Barack Obama, who regards himself as the Great Communicator II, tried to stereotype George W. Bush as a shoot-first-and –ask- questions- later, loco cowboy. During the 2008 election, Obama promised to a “different” kind of president, more erudite, articulate, and cosmopolitan than “Bushy.” After all, Barack lived in Indonesian from about age six to ten. He even visited Africa for a couple months after graduating from college.
From the outset then, Barack has been convinced that he and only he understands the intricacies of our world. With his vastly superior intellect and unassailable logic, he, and only he, can present arguments of such persuasive power that all nations fall in line behind his Pied Pipership.
Barack Obama and his supporters touted him as “the man” who can “talk to our enemies,” despite his abject failure to even try to communicate effectively with Republicans in and out of government.
So, whaaaaa happened this week? You undoubtedly know: the United States Senate voted unanimously against President Obama. That is, 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans, and 2 Independents slapped Barack down on Iran. Against the advice of the Oval Office, all senators came out for tougher sanctions against Ayatollah land.
When was the last time you found such anti-presidential cross-aisle unanimity on so critical an issue? Does this mean that Barack, you now can call me “Hussein,” Obama might not be so great a communicator, either at home or abroad?
Democrat Senator Robert Menendez from New Jersey certainly did not have any faith in Barack Obama’s allegedly superior international relations skills. To quote Josh Rogin’s article, (http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/12/01/menendez_livid_at_obama_team_s_push_to_shelve_iran_sanctions) Menendez livid at Obama team’s push to shelve Iran sanctions amendment :
The administration's strategy of working behind the scenes to change what's become the Kirk-Menendez Iran sanctions amendment, only to publicly oppose it today, angered several senators, including Robert Menendez himself. The New Jersey Democrat took seven minutes at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to chastise Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman and Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen at Thursday's Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting for asking him to negotiate on their behalf, and then criticizing the compromise he struck with Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL).
Next time someone boasts of the President’s “fantastic” intellect, persuasive oratory, and foreign policy successes remind them of the Senate’s vote on Iran.
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