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November 11, 2008
Exclusive: Obama, Pelosi and Reid – A New Beginning or More of the Same?
“We create gods to destroy them.” – Willard Gilmore
The expectations for Barack Obama are high, the collective attention span of the American people is short and the potential to succumb to the temptation of power that all U.S. presidents face is enormous. President Bush (POTUS 43) went from having the highest approval ratings to the lowest in the time it took to invent the pumpkin latte.
The historic election Obama can be an inspirational story – one for the ages, or a cautionary tale. What he does in these next few weeks will be the litmus test – a true barometer how he will lead. The next few weeks will determine whether his acceptance speech was merely a brilliantly crafted oration designed to be quotable for posterity but largely empty rhetoric that will belie politics as usual and soon to be forgotten in the reality of partisan politics, or an outline of his vision – a promise being made to the country how he will govern?
In his eloquent acceptance speech, he promised to be the president of those who voted for him and those who did not. He promised to reach across party lines and to do what is in the best interest of the country. He spoke about John McCain and how he would need his help for the good of the country. And rightly so: contemporary politics is partisan politics – for better or worse, but once elected to the highest office there is the implicit and social compact to act in the best interest of the constituency known as the American public. The euphoria of “Kumbaya” apparently (but only time will tell if it was rhetoric or reality) – carried over into the halls of Congress as both Speaker of the House Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) expressed a desire to bring everyone together for the good of the country and reach across the aisle. They don’t have to be nice or collaborative with the kind of majorities each enjoys in their respective Congressional bodies but it is the right thing to do. Time will tell. Based upon recent events after the election, it doesn’t look promising. Senate Majority Leader Reid has already shown his true colors, trying to humiliate and punish a good and decent public servant…an opportunity for Obama to show his as well….more in a moment.
In these next few weeks, President-elect Obama will have to demonstrate an ability/willingness to live up to his promises. He will also be able to demonstrate his real capacity for wisdom, inclusiveness and tolerance for opposing ideas – critical for a statesman if not for a president. As the fog of political warfare lifts and we can clearly see the battles and challenges before us – metaphorically and realistically – from economic, educational, healthcare and other domestic issues to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to global challenges to our economic and security interests from Asia, Russia and the Middle East. But we need not think in merely the larger issues – President-elect Obama has two immediate opportunities to demonstrate wisdom, patriotism and that his acceptance speech was not theatre.
First – Sen. Joe Lieberman (I – CT). Is there anyone who honestly believes this man, this senator is anything less than a dedicated public servant who has spent many years working tirelessly for the good of the nation and his constituents? Whether he has campaigned as a Democrat or Independent – he was reelected by a resounding voice of the people and has served with distinction on virtually every senate committee he has chaired or participated in. But he broke party ranks and supported his friend John McCain for president, exercising his Constitutional right to voice opposition to some of the policies of the Democrat candidate – now President-elect. That is what being an American is all about…the ability, the responsibility to express ideas, concerns and free speech. But Sen. Reid’s rhetoric of inclusion seemed to belie the actions of partisanship by his public humiliation of Sen. Lieberman in disclosing he wants to strip the Connecticut senator of his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship, offering a pitifully lame alternative committee posting. In spite of his transient reaching across the aisle (something the President-elect promised he would do), Lieberman remains and upholds the values of the Democrat Party and Democrat caucus of which at least for the moment he remains a part. Yet the election is barely over, the confetti still to be cleaned up from Grant Park, and already Lieberman is called into the principal’s office (Harry Reid). Will he be stripped of his chairmanship and reprimanded by or expelled from the Democrat caucus? Is this “reaching across the aisle?” Is it justifiable in the aftermath of such an historic election?
Obama promised to heal the campaign wounds – tolerance for and collaboration with differing ideas. A good way for him and the Democrat leadership would be to take a clue from the very organization that helped elect many Democrats … “move on!” If Obama, Pelosi and Reid want to come off as enlightened, non-partisan and authentic, they should in one loud voice handle Joe Lieberman the way they did McCain – the campaign is over; McCain and Lieberman are decent and dedicated people. Let’s move on. Instead of punishing an honorable man like Sen. Joe Lieberman, let us utilize his talents for the good of the country. President-elect Obama, here is one of your first opportunities to demonstrate statesman like wisdom – “pardon” Lieberman! Publicly embrace him and, like you did with Sen. McCain, state that you need Lieberman’s help and experience for the good of the country.
Second – Sen. John McCain (R – AZ). President-elect Obama here is your next opportunity to demonstrate that your acceptance speech was real, not theatre: offer John McCain a seat in your Cabinet. Can you think of a better choice for secretary of defense, Colin Powell notwithstanding? A Secretary McCain, more than any other choice, would know the sacrifice associated with war first hand as well as the value of prudence in committing troops, the societal implications of abandoning military actions imprudently and has an undisputed command of foreign policy. Put a true, strong but willing negotiator as Secretary of State side by side with a “gentle warrior” in the Secretary of Defense role and you send a powerful message to friends and foes alike worldwide. He has the benefit of experience and historical context. Recall the time it took for Europe to reemerge – healing didn’t end on VE or VJ day; it took YEARS. Iraq in many ways is a better place because of the U.S.; and there are lessons to be learned from our early misadventures there. We live in a dangerous world. If you meant what you said about respecting him and needing him – make him an official advisor and put him in your cabinet. And as a bonus you get to exchange a senior R senator for a junior one who likely will replace him from Arizona….even the partisans will like that! An alternative would be Secretary of Homeland Security – McCain is a reformer and DHS would benefit from “The Maverick.”
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. President-elect Obama is blessed with virtually unfettered support on Capitol Hill, as the Democrats control both the House and the Senate. President Bush is offering full assistance in the transition – critical as we enter a potentially dangerous period as new appointees become leaders of critical government agencies. New leaders invariably bring new marching orders, different visions for how the organizations should be run. When it comes to security, the new leaders must take care to make changes prudently.
We cannot afford to take our eye off the clear dangers facing the U.S. – terrorism, energy, international trade – all often inextricably linked. The proliferation of radiological threats, ease of disseminating biological weapons , increases in maritime piracy, and governments clearly avowed to thwart our interests can be no less important to the new president as trying to solve the complex and diverse weaknesses in our industrial, financial and healthcare systems which all are contributing to the economic downturn. He has four years to undo or remedy decades of failed trade policies, inadequate immigration enforcement, poor border security, failed regulatory oversight and a government that has grown too intrusive and too large; government rarely enhances the lives of the average American. Making it larger won’t solve our problems. Making it more efficient will – and he, the Congress and the American public will have to work together. All this will take place against the backdrop of a global threats as well as terrorists and growing groups of criminal alien gangs inside the U.S.
“All glory is fleeting.”
When Roman generals returned from a successful campaign they were treated to a “triumph” or parade. The victorious general would be festooned in the finest military garb, ride in a chariot and be surrounded by similarly bedecked officers and soldiers. Behind him would be a slave or lowborn servant holding a wreath or crown over the general’s head and whispering “all glory is fleeting.” For the moment there is national euphoria. What a great moment for all people – whenever there is a peaceful transition of power and the will of the people is heard without riot, violence or retaliation – we all win and it is a time to celebrate, regardless of party loyalty. For African-Americans it is an especially proud moment – for all Americans it can be truly said from parent to child, at least male children – “you can grow up to be president.” Someday, hopefully soon, we will elect a woman to the highest office in the land, and shatter a glass ceiling that has been successfully broken most notably in Israel, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India by women of great strength, wisdom and leadership.
And in this time of bonhomie and euphoria, our new President-elect Obama has the opportunity to utilize the honeymoon period, to initiation and implement policies, to recruit people from all political, economic and ethnic persuasions for the good of the country; that is our hope and expectation. Or he can party it up and ride the enthusiasm right to the same old partisan politics.
With Putin posturing, Chavez arming and a new government to form – will Obama live up to the “change” the “wisdom” our collective hope as a nation has invested in him? What he does in these next few weeks with Lieberman, McCain, his selection in leadership team, the folks he puts in the Cabinet will give us a good idea whether the acceptance speech and his promises were theatre or real. For the sake of the nation – let’s hope Obama is real. But hope isn’t a strategy! The Democrats have no real challenge to their power but the voice of the people. If we want the government we deserve we cannot abandon the interest that we demonstrated in this historic election. All elections are historic – this one no more so except for the grave challenges we face here and abroad. We can no longer afford to just hand off our problems to government in the lame notion that magically all will be well while we go about our daily lives. If our elected are to do a decent job, we must be their watchdog, their counsel.
The expectations for Barack Obama are high, the collective attention span of the American people is short and the potential to succumb to the temptation of power that all U.S. Presidents face is enormous. All presidents promise bipartisanship and devotion to the public good. For the sake of the nation, let’s hope Obama act as the president he promised to be. A good faith start might be to pardon Lieberman and hire McCain.
FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor Dr. Robin McFee is a physician and medical toxicologist. An expert in WMD preparedness, she is a consultant to government agencies, corporations and the media. Dr. McFee is a member of the Global Terrorism, Political Instability and International Crime Council of ASIS International. She has authored numerous articles on terrorism, health care and preparedness, and coauthored two books: Toxico-Terrorism by McGraw Hill and The Handbook of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Agents, published by Informa/CRC Press.
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