NATIONAL JOURNAL: How the Scandals Turned Obama Into a Dour Scold.
Even from 2,300 miles away and across the ideological gap that separates him from President Obama, Republican Ken Khachigian can recognize the signs and even feel a little empathy for the Democratic incumbent at perhaps the lowest point of his presidency. Khachigian was there at the White House from 1970 to 1974 to watch another president cope with scandal.
“You feel besieged. You feel defensive, especially when things are coming in from all directions,” he told National Journal from his Southern California home, recalling his days watching President Nixon deal with Watergate. “You do feel embattled. And it can distort, to some extent, your perception and your ability to get things done.” . . .
It is in that regard that Obama has faltered in the days since the story of the misdeeds at the IRS broke, cranking up the political and media intensity. One can argue whether the White House was too slow to respond and stanch the bleeding. In some ways, that is a question for lawyers, who can debate how cautious a president must be in responding to such allegations. But it is hard to disagree that this president has lost his footing in the way he presents himself.
Optimism is a vastly underrated component of a successful presidency. Voters tend to reject presidents who are dour or who talk of malaise. They reward those like Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, who offer hope and grand promises. Obama must know this. It was in many ways the basis of his improbable campaign success in 2008. And even today, beset by controversies and investigations, he pays it rhetorical service. But the message is decidedly mixed.
In truth, Obama’s never been that much of an optimist. He’s been more about demonization and payback. It just shows more now.