What the President Didn't Say Last Night

Obviously, I disagree with our Commander in Chief on just about everything. While I try to give credit where credit is due (allowing the Navy Seal Snipers to knock off those Somali pirates comes to mind), finding an opportunity to do such is rare.

Last night's Iraq war "victory" speech was no exception. In the 19 minute speech, President Obama missed several opportunities to look and sound presidential. He missed the boat, big time.

Here are three points that are unmistakably apparent:

1. He looks extremely uncomfortable in the Oval Office.

I have watched two speeches made by President Obama, delivered from the Oval Office. Just imagine: you are the most powerful man in the entire world, speaking to the most powerful nation on the planet, from the most prominent stage known to man - the Oval Office. Great leaders have said amazing and historic things from this podium. It strikes me that President Obama looks like a scared little boy in a grown-up's suit from that chair. I don't think he even likes being in the room at all.

2. The "great orator" sure does struggle to be perfectly clear.


I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard what a great speaker President Obama is. You would think that a Harvard professor, surrounded by countless wizards of smart writing speeches for him would be crystal clear. You would think that even someone with my limited education would walk away knowing exactly what was said and why. For some reason, the more this man speaks, the less I know what he is talking about. How does a speech on the withdrawal of combat troops morph into a speech about the economy, education reform and energy policy?

3. President Obama sees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as a nuisance.

It is painfully obvious to me that President Obama would really rather not deal with these two wars. They take away precious time and resources he would rather spend on his domestic agenda (the ultimate socialization of this country). I think he believes that arbitrarily laying down withdrawal dates will just make this "nasty war business" go away. Then he is free to go back to the business of taking over banks, car companies, and the health and energy industries.

In closing, President Obama missed several opportunities last night. He could have claimed victory in Iraq, and boosted America's confidence regarding victory in Afghanistan. He did not. He is not comfortable with the word "victory". He could have been a man and expressed his regret for opposing the surge. He did not. He could have given a little credit to President George W. Bush for withstanding the opposition, and making the right decision, ultimately leading to victory in Iraq. He did not.

The fact is, our President neither looked nor sounded very presidential at all.