In my Obama book I suggest that the President has a dark triad personality structure, meaning a composite of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, and I mention research showing that narcissists often present initially as charming. We typically do not see the dark triad person for who he is until after we get to know him.
Over the past three years Barack Obama slowly and inadvertently has revealed his “dark” side not only to his detractors, but to many who previously had supported him. Even a cursory investigation of one day’s news shows this to be true.
Consider September 4, 2011: Leslie Kaufman of the New York Times asserts that environmentalists were “stung” by Obama’s having reneged on the air quality standards changes that he had promised them. Supporting her impressions through a series of quotes, Ms. Kaufman mentions that John D. Walke of the Natural Resources Defense Council perceives Obama’s environmental decisions as “brazen political sellouts.” She says that Justin Ruben of MoveOn.org complains, “Stuff like this is devastating to the hope and passion that fuels the volunteers that made the president’s 2008 campaign so unique and successful.” And Ms. Kaufman cites Bill McKibben of 350.org who not only laments the President’s lack of environmental policy support but also his arrogantly failing to even communicate with those who had stood shoulder to shoulder with Barack when he needed them.
Same day: Sam Hananel of Huffington Post Obama writes that Obama is losing labor support. Mr. Hananel implicitly criticizes Barack Obama’s failure to fulfill his campaign promises by endorsing trade agreements with Panama, Columbia, and South Korea that threaten union jobs. Similarly, the article underscores that Barack has not followed through on his pledge to hike the minimum hourly wage from $7.25 to $9.50. It also mentions Larry Hanley, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, who says, "Obama campaigned big, but he's governing small.” Finally, Sam Hananel points out that “It didn't help that Obama declined union invitations to go to Wisconsin, where thousands of protesters mobilized against the anti-union measure. Candidate Obama had promised to ‘put on sneakers’ and walk a picket line himself when union rights were threatened.”
So, on one day alone we find evidence of Barack Hussein Obama’s having performed dark triad, self-serving manipulations against two of his most powerful, most loyal supporter groups. When he needs them, he says whatever it takes to get what he wants. Afterwards, Obama has other personal needs that consume his attention.
Consider this: In late 2009 and early 2010, when secure in his presidency, Barack Obama sticks by his principles, jamming his health care bill down our throats without allowing time for anyone to read and understand it. He knows what he wants, has the power, and uses it without restraint. By contrast, in late 2011 when insecure in his office, he not only is willing to abandon his environmental and labor policies, but also to discard supporters who worked for him.
Why the tactical change? By abandoning the environmentalists and labor, he hopes to salvage his presidency and re-election prospects—to realize a net political gain by appealing to independents and others. Believing that his base has nowhere to go but to him, he undoubtedly bets that he can sweet talk them before November 2012.
For Barack, the presidency is not just a matter of re-election; it is a matter of identity and pride. Barack Obama the narcissist loves himself above all others. The Machiavellian in him manipulates mercilessly. And the psychopath has no compassion for whomever he steps on. If Obama fails in his bid for a second term, he will be gravely humiliated. And when his self esteem is on the line, Barack is willing to throw anyone under the bus. Just ask his beloved grandmother and his “uncle” Jeremiah Wright.
The incidents with environmentalists and labor provide valuable lessons for America. The dark triad president Barack Hussein Obama is only constrained when he fears a humiliating loss of face and identity. If he is re-elected, he no longer will need the electorate. There will be no stopping him. Obama will ram through every one of his pet projects as quickly and relentlessly as possible. After all, dark triad persons regard themselves as righteous and infallible; they know what is best for everybody and they feel entitled to inflict their judgement on all of us.
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