(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
"Could Hillary Clinton have been right about Barack Obama?"
That's a quote from a Politico piece titled "Does Obama have the guts?" In it, Roger Simon reminds us how during the campaign, Clinton warned voters that Obama gave great speeches, but lacked the strength, toughness and will to get the job done.
Well, Americans will now get to see how President Obama governs when it comes to a divisive issue like health care reform. Even though there are many critics, will he push through on the public option - which is probably the best way to compete with the insurance industry?
And it's not just about health care... Some suggest the president is beginning to appear weak and wishy-washy on a range of issues - from gays in the military to immigration reform to apologizing to foreign countries, etc.
At times, the president appears to be ineffective at even leading his own party - as the Democrats wander around like a gaggle of unruly children. Mr. Obama ought to call a meeting of the Democratic leadership and tell them, "Look, I am the boss. If you don't like that idea, there are ways I can make your life miserable... especially when it comes time for re-election."
After all, there is something to be said for declaring: "I am the decider." President Bush may not have been our smartest president, but he made an effort to communicate that he was running the country.
President Obama is many things, including articulate, smart, polite, a gentleman... but can he govern when the going gets tough?
Here’s my question to you: Is President Obama tough enough for the job?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jeff from Hawaii writes:
Jack, It's starting to look like "no." I voted for President Obama in this last election, swept up by his calls for change. I am beginning to become disheartened however, as I have yet to see him forcefully deliver on anything he campaigned for, be it new jobs (I haven't worked since January), lower taxes (can't tax what you don't earn), health care, regulating Wall Street, etc. The only place I find him strong is in e-mails asking me to donate more money.
Jim from Los Angeles writes:
The president is still young and does not carry the battle scars necessary to push his agenda. The jury is still out, but deliberating. He needs to get his own party marching in step, (just study Lyndon Johnson for that technique) then go after the opposition with a pitch fork and a smile. But get going! He talks swell but that does not move people to action.
Nick writes:
Yes. 14 hours days, not taking money from special interests, running for president as an African-American when there's still racism, and inviting your toughest running mate to be in your administration? If “tough” can be defined as doing unprecedented things and actually following through, then yes.
Pete writes:
Chicago politics tough? Yes. Real world tough? No. His failures thus far can be chalked up to naïveté. That is a very dangerous trait for the leader of the free world. Is there even a backbone in his staff or cabinet? Where do we turn when it hits the fan?
Debbie writes:
In a nutshell: no. He is a nice guy, no question. But this is not what it takes to get the job done. His inexperience is really showing. I just wish it was Hillary in the White House.
Nikki from San Diego writes:
Jack, Not only is President Obama tough enough, he's cool with it too.
Lisa from Dublin, Ohio writes:
If he doesn't lower the boom now, the rest of his presidency is doomed. Pick your battles only when necessary. But for God's sake, don't let the cheerful troupe of morons we call Congress run all over you. We're all screwed if that happens.