A four-hour stop in New Orleans, on his way to a $3 million fundraiser.Well, Obama has certainly gotten criticism for all of the above. But I think most people realize, even if they disagree with his policies, that Obama is a more intelligent, progressive, thoughtful and deliberative president. But all those things on Politico's list are easily countered:
Snubbing the Dalai Lama.
Signing off on a secret deal with drug makers.
Freezing out a TV network.
Doing more fundraisers than the last president. More golf, too.
President Barack Obama has done all of those things — and more.
What’s remarkable is what hasn’t happened. These episodes haven’t become metaphors for Obama’s personal and political character — or consuming controversies that sidetracked the rest of his agenda. Politico
A four-hour stop in New Orleans, on his way to a $3 million fundraiser.
Counter: The Obama administration, particularly new FEMA director Craig Fugate, has been receiving much praise, even by republicans, for its progress in New Orleans. The media would know that if it did some reporting. It wasn't just a four-hour stop but it sure makes a cute media narrative.
Snubbing the Dalai Lama.
Counter: Obama is meeting with the Dalai Lama after Obama travels to China. The media made up the snubbing part. Obama is trying to create better relations with China, an emerging super power, despite its human rights issues. Since China owns so much of our debt, it seems fitting that we are on good footing with China. Also, its seems to me that Obama would be more informed to meet with the Dalai Lama after Obama meets with Chinese officials.
Signing off on a secret deal with drug makers.
Counter: It's not so secret if everyone knows about it. The Obama administration's approach to big issues is to bring all players to the table. Many, including myself, would rather not see pharma companies with a seat at the table, but healthcare reform is a beast of bargains. The so-called "secret" deal is not a binding deal. It has to make it into final reform bill and be passed by Congress.
Freezing out a TV network.
Counter: Fox deserves to be frozen out. The viewpoint at Fox is that Obama is steering the nation toward socialism and that's just wrong. Factually. Journalists are defending Fox as though there isn't a bias, which is ridiculous. Fox was promoting the birther story before the mainstream media got their mitts on it.
Doing more fundraisers than the last president. More golf, too.
Counter: Obama can better achieve his agenda with more democrats in office. As far as the golf thing, Obama has clearly done more work, taken on more issues than Bush ever did. Obama is a work hard, play hard kind of person. If golfing on Sundays is what he likes to do, then he more than deserves that time. If he wants to play basketball with the guys, then so be it. It's not a slight against women. That's just silly. Obama is surrounded by powerful women, including one of the most powerful, Hillary Clinton.
Counter: The Obama administration, particularly new FEMA director Craig Fugate, has been receiving much praise, even by republicans, for its progress in New Orleans. The media would know that if it did some reporting. It wasn't just a four-hour stop but it sure makes a cute media narrative.
Snubbing the Dalai Lama.
Counter: Obama is meeting with the Dalai Lama after Obama travels to China. The media made up the snubbing part. Obama is trying to create better relations with China, an emerging super power, despite its human rights issues. Since China owns so much of our debt, it seems fitting that we are on good footing with China. Also, its seems to me that Obama would be more informed to meet with the Dalai Lama after Obama meets with Chinese officials.
Signing off on a secret deal with drug makers.
Counter: It's not so secret if everyone knows about it. The Obama administration's approach to big issues is to bring all players to the table. Many, including myself, would rather not see pharma companies with a seat at the table, but healthcare reform is a beast of bargains. The so-called "secret" deal is not a binding deal. It has to make it into final reform bill and be passed by Congress.
Freezing out a TV network.
Counter: Fox deserves to be frozen out. The viewpoint at Fox is that Obama is steering the nation toward socialism and that's just wrong. Factually. Journalists are defending Fox as though there isn't a bias, which is ridiculous. Fox was promoting the birther story before the mainstream media got their mitts on it.
Doing more fundraisers than the last president. More golf, too.
Counter: Obama can better achieve his agenda with more democrats in office. As far as the golf thing, Obama has clearly done more work, taken on more issues than Bush ever did. Obama is a work hard, play hard kind of person. If golfing on Sundays is what he likes to do, then he more than deserves that time. If he wants to play basketball with the guys, then so be it. It's not a slight against women. That's just silly. Obama is surrounded by powerful women, including one of the most powerful, Hillary Clinton.
