We also may overestimating his intelligence and his competence. His cool veneer and verbal ability has always given an aura of command and intelligence throughout his political career. Being mysterious, aloof and and vaguely noncommittal may works wonders among today”s fashionable set, particularly while campaigning or posturing in the Senate, but it won’t completely cut it in his new office. .

Obama may never have really thought he could actually win the Presidency. His positions were always a con to advance him politically; there never was any depth or seriousness to them. His positions just sounded good.

But now, the game has changed. Sounding good is not enough. He must commit. He must act, and his actions and plans now have to actually work. After reaching the pinnacle, some little pangs of doubt may have set in. So might have the realization that being President is horribly difficult, particularly in these times of staggering crisis.

So perhaps he is playing it safe, cautious and conservative. He is surrounding himself with people who have been there before and know their fields well, perhaps because he knows in his heart he’s not all that bright.

Let’s hope so. Let’s hope this isn’t one big head fake and another Obama con just to ease in some socialist mischief. Lord know that Bush has left Obama with way too many opportunities for mischief.

or ‘adulation’.

none of which are honor.

“the time between the wars when he could have had office, honor and power were he but to tell a lie or let himself be misheard”
Not sure I agree with the “honor” part of that, W.

. Perhaps the word should be “esteem” or “acclaim”?

World events may interfer, but most likely Gates will be gone in a year, after Obama has someone else who can master the bureaucracy of the Pentagon.
Obama may not have great executive abilities (few Presidents have), but don’t underestimate his intelligence. He used the Netroots to advance his goal of getting elected, and now is discarding them as any sane man would. If successful, he captures the Muddled Middle of the electorate and doesn’t need them in 2012.

Here’s my own guess:

If it does not do (does not make sense) to wander too far from sober men, then it does do (does make sense) to wander far from alcoholic men. So, Clementine’s poem says the dead dove reminds her how much she enjoyed her long trip far away from her alcoholic husband Winston. Whe often thinks back to that trip fondly.

Now that I have formulated my own plausible interpretation of the poem, however, I am mystefied how it is supposed to fit with Wretchard’s article. Whenever I am mystified by the juxtopositions in one of Wretchard’s articles, which is often, I still enjoy their Zen-like pronouncement.

The more I’ve been thinking about it, the more I think the first move of the Dems will be on immigration. If they legalize 15-20M Hispanics, then the Presidency is effectively in their hands for good and all. Already, many once red states flipped blue because of their rising Hispanic populations (voters legal and illegal both). If the tide is legalized, it’s done. Probably the Republicans won’t even take Texas anymore.

McCain, that chump, of course is already on board, and he will trotted out as the bi-partisan poster boy. The Republicans won’t even muster a squeak against it.

Essentially, if we get amnesty, we’re in a one-party state. Then Barry will have all the time he needs to do whatever the hell he pleases.

Here lies the Bali Dove
It does not do to wander
Too far from sober men
But there’s an island yonder
I think of it again.”

- snip -

Wretchard, I’m a bit obtuse, could you please explain what the heck all this is supposed to mean? And how is what Clementine did and said supposed to illustrate what a great man Winston was during his political exile?

Illustrations should clarify, not muddy up the waters, IMO.

Dahli Lama
Snared not the
Bali Dova
Says he
Not to dismay
But Burma
I’ll Shave.

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