Krauthammer: Obama 'Debasing Currency of Presidential Authority' Like Fed Devaluing the Dollar
Syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer on Friday said one of those truly memorable lines he comes up with from time to time.
Speaking about Barack Obama's decision to give his jobs creation plan before a joint session of Congress next week, Krauthammer told the host of PBS's "Inside Washington," "The same way the Federal Reserve is debasing our real currency he’s debasing the currency of presidential authority and presence" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
GORDON PETERSON, HOST: We have joint sessions of Congress, the State of the Union, national emergencies, war and so forth, but why would he call for this now?
NINA TOTENBERG, NPR: They’re props.
PETERSON: Pardon me.
TOTENBERG: They’re props. That’s what he wants them for. He wants them for props.
CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER: Because in his own personal history, speeches, great speeches or great moments have created him. The one at the convention in 2004 created him, and then he had the Jeremiah Wright problem. He delivered a speech on race. I thought it was an awful speech, but it was welcomed like Lincoln at Cooper Union.
So he’s had these speeches where he’s sort of rescued himself or created himself, and he thinks in his own mind that he has an unlimited capacity to do this again and again. I think he’s debased the currency: the same way the Federal Reserve is debasing our real currency he’s debasing the currency of presidential authority and presence. Think of all the speeches he made on healthcare, probably in the thirties. Every time he made one, the numbers on ObamaCare decline. Well, this will be a chance for him to show he’s got the magic. I’ll be extremely surprised if he still does.
Indeed, but it will be nonetheless fascinating to see the mainstream media's reaction Thursday.
Given his declining poll numbers, and Friday's terrible jobs report, Obama's fans in the press know full well this could be a make or break moment for the president they helped get elected.
If he bombs Thursday, will they have the professional integrity to admit it, or will they back his play no matter how poor it is?
Stay tuned.
- Noel Sheppard's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
"... will they have the
Submitted by Kenyon Schraeder on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 11:36am.
"... will they have the professional integrity to admit it, or will they back his play no matter how poor it is?"
The majority of people working within the leftist MSM are NOT professionals in the true sense of the word. Rather, they are nothing more than hired guns, mercenaries if you will.
The fact that they are always on camera, well-groomed and relaxed, with a steady gig exposes their lack of real journalistic credibility. Why? Because they themselves are not out there pounding the street, asking the tough questions and taking the career risks. They simply collect up what staffers glean from the day's video clips, articles, speeches, etc. and make a thick porridge out of it for the listening/viewing audience to gum and their shows' producers to self-gratify over.
Prostitutes have more morals than the MSM.
Submitted by drsamherman on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 2:04pm.
And fewer people get screwed in the process.
I have never considered journalism a profession. The hallmarks of a profession, generally, are: 1) accountability to the public; 2) self-regulation and licensure to practice; and 3) a code of ethics and standards governing entrance into, conduct of and remaining in good standing in said profession. We already know that journalists have zero ethics and stand behind the first amendment while simultaneously trying to silence opposing viewpoints. As for any self-regulation and licensure, does anyone see a State Board of Journalism issuing, disciplining or revoking the licenses of journalists? NO. As for a code of ethics, it is non-existent. There are no formal credentials required to become a journalist, and even those who commit "malpractice" can still work for some rag or some electronic medium idiot enough to employ them.
President Zero Strikes Again
Submitted by Bourbeau on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 11:35am.
As Charles so aptly put it on Special Report: "President Zero: zero jobs; zero growth; and zero ideas!
It's amazing to me that his advisers, sit around a table to discuss whatever issue has their attention, and their only idea is - another speech. Are they out of their minds. Here's what the people in this country need right now, and I don't mean this disrepectfully to the Office of the President: 1)Stop talking; stop giving speecheds; 2) Stay in the White House - pick whose ever brains you must to find a way out of this mess, but show the country you're working on it; and 3) Create as a sense of urgency. I mean, how hard is this.
This man believes, when he speaks, people react. Unfortunately, they go to sleep or go back to whatever they were doing; they're not listening!
I sure like this guy
Submitted by kata on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 11:37am.
Yes, Obama delivers a speech when he should be delivering results.
Ha. Excellent. I like it.
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 11:46am.
Ha. Excellent. I like it.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
It won't be a speech on job creation
Submitted by bkeyser on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 11:53am.
and outside of a few diehards, I think this time he won't get he fawning praise he normally gets from the media. Here's why:
1. There'll be nothing substantive in the way of ideas or policy measures to improve the unemployment situation. We've already seen that the media recognizes that a new stimulus program won't pass the Congress and with the Super Duper Committee set to meet the same day to start the process of finding $1.5T in cuts to the federal deficit, deficit spending proposals by Obama will look genuinely stupid. After all, he signed the law establishing the Super Duper Committee.
2. This won't be as much a jobs speech as a dressing down of Republicans and their "extremist wing". This is a campaign speech to a joint session of Congress and everyone will recognize it. Those who don't regularly follow politics will watch this looking for answers. People are worried about the economy and will be looking for the President to provide actual means to alter the downward projections. The President scolding one party will ring hollow. He'll be exposed and many people will be really disappointed. 6-point drop in his approval rating in Gallup the week following.
3. The media will note the few policy positions that they can exploit like extending unemployment benefits and the payroll tax cut, but they'll have to note how these programs are just that -extensions- and look how much good they've done so far. "This sounded more like a stump speech than a major speech on job creation -as it was billed", will be the theme in the Friday papers. Sure, some will ride the Titanic all the way to the bottom of the sea -certain NYT and WaPo columnists are so embedded with this President, they have no choice but to remain so. They'll regurgitate the "Leading from Behind" mantra -which, for anyone remotely aware of what leadership entails, can't be done from the rear. But I suspect most of the coverage will be billed as "the first of many speeches on jobs as Obama readies to travel the country to sell his message." No one will praise this as the beginning of the turnaround to prosperity and 5% unemployment.
Whether or not Obama bombs Thursday, it seems we all . . .
Submitted by Gary Hall on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:00pm.
. . . suspect that his proposals, themselves, will bomb. History has a way of repeating itself.
(;~/ gary
My one big worry about Big Guy's speech on Thursday....
Submitted by Blonde on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:07pm.
Will Michelle be in the balcony? Because methinks there is trouble in paradise.
The "optics" are rapidly spinning out of control.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
J. Don't know if we'll see Michelle's . .
Submitted by Gary Hall on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:14pm.
. . balcony; as her basement is showing tell tell signs that America's dietician just ain't practicing what she's been preaching.
(;~/ gary
Too true, Gary
Submitted by Blonde on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:19pm.
And there's only so much basement a boob belt can hide.
Maybe her handlers have cut back on her lobster budget like they did with Air Force Won Two....she had to share a ride with hubs on her way home from vacay, much to her consternation. Alas...it's such hard work being Mrs. Won.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
that's a lot of vacations
Submitted by kata on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:38pm.
I had no idea!
Kata
Submitted by Blonde on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:44pm.
MOTUS is must read stuff....you'd fit right in over there....a bunch of MOL's and MOD's (mean old ladies / men).
And yes, 42 days of vacays, prior to the last one, which woefully, Mrs. O had to cut short by a couple of hours. Poor thing.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
thanks Blonde
Submitted by kata on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:52pm.
I'd be curious to know if that lawsuit has legs. I hope someone keeps track of it.
After Obama loses his
Submitted by stratman on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 6:07pm.
After Obama loses his re-election bid, put me down in the pool for 18 days more vacation and 5 million dollars spent before their eviction from the WH.
If by some chance Obama is re-elected, I expect double the vaca time and money spent compared to the first term for MOTUS.
Poor MOTUS. Went from glam
Submitted by stratman on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 5:46pm.
Poor MOTUS. Went from glam to glum.
Only solution is more vacation and spend tax payer's money -- just like her husband's plans for more golf and Stimulus payola.
Bwahahahahahahahahaha
Submitted by donabernathy on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:25pm.
Barry has based the office to that of a TIN POT DICTATOR and it suits him just fine.
roflmao
I'm sure that as we speak
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:53pm.
Obama is in the Oval Office sacrificing some of the chickens that came home to roost and casting spells to help is next futile attempt to resurrect a done administration.
Noel
Submitted by stratman on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 6:23pm.
Please pass on this link to whomever produces the lead in and lead outs audio tracks for NB videos. A little normaliztion would go a long way to waking babies and pissing off members.
Thank you.