The Bama did two things this week that actually add up to one big point about how he's governing.
He called Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY) and "asked" (read: told) him NOT to challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the New York Senate Democratic primary in the special election next year.
He also blew off Nevada's Governor Jim Gibbons, because Gibbons had the audacity to criticize The Bama's economic policies and his comments critical of Nevada that have hurt that state's economy. The Governor was notified today that the Bama has "refused" to meet with him.
Up next: a horse's head in the bed.
This is supposed to be "hope and change?" This is supposed to be "a new era of civility?" This is supposed to be a time when we "put away childish things?"
It's more like old-time politics, Chicago-style.
And both episodes fit right in with a pattern of strong-arm tactics this White House has used on the banks (want to pay back that TARP money? Too bad!), the auto industry (the political hit on GM's Rick Wagoner, anyone?), hedge funds, etc. Tony Soprano is running the country.
This is not the kind of politics in which the Bama promised he'd engage. He's looking less and less transformational and more and more like a Chicago machine pol.
Because that's what he is.
Monica holds two Masters degrees and a Ph.D. in international affairs from Columbia University and worked as a Foreign Policy Assistant to former President Richard Nixon from 1990 until his death in 1994. Crowley’s experience with Nixon prompted her to write two best-selling books, Nixon off the Record: His Candid Commentary on People and Politics and Nixon in Winter. Read more about Monica’s books on Amazon.com.
She has also written for The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Baltimore Sun and The New York Post and writes for American Daily Review.
Monica can be reached at mail@monicamemo.com
