. For their voters, the optics would have been worse than doing a tango ib an abortion clinic. So Obama not publicly scmoozing with them was really the only way to get any support at all.
3
Meanwhile back at home. While the President is on a whirlwind tour of 3rd world countries, those in Congress finally read his 2017 budget.
Included is a proposed 18% salary increase for ex-Presidents. Might as well leave them laughing!
If GW had proposed that on his way out the door, Collins and Krugman would still be writing about it, and the NYT would have run out of ink a long time ago.
Included is a proposed 18% salary increase for ex-Presidents. Might as well leave them laughing!
If GW had proposed that on his way out the door, Collins and Krugman would still be writing about it, and the NYT would have run out of ink a long time ago.
1
Right, that increase--for 4, count em 4--current ex-presidents is a real budget buster.
3
" The president can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball." Indeed he can and often does more than one thing at a time. Remember one of his funniest nights at the National Press Club while he knew final steps to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden were in progress?
And if by aloof you mean thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent, I agree and love him for that.
So as we agree " The president can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball." what were all the rambling swipes at the President about before you came to that closing conclusion?
And if by aloof you mean thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent, I agree and love him for that.
So as we agree " The president can go to a ballgame and still keep his eye on the ball." what were all the rambling swipes at the President about before you came to that closing conclusion?
10
Maureen,
"He feels that fanatics who are not an existential threat to us want to disrupt our lives and we should not let them; that more people die slipping in their bathtubs than in terrorist attacks".
Obama does not "feel" the above statement. It is just a fact that "more people die slipping in their bathtubs than in terrorist attacks (in the USA)."
America had a President that moved with what he felt in his "gut" Maureen, "W" (the son of George H. W. Bush I or II not sure).
We all saw where emotional, "gut", reaction gets us. Hangings on cell phone videos, ISIS formation where previously a functioning, secular, state existed.....the list of disaster wrought by Presidential emotion during "W" is more than large, it is huge.
Obama is and was the reprieve we Americans sought from bad decisions made from the backed up "gut" of "W".
So, I think it would be OK if you recognize that Obama has offered outcomes that are limited, but, those limited outcomes have not been disastrous for the USA.
Obama understands the USA cannot solve all the world's problems from the "gut". Because, emotion does not solve problems. Careful, thoughtful, planned, and well executed action does. Obama has provided this last sentence to us for 8 years.
I suspect you, and all of us, will soon recognize, and, very much miss, that quiet, thoughtful, "Obama" approach.
"He feels that fanatics who are not an existential threat to us want to disrupt our lives and we should not let them; that more people die slipping in their bathtubs than in terrorist attacks".
Obama does not "feel" the above statement. It is just a fact that "more people die slipping in their bathtubs than in terrorist attacks (in the USA)."
America had a President that moved with what he felt in his "gut" Maureen, "W" (the son of George H. W. Bush I or II not sure).
We all saw where emotional, "gut", reaction gets us. Hangings on cell phone videos, ISIS formation where previously a functioning, secular, state existed.....the list of disaster wrought by Presidential emotion during "W" is more than large, it is huge.
Obama is and was the reprieve we Americans sought from bad decisions made from the backed up "gut" of "W".
So, I think it would be OK if you recognize that Obama has offered outcomes that are limited, but, those limited outcomes have not been disastrous for the USA.
Obama understands the USA cannot solve all the world's problems from the "gut". Because, emotion does not solve problems. Careful, thoughtful, planned, and well executed action does. Obama has provided this last sentence to us for 8 years.
I suspect you, and all of us, will soon recognize, and, very much miss, that quiet, thoughtful, "Obama" approach.
18
Why oh why didn't Valerie get the Obamas tango ready and tutor Michelle, especially, that one never, but never, looks at their feet when dancing.
I can't wait to see Barack Obama on Dancing With the Stars next season. That tango he did in Argentina is worthy of a 10 from Len.
1
The 99.99% of Republicans who don't serve in the military are angry!
6
"That anthropological detachment — the failure to viscerally connect and vigorously persuade, the lip-curling at needy lawmakers, jittery Americans or anyone else who does not see things as he does — may keep him from being a Mount Rushmore president."
This is a misplaced diagnosis. We need more Republican hysteria? How bout we invade Syria, Maureen and Roger?
That worked pretty well in Iraq didn't it folks.
The main point is that Obama was and is a mild mannered man, confronted by asymmetric polarizers, who for decades have been pressing a plutocratic agenda through wedge built electoral majorities of Republican presidential and Congressional candidates and an undemocratic, completely lunatic supreme court, in lower case as it deserves to be.
Thanks Maureen for almost 8 years of blaming the victim. And failing to put blame where blame should be: on those who refused to compromise with Obama, a man of superior knowledge and intelligence to anything the Republicans have on offer--by far.
It is amazing that as a party devolved into a monstrosity--totally obstructionist, far right, wing nut ideological Tea Party (and a total embarrassment to the American's early enlightenment foundations)--Maureen saw fit to trash a fine man who stood for what is right, while he was slimmed on both the Right (Trump) and the Left (Maureen Dowd, really nothing but a Bush family courtesan, when they'll have her).
This is a misplaced diagnosis. We need more Republican hysteria? How bout we invade Syria, Maureen and Roger?
That worked pretty well in Iraq didn't it folks.
The main point is that Obama was and is a mild mannered man, confronted by asymmetric polarizers, who for decades have been pressing a plutocratic agenda through wedge built electoral majorities of Republican presidential and Congressional candidates and an undemocratic, completely lunatic supreme court, in lower case as it deserves to be.
Thanks Maureen for almost 8 years of blaming the victim. And failing to put blame where blame should be: on those who refused to compromise with Obama, a man of superior knowledge and intelligence to anything the Republicans have on offer--by far.
It is amazing that as a party devolved into a monstrosity--totally obstructionist, far right, wing nut ideological Tea Party (and a total embarrassment to the American's early enlightenment foundations)--Maureen saw fit to trash a fine man who stood for what is right, while he was slimmed on both the Right (Trump) and the Left (Maureen Dowd, really nothing but a Bush family courtesan, when they'll have her).
22
It has been a long while since, and it will be a longer while still, until we see another president with the intellect and capability that Barack Obama brought to the office. It is a shame that the Republican coven chose to obstruct him at every turn. In many ways, we have squandered the opportunities he offered to make this country so much better. I am ashamed by the fray, by the obstruction, that keeps us from accomplishing anything of real significance. I will miss this president. And, I shudder to think what the future will bring to that office. I am certain it will not be anyone close to his caliber.
24
This is an exceptionally shallow and useless piece of writing from a journalist who has had it in for Obama from the get go. I find reasons to be critical of him as well, but Maureen Dowd's spleen has been such non-stop high dudgeon that she's damaged her credibility as a serious political commentator.
4
Obama's first tango with the donors who turned 7 years into media spin and cult imagery was the problem.
I was wondering where this was going until I read the last sentence of the column.
President Obama hasn't changed since he ran for president of the Harvard Law Review. He's not about "Mission Accomplished" speeches wearing bomber jackets. He thinks before he speaks -- or acts.
Hillary says she didn't agree with all the President's decisions, which makes us wonder how things would have turned out had she been in the driver's seat -- perhaps a few thousand more American casualties.
President Obama hasn't changed since he ran for president of the Harvard Law Review. He's not about "Mission Accomplished" speeches wearing bomber jackets. He thinks before he speaks -- or acts.
Hillary says she didn't agree with all the President's decisions, which makes us wonder how things would have turned out had she been in the driver's seat -- perhaps a few thousand more American casualties.
3
Yes, Obama is smart and cool. Irrespective of his haters' vitriol he will be judged as a great president by future historians.
6
If you want to understand what causes Maureen Dowd, Bernie Sanders supporters, and I to take a jaundiced view of President Obama and today's Democratic Party, read the new book by Thomas Frank: "Listen, Liberal."
I've voted Democratic for fifty years. The Democrats I voted for fifty years ago were Democrats. Today's party leadership really is Republican Light. Not only has it abandoned working people and the middle class, but has done so intentionally and by design. If you don't believe that, read the book.
If you care about the Democratic Party, as I do, read the book.
I'm sick of the "lesser of two evils" pitch, the "at least we're not them" pitch, the "we can't compete with the Republicans" excuse. It's time for Democrats and liberals who are still cowed by the late Lee Atwater to get a spine, and acknowledge the self-inflicted rot that is the Democratic Party establishment.
Read the book. It's a factual, objective diagnosis delivered by a liberal Democrat. The "cure" is having the courage to face uncomfortable facts.
I've voted Democratic for fifty years. The Democrats I voted for fifty years ago were Democrats. Today's party leadership really is Republican Light. Not only has it abandoned working people and the middle class, but has done so intentionally and by design. If you don't believe that, read the book.
If you care about the Democratic Party, as I do, read the book.
I'm sick of the "lesser of two evils" pitch, the "at least we're not them" pitch, the "we can't compete with the Republicans" excuse. It's time for Democrats and liberals who are still cowed by the late Lee Atwater to get a spine, and acknowledge the self-inflicted rot that is the Democratic Party establishment.
Read the book. It's a factual, objective diagnosis delivered by a liberal Democrat. The "cure" is having the courage to face uncomfortable facts.
2
I'm capable of following politics, reading history, and drawing my own conclusions, thank you.
3
I think I do agree, the ball game is a good response to Brussels terror. You can't allow the terrorists to think they can draw all of the worlds attention to their cause anytime they want. That only inflates their importance.
4
What's Maureen to do, now that she won't have Obama to kick around with his bad cocktail party manners, $485 sunglasses, and disdain for petty armchair psychologists masquerading as journalists?
Who will she have to obsess over in overly personal, irrelevant, and frankly strange and unsettling ways, occupying space on the most important editorial page in the world with fundamentally unserious commentary, now that Barry has gone?
Oh. Hi Hillary.
Who will she have to obsess over in overly personal, irrelevant, and frankly strange and unsettling ways, occupying space on the most important editorial page in the world with fundamentally unserious commentary, now that Barry has gone?
Oh. Hi Hillary.
1
The queen of superficiality is at it again, speaking courageously against rationality, in her endless tango with the trivial. And maybe she is the 'winner' as Trump might say.
Our always and still GREAT nation is going to sadly miss the President with both intellect and integrity. His demeanor is unbelievable and his 4xample of how to take the high road despite blatant obstructionism against his every move is amazing. As a Cuban American who's Father flew my eight and a half month pregnant Mom to the USA land of Liberty in a stolen plane I have nothing but praise for the President who looks beyond the palomilla steak hypocrites Rubio/Cruz/Ros-Lehtinen. Gracias Muchas gracias Senor Presidente the Cuban people on the island appreciate your courage. Obamanos!
7
Obama is useless when he tries to accomplish something. Better he spends his last months in the Ovall Office on trivia like Cuba.
3
History will judge him as one of the greatest Presidents. I watch the current Republican candidates and has he ever gone down to the this level?
23
I wonder what would have happened if Maureen & Charles Krauthammer were married....two old impotent angry people would lead to some sort of storm, likely as inconsequential as they are individually, what malarkey. I quit reading her column as of now, such a shame, use to be enlightening and entertaining.
3
The president's tango was elegant and restrained and gracious. The president has showed time and time again that he can make his own decision about such small stuff and doesn't need a person in his ear to tell him to tango or not. Richard Haas and the like are the silly and small for criticizing. It shows they are peeved that he does not play by their playbook.
3
There is an image on the NYT time home page today from an art exhibition on the power of words. It reads, "I'm tired of people mistaking my kindness for weakness." This certainly applies to Obama. The word kindness could also be replaced with the words "nuance," "intelligence," "determination," "cool-headedness," and others.
Is it possible that Ms. Dowd has taken her snarky blinders off long enough to see our POTUS at his strongest? He has long displayed the best traits a leader can have under the most trying presidency of my lifetime. He's not perfect, but he has long deserved better than what Ms. Dowd's cold, wrinkled tongue has thrown at him time and time again.
Is it possible that Ms. Dowd has taken her snarky blinders off long enough to see our POTUS at his strongest? He has long displayed the best traits a leader can have under the most trying presidency of my lifetime. He's not perfect, but he has long deserved better than what Ms. Dowd's cold, wrinkled tongue has thrown at him time and time again.
10
Ms. Dowd, such trivial nitpicking. You wrote much better columns when critiquing W. Had you'd been a pundit in the time of Lincoln you're comments of him as president would be as silly as this one is of Obama. It will require much intelligent study to give full analysis to this presidency then you offer. I often questioned and lost some faith in this man's presidency, but in a broader perspective, his efforts from a historical viewpoint, will place him in the top 10 presidents this nation has ever had.
11
Given Obama's personal history, race, nature (Introvert), and high intelligence, he has always been 'alone'. His entire demeanor is dignified and graceful. He will be marked has a watershed President and among the top 10.
17
Top five. Reagan and Wilson are probably coming off the top ten list soon.
5
While a vast improvement on Dowd's usual drivel, this piece is too charitable by half to Obama and his "legacy". He has easily surpassed Jimmy Carter for the prize as most miserable failure in the White House since WWII, leaving W in 3rd place. Those of us who voted for him in 2008 and have recoiled in horror ever since can take cold comfort in the abiding obliviousness of the Times and its ilk. At least we were't that dumb.
2
And then there are the majority of we the people that voted for him in 2008, who rejoiced in getting the opportunity to reelect him in 2012... Obama's legacy is on much firmer footing than that of Clinton, Ford, and HW Bush. The only reason that I'd rate Reagan's legacy more highly is that he had the lucky fortune to be the president that was presiding at the time that the Soviet Union finally started to crumble. I would happily go back and cast the same two votes for Obama that I did before, if I had to do it all over again. It's the composition of Congress that I regret. not the President.
1
Who taught you about Jimmy Carter being a miserable failure? Do you have a brain? On the contrary, Carter was among our best presidents. Just for starters, who do you think brokered the lasting peace agreement at Camp David between Israel and Egypt? Or settled the Panama Canal issue which has done just fine under Panamanian sovereignty? BTW, Carter (and later Bill Clinton) was and is a fierce civil rights leader. Again, think before you gratuitously parrot the standard Republican canard that "Carter was awful."
1
Ms Dowd assumes that we all need what she perceives President Obama is lacking. There are some of us that are comforted by Obama's demeanor.
13
I don't know about the strangely inappropriate phrase "vertical solitude" to describe President Obama, but it suddenly strikes me that a much more apt usage can apply to the United States. There's an expression that has been used at many stages of Canada's history to describe the relationship between anglophone and francophone Canadians - "two solitudes". In America's case, it's only too descriptive of our political divisions that have been used by one side to exploit to our cultural divisions. Two political solitudes indeed, and they don't bode well for the future.
1
I think the President has done a very good job these last seven years. I am happy to see him spending his time in the Americas, after all these are our neighbors, we live here. We should back off on Europe and the middle east. I always like to dream about how great this country would be now if the GOP had helped him clean up the mess from Bush and move us forward instead of standing in his way from day one with no idea except just saying NO!!
7
I love it that Obama is dignified, patient and responsible.
18
Wow, the American President, is supposed to crumble to terrorist acts?! or forgo getting on Mt. Rushmore? Are you criticizing him for not running around with hair on fire because of Terrorist activities? Isn't that what the terrorists are doing this stuff for? I feel the same way as the president.
Irrespective of any other achievement that Mr. Obama may have or should have had, I believe he has set out an agenda of important issues that we will have to solve in the short and long term. For that he should be considered one of the greats.
Irrespective of any other achievement that Mr. Obama may have or should have had, I believe he has set out an agenda of important issues that we will have to solve in the short and long term. For that he should be considered one of the greats.
7
There have been remarks and innuendo from the Republicans and from right wing Democrats that Putin is smarter, more sophisticate, more decisive than Obama. He has been portrayed as weak, feckless, and afraid.
Barack Hussein Obama won the election in 2008 even though he has a Muslim name that rimed with Osama, is Black, and had no executive or military experience....Surprise!
His successes were all in spite of a monolithic opposition. His failure in the 2014 Congressional debacle was orchestrated by ignorant cowards who directed the Democratic Party candidates to "run away" from him.
Today, McConnell has taken off his pretense that he is not a racist, to prevent Obama from appointing a Justice to the Supreme Court. all of his reasons for refusing have been proven to be lies. What's left but McConnell's hatred for our Black President? Stay tuned.
This column sets a tone that is the historical picture Americans will share of this presidency. All theocrats, racists, and science deniers tremble.
Barack Hussein Obama won the election in 2008 even though he has a Muslim name that rimed with Osama, is Black, and had no executive or military experience....Surprise!
His successes were all in spite of a monolithic opposition. His failure in the 2014 Congressional debacle was orchestrated by ignorant cowards who directed the Democratic Party candidates to "run away" from him.
Today, McConnell has taken off his pretense that he is not a racist, to prevent Obama from appointing a Justice to the Supreme Court. all of his reasons for refusing have been proven to be lies. What's left but McConnell's hatred for our Black President? Stay tuned.
This column sets a tone that is the historical picture Americans will share of this presidency. All theocrats, racists, and science deniers tremble.
5
The Obamas are sophisticated, intelligent adults who show the world that we do indeed have mature, educated people in our country who aren't pretending to be anything other than who they are. I will miss them.
22
The population of the United States includes hundred of thousands of citizens like myself who find themselves well represented by this president. I have mused for years about the under representation and respect for the quite and undramatic. There is a lot of good to say for the introvert. We are good leaders and we can participate in public activities such as public speaking and dancing. We share the spotlight well and think about the feelings and needs for involvement of others. We are happiest alone but do not hate our fellow earth dealers. We are less clannish and this maybe why someone like Ms. Dowd who comes from a large family that she often writes about can't wrap her mind around President Obamas hard wiring. This has been a breathe of fresh air for me and I find Hillary Clinton to be somewhat of the same ilk. I have more respect for and feel safer with this type of personality in charge.
12
I did a double-take when I realized that it was Maureen Dowd writing this surprising column. Oh, the poison she has poured out over the years at the President's expense.
But the fact is, she's right. What from one angle looks like bloodless indifference, from another looks like cool, competent, elegant statecraft. And that is how I think the President will be remembered when, God willing, the country recovers from the partisan fever dreams of the last decade.
Maureen, thank you for a much appreciated portrait of grace in action.
But the fact is, she's right. What from one angle looks like bloodless indifference, from another looks like cool, competent, elegant statecraft. And that is how I think the President will be remembered when, God willing, the country recovers from the partisan fever dreams of the last decade.
Maureen, thank you for a much appreciated portrait of grace in action.
President Obama has always treated Americans as rational intelligent people. He has never used a terrorist attack, whether here or abroad, to ratchet up fear. He did not take a "victory lap" after eliminating Osama bin Laden, as he said he would do if he could during the 2008 campaign. I saw him at a fundraiser in late April 2011. It was the day he released his long form birth certificate, thus taking some of the wind out of Donald Trump's sails. Three nights later I watched him gracefully eviscerate Trump at the White House Correspondent's Dinner. He knew that night that the bin Laden raid would happen the next day. I knew on that Monday morning that PBO had nerves of steel as well as a superb mind: everything one could want in a CIC. I am one of millions of grateful Americans who will miss him dreadfully.
6
If only Ms. Dowd could just talk simply. Obama has been more than 'too cool' or even providing an 'elegant family.' His adminsitartion has been scandal free, rational, temperate and mature. The GOP smearmeisters have been responsible for impasse - their avowed commitment was not to improving national governance but to blocking Obama's 2nd term. Their tainting of political sanity has been the birther of of Trump/Cruz monster spawn.
How dare Dowd end her piece with a a compliment when she hems & haws for 99% of the column. Just say it: Obama has been a terrific president, obstructed by a deranged rigid Republican strategy- shallow, reactionary & plutocratic.
Why not highlight that, Ms. Dowd ?
How dare Dowd end her piece with a a compliment when she hems & haws for 99% of the column. Just say it: Obama has been a terrific president, obstructed by a deranged rigid Republican strategy- shallow, reactionary & plutocratic.
Why not highlight that, Ms. Dowd ?
8
Maureen Dowd, Your columns usually demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of President Obama as a person; the meaning of his goals; and the nature of his motivations. In the parlance of reincarnation, if you will, these distortions appear to prove the fact that new souls are incapable of reading or understanding old souls. So, please pick on someone that's understandable to a new soul, like a Trump or a Cruz.
4
Maureen, it's literally exhausting to read your articles. The exhaustion stems from trying to reconcile or make sense of your view of Obama as cold and detached with the Obama who has made countless speeches showing concern for our nation, sadness at the loss of life in domestic and international terrorism cases, and great sympathy for the have-nots of this world. His sensibility and intellect are superior traits that all presidents should have. What in the world do you exactly want and expect of Obama...Boehner-like tears?
7
We will so miss the grace and class of this man so evident even while dancing a dance he doesn't know how to do. I miss it already.
6
The optics were bad. Makes it hard to run on that 'third Obama term'. But my sense is Obama doesn't really care about the optics much anymore.
1
I don't know, Maureen. Sometimes I feel that the only thing worse than facing you as an enemy would be to have you as a friend. Your article is a back-handed compliment to a president who is trying to maintain some semblance of decorum in troubled times. By any set of standards, Obama outshines his Republican adversaries... But let's focus on personal qualities such as compassion, dignity, and composure. Surely, you must realize that he is by far, heads and shoulders above the majority of the remaining presidential wannabe's on both sides of the aisle. "Too cool for school"... Do you really think that he should sink to the levels of what Steven Colbert calls the "Hungry for Power Games Tributes"? If he did, it may possibly increase media profits in this age of entertainment, but it would certainly bring our nation down yet another notch. Our leaders should inspire, not pander. I'll give Obama his due credit for attempting the former.
6
"W.’s unwarranted invasion of Iraq that unwittingly created ISIS," Maybe; still Bush didn't cause the civil war in Syria, pull US troops from a secured Iraq, and enable Iranian expansion. The chaos grew on Obama's watch; when is he ever responsible?
Now, more importantly, about that Tango. Saw the video and Obama was definitely following; but what male wouldn't; the leading lady was attractive, enticing and oh so very very close to the president. And then there was Michelle in the background doing a quite demure dance - lots of space - with the Argentinian president. For me the most important question of this trip was: what did Obama's mother-in-law (brought along in Cuba) have to say about Barack's introduction to Tango dancing.
Now, more importantly, about that Tango. Saw the video and Obama was definitely following; but what male wouldn't; the leading lady was attractive, enticing and oh so very very close to the president. And then there was Michelle in the background doing a quite demure dance - lots of space - with the Argentinian president. For me the most important question of this trip was: what did Obama's mother-in-law (brought along in Cuba) have to say about Barack's introduction to Tango dancing.
3
The media has long been unhappy that Obama isn't engulfed in 24/7 political melodrama. He's not the transparent, accessible click-bait that he once was (I wonder why?), and that means that he's "cold and aloof".
He doesn't spend his free time at baseball games with members of Congress (gee), dawdling about instead at baseball games in places like Cuba, where he seems insufficiently distracted from his diplomatic task by a terrorist attack in Brussels - he's supposed to wave exciting threats and alarms at the American people, who supposedly want a huggy, enraged Daddy rather than a leader who actually spends his waking hours effectively working to prevent such incidents at home.
This is also bad for ratings, so the people must feel snubbed. Or at least bored - oh no! No Mt Rushmore for you, Obama.
There's some sort of veiled complaint here that the Havana trip was "muted", "repressed" - his tango wasn't even sufficiently libidinal; what a boring trip that was for anyone hoping for a real thrill of the sort that Republicans are dishing out daily. This is "anthropological detachment."
Since loyalty and admiration are old-school, articles like this just damn him with faint praise, noting sadly that he's too classy for Mt Rushmore.
I sometimes fear that Obama will be our last Good President. And you don't know what you've got til it's gone.
He doesn't spend his free time at baseball games with members of Congress (gee), dawdling about instead at baseball games in places like Cuba, where he seems insufficiently distracted from his diplomatic task by a terrorist attack in Brussels - he's supposed to wave exciting threats and alarms at the American people, who supposedly want a huggy, enraged Daddy rather than a leader who actually spends his waking hours effectively working to prevent such incidents at home.
This is also bad for ratings, so the people must feel snubbed. Or at least bored - oh no! No Mt Rushmore for you, Obama.
There's some sort of veiled complaint here that the Havana trip was "muted", "repressed" - his tango wasn't even sufficiently libidinal; what a boring trip that was for anyone hoping for a real thrill of the sort that Republicans are dishing out daily. This is "anthropological detachment."
Since loyalty and admiration are old-school, articles like this just damn him with faint praise, noting sadly that he's too classy for Mt Rushmore.
I sometimes fear that Obama will be our last Good President. And you don't know what you've got til it's gone.
6
Maureen, Maureen quite contrary not wanting to opine on the heidi chronicles buries and praises barack on the foxtrot. I doubt she checked to see if her quote on his glasses included his prescription for progressive lenses (if he has them at all).
2
This is the second article I have read today in the NYT, accusing the President and the United States for not caring enough about all acts terror equally.
Really, where do we the people get our daily information from? Outlets like the NYT, Washington Post and other media sources. Why these groups chose to report one story more than another is not the fault our government or a lack of empathy by the populace.
Writing about the President's trip to Cuba as if he had went on golfing trip is ridiculous, the president could not control events in Brussels and should not be expected to do so.
Really, where do we the people get our daily information from? Outlets like the NYT, Washington Post and other media sources. Why these groups chose to report one story more than another is not the fault our government or a lack of empathy by the populace.
Writing about the President's trip to Cuba as if he had went on golfing trip is ridiculous, the president could not control events in Brussels and should not be expected to do so.
6
If Maureen Dowd hadn't spent the last seven years on a resentful, seemingly vengeful hunt to bring down Obama by taking piquant pleasure in attacking his personality, she'd have noticed that our president has emoted plenty, thank you very much, and in front of us. He's even wept. But unlike most of the slobs dominating the public forum today (including Ms. Dowd), he is reserved. His publicly emotional moments are saved for occasions like the Newtown massacre or the Charleston church shootings, and even then, he controls his emotions as he uses reason to search for a higher purpose for events in our political sphere.
I ask Ms. Dowd, and readers who agree with her, why is it you want the President to stoop to the false emotions of our slobbering and slobby Internet age? Why is it you can't open yourselves to follow your president, and be lifted by the president's dignity and calm in the face of adversity, rather than wishing he were more like you in thrashing around, ranting and emoting about everything, like the typical American?
As for President Obama not going to the Congressional baseball game, I've had it with this stuff. Again, from the exact moment Obama first took office, the openly touted goal of the Republicans was to make Obama a one-term president. In the face of this, please tell me what schmoozing possibly could have done.
I ask Ms. Dowd, and readers who agree with her, why is it you want the President to stoop to the false emotions of our slobbering and slobby Internet age? Why is it you can't open yourselves to follow your president, and be lifted by the president's dignity and calm in the face of adversity, rather than wishing he were more like you in thrashing around, ranting and emoting about everything, like the typical American?
As for President Obama not going to the Congressional baseball game, I've had it with this stuff. Again, from the exact moment Obama first took office, the openly touted goal of the Republicans was to make Obama a one-term president. In the face of this, please tell me what schmoozing possibly could have done.
21
We've found the center of what bugs Maureen about Obama: he disdains "cheap emotion," while those are the only strings Maureen has to pluck in her essays. I'm sure it feels like a personal rejection to her.
6
The problem, for most people who disagree with Obama on many different issues, is the sycophantic press treatment he receives. If Bush had gone to a baseball game and danced the tango while an ally was in the midst of their equivalent to our 9/11, Mo Dowd and her leftwing comrades would be howling like the hyenas they are.
2
GW Bush caused the violence in Belgium.
Yawn. The worst thing a writer can do is become predictable, and Maureen Dowd takes this to an entirely new level. She likely copied and pasted a few phrases from her old columns, combined it with what she saw about Barack Obama on Twitter, and turned the whole thing in before jetting off for a long holiday weekend in LA.
The greatest thing about this election season being over in November is that it will give Maureen a chance to announce that she's left the Times "to pursue other opportunities". One can only hope her replacement will actually live on planet Earth like the rest of us - and not be so consumed by envy of nearly everyone around her, to the point where she can no longer do her job effectively.
The greatest thing about this election season being over in November is that it will give Maureen a chance to announce that she's left the Times "to pursue other opportunities". One can only hope her replacement will actually live on planet Earth like the rest of us - and not be so consumed by envy of nearly everyone around her, to the point where she can no longer do her job effectively.
4
I wish I had known in 2008 that Obama was too cool to get down into the muck that is politics, too cool to be a strong willed liberal, too cool to lead the Democratic Party, too cool to allow a discussion on single payer healthcare, too cool to explain his signature ACA beyond letting us know you'd be fined if you didn't enroll, too cool to pursue the criminals responsible for the financial collapse and for war crimes in the Bush administration. Those things might have led to someone losing their cool, and Obama couldn't let that happen.
I voted for Obama in 2008, but by 2012 realized that too cool Obama lacked the honest passion for the needs of the working and middle classes and voted for the Green Party's Jill Stein.
If all Hillary has to offer is more policies of her too cool predecessor, I don't need it.
I voted for Obama in 2008, but by 2012 realized that too cool Obama lacked the honest passion for the needs of the working and middle classes and voted for the Green Party's Jill Stein.
If all Hillary has to offer is more policies of her too cool predecessor, I don't need it.
1
I'm so old, almost seventy (ouch), that I can remember the saying (which was universally honored) "Politics End at the Water's Edge." Thank you Nixon and Saint Ronnie for dividing the country so your rich backers could make a killing. Nixon was the first candidate sold like a product and Saint Ronnie was an ex-actor and experienced pitch-man fronting for a bunch of western oligarchs. He wasn't the war hero he acted like. He just played one in "Desperate Journey."
1
Obama and a brutal dictator holding up hands in celebration!
Obama in a photo op with a dictator with a picture of mass muderer Che Guevara in the background.
Not very presidential.
Obama doesn't believe in what I believe in.
Sickening.
Obama in a photo op with a dictator with a picture of mass muderer Che Guevara in the background.
Not very presidential.
Obama doesn't believe in what I believe in.
Sickening.
2
Likewise you must think of Nixon and Kissinger with the same derision as Obama. Kissinger had secret meetings with the communist leadership prior to Nixon meeting with the communist leadership. Communist China is a nation of over a billion people all under communist authoritarian rule, however we Americans gladly manufacture, assemble and buy billions of dollars of product from them every day in this country. Would your wish be that Nixon never met with the Chinese?
1
Eight years ago I would have bet America would not be around for the 2016 election. The next four years do not look promising but if America is still around to celebrate 250 years Barack Hussein Obama will be there with Abraham Lincoln as the best President there ever was.
To have expected Obama to fix a nation that does not know its constitution or its history was beyond irrational but in light of the tireless opposition from both Republicans and Democrats and a media that only knows how demean and belittle Obama kept the nation he loves alive.
President Obama knows the US constitution better than anyone and that he didn't declare war on ignoramuses and liars like Scalia, Thomas, McConnell, Boehner and Alito was an incredible act of courage.
America needs a whole lot of fixing and the fact that Obama kept it alive during a time when the hatred was as intense as when there was a civil war is a miracle. I just hope his efforts were not in vain.
To have expected Obama to fix a nation that does not know its constitution or its history was beyond irrational but in light of the tireless opposition from both Republicans and Democrats and a media that only knows how demean and belittle Obama kept the nation he loves alive.
President Obama knows the US constitution better than anyone and that he didn't declare war on ignoramuses and liars like Scalia, Thomas, McConnell, Boehner and Alito was an incredible act of courage.
America needs a whole lot of fixing and the fact that Obama kept it alive during a time when the hatred was as intense as when there was a civil war is a miracle. I just hope his efforts were not in vain.
7
So Obama chooses to try to engage and speak to our rational prefrontal cortexes, and you'd rather he spent more time pandering to our irrational limbic systems.
6
What keeps him from my Mt Rushmore is his right of center compromises and his worshiping at the altar of big business, the DoD and Wall Street. Not one banker in jail, no real health care reform, and endless military spending.
I don't give a rodents rear end about Cuba or who he tangos with.
I don't give a rodents rear end about Cuba or who he tangos with.
Twenty million people who now have access to health care might disagree about "real" health care reform. As to Wall Street, we got reform, which is better than revenge.
3
I'm just glad we don't have our boys dying anymore by the thousands in foreign wars. The white house follows the prez where ever he goes. He can run the united states from the moon if he wanted to. And I don't need a baby sitter to get in front of a microphone and try to reassure me. All the talk and coverage after a terrorist attack is just media noise. It does nothing to solve the problem. But he and the security team and the military are working overtime to do just that.
6
Obama could've done that tango a lot better...if he'd wanted to.
It's not like the president can't dance, he just doesn't want to be seen as the president who can dance; it's the burden of a black man who is so self-conscious of stereotypes he will do the opposite to avoid it.
And that's the real metaphor for his presidency, he could've done a lot of other things a lot better, like for black lives, if he'd wanted to, but he didn't want to be seen as the president for blacks.
He didn't want to tango, as he didn't want to get tangled in race politics. But he tangoed anyway, and so he is entangled in race politics. He looks stiff doing both, hopefully, out of office, he can de liberated to do what he has the gifts to do.
It's not like the president can't dance, he just doesn't want to be seen as the president who can dance; it's the burden of a black man who is so self-conscious of stereotypes he will do the opposite to avoid it.
And that's the real metaphor for his presidency, he could've done a lot of other things a lot better, like for black lives, if he'd wanted to, but he didn't want to be seen as the president for blacks.
He didn't want to tango, as he didn't want to get tangled in race politics. But he tangoed anyway, and so he is entangled in race politics. He looks stiff doing both, hopefully, out of office, he can de liberated to do what he has the gifts to do.
I remember the 9/11 attacks and the statement by Alan Greenspan in a congressional testimony about capitalism failing. Greenspan's diagnosis of our economic system's failure and companies going under, millions of people loosing their work, homes and dignity, this was more frightening than those terrorist attacks.
Mr. Obama has brought the country back from economic abyss created by his detractors the GOP.
Mr. Obama has brought the country back from economic abyss created by his detractors the GOP.
5
Given the selection of presidential candidates, (Democrat and Republican) I suspect we are going to miss President Obama & Family long after the Tango photo op fades from view.
5
"That has led him, time after time, to respond belatedly or bloodlessly in moments when Americans are alarmed, wanting solace and solutions." Maureen, will you stop for a moment and remember Obama's leadership for a wounded nation following the Newtown CT tragedy, the Arizona shooting (Gabby Giffords +), and the Charleston SC church shooting, just to cite a few. He gave solace and certainly identified solutions (the latter of course blindly rejected by the NRA-bound Republicans). Sure, he wants to be above that fray (the endless Republican stonewalling and worse), and he has repeatedly found ways to do it, such as playing hardball on government shutdowns and the debt ceiling, getting the Iran deal done and taking us off what was an imminent war footing with Iran, getting the climate accord done in Paris, finally normalizing relations with Cuba, and let's hope somehow getting at least a hearing and a vote on the Merrick Garland nomination for the Supreme Court. President Barack Obama has made the United States proud and been a true leader amid a lot of shameless Republican opponents, who have tried to block him at every turn and all but initiated impeachment proceedings (they almost got there by daring him to bomb Syria without Congressional authorization, were out-maneuvered by Obama, and then fell back on accusing him of weakness and not standing by "red lines"). I know you actually like and respect President Obama for his cool, even if it can be irksome.
6
"Once he read about F.D.R.’s legislative prowess. Lately, he has been buffing up on Teddy Roosevelt blowing a raspberry at Congress and expanding executive power.". FDR also sought to expand executive power when he attempted to pack SCOTUS, something i'm sure Obama would have tried to do if he thought he could get away with it.
Obama keeps saying that ISIS is not an existential threat to America and, so, going to a ballgame and doing the wave or doing the tango with a sinuous lady while looking positively uncomformtable (see the picture accompanying this piece) is, according to Obama, telling ISIS he could not care less about their 'attention seeking' Jihad. But he forgets he is also sending the could not care less message to our allies affected by the terrorist acts perpetrated just that day. When you consider that the suicide bomber did the carnage next to or close to check-in counters of three American airlines, his could not care less appears tone deafness.
He may be playing ball, according to you, Mo, but his actions are not cricket.
He may be playing ball, according to you, Mo, but his actions are not cricket.
2
Barack Obama is not my hero, he is my President. Some of us sent word to his Office a few years ago, and I added in my note, for better or worse, I will stand by you in good times and adverse ones. He is magnificent. It has been years since I wept, but when I saw him dance the Tango, so elegant and tall, my American eyes misted over.
His hair is grey now but his eyes are brilliant, more compassionate than ever. Character, Chivalry, Courteous and Courage above all, with his quiet humor, he makes me want to do better.
Thank you, Sir, for everything you continue to accomplish for our Country. Wishing you and the First Family of America the best of Spring celebrations.
His hair is grey now but his eyes are brilliant, more compassionate than ever. Character, Chivalry, Courteous and Courage above all, with his quiet humor, he makes me want to do better.
Thank you, Sir, for everything you continue to accomplish for our Country. Wishing you and the First Family of America the best of Spring celebrations.
6
Ms Dowd:
Thank you for finally getting it!
Thank you for finally getting it!
It's time Maureen Dowd had an overdue reality check. Barack Obama is having a bad case of presidential burn out. He's clearly bored to death by the whole presidential thing and there's nothing like a road trip to put everything in perspective. So while the world grapples with the aftermath of another terrorist rampage, Obama is going to a baseball game with his new best friend Raoul Castro. Aside from a few tepid canned comments and that bizarre reference that more people can be killed by slipping in their bath tubs, Obama just can't be bothered dealing with the tough stuff anymore. After all, Obama has his post presidential life to consider. He just had to practice his really cool tango moves in Argentina in order to be considered for a try-out on Dancing With The Stars later on.
Has anyone noticed that Joe Biden has taken on more and more of the presidential responsibilities that Barack Obama has pretty much abdicated. Why is Biden going up to Capital Hill to convince a reluctant Senate to at least give Merrick Garland a hearing? Shouldn't Obama be doing that--defend his Supreme Court nominee? Obama is no different than Mitch McConnell--he's going to let Merrick Garland twist in the wind too.
Why doesn't Obama consider resigning and let Biden finish out his term.
Has anyone noticed that Joe Biden has taken on more and more of the presidential responsibilities that Barack Obama has pretty much abdicated. Why is Biden going up to Capital Hill to convince a reluctant Senate to at least give Merrick Garland a hearing? Shouldn't Obama be doing that--defend his Supreme Court nominee? Obama is no different than Mitch McConnell--he's going to let Merrick Garland twist in the wind too.
Why doesn't Obama consider resigning and let Biden finish out his term.
1
Obama 'respond(s) belatedly or bloodlessly in moments when Americans are alarmed, wanting solace and solutions.' Really Maureen? Have we seen another president cry when reacting to the orgy of gun violence that plagues this country, and incidentally, is responsible for way more fatalities than terrorism? How about your ugly comparison regarding Obama's treatment of Raul Castro and our US Congress: you observe that it took Obama 6 years to get to a congressional baseball game, yet he accompanied Castro to a game just a bit over a year into their relationship. If you were only a little bit honest, you would acknowledge that whatever Castro's faults, he has never treated Obama nearly as shabbily as has Congress. Castro has engaged with Obama; Congress has snubbed our president at every opportunity. I can't think of any president who has consistently bent over backwards to meet the opposition party, a party which everyone knows is in the midst of a civil war. So you perpetually fault Obama for not playing footsie with a GOP that is in the process of cannibalizing itself? How does one come to agreement with an organization that can't come to agreement with itself. Clearly, it's that 'bloodless' Obama's fault. Perhaps you'll be assuaged with a President Trump. He may provide you with the affect and excitement that you so crave in the leader of the free world. And if he proves to be reckless, well, I suppose that will be a small price to pay.
3
TANGO
Obama can't lead.
Obama can't follow.
What good is a president
Who can't do a tango.
No animal magnetism
Obama tangos like he talks.
Excessive stoicism
Needs direction before he walks.
No blood in his veins
Obama tangos like he golfs.
Foley's head, his migraine
The prez, a psychopath.
2
The president is brilliant, wise, understands the consequences of actions and the course of history. Why the disapproval of his rejection of cheap emotion, his bloodless response, his too cool for school being, his anthropological detachment? Why the snarkiness without any intellectual support of your claims?
8
You obviously will miss this class act, Maureen.
3
I think the words: it was the invasion of Iraq that created ISIS, should be said often and loudly especially during discussions on how to combat ISIS now - so as to deter those who would repeat the same approach, the same mistakes, the same catastrophic genesis of yet another enemy and conflict.
2
When you know you've been the greatest President since FDR, you tend to portray a sense of self-confidence. I know you can't stand it, Maureen; but, the Republicans can't either. And that makes me very happy, indeed.
12
Maureen, at least you aren't hating on Bam as much as you used to. Sure he's been a disappointment, but who wouldn't have been with what he had on his plate in 2009? I'm looking to Hillary for only one, or two things: more moderate Supreme Court choices. She will be lucky to even get this done, given how the GOP will oppose her.
I will also miss Obama, one of the most decent men to ever occupy the Oval Office. Did you see his smile last Halloween at the little girl with the miter hat & the tiny pope-mobile at the White House event? True joy. In the meantime, let's admire the sculptured physique of his tango partner in the accompanying photo. The lady goes to more than dance studios.
3
I dread the day President Obama leaves office and I suspect Ms, Dowd will one day share in that grief--when she is forced to starkly confront, compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of our current president with his replacement. But for me, that day will be too little and far too late. Maureen Dowd has already revealed her true self, by way of her timid tepid "comments" about Trump.
3
Should the Republican vanity / ratings candidate or aspiring American ayatollah actually be elevated to the Oval Office, they will have the opportunity to magnify the disastrous mistakes inflicted upon mankind by the GWB administration; mistakes for which the world is still paying an increasing price.
If that happens, God help us all---we may need him / her.
If that happens, God help us all---we may need him / her.
2
The United States is fortunate to have Barack Obama as our President. He could easily be elected again. Besides FDR, another great, when's the last time Americans would again vote for a President at the end of his 8 year term? Most Presidents after 8 years in the White House have to sneak out of town.
4
I wish, without expectations, that more of our so-called "leaders" would have at least the same self-confidence, ability and willingness to explore means to an end (and sometimes even the end itself), sense of contextual presence and belief in the unique and essential characteristics of our government. All the others, including many of his vocal detractors in public and private pursuits, are indistinguishable clones of caricatures, who place their own interests above all else and see their opposition as paths to power and wealth. President Obama has fostered a whole and lucrative opposition industry. None of his detractors, especially the loudest among them, approximate his capabilities or results.
3
Americans and the world is lucky that that in Barack Obama there is a level headed,Intelligent , hardworking and unassuming president. He succeeded to a great measure to repair the damage done by his predecessor to world peace and American economy inspite of unhelpful opposition who described when he was elected first time as one term President.
6
Amen, Sometimes it takes an outsider to see the truth. It took Maureen a trip outside the country with Mr Obama, to see the truth that we all, hundreds of millions of us, knew and felt. It is good Maureen witnessed it first hand when she did, because as soon as she returns to her regular routine and gets drowned in Americanism, cynicism and snark will return, it is her default state.
4
I'll take smart and cool over fraudulent and insane any day of the week. This is the President Obama we have wanted for seven years. Finally he has shifted from seeking compromise to treating the Congressional Republicans as the children that they are. In doing so he is demonstrating that rarest of qualities, mature leadership. I will be disappointed to see him go.
9
The 'too cool for school' is a welcome contrast to the histrionics evidenced by Cruz and Trump. Yes, I understand Obama frustrates those in the media who cover politics as another 'American Idol' show. But perhaps if the media was less concerned with making the news entertaining, we could have a more informed electorate and more statesman-like men and women running for office.
2
This country is quite unworthy of such an upstanding, intelligent, rational, tolerant, reasonable president.
3
With an adult in charge of the White House, I feel pretty comfortable. I'm going to miss Mr. Smooth.
2
Too cool for school? Definitely for the better. Unfortunately for "the fray", barriers appeared that were not of his building, and "the fray" looks lame. Sorry he won't put on an act in a timely fashion for students of the tired old school--he doesn't need to. Some of us know how sincere he is without seeing him pander to those needy for theater.
1
Be careful what you wish for. We will all surely miss Obama, regardless of whether the next President is Hillary, Bernie, Donald or Ted. None of them will act as calm, cool and in control as Obama.
Think back to all the insults this week between Trump and Cruz vis-a-vis their wife's looks. Then think back to the last 8 years of Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, and Breitbart and the things they said about Michelle Obama. The treatment she received from a large segment of our country was disgraceful, yet none of the Republicans ever offered a word of protest. Yet Obama never lost his cool, never took the bait and will leave with his dignity and integrity intact. That will be sorely lacking regardless of who wins the upcoming election.
Think back to all the insults this week between Trump and Cruz vis-a-vis their wife's looks. Then think back to the last 8 years of Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, and Breitbart and the things they said about Michelle Obama. The treatment she received from a large segment of our country was disgraceful, yet none of the Republicans ever offered a word of protest. Yet Obama never lost his cool, never took the bait and will leave with his dignity and integrity intact. That will be sorely lacking regardless of who wins the upcoming election.
1
Is it any wonder that Dowd feels compelled to dis the President ad nauseam before she concludes, "at least he kept his eye on the ball." Maureen's histrionics and the Republican's contrived chest thumping contrasts poorly with Obama's even temperament and big picture point of view. Dowd revisits past criticisms (that were snarky then, and are just boring now) and calls it context, while Cruz and Trump, play Dr. Strangelove thinking that is what leadership looks like.
When in reality Obama, once again, is acting with his calm, thoughtful, and presidential acumen, but gets little press coverage for the substance and significance of his trip. Instead its all about the optics manipulated by Maureen, the MSM and the pretenders to foist an incomplete and inaccurate narrative on the American people. And for the record, Maureen is wrong --- this is not Obama's last tango --- that will happen in his post-presidency when his legacy will be more appreciated, sorely missed, and recorded as one of the strongest in the past half-century. His victory dance will also allow him to have the last laugh, and Dowd, Trump, and Cruz will be scowling bit players once again.
When in reality Obama, once again, is acting with his calm, thoughtful, and presidential acumen, but gets little press coverage for the substance and significance of his trip. Instead its all about the optics manipulated by Maureen, the MSM and the pretenders to foist an incomplete and inaccurate narrative on the American people. And for the record, Maureen is wrong --- this is not Obama's last tango --- that will happen in his post-presidency when his legacy will be more appreciated, sorely missed, and recorded as one of the strongest in the past half-century. His victory dance will also allow him to have the last laugh, and Dowd, Trump, and Cruz will be scowling bit players once again.
2
Not so much a softening up towards President Obama as taking a look at what's on offer elsewhere. Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, Hilary Clinton - Maureen Dowd can't stand any of them.
It's probably the same argument that has been driving President Obama's approval ratings into positive territory.
It's probably the same argument that has been driving President Obama's approval ratings into positive territory.
1
Maureen, President Obama will be on a new Mt. Rushmore consisting of Presidents with the most sociopathic and irrational enemies: Lincoln and FDR.
3
I like the Obama approach. I do not want a Therapist in Chief or someone who acts out the fears of people who do not have to actually do something. Obama is an adult -- a fact even more evident given the current Republican candidates. I really like a president who knows how to tango and who I imagine is happy he no longer has to go to Iowa and eat corn dogs.
3
He has been dancing around the IS issue for some time. Now we have a name for the dance.
"Guatemala’s former dictator, Gen. Efraín Ríos Montt, has been convicted of genocide in the slaughter of as many as 200,000 members of indigenous groups during the 1980s."
"The United States bore much responsibility for advising, training, arming and financing the troops, even teaching torture, as part of the Reagan administration’s campaign against leftists in Central America."
==========================
On Dec. 5, 1982, Reagan met with Rios Montt and applauded him as a “a man of great integrity'' and "totally dedicated to democracy.”
Of course, Saint Reagan and GOP jerks are right - genocide is always preferable to political prisoners. (According to Human Rights groups, there are less than 100 political prisoners in Cuba.)
"The United States bore much responsibility for advising, training, arming and financing the troops, even teaching torture, as part of the Reagan administration’s campaign against leftists in Central America."
==========================
On Dec. 5, 1982, Reagan met with Rios Montt and applauded him as a “a man of great integrity'' and "totally dedicated to democracy.”
Of course, Saint Reagan and GOP jerks are right - genocide is always preferable to political prisoners. (According to Human Rights groups, there are less than 100 political prisoners in Cuba.)
2
Obama is the best president of my life time.
As a historian, here is my wager: too cool for school will turn out to be the mark of a good politician. Of just as much importance, Mr. Obama is a good man.
As a citizen, I will miss him very much when he leaves office. And I wouldn't be surprised to learn that in time, many others will too, including Ms. Dowd.
As a historian, here is my wager: too cool for school will turn out to be the mark of a good politician. Of just as much importance, Mr. Obama is a good man.
As a citizen, I will miss him very much when he leaves office. And I wouldn't be surprised to learn that in time, many others will too, including Ms. Dowd.
7
One of Obama's biggest failures at the outset of his administration was his "misunderestimating" the depth, breadth and virulence of racism in America. It is as vivid today as it was 150 years ago. The fact that he did not join Lincoln in a truncated term is testimony to the dedication of those men and women entrusted with keeping him safe from untold numbers of his fellow Americans.
I think it safe to say he was physically much safer at a baseball game in Havana than he ever would be in the stadium in Atlanta.
I think it safe to say he was physically much safer at a baseball game in Havana than he ever would be in the stadium in Atlanta.
3
It does take a steady hand to lead the most powerful country in the world, and in that, this President has succeeded admirably. I cannot imagine how we might fare with Trump, Cruz or any other Republican in the Oval Office.
5
Your last two paragraphs are exactly correct. For seven-plus years President Obama has been accused of not being emotional enough, of being a weak leader, and worse. Time and again the results prove he and his team are on the ball. Sure, he's made mistakes. But I've never regretted my two votes for him.
2
The mental Tango caused by the visual dissonance between the images of Barack Obama, accompanied by his urbane humanity, and impeccable family, conquering Havana, and the brutish vulgarity of the "wife wars" between Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, complete with references to rat copulation, boggles the mind. Add the amanuensis of the Koch brothers and face of American political dysfunction, Mitch McConnell, to Cruz and Trump, and and you have the active pathogens of political P.T.S.D.( post Trump stress disorder) infecting the body politic. While Maureen legitimately criticized Obama's failure to utilize the "bully pulpit", his contemplative,rational nature has been productive. The fact that on Obama's first day in office, in separate meetings, McConnell and the Koch brothers formulated plans to obstruct Obama's presidency should not be forgotten and remains the seminal cause of the current Washington gridlock.
1
President Obama is a class act and the fact that he is a class act has driven the obstructionist, bigoted Republicans crazy since day one. He's also intelligent and charming along with level-headed and devoid of the need to pander to the fear-mongers who want plastic wrap and duct tape and orange alerts to be the theme whenever a disturbance occurs anywhere in the world. We will definitely miss him.
2
Just read through Ms. Dowd twice and confirmed that she mentioned not a single matter of important policy, only the cosmetics. Of course, we all hate that the Belgians -- and much of the rest of the EU -- are incompetent at national and regional defense. But at the same time, Ashton Carter confirms that the US is chipping away at ISIS, picking off leader after leader, all the while Obama is playing a marvelous Ali rope-a-dope game off-shore. Nuance, sophistication and quiet accomplishment are so much more important than doing the wave in Havana, or dancing the tango in Buenos Aires -- but doing all at the same time is brilliant, stunning and oh so much more important to our country.
1
The the Last Tango visual is a vivid example of the human that Obama is. An American President tangoeing witha local woman must have melted the hearts of not only the Argentines but much of Latin America as well. Cementing Latin American and US friendship that has been rocky for so long needs to be tended to. Much of the US conservative whose world view is Eurocentric could care less about Latin America as evidenced by their criticism leveled by the likes of Limbaugh and Cruz against Obama. Kudos to Maureen for taking a brave stand in appreciating the goodness on out president.
1
Warts and all, this president had a mission and did what he would, maybe not so much of the could. We will debate for years whether warm and friendly makes a better America than strong and tall, but this fellow didn't exactly have a lot of Washington allies, so he had to do it practically alone. He will be accused of abusing executive powers, but we all know this is rubbish. He did what was necessary, and the next in line (Which at this juncture is quite a question mark still) will have some big shoes to fill.
1
Even if he had accomplished nothing else and you gave no credence to bringing the country back from the brink of another Depression, getting and keeping us out of serial wars in the Mideast and starting the country on the path to a sustainable energy future, the singular achievement of Obamacare will guarantee that Barack Obama will be perceived by history as an incredibly successful President.
History will determine how Obama served as President. I believe his coolness though, allowed fear mongering by Republicans to grow like a cancer. I believe most Americans needed a leader who could talk to them - keep them feeling hopeful. This is where cool didn't work.
A leader needs to take the reins with authority and guide with confidence. Giving us clear signals that they are in control and we are safe. We didn't get that. The Republicans grabbed the reins and told us the sky was falling, and they still are sending this message.
A leader needs to take the reins with authority and guide with confidence. Giving us clear signals that they are in control and we are safe. We didn't get that. The Republicans grabbed the reins and told us the sky was falling, and they still are sending this message.
Absolutely spot on! Maureen Dowd nails it! Imagine what might have been, had a cooperative congress worked together with the executive to serve America's needs, rather than wasting the last nearly 6 years (since 2010 mid-terms) serving what they interpreted to be their party's needs.
Like a lot of aging Dems I thought that the election of a liberal who was young, black and not a captive of the old Party would enable more positive change. But his aloofness kept him from building the personal relationships in Congress that would have allowed him to move the our Country forward and become a very good and successful President.
I'll take Obama's deft handling of the business of governing, which includes both taking down terrorists and socializing with heads of state, sometimes simultaneously, over the populist pandering of almost every candidate out there. He is going to go down in history as a great President.
3
Turns out "No Drama Obama" is not all that deep or complex. He is exactly what he appears to be: A man who gives less than one minute to a global act of terrorism in between the wave and tango. At least he managed that.
2
I aggreed with Debra's previous post, I had to stop reading, then skipped to last line.
Another 800 words of slag on President Obama outta Ms. Dowd.
Move along, nothing to see here.
Give it another few months, you can refill your cannons at Hillary.
Another 800 words of slag on President Obama outta Ms. Dowd.
Move along, nothing to see here.
Give it another few months, you can refill your cannons at Hillary.
To see him standing there, silent, aloof and radiating cool about to enter the tango with a single smooth motion is to be reminded that if there were a black James Bond, our President would be him.
1
Wouldn't we have been better off with John McCain?
1
You know the country is on a dangerous course when a Rockefeller Republican posing as a Democrat is considered to be a Muslim socialist by the opposition. It's small consolation to see their party disintegrating after having effectively wasted the last 8 years with a single word platform for America: No.
1
Che Guevara was an Argentinian Marxist looking for an anti-imperialist war to fight. Casimir Pulaski was an exiled Polish general looking for pretty much any war to fight. Che offered his services to Fidel Castro, and his fight against Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista, much in the same way Pulaski offered his to George Washington, and his fight against King George III. Pulaski was killed in The Battle of Savannah, in 1779, Guevara was captured and killed by the Bolivian army in 1967, looking for another war.
It all depends on one's perspective, and how it's reported.
It all depends on one's perspective, and how it's reported.
1
Notwithstanding the Mount Rushmore reference and the fancy sunglasses, how many of commenters here would vote for Mr. Obama for a third term, if they could? I think it's shameful we can't have his "cool" when we need it most right now and in the near future. But who else here would or could quit their jobs and go out across the nation's lands and get signatories favoring overthrowing the 22d Amendment? Do you think the founders put the 75% rule into effect for a reason? Is it reasonable to believe that the GOP has stacked the deck in gerrymandering state legislatures so they lean republican? Questions, questions which have no answer.
1
The country should be divided not into red and blue but more simply, stupid and not stupid.
Kasich, though a troglodyte is not stupid. Obama is not stupid.
Fox News and most of its viewers? Stupid. Cruz? Trump? Stupid.
The people that support stupid? Also stupid.
In olden times, you had to own land to vote. Maybe in modern times you simply shouldn't be stupid.
Kasich, though a troglodyte is not stupid. Obama is not stupid.
Fox News and most of its viewers? Stupid. Cruz? Trump? Stupid.
The people that support stupid? Also stupid.
In olden times, you had to own land to vote. Maybe in modern times you simply shouldn't be stupid.
7
The intriguing aspect of Obama's public persona appears to be his quality of keeping engaged and guessing his political foes and friends alike while doing his task in his characteristically cool and detached manner.
16
He embodies the Bhagavad Gita's lesson on detachment, attending to tasks dutifully, without expecting credit or ownership. He also understands the Buddha's Middle Way, rejecting the extremes for the more moderate affective path. He grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii where these ancient truths become part of the culture and spirit. It is hard for westerners to even begin to understand the depth of his "cool and detached manner" because they haven't been exposed to anything like it before, all their previous leaders have been idols and models straight out of Hollywood plots. Bellicose, macho, show of power with military might and basically devoid of empathy and compassion or the acknowledgement that we are ALL in it together.
291
petey tonei, While analysing Obama's leadership traits I too had the Bhagat Gina's message of detachment in mind. Thank you to remind that. Again, it was a real pleasure to learn that your own thinking and disposition too reflect that eternal principle of equanimity and calm even in adverse conditions as a guide to the selfless action. Thanks.
19
What a rare treat! Intelligent discussion of the Gita in the NY Times - and even rarer, an insightful, even intuitive application of the wisdom of the Gita to contemporary politics.
Thanks to both of you.
Thanks to both of you.
18
The President is the adult in the room, the Republicans with their shrill rhetoric, act childish, inane, scared. The American people, for all the press around Americas lack of greatness, still given him approval ratings in the mid-fifties. Lets's be thankful for his leadership, and thanks to Maureen for todays article which i confess I approached with not a little trepidation.
3
Lest we forget, it was during Obama's undressing of Trump during the 2011 White House Correspondents dinner, that he had already pulled the trigger on the operation that would bring an end to Bin Laden, America's #1 terrorist target that Bush couldnt find, prosecute, let alone kill. When this man appears to be playing, it is only because his serious plans have already been put in motion as he calmly and cooly awaits the inevitable outcomes. This will likely be your last intelligent, calculating "badass" President. More so than any Republican saviour the GOP can ever put up.
2
Great photo. One has to wonder what was (really) going on in each of their minds.
Red O. Greene, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Red O. Greene, Albuquerque, NM, USA
1
To borrow a current buzzword, this president isn't especially good at optics.
Mr. Obama has admirable qualities, obviously, most notably solid character and rational judgment. However, he tends to be tone-deaf, too glib and too hip by half, and lack the essence of an inspiring leader: empathy and forcefulness.
His greatest asset? The alternatives are worse.
Mr. Obama has admirable qualities, obviously, most notably solid character and rational judgment. However, he tends to be tone-deaf, too glib and too hip by half, and lack the essence of an inspiring leader: empathy and forcefulness.
His greatest asset? The alternatives are worse.
2
Lest we forget, it was during Obama's undressing of Trump during the 2011 White House Correspondents dinner, that he had already pulled the trigger on the operation that would bring an end to Bin Laden, America's #1 terrorist target that Bush couldnt find, prosecute, let alone kill. When this man appears to be playing, it is only because his serious plans have already been put in motion as he calmly and cooly awaits the inevitable outcomes. This will likely be your last intelligent, calculating "badass" President. More so than any Republican saviour the GOP can ever put up.
5
At least Obama can tango. The rest of his record is failure. His signature accomplishment, the Affordable Care Act (aka 'Obamacare'), is good, but he had the votes for single-payer and he did not fight for it. He never fought for anything. He did not close Guantanamo. He authorized torture and "extraordinary rendition". He only squirmed when Republicans repeatedly threatened to shut down government. He did nothing to stop the gun epidemic that is infecting this country. His foreign policy has been a disaster. He did nothing about our racial divisions. He inexplicably failed to punish Wall Street for their heinous crimes against the American people. He has been a failure across the board.
Maureen, President Obama should be a Mt. Rushmore President because of the excellence he portrayed as himself and the stability and economic recovery while having to deal with a completely obstructive and obnoxious Congress. He kept us out of another war and has regained the respect of the world by his leadership. Its only the republicans that disdain him.
4
The fact that America gave Obama 2 terms gives hope that we posess at least minimal wisdom ( 2 terms given to W makes me question the efficacy of democracy). Hopefully we'll see more of him on the Supreme Court. He's going to be sorely missed.
5
I don't think Obama is an aberration. With Sanders and Hlllary on his heels, the future direction of this country is pretty clear. More socialism, less freedom. So US economic growth rates will never again be robust. I was lucky enough to have 2 passports in 2014 when I renounced my US citizenship. I now watch this train wreck from afar. Obamacare, BLM, endless deficits, immigration sourced from countries with low IQs, sanctioned lies (aka political correctness), this story does not end well.
2
Sad state of affairs when our president can get more done in cooperation with the Chinese and Cuban regimes than with our own opposition party. Clearly he knows how to play well with others. I think it is total nonsense to suggest that he bears responsibility either by his deeds or as a consequence of his character traits for the failure of our legislature to participate in governing.
As is usual from Ms. Dowd column of grudging respect, at best, that is peppered with ridicule of this remarkable man. It could make one one yearn for her hot-headed brother Kevin. Not really.
As is usual from Ms. Dowd column of grudging respect, at best, that is peppered with ridicule of this remarkable man. It could make one one yearn for her hot-headed brother Kevin. Not really.
2
Dowd has obsessed over Obama's supposed aloofness and "cool" for several years. I've never bought into her caricature of him. The President is a very gifted and thoughtful man who brings much-needed intellectual detachment and awareness of ambiguity to our political discourse. He's also a compassionate person with a depth of feeling evident in his autobiographical memoir and his public displays of emotion during national tragedies like Sandy Hook or Charlestown.
22
Thanks. We needed this. I am so tired of the fighting and name calling and finger pointing that I actually had a lovely discussion this evening about education/ refusing to be engaged by the name callers.
Dowd left out the time in 2008 when the US economy, and the world economy, was about to topple over and John McCain, losing the bump in the polls he got by picking Palin as his running mate, tried the gimmick of "suspending" his campaign to "rush" back to Washington to deal with the crisis.
Obama took to the podium to say a president has to be able to multi task.
And he was able to go to a ball game with Raul after 15 months, and not 6 years, because Raul has the decency to return the president's phone calls.
I think Dowd could have mentioned Ted Cruz's statement that the president pulled the plug on the embargo just as it was starting to work.
After more than half a century!
Obama took to the podium to say a president has to be able to multi task.
And he was able to go to a ball game with Raul after 15 months, and not 6 years, because Raul has the decency to return the president's phone calls.
I think Dowd could have mentioned Ted Cruz's statement that the president pulled the plug on the embargo just as it was starting to work.
After more than half a century!
6
How Republicans, global laughingstock meets train wreck, find the time and temerity to attack Obama is beyond me. Republicans should have much more pressing topics to address, like how a misogynistic real estate developer from New York destroyed their political party.
Obama's cool provides a nice contrast to Trump's daily brown shirt beat-downs and Cruz's religious revivals. The GOP reminds me of saloon, after midnight, in Deadwood, circa 1870.
Obama's cool provides a nice contrast to Trump's daily brown shirt beat-downs and Cruz's religious revivals. The GOP reminds me of saloon, after midnight, in Deadwood, circa 1870.
4
Obama is simply one of the great presidents of the United States. He shall be remembered fondly. The first non-white president, a brilliant and thoughtful man who wanted to unite the nation but was hampered by the extremism of his opponents at the time.
26
I would rather have the Professor-in-Chief than Stupid-in-Chief. I would rather have a President who is a quiet intellectual who honestly weighs pros and cons than a bombastic shoot-from-the-hip noise-maker. I would rather have a President whose advisors, intelligence community, and military leaders target the worst leaders in ISIL and go after them with success than a Present who would "carpet bomb" the innocents along with the evildoers. I would rather have a President who has admirably shielded his daughters from the bright lights of an increasingly "gotcha" media than a President who uses his daughters in a demeaning political ad. I would rather trust my country and the welfare of all of us to a President who has the intellectual stamina, the emotional maturity, the sense of propriety, and the cultural sensitivity to uplift rather than mock and demean others that are different from him.
Maureen, time and again, you have demeaned this President. He is perhaps the best and most noble person to hold that office in my lifetime. Perhaps you are happier to choose the billionaire developer or the truly unprepared most right wing religionista?
Maureen, time and again, you have demeaned this President. He is perhaps the best and most noble person to hold that office in my lifetime. Perhaps you are happier to choose the billionaire developer or the truly unprepared most right wing religionista?
11
Ms. Dowd, President Obama will be gone soon and then we will have a Republican president in office who will make this a great nation again. That is the good news. He will have to undo all the damage the current one has created (Onamacare, reduce welfare payments, create substantial employment, etc,) and this will be no easy task but our Republican president will succeed. I am looking forward to this new and exciting day. I have already started the countdown as to when Obama will be gone.
2
KM, are you planning to live into the 22nd century?
As Jonathan Swift said, "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him." Someday more than just the handful who already understand will realize what could have been accomplished for this country and this world if "the loyal opposition" and even his own party had given this president a decent chance. Mark my words, we have no idea how much we will miss this man in the coming years and how harshly history will judge what most of us have done.
29
Unless we forget, it was during Obama's undressing of Trump during the 2011 White House Correspondents dinner, that he had already pulled the trigger on the operation that would bring an end to Bin Laden, America's #1 terrorist target that Bush couldnt find, prosecute, let alone kill. When this man appears to be playing, it is only because his serious plans have already been put in motion as he calmly and cooly awaits the inevitable outcomes. This will likely be your last intelligent, calculating "badass" President. More so than any Republican saviour the GOP can ever put up.
9
Maureen:
When your cat has a hairball, your car has a flat tire, or the subway is delayed, or it's raining on a day you planned a picnic, it's really NOT Barack Obama's fault. Get over it already. Enough.
When your cat has a hairball, your car has a flat tire, or the subway is delayed, or it's raining on a day you planned a picnic, it's really NOT Barack Obama's fault. Get over it already. Enough.
28
The ones who hated Obama at the beginning still hate him. That's the whole story.
14
At the height of the financial crisis,John McCain wanted to suspend the Presidential campaign.Senator Obama said he could walk and chew gum at the same time.
And so he has.I admire my President's coolness and knowledge.I wish I could vote for him again.I shall miss him very much when he leaves the Oval Office.It has been a pleasure to be a citizen of the U.S.under his leadership.
And so he has.I admire my President's coolness and knowledge.I wish I could vote for him again.I shall miss him very much when he leaves the Oval Office.It has been a pleasure to be a citizen of the U.S.under his leadership.
27
Ms. Dowd, even as you write this scathing report on the President you admit any number of his successes, but you always filter them through the prism of your view of his shortcomings.
So he won't make it onto Mount Rushmore, he still is the best president in my lifetime, and I go back-a-ways. Thwarted at almost every turn, the man accomplished a huge amount--anathema to Conservatives, and your ever measured and critical eye.
So he won't make it onto Mount Rushmore, he still is the best president in my lifetime, and I go back-a-ways. Thwarted at almost every turn, the man accomplished a huge amount--anathema to Conservatives, and your ever measured and critical eye.
15
I weep for the end of his Presidency. He has been THE president of my 75 years. Not in my lifetime will I see his match. Mitch McConnell and his ilk are the polluted well from which Trump and Cruz oozed. They deserve their candidates. I, however, do not. Neither do my grandchildren.
27
Another American died today from wounds sustained in Brussels. Dance away!!
2
Dowd managers well with refined characters. But with President Trump, I'm not sure she will have the luxury of fine dining.
3
I think Sandy Hook had an enormous impact on him. He tried to do something about it and was unable to pass anything. Part of Obama's legacy is certainly tied to Mitch McConnel who I believe did an excellent/disastrous job at obstructioniing absolutely everything. What a horrible loss of opportunity for our country.
I don't know how these guys can look themselves in a mirror.
I don't know how these guys can look themselves in a mirror.
22
I have been waiting almost 8 years for this piece Ms. Dowd. Thank you.
1
In my opinion Ms. let's-squeeze-the-emotion-bottle-for-all-it's-worth Dowd (and in the current media environment it's worth a lot, eh?) Obama's 'coolness' among his many, many other great qualities, exactly qualifies him for inclusion on Mt. Rushmore. History will do a dispassionate analysis for us in, say, 50 years. May I live long enough to see that! When you meet with him next will you please let him know that many Americans deeply appreciate his years at the helm and his leadership, in spite of what the louder (and lesser) lights think.
18
After Brussels and the EU are attacked by ISIS--the JV team--Obama dances the tango with Communists. Who could have imagined an American president capable of this? Welcome to America 2016.
4
...or maybe he has learned to survive and knows which "stories" are nothing but propaganda for the masses. It's interesting that President Obama started out as the hope for world peace but basically wasn't "allowed" to go in that direction. Any interest in finding out why?
2
I am not sure what the point of this article is -- I would have Obama do nothing different in the last fortnight.
14
Let me guess. Donald Trump flatters Ms. Dowd by being available for personal interviews, and he answers her emails. We know, because she humblebrags that. Hence, weirdly positive columns about Trump. Barack Obama has possibly never given her the time of day. She's sure to let us know, however, that she "traveled on the plane to Havana" with the President. Doesn't say if she ever got near enough to talk. But Obama doesn't court frivolous voices. Result, weirdly negative (and extraordinarily confused) column about Obama.
15
I appreciated this gracious, though characteristically sharp, column about the President from Ms. Dowd. I've waited a long time for it.
1
Like all heroes, Obama has a flaw - he expects the nation to recognize, respect, and live up to his standard - one of reason over reaction, empathy over intolerance, and cooperation over mindless confrontation. He thought that his election represented the end of racism, or at least its imminent demise. Finally, of late, he has accepted the reality that has to have been weighing heavily on him since his inauguration, that we are not up to his standard, and it must pain him to realize that we may never be. But it has to be of some comfort for him to know that, if he could stand for re-election, which his family would undoubtedly and understandably refuse to endorse, he would win in an historic landslide. And, if he could, there may be a faint chance of this nation enduring through the millennium. As it is, the chances are slim, and fading.
6
"The tango has been described as vertical solitude."
Really? I seem to recall a saying pointing out that it takes a duo to perform that particular dance.. oh, if only I could remember that expression about how many people it takes to tango! I'm pretty sure it's not, "one".
Really? I seem to recall a saying pointing out that it takes a duo to perform that particular dance.. oh, if only I could remember that expression about how many people it takes to tango! I'm pretty sure it's not, "one".
5
Good point! Here's Louis Armstrong's "Two to Tango" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4iMNrwGBbQ although Pearl Bailey's version is great also. Much better metaphor for President Obama's international negotiations.
It is really simple: Obama is the best president I will see in my lifetime. It is also the worst--by far--Congress I have seen so far in my lifetime.
It is not the job of a leader to console us--but to lead us. All of us could benefit from reading or viewing Obama's sermon/eulogy on Grace after the Charleston church massacre--neither belated nor bloodless. Compare that to the past weeks' Republican "debates". Make your own decision about which perspective you prefer. Obama appeals to our better instincts. Too bad too many of us seem to lack such instincts.
It is not the job of a leader to console us--but to lead us. All of us could benefit from reading or viewing Obama's sermon/eulogy on Grace after the Charleston church massacre--neither belated nor bloodless. Compare that to the past weeks' Republican "debates". Make your own decision about which perspective you prefer. Obama appeals to our better instincts. Too bad too many of us seem to lack such instincts.
12
I wish you had noted this about President Obama's trip. I was so pleased to hear the President honor Cuba's sovereignty (something he may have thought before but did not have the courage to say), rather than hold Cuba hostage to human rights issues and regime change. From the first, Castro's vision was a reflection of Marti's, that is a Cuba that was not exploited by the US, a Cuba that was sovereign. I hope that those who follow President Obama will echo the call to respect the sovereign Cuba.
2
Not excusing his faults and mistakes, but Obama leads by setting the tone and being deliberative rather than reacting.
Bernie is the only candidate in that same leadership class.
The Obama family are a model functional and healthy family.
The Clinton family, not so much!
Bernie is the only candidate in that same leadership class.
The Obama family are a model functional and healthy family.
The Clinton family, not so much!
1
I was extremely disappointed that Barack Obama wasn't the FDR I thought I was voting for in 2008 nor the Harry Truman I hoped I was voting for in 2012.
And, I've been furious with him about his lily-livered approaches to the banksters and mass surveillance.
But look: he won a second term by a larger margin than he won his first, and he goes out of office with job ratings in positive territory. That's practically unheard of. We generally tend to use up presidents and just spit 'em out. It looks like the President has earned a deep pool of residual support.
Why?
Barack Hussein Obama showed the whole country what dignity is. Throughout the birther nonsense, the GOP obstructionism, the not-so-veiled racist dog whistles, the closet Muslim garbage and all the worst that the GOP mudfest could produce, not once did the President lose his cool. During a time when political institutions across the board have been stained and sullied by sheer incivility and outright racism, Barack Hussein Obama has exhibited Vulcan-like restraint (see: http://funniest.site/Politics/Obama-Trek-Spock_2401) and simply refused to dignify the bloviating issuing forth from the pack that nips at his heels like the lamentable running dogs that they are.
Have fun, sir, and dance like there's nobody looking.
And, I've been furious with him about his lily-livered approaches to the banksters and mass surveillance.
But look: he won a second term by a larger margin than he won his first, and he goes out of office with job ratings in positive territory. That's practically unheard of. We generally tend to use up presidents and just spit 'em out. It looks like the President has earned a deep pool of residual support.
Why?
Barack Hussein Obama showed the whole country what dignity is. Throughout the birther nonsense, the GOP obstructionism, the not-so-veiled racist dog whistles, the closet Muslim garbage and all the worst that the GOP mudfest could produce, not once did the President lose his cool. During a time when political institutions across the board have been stained and sullied by sheer incivility and outright racism, Barack Hussein Obama has exhibited Vulcan-like restraint (see: http://funniest.site/Politics/Obama-Trek-Spock_2401) and simply refused to dignify the bloviating issuing forth from the pack that nips at his heels like the lamentable running dogs that they are.
Have fun, sir, and dance like there's nobody looking.
6
Blue Ridge Boy states, "But look: he won a second term by a larger margin than he won his first". I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains......we do live in beautiful country!
But memory told me his 2012 election was considerably closer than 2008. Google confirmed my memory was correct:
2008 - percent of popular vote 53.8
2008 - number of electoral votes 365
2012 - percent of popular vote 51.9
2012 - number of electoral votes 332
http://ropercenter.cornell.edu/polls/us-elections/popular-vote/
But memory told me his 2012 election was considerably closer than 2008. Google confirmed my memory was correct:
2008 - percent of popular vote 53.8
2008 - number of electoral votes 365
2012 - percent of popular vote 51.9
2012 - number of electoral votes 332
http://ropercenter.cornell.edu/polls/us-elections/popular-vote/
1
Fair column. One caveat - The US has corporate socialism often invisible to the average person, negotiated DC deals favoring banks, bigpharma, beef = financial meltdown, opiate addiction, rotten meat in school lunches just for starters. Let's balance that with citizen socialism: schools, water pipes, jobs, healthcare, roads. And then see how that works out.
1
It is my understanding that there was a Status of Forces agreement signed by George W. Bush and Iraq, requiring U.S. forces to exit the country according to a specific timetable. President Obama followed the terms of the agreement.
4
President Obama represents the guiding finger, tracing the path to social enlightenment on the cosmic wall for those who can appreciate his inclusive vision of economic justice: He has been stymied by dysfunctional obstructionists, but may be that is the cost of a democracy.
5
And if Obama were, or could be, up for re-election in 2016, he would win in a landslide -- and deservedly so. It will be a long time before we see a person, male or female, of this quality and intelligence, and sheer class, in the White House again. Even the usually snide Maureen now recognizes it.
6
President Obama's military has killed more terrorists enemies of USA than last three-two term president's combined and fewer of our citizens have been killed by them. The GOP's rap is that he kills too many so as not to populate Gitmo.
If I could place a bet that could be proven, it would be that he probably knew about the killing of ISIS number two before he left Cuba and certainly before that"Tango".
Our national media has determined that when terrorism strikes any European nation, that our president should change his plans, behavior; not smile nor wear sunglasses (PBS - Mark Shields) unless the tragedy occurred in Africa or Middle-East.
This president has particularly galled liberal media for not knowing how to berate him, as they did President Bush2. But they've not wantied to applaud his acumen, accomplishments and aplomb as they did Kennedy. Yet there has not been a more accomplished president since FDR, save for Nixon and LBJ with warts.
If I could place a bet that could be proven, it would be that he probably knew about the killing of ISIS number two before he left Cuba and certainly before that"Tango".
Our national media has determined that when terrorism strikes any European nation, that our president should change his plans, behavior; not smile nor wear sunglasses (PBS - Mark Shields) unless the tragedy occurred in Africa or Middle-East.
This president has particularly galled liberal media for not knowing how to berate him, as they did President Bush2. But they've not wantied to applaud his acumen, accomplishments and aplomb as they did Kennedy. Yet there has not been a more accomplished president since FDR, save for Nixon and LBJ with warts.
3
Unlike W., Pres. Obama's legacy will grow after he leaves office. He entered office when the world economy was in melt down and the worst foreign policy blunder since Varus decided to take the Roman legions through the Teutonberg Forest. He may was not perfect, but he was and is a steady hand in a perilous, complicated and dangerous world. He will be more appreciated with time.
5
In the last line of her opinion piece, despite all the snarky criticism which preceded it, Ms. Dowd flimsily redeems her perspective by allowing that President Obama has kept his eye on the ball and his head in the game. If she wishes our President would cry or bluster or get hysterical over 30 people randomly killed in a foreign land, she has never grasped the No Drama Obama who I've been grateful for every day since he was elected.
5
I think we are all beginning to see the wisdom of Obama's presidency. The right-wing certainly seems to have shattered against his steady aloofness; and his non-belecose foreign policy now clearly has merit.
I disagreed with both things, advocating a very strong counter-attack against Congressional right-wingers, and a much more aggressive foreign policy.
I suspect I was wrong...
A liberal-
I disagreed with both things, advocating a very strong counter-attack against Congressional right-wingers, and a much more aggressive foreign policy.
I suspect I was wrong...
A liberal-
3
Nothing wrong with our Presidents actions in Cuba and Argentina. Those who criticize have long been predispositioned (almost 8 years now) to take that stance. Grow up. P.S. Surprised to hear Rush Limbaugh mentioned - thought he went to meet his maker long ago.
3
"That has led him, time after time, to respond belatedly or bloodlessly in moments when Americans are alarmed, wanting solace and solutions."
When did we become so fragile that we need constant reassurance from a Daddy figure? Is that a sign of a healthy, confident, mature nation?
At times of true national peril, yes, the president has a psychological role to play. But not for every cable-news freakout. Maybe one of President Obama's lasting contributions will be to help us break this emotional dependence and grow up a bit.
And chill the heck out! He's got this.
When did we become so fragile that we need constant reassurance from a Daddy figure? Is that a sign of a healthy, confident, mature nation?
At times of true national peril, yes, the president has a psychological role to play. But not for every cable-news freakout. Maybe one of President Obama's lasting contributions will be to help us break this emotional dependence and grow up a bit.
And chill the heck out! He's got this.
10
I think President Obama may have underestimated the risks involved in bath tubbing, and failed to convey the important message that bath tubs should be seen by more of us as the threat, which they undeniably are. Don't even get me started on the existential risks involved in straining on the commode.
Thankfully, most of us have learned to fear the food, which we have in an unfortunate abundance (Good job Ozzie), and the word is that we might add decades to our lives, if we just ate sour, and bathed in a kiddie pool.
The terrorists? No doubt they are plotting to go bump in the night anywhere, anyplace, and at any time...especially in small towns in the South and Wyoming. To be afraid has has been, since 9/11, a patriotic obligation, and God knows the Tango is the most dangerous dance of them all. Avoid it.
"Be American! Be afraid!" To be Cool Hand Luke is no longer a paradigm of American manhood. Hopefully, the next President will be the chicken little that we deserve.
Barack Obama, you have failed to panic this one time to often, and danced a Tango too far. And please, for God's sake, get your back up with your hosts more often. It's expected! Especially when they are not American.
Thankfully, most of us have learned to fear the food, which we have in an unfortunate abundance (Good job Ozzie), and the word is that we might add decades to our lives, if we just ate sour, and bathed in a kiddie pool.
The terrorists? No doubt they are plotting to go bump in the night anywhere, anyplace, and at any time...especially in small towns in the South and Wyoming. To be afraid has has been, since 9/11, a patriotic obligation, and God knows the Tango is the most dangerous dance of them all. Avoid it.
"Be American! Be afraid!" To be Cool Hand Luke is no longer a paradigm of American manhood. Hopefully, the next President will be the chicken little that we deserve.
Barack Obama, you have failed to panic this one time to often, and danced a Tango too far. And please, for God's sake, get your back up with your hosts more often. It's expected! Especially when they are not American.
7
If I were running Republican TV commercials during the coming campaign, one would certainly contain clips of Obama doing the tango in Argentina and the wave with Raul, juxtaposed with the bodies and fire at the Belgian airport, the survivors struggling through the dark at the Brussels metro blast, ending with Hillary's statement that she would run a third Obama term, ending with that clip of her barking like a dog.
I feel that under the nearly eight years of Obama, we're all like those survivors of the Brussels metro bomb, totally disoriented, stumbling in the dark amid the smoke and the fire, with certainly no one there to lead us to safety.
I feel that under the nearly eight years of Obama, we're all like those survivors of the Brussels metro bomb, totally disoriented, stumbling in the dark amid the smoke and the fire, with certainly no one there to lead us to safety.
1
Confidence Men is a book by a respected former Wall St Journal reporter. It details the first hundred days of the Obama administration. It is easy to read and focused on policy and personnel, with little tabloid personal interest filler.
The clear meaning of the facts in the book is that Obama is a trimmer, a compromiser, someone who sold out long ago. He is not the disaster that W Bush was, but he certainly has not been the reformer or anti-Bush that voters expected him to be. He disappointed most of us, not because the Republicans stymied him, but because he neither tried to do what Bernie Sanders now proposes nor used the bully pulpit to press for these things.
To see what he should have been doing go to YouTube watch Comedy Party Platform and Benton-Comedy2. Thanks. [email protected].
The clear meaning of the facts in the book is that Obama is a trimmer, a compromiser, someone who sold out long ago. He is not the disaster that W Bush was, but he certainly has not been the reformer or anti-Bush that voters expected him to be. He disappointed most of us, not because the Republicans stymied him, but because he neither tried to do what Bernie Sanders now proposes nor used the bully pulpit to press for these things.
To see what he should have been doing go to YouTube watch Comedy Party Platform and Benton-Comedy2. Thanks. [email protected].
3
It's hard to figure out whether this is a pro- or anti-Obama piece. Congress certainly deserves a "raspberry" and the president's coolness has been steadying and reassuring. I will remember forever the unbidden tears when he talked about the people killed by guns in our country, and the tenderness with which he showed an interviewer the items which he keeps in his pocket from people from the Pope to random others. He shows warmth with his family, and most importantly, he is respectful and dignified with everyone, despite the unforgivable insults he has endured. He is a mensch, and more than his policies, that is what he will be remembered for.
17
I do not recall a President who came in with so much trust and expectations that is leaving with with so little trust and expectations as President Obama and very little anger at having failed so many so often.
3
Mo, I don't k now about "too cool for school", but Obama is definitely too cool for you. I for one appreciate a President who keeps his eye on the mission at hand, in this case an important diplomatic one. He may not have been in the right place for some nasty world events, events he cannot control or predict, but he has been amazing in response to others (Charleston, Hurricane Sandy, Sandy Hook come to mind). We have been fortunate to have this thoughtful, even keeled, disciplined man as our President for the last 7 years. We don't need any more evidence of that than to look at the humiliating train wreck that is the Republican Presidential campaign. We, and you, will miss this man when he leaves office.
24
"Conservatives then were trying to smear Obama as a socialist. Now many Democratic voters, especially young ones, are disappointed that Obama wasn’t liberal enough."
I agree! It seems to me that Obama has almost no conviction. He avoids conflict and has done little to address campaign finance reform, reign in the bankers, reduce racially charged rhetoric in the media, or help college students pay for school. If he wasn't so concerned about his weak "legacy" he likely would not have fought for the environment, at all.
There seem to be PR people now working for him to defend his every step. This is an scary new turn of events, and definitely not "liberal". I feel like big brother is always watching and ready to attack any slight on their flawless "hero".
I agree! It seems to me that Obama has almost no conviction. He avoids conflict and has done little to address campaign finance reform, reign in the bankers, reduce racially charged rhetoric in the media, or help college students pay for school. If he wasn't so concerned about his weak "legacy" he likely would not have fought for the environment, at all.
There seem to be PR people now working for him to defend his every step. This is an scary new turn of events, and definitely not "liberal". I feel like big brother is always watching and ready to attack any slight on their flawless "hero".
2
You have bought into the false persona Fake News and others have made of our President. The failures you list are the failure of a Congress who planned not to work with him from the night of his inauguration. The man has been a class act and has done many good things without the help of Congress. Of course, if he really was a 'dictator' and prone to 'tear up the constitution' as his enemies have said, a lot more would have been done for the well being of all Americans.
1
Obama, in my view, has been a fine President. I will miss his clear, distinctive
voice and excellent vocabulary. I respect him for many things he has done for
the country, but most of all, I respect him for the way he has handled the
horrible lies and stories republicans and racists of all stripes have kept
alive and well. He has outwardly kept silent, but he would have to be very
hurt by it. He deserves much better.
voice and excellent vocabulary. I respect him for many things he has done for
the country, but most of all, I respect him for the way he has handled the
horrible lies and stories republicans and racists of all stripes have kept
alive and well. He has outwardly kept silent, but he would have to be very
hurt by it. He deserves much better.
27
Hey Maureen, remember Obama's cool-headed response to the Ebola crisis? While Chris Christie and his ilk were running around and stoking a counter-productive hysteria, Obama kept his wits and responded in a sober and intelligent manner. This was only one example of a president whose behavior is thoughtful and deliberative. It's clear that you're more drawn to the Trump-type, a leader who kicks up lots of sturm und drang. Yes, Trump is so much more exciting than Obama. Trump is the casino. Lots of bells and flashing lights. He makes lots of Americans feel like they can win win win. They forget that they can more readily lose their shirts. As for me, I'll bet on the Obama-type: quiet, smart, effective. Everything you decry about Obama is what makes him all the more attractive to me. I'm afraid that you really have no idea who the real loser is.
832
Agreed for the most part, but this is one of Ms Dowd's more positive columns regarding President Obama.
Trump, like his casinos, is a bankrupt empty suit.
2
Perhaps you are so accustomed to Maureens' often snarky tone you don't recognize today's column is an extended paean of praise.
1
Axelrod said that Obama played chess while everyone else played checkers. He keeps cool and thinks ahead. He would prefer to be right long term, rather than to make short term political gains. He is aloof, but his detachment and serious reflection are what makes him effective. He hardly ever blows his own horn, but he has had to endure the slings and errors of a hostile Congress intent on blocking his every initiative since day one. Now in his last lap around the course he is free of any and all pretense. If a course calculating reactionary takes over the helm of this country, we will realize what we had and have some sincere longings for the steady and thoughtful hand of the first black President of the United Staes.
535
"He hardly ever blows his own horn". Really? Obama has never shied away from taking credit whenever possible, but never takes blame for anything that goes wrong. You are right that the Republican Congress has been unreasonably obstructionist, it was driven by Obama forcing the ACA down the nation's thoat when every poll said it was not wanted. That poisoned the political well for the rest of his presidency.
Agreed, except: I don't think he's aloof. Think of his responses to the innumerable massive domestic shootings by Americans. And Trayvon Martin's killing. President Obama is not aloof. He is thoughtful. He doesn't pander. Obama's poise protects the country. Imagine the bombast of a (please god no) President Trump in reaction to any of the events listed in these comments. Sound bytes may feel good in the short term, but they're mostly puffery - at best. Reactionaries' responses endanger us.
Obama has shortcomings - we all do. But who owns really owns most current political failures? The "Do What We Can to Make Obama a One-Term President" Republican Congress.
Obama has shortcomings - we all do. But who owns really owns most current political failures? The "Do What We Can to Make Obama a One-Term President" Republican Congress.
1
He will be Dramatically wrong long term.....
Of the things I will miss the most when President Obama leaves office is his temperament. In the noise machine that constitutes politics, he was always a voice of reason even when I didn't agree with him.
I can only hope that whomever is our next President takes a page out of his playbook.
I have very low expectations.
I can only hope that whomever is our next President takes a page out of his playbook.
I have very low expectations.
5
President Obama without any doubt is the greatest of all the Presidents of our time. Yes, Reagan outspent the Russians and ended the Cold War, definitely a good thing for the world. But I would argue that Obama's handling of the 2008 financial meltdown of the worldwide economy when the history books are written will go down as his greatest achievement.
Not just that, think about what Obama could have achieved if the Republicans played ball and worked with him, like the Democrats did with Reagan. Obama despite all the obstacles thrown his way has worked to prevent a major war in the Middle East by working with others to bring about the Iranian nuclear deal. That to me is as great as Reagan success in forcing the Russians to abandon their empire. When it's all said and done, we'd miss him.
Not just that, think about what Obama could have achieved if the Republicans played ball and worked with him, like the Democrats did with Reagan. Obama despite all the obstacles thrown his way has worked to prevent a major war in the Middle East by working with others to bring about the Iranian nuclear deal. That to me is as great as Reagan success in forcing the Russians to abandon their empire. When it's all said and done, we'd miss him.
5
Osaki Peebe Harry states, "Obama's handling of the 2008 financial meltdown of the worldwide economy when the history books are written will go down as his greatest achievement."
The "financial meltdown" was caused by politicians who introduced and passed laws for big banks. Naturally, the laws were favorable to Wall Street.
Why did the laws change? Simple: the laws during the Savings & Loan 'meltdown' in the 1980's allowed for prosecution and jail for the worst of the crooks. President George H. W. Bush directed the FBI to arrest and the Justice department to prosecute. There were 1100 prosecutions and 839 convictions.
Fast forward to the recent 2008 "financial meltdown" caused by laws written by politicians that led to NINJA (no income, no job/assets) loans. SEC 'settled' 2 claims, FDIC filed 1 civil suit; DOJ filed 1 case against 2 men and lost in court.
Obama's greatest achievement? Too big to fail, and too big to jail. Read the NY Times article about the great achievement......or better yet, Google Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/04/14/business/20110414-prosecut...
The "financial meltdown" was caused by politicians who introduced and passed laws for big banks. Naturally, the laws were favorable to Wall Street.
Why did the laws change? Simple: the laws during the Savings & Loan 'meltdown' in the 1980's allowed for prosecution and jail for the worst of the crooks. President George H. W. Bush directed the FBI to arrest and the Justice department to prosecute. There were 1100 prosecutions and 839 convictions.
Fast forward to the recent 2008 "financial meltdown" caused by laws written by politicians that led to NINJA (no income, no job/assets) loans. SEC 'settled' 2 claims, FDIC filed 1 civil suit; DOJ filed 1 case against 2 men and lost in court.
Obama's greatest achievement? Too big to fail, and too big to jail. Read the NY Times article about the great achievement......or better yet, Google Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/04/14/business/20110414-prosecut...
1
Barack Obama is the very type of person that we should want calling the shots in difficult times. That's when calm, rational thoughts are needed--not dumb ideas that are wrapped in emotion.
Besides, whenever the President travels, anywhere in the world, his electronic office travels with him. Also, an aide carries the portable tie-in, always just a few feet away. That's why SOP in times of a national security crises is to get airborne in Air Force One, with refueling available while aloft.
So, whether Obama is in Havana, Martha's Vineyard, Hawaii, or any of his other vacation haunts, he is always traveling with his Office, and his various advisors are completely accessible.
Besides, whenever the President travels, anywhere in the world, his electronic office travels with him. Also, an aide carries the portable tie-in, always just a few feet away. That's why SOP in times of a national security crises is to get airborne in Air Force One, with refueling available while aloft.
So, whether Obama is in Havana, Martha's Vineyard, Hawaii, or any of his other vacation haunts, he is always traveling with his Office, and his various advisors are completely accessible.
7
History has a way of sifting through the irrelevant, and bringing to clarity the reality of times past. One's greatness, especially in the realm of personal integrity and virtue, is NEVER recognized in their own time. The current president's accomplishments, and his overall demeanor of the last 8 years will be no exception to this axiom.
Given what and who he's had to work with---and like it or not---he's somehow managed to bring to fruition a more than respectable percentage of his pre-2008 agenda. For those, of course, stricken with the all-too-common American ailment called Convenient Amnesia, his accomplishments are decidedly inconvenient. The Digital Age we live in presents a further inconvenience, due to all this being verifiable in minutes.
Even more telling, however, is this man's ability to respond rather than to react. And for those of you who think I'm playing a game of semantics, think about the two words for a minute. There's a lot of mileage between the two, and Barack Obama is more than in tune with this. He lives and leads by BEING the change, rather than providing nothing more than a bullhorn for promoting it. He operates by patient processing and reflection, rather than knee-jerk reactions.
He has to. He was the first to know that his unprecedented presidency was just the first in a series of small moves for the change he envisions.
Considering the current cast vying for his job, we won't know what we've got, till he's gone....
Given what and who he's had to work with---and like it or not---he's somehow managed to bring to fruition a more than respectable percentage of his pre-2008 agenda. For those, of course, stricken with the all-too-common American ailment called Convenient Amnesia, his accomplishments are decidedly inconvenient. The Digital Age we live in presents a further inconvenience, due to all this being verifiable in minutes.
Even more telling, however, is this man's ability to respond rather than to react. And for those of you who think I'm playing a game of semantics, think about the two words for a minute. There's a lot of mileage between the two, and Barack Obama is more than in tune with this. He lives and leads by BEING the change, rather than providing nothing more than a bullhorn for promoting it. He operates by patient processing and reflection, rather than knee-jerk reactions.
He has to. He was the first to know that his unprecedented presidency was just the first in a series of small moves for the change he envisions.
Considering the current cast vying for his job, we won't know what we've got, till he's gone....
7
Obama's wise and steadfast self-control and rational actions are the stuff of greatness. Few individuals could keep their cool under the fire of Republican obstructionism, taunting, and announced determination to make sure an African-American had a failed presidency.
History will recognize his accomplishments under fire and rank him among the finest of presidents. So far the black race is batting %100, and the white race closer to %50.
History will recognize his accomplishments under fire and rank him among the finest of presidents. So far the black race is batting %100, and the white race closer to %50.
9
It is strange to read articles noting the implied criticism of the President's self-containment when we are daily bludgeoned with evidence that leading candidates for the presidency lack all decorum. As to the President's aloofness- he often appears spontaneously happy and amused , identifies with everybody from children to geriatrics, overflows with affection for his family, and reveals controlled anger and grief when it is warranted. What more can a nation want from it's public servant in chief?
5
it seems to me that you and some of the commenters think our president was supposed to be Jesus with merlin's wand between his legs and a pocketful of Jedi dust. Can you really believe that one man in 8 years could resolve the world's problems, especially with an opponent party whose entire ideology has been reduced to "No!"?
If it were up to me, I would make Obama king! He embodies the idea of that rare leader, the Philosopher-King, imagined by the ancient thinker, who rules from a place of wisdom. In this election cycle, with the rise of the witless rabble and a noxious demagogue , the appeal of the philosopher-king is especially strong.