Will Obama Swat His Prey Again?

Whether in politics, basketball or even courting his future wife, Barack Obama is known as a strong closer, a thinking man with the patience and inquisitiveness to quietly gauge circumstances until settling upon a winning choice at the last minute.

Will this chaotic debt-limit fiasco be yet another example of Obama rising above skeptical friends and foes?

While some, myself included, have questioned his conciliatory negotiating tactics, another view could be that Obama, as always, has kept his options open in yet another marathon debate - much as he did with health reform, which after all did end up in something tangible and dramatic, no matter how unsatisfactory to all sides.

Perhaps the most telling image of this enigmatic man's strength under pressure was this video of him swatting a fly. A simple thing, to be sure, but for anyone who has tried to strike down such an elusive foe, we know it is not an easy thing to do -- certainly not as easy as he made it look.

Also by Craig: What Would GOP WH Hopefuls DO? (Good luck finding out)

 

 

 

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Comments

[Teresa Poland]

07:08 AM on 08/04/2011

As a liberal I was actually offended by the so called debt ceiling deal. My President again seemed to cave to the Republicans as he did in Dec. of last year for unemployment benefits. It seems the Repubs have it all figured out now. Wait as long as they can,until the very last minute to decide on anything,and the Pres.will be so frustrated,he will accept whatever the Repubs throw at him. The deal did not mention any sacrifices from the rich,end the Bush tax cuts,or large corporations or the oil companies. Now we have to wait until the next crisis arises,Medicare.

[John D Rachel]

10:44 PM on 07/27/2011

Swatting one fly will not rid the country its fly-borne diseases.

[BOBinPS]

09:43 PM on 07/27/2011

We need a leader, not a pest exterminator.

[bg66astoria]

08:30 PM on 07/27/2011

The problem is that Pres. Obama has been chasing elusive goals, rather than addressing real problems, like unemployment & still hasn't stopped accepting the GOP's framing of the policy discussions.

[OneManRoaring]

07:05 PM on 07/27/2011

We need a Teddy Roosevelt. Someone with moxie! Obama may have a number of fine qualities, but to inspire an electorate and to be a true leader, one sometimes has to show emotion! He can speak softly, but I am afraid he doesn't even own a stick!