Presidential Decision Making and Learning from the Past
Sep 13th, 2008 by bill
One of the fascinating aspects of this presidential election is the decision making by both candidates and the comparisons these candidates are inviting to previous Presidents. John McCain says Teddy Roosevelt is his favorite president and I think Barrack Obama has a lot of admiration of John Kennedy. By selecting Sarah Pallin as his vice presidential choice, John McCain has paid a fascinating homage to Teddy Roosevelt. Many of the characteristics that made William McKinley select the unknown governor of New York as his running mate in the presidential race of 1900 are present in Sarah. Both Teddy and Sarah were governors for only two years and had gained some notoriety fighting the political machine when they were asked to join the presidential race. Both Teddy and Sarah share similar passions in life. They both love the outdoors, are avid hunters, have large families, and were under 45 years old when they were asked.
I am not sure whether John Kennedy is Barrack Obama’s favorite president but he probably has enjoyed the comparisons made by the press. John Kennedy remains a popular president. In looking at the McCain decision I cannot but look at the decision by Barrack Obama to not follow the lead set by John Kennedy. I think it is fair to say that John Kennedy despised Lyndon Johnson. John Kennedy was in a much more dire political situation and needed Lyndon Johnson to deliver the southern states if he was going to have a chance at wining the presidential race. John Kennedy made the tough decision and the rest is history.
John McCain’s presidential campaign was in a dire situation. It is fair to say that either of the Democratic candidates were expected to easily win the the Presidential election. From one perspective McCain was taking a huge risk by selecting Sarah Pallin as his running mate. This could be disastrous for the future of the Republican party. From another perspective he was taking the risk he needed to take if he wanted to be President. He was taking a risk John Kennedy would understand.
It is not hard to conclude that John McCain was both lucky and brilliant. It took a lot of guts to make that decision but he needed a little help from his friend, Barrack Obama. Barrack had the tough decision of whether to ask Hillary Clinton to be his running mate. He chose Joe Biden. It was a safe choice but not necessarily the choice we might expect from a candidate hungry to “do what it takes to win”. It was a choice that disappointed the Hillary supporters and created a huge opportunity for John McCain. This was the bit of luck John McCain needed and a choice that probably has John Kennedy rolling over in his grave.
Each of us is now confronted with the ultimate question about this presidential race. Does Barrack Obama have the courage to make the tough decisions?
You wrote:
It is not hard to conclude that John McCain was both lucky and brilliant. It took a lot of guts to make that decision but he needed a little help from his friend, Barrack Obama. Barrack had the tough decision of whether to ask Hillary Clinton to be his running mate. He chose Joe Biden. It was a safe choice but not necessarily the choice we might expect from a candidate hungry to “do what it takes to win”. It was a choice that disappointed the Hillary supporters and created a huge opportunity for John McCain. This was the bit of luck John McCain needed and a choice that probably has John Kennedy rolling over in his grave.
Each of us is now confronted with the ultimate question about this presidential race. Does Barrack Obama have the courage to make the tough decisions?”
What a stupid question! Of course Barack Obama has the courage to make the tough decisions – that is exactly what he did when he picked Joe Biden as his running mate.
In picking Joe Biden, Mr. Obama has shown that he is willing to make tough decisions regardless of what the status quo says. Many of us Obama supporters or Democrats believed picking Hillary was the best choice. However, in as much as Democrats, Republicans and Independents wanted Hillary as VP running mate, Obama made his decision based on some other non-emotional criterion.
You are correct, Obama is NOT willing to “do all it takes to win” John McCain is the candidate of deceit, lies and false accusations. HE (McCain) is willing to do all it takes to win. He appointed Sarrah Palin because he wants to “do all it takes to win”. He knows Palin is not fit to lead this great nation but he chose her anyway just to get Hillary voters.
To the contrary, Senator Obama choose someone other than the popular and most respected Hillary Clinton because he does not follow the crowds and polls. Only people like Obama, who could make tough and unpopular decisions are capable of leading these United States of America.
After the last eight years, supported by McCain 95% of the time, why should anyone listen to people like you who are willing to “do ALL and anything it takes to win. You are so disparate to win and fool the American People again for another four years, that you are willing to distort facts and confuse yourself in your own article.
It is time for change, so we will continue to pray that you keep making mistakes that will reveal the truth about gRepublican governance, Republican Dirty politics and the associated risks. It is time for Change and the time is NOW!
Let me put this in very simple terms. I think that most of the independents and probably half of the Democratic faithful felt that Hillary Clinton was the best tactical and strategic choice for vice president. The Republican faithful were actually gleeful that Barrack Obama chose Joe Biden. The people in these groups represent a majority of the people in the United States. I think these groups felt this before the Biden announcement and feel this with even greater certainty now. The Clinton supporters are left to mournfully say, “We told you so!” Watching the decision making coming out of the Obama campaign is like watching your friend continually crash his car. The irony is that he could have avoided this problem by borrowing a play out of John Kennedy’s playbook and give the people want they want. It is hard to serve the greater good and be the instrument of change if you do not get elected.