Julian E. Zelizer: Obama Risks Being Called 'The Undecider'
[Julian E. Zelizer is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School. His new book is "Arsenal of Democracy: The Politics of National Security: From World War II to the War on Terrorism," published by Basic Books. Zelizer writes widely about current events.]
President Obama has had trouble sticking with his decisions. In several high-profile cases during his first year in the White House, there has been a pattern where the president takes a position on an important matter, feels the political heat for what he has said, and then backs off.
If President George W. Bush was the self-proclaimed "The Decider" who insisted on staying the course regardless of how many problems emerged with a policy, President Obama is starting to run the risk of becoming known as "The Undecider" who is unable to stand firm after announcing a position.
In the case of President Bush, what might have been a source of political strength turned into a political weakness.
President Bush's famous Harvard Business School/CEO mentality led him to believe that he should not second-guess his decisions. But when conditions suggested that his decision might not have been good, he could stubbornly refuse to change course. Many believe this was the case in the first few years of the Iraq war, when the strategy for rebuilding civil society was not working and the country was descending into chaos....
With President Obama, it seems that the danger is just the opposite. On national security, there have been several instances when the president has backed off critical decisions....
The willingness to deliberate and to adjust can be a huge political asset. Despite the constant criticisms about "flip-flopping," Americans should in fact seek political leaders who are willing to listen, to analyze and to adjust in the process of forming policy. Voters should demand politicians who are willing to correct their own mistakes.
At the same time, the perception that a president is not willing to defend his decisions can quickly become debilitating to the White House. The more Republicans see they can force the president to back down, the more they will demand that he do so on future issues. It is like throwing red meat into a pool of sharks....
This was a problem that President Jimmy Carter frequently encountered....
electorate and no benefits to deliver.
President Obama can't afford to become "The Undecider." If he wants to re-energize his presidency and improve
President Obama can't afford to become "The Undecider." If he wants to re-energize his presidency and improve his legislative scorecard, opponents need to know that when the White House proposes something it will fight tooth and nail for it. Supporters need to know that when they stand behind the president, he will not walk away.
Read entire article at CNN.com
President Obama has had trouble sticking with his decisions. In several high-profile cases during his first year in the White House, there has been a pattern where the president takes a position on an important matter, feels the political heat for what he has said, and then backs off.
If President George W. Bush was the self-proclaimed "The Decider" who insisted on staying the course regardless of how many problems emerged with a policy, President Obama is starting to run the risk of becoming known as "The Undecider" who is unable to stand firm after announcing a position.
In the case of President Bush, what might have been a source of political strength turned into a political weakness.
President Bush's famous Harvard Business School/CEO mentality led him to believe that he should not second-guess his decisions. But when conditions suggested that his decision might not have been good, he could stubbornly refuse to change course. Many believe this was the case in the first few years of the Iraq war, when the strategy for rebuilding civil society was not working and the country was descending into chaos....
With President Obama, it seems that the danger is just the opposite. On national security, there have been several instances when the president has backed off critical decisions....
The willingness to deliberate and to adjust can be a huge political asset. Despite the constant criticisms about "flip-flopping," Americans should in fact seek political leaders who are willing to listen, to analyze and to adjust in the process of forming policy. Voters should demand politicians who are willing to correct their own mistakes.
At the same time, the perception that a president is not willing to defend his decisions can quickly become debilitating to the White House. The more Republicans see they can force the president to back down, the more they will demand that he do so on future issues. It is like throwing red meat into a pool of sharks....
This was a problem that President Jimmy Carter frequently encountered....
electorate and no benefits to deliver.
President Obama can't afford to become "The Undecider." If he wants to re-energize his presidency and improve
President Obama can't afford to become "The Undecider." If he wants to re-energize his presidency and improve his legislative scorecard, opponents need to know that when the White House proposes something it will fight tooth and nail for it. Supporters need to know that when they stand behind the president, he will not walk away.