It’s not as though Obama is a particularly adept debater. But the subject comes up constantly on the Republican side, or so Maureen Dowd believes.
They seem to have forgotten that, while Obama has had dazzling moments of strength in executing Osama and in swashbuckling derring-do against Somali pirates — if not in dealing with Congress — he was no Abe Lincoln in debates. He did not like debating, and Michelle urged him to be more visceral. He often faded onstage because he stubbornly refused to accept debates as alpha combat rather than beta seminars. He disdained anything he saw as superficial politics, from sound bites to macho put-downs.
If Obama continues to resist the gladiatorial subtext, while Romney embraces it, the debates could be more evenly matched than the Republicans dare to dream. …Maureen Dowd, NYT
Actually, is it the Republicans who fear Obama in debates or the press who turn politics into a bloody conflict because that sells better than democracy? Whatever. Meanwhile, Dowd says Obama is getting into the habit of indulging in telling women off on the tarmac.
Usually, tarmacs are for joyous welcomes or teary goodbyes. But No Drama Obama saves his rare tempests for the runway. …Dowd
All two tempests. One in a set-to with Hillary during the campaign. The other with Arizona’s unattractive governor who felt “threatened.” She probably felt rejected. Face it: Obama is a powerful man and one who’s attractive to women. She thought she could win this one, but no. He was telling her off, in profile and in public, and Fox had to work hard to buck Brewer up.
Both of Obama’s tarmac tiffs worked in his favor. After his encounter with Hillary, he told advisers that it was the first time he knew he could beat her because he saw fear in her eyes.
After his brouhaha with Brewer, dubbed “the dust-up in the desert,” he became a hero to the Hispanics he had gone West to court. They loved seeing their Cruella de Vil get dressed down.
Everything is breaking Barry’s way, as Mitt and Newt rip into each other in vicious ads and debates like alligators going after house pets. …Dowd
So go ahead, Mitt. Tell him off. Aggravate him. Snipe at him. Wear flame-red suits and use new eye make-up. Hey, try tears if nothing else works!