"Obama may be able to remind voters of what they like best about him: his sensible demeanor."

[Clio the Leo]

9/11, Oklahoma City, And Now: Lessons For Obama
Howard Fineman, 01- 8-11

<snip>

Arizona has become a ferociously divided and dangerous place, in which our indispensable need to argue--arguing is, after all, who we are as a people--seems at times to veer into an abyss.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords--"centrist" Democrat, survivor in a district with more Republicans than Democrats and more independent voters than either--has prospered in Congress by crossing lines and doing so with a sense of earnestness and good will.

Like her, the president has been attacked harshly of late from both sides: by progressives who regard him as a sellout, by Tea Partiers who regard him as a power-mad socialist usurper.

He and Giffords think of themselves as fellow travelers on a middle path of civility and compromise in a dangerous world. The president will likely argue that, implicitly if not explicitly.

Fate works in strange ways. This event is the first on the watch of Obama's new chief of staff, and a deal-making, turn-the-heat-down approach to politics is what Bill Daley is all about.

As was the case with Clinton, Obama may be able to remind voters of what they like best about him: his sensible demeanor. Amid the din and ferocity of our political culture, he respectfully keeps his voice down, his emotions in check and his mind open.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08/wtc-oklahoma-city-and-now_n_806285.html

On a personal note, I was touched by the way he said "We will get through this," Saturday (something he's said before at other tragedies.) It's stern but comforting. It says "there is no need for panic, this will be a struggle but, together, we'll survive it." Barack Obama is a living, breathing Atticus Finch.

[Jennicut]

1. I think Obama has and will handle this well and won't take advantage of a tragedy like

W. did.

[jaxx]

2. This is the time for calm, not more heated rhetoric.

The President will do what is needed and will reassure the people.

[kestrel91316]

3. I think that is who he models himself on: Atticus Finch. And I so appreciate that.

Doesn't mean I am always happy about him, but in the end I have to admire so very much about him.

[stevenleser]

4. Wow, that really speaks to me. Very astute...

I may use the Atticus Finch reference. PM me with your real name if you want credit...

[Clio the Leo]

7. (Punch) ..... kestrel got it from me....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=588816&mesg_id=588816

lol, I'm just messing with you .... I dont own the metaphor, Harper Lee does. ;)


Anyway, I'm just stating the obvious.....

"Atticus would be by Jem's bedside all night. And he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning."

[Clio the Leo]

6. "There are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us."

.... Sasha and Malia, your father is one of those people. (And we thank you and your mother for sharing him with us.)

[Arkana]

5. Maybe if the fucking media didn't spend all their time

demanding that he act like Bill Clinton and declare "I feel your pain", the public WOULD get the chance to know this.