– by Mike Murray
It is time to stop treating Barack Obama like a privileged character. It is time to stop according him a level of respect reserved for no one else in American society — a level of respect that he, himself, affords no one else. Yes, I know: he is the President of the United States. But that reality cut no ice for the bulk of Obama’s predecessors (the Republican ones, anyway)
At least as far back as the 1950s — which is as far as my memory extends — conservative commanders-in-chief have been freely ridiculed. Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon (even before Watergate), Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, both Bushes — all were often treated poorly by the press. Most were portrayed as lacking in intelligence; some were demonized in even uglier ways.
Democrats typically fared better (John Kennedy benefitted from fawning coverage much of the time, for example). But a few liberal presidents (particularly the ones who royally screwed up) have been scorned. Jimmy Carter’s overall ineptitude was his downfall; Bill Clinton’s total disregard for, um, White House “decorum” — and his attempts at hiding it — did him in. Led to his impeachment, ultimately. But, for all that, some in the media still tried to provide Clinton cover — arguing that it was all much ado about nothing.
No president in the last half-century (and probably a good deal longer), however, has been the beneficiary of such gentle treatment as has Barack Obama.
Early on, his kid-gloves handling could be attributed to the fact that he is our country’s first black president. It is natural that Americans — of all political stripes — felt a degree of pride in having introduced diversity into the presidential selection process. From a historical standpoint, it is understandable that many wanted Obama to succeed.
But things have gotten way out of hand. Before long, it became politically incorrect to criticize Obama in any way. Disagree with his policies (and belong to the Republican party and / or attend a Tea Party rally)? You must be a right-wing extremist. A “low-level terrorist,” even. One that our Department of Homeland security should be keeping an eye on.
Publicly criticize Obama (and possess white skin)? You must be a racist.
Absurd? You bet. But that has been the ridiculous reality in the “Era of Obama.” The President’s supporters (many of them ensconced within the mainstream media) have taken advantage of the situation. They have used it to insulate the candidate they helped elect from meaningful criticism. Which is bad enough.
Making matters worse is Obama’s own behavior. It has, at times, been shameful. He sat idly by as his detractors were being smeared as bigots. Some believe (count me among them) that he approved of — perhaps even helped formulate — the disgusting “racist” strategy. Then too, he sent mouthpiece Robert Gibbs out to label GOPers who disagreed with his legislative agenda as comprising a “conservative cabal.” (What happened to all that “post-partisan” mumbo jumbo?)
Out of Obama’s own mouth have come charges that his political opponents have “deliberately misrepresented” (i.e., lied) about his positions. But, when Congressman Joe Wilson responded in kind, saying to Obama: “You lie,” Democrats had a collective conniption fit. (Never mind that Obama had lied about elements of the proposed health-care legislation.) In short order, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi swooped into action, initiating a rules change that subsequently made verboten “uncivil” comments such as Wilson’s.
Which makes all the stranger Obama’s verbal swipe at Supreme Court justices during his recent State of the Union address, one delivered to a national television audience and a joint session of Congress. With several of the justices in attendance, Obama pointedly criticized one of their recent rulings. He falsely accused them of having overturned a century of campaign finance regulation. The President’s clear lack of respect for members of our nation’s highest court was appalling. So was his utterly fraudulent characterization of one of their decisions.
All presidents deserve to be thoroughly scrutinized — with respect to their policies, behavior, and governance. If Barack Obama is to be more than an “affirmative action” hire, we need to start treating him as we would any other commander-in-chief. No better; no worse.
Moreover, since Obama deems it perfectly reasonable to “disrespect” others, turnabout is certainly fair play.
Copyright © 2010 Michael F. Murray All rights reserved.
