redohio
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- Mar 5, 2011
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Ok, I apologize for the title. But it got your attention and lends itself to a more serious discussion of the role of the President.
Not since Truman has the President of the United States had complete freedom of action on anything. Yes, the President can still launch nukes and start wars, but in all other matters, the actual role of Chief Executive has been marginalized to his daily duties relegated to his appointed bureaucrats. He is counseled by hundreds of advisors that weigh the political consequences of his executive actions. In sum, the President has become a figurehead, with 99% of “his” decisions being made and executed by his staff.
With the advent of television and internet, personal appearance plays a dominant role in the “popularity” of a candidate. The President is de facto the “face of the nation”. Professionals write his speeches. Yet if you ask most Americans, they still believe the President writes his own speeches.
My cynical view on this is that you can put just about anyone in the White House as long as they can read a speech and follow good advice. After money, congeniality is the President’s biggest asset. Reagan is a perfect example. Which brings me to my sarcastic conclusion:
If I’m going to sit in front of my TV, I could swallow all the day’s spin bad news (economy, wars, healthcare etc..) much easier from an attractive woman like Sarah Palin, then listen to the lecturing, pedantic drone of Mr. O.
OK women and liberals, feel free to “rip me a new one” :mrgreen:
Not since Truman has the President of the United States had complete freedom of action on anything. Yes, the President can still launch nukes and start wars, but in all other matters, the actual role of Chief Executive has been marginalized to his daily duties relegated to his appointed bureaucrats. He is counseled by hundreds of advisors that weigh the political consequences of his executive actions. In sum, the President has become a figurehead, with 99% of “his” decisions being made and executed by his staff.
With the advent of television and internet, personal appearance plays a dominant role in the “popularity” of a candidate. The President is de facto the “face of the nation”. Professionals write his speeches. Yet if you ask most Americans, they still believe the President writes his own speeches.
My cynical view on this is that you can put just about anyone in the White House as long as they can read a speech and follow good advice. After money, congeniality is the President’s biggest asset. Reagan is a perfect example. Which brings me to my sarcastic conclusion:
If I’m going to sit in front of my TV, I could swallow all the day’s spin bad news (economy, wars, healthcare etc..) much easier from an attractive woman like Sarah Palin, then listen to the lecturing, pedantic drone of Mr. O.
OK women and liberals, feel free to “rip me a new one” :mrgreen:
