Obama in Command (by David Broder)

[Old Hank]

By David S. Broder
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Washington Post

No new president finds that every aspect of the job suits him at once; some duties are inevitably more comfortable than others. What we have witnessed in the past few weeks is Barack Obama trying on and fitting himself to the role of commander in chief.

The most controversial decisions of this period -- expanding the troop commitment and replacing the commander in Afghanistan, opposing the release of photos of abused detainees, keeping the system of military tribunals and delaying any change in the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays -- are of a pattern.

In every instance, Obama heeded the advice of his uniformed and civilian defense leaders and in each case but Afghanistan, he abandoned a position he had taken as the Democratic presidential candidate.

The predictable result has been the first sustained outcry from the left, angry denunciations from leaders of constituencies that had been early supporters. They feel betrayed as they watch him continuing, with minor modifications, the policies and practices of his Republican predecessor...

(...)

Obama's liberal critics are right. He is a different man now. He has learned what it means to be commander in chief.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/20/AR2009052003029_pf.html

[MisterP]

1. poor Broder: he's like a grown-up Ralph Wiggum. doorknobs confound him n/t

[jaysunb]

2. Broders' stamp of approval can only help

to buy the time Obama needs to change the mindset of the American people.

This is good to see.

[lamp_shade]

3. Very good.