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Obama Is the Anti-Cowboy

Slow decision on Afghanistan a contrast from Bush's gut checks

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 25, 2009 9:26 AM CST
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(Newser) – Barack Obama’s prolonged Afghanistan strategy review has if nothing else distinguished him from his predecessor—Obama is anything but the “gut player” Dubya claimed to be. In fact, he’s put on “a spectacle of deliberation unlike anything seen in the White House in recent memory,” writes Joel Achenbach of the Washington Post. Dick Cheney called it “dithering,” but supporters think the public’s ready for a more thoughtful president.

“He's establishing his decision-making process as being almost diametrically the opposite of the previous administration,” says Colin Powell’s former chief of staff. Bush’s process was “cowboy-like…and extremely secretive.” Obama himself isn’t worried about the critics. “I think the American people understand that my job here is to get it right,” he told CBS recently. “I’m less concerned about perceptions.”

President Barack Obama meets with his national security team to discuss Afghanistan in Situation Room of the White House, Nov. 11, 2009.
President Barack Obama meets with his national security team to discuss Afghanistan in Situation Room of the White House, Nov. 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 26 comments
chrisfield.com
Nov 26, 2009 4:29 AM CST
Bush's handsome charm resonated with a lot of people. His cowboy mentality is an appealing leadership quality for positions of authority such as maybe a baseball commissioner or frat house BMOC, but it is a dangerous trait in a leadership role that commands decisions of large-scale life and death, global economies, and decades-long policy arbitration. A more measured approach is required for these important adult decision making situations. Americans should demand thoughtful, serious-minded men and women for these positions, men and women who take calculated, informed, and even prayerful approaches to making decisions that will impact the nation and global community for months or decades to come. Instinct has its place, but it is only made more accurate through scientific data, objective facts, and sounds counsel.
Face-Of-RNC
Nov 25, 2009 10:36 AM CST
low bred - check the long post, you've been trumped again.
Face-Of-RNC
Nov 25, 2009 10:33 AM CST
Forgive RobR as he flatters his hero, The Face Of RNC.

 
Afghanistan • Barack Obama • Afghanistan war • strategy • President Obama • Afghanistan exit strategy

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