Lame (Duck)

A Lame Duck is an elected official approaching the end of his tenure, thus making him ineffective. Recent articles in the “Wall Street Journal”, “US News and World Report”, and even Germany’s “Der Spiegel” are comparing the President to one-term President Carter. Criticism has been flowing from his staunchest supporters such as MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews. The common theme among all observers is the inability of the president to handle the problems confronting him and to stop shifting blame for his situation back to the prior administration.

Every administration in history has inherited problems; President Ford was a stop-gap president between Nixon and Carter. Throughout Carter’s presidency he used the problems of President Nixon, the energy crisis, recession, and of course Watergate, to make himself appear more presidential. The hostage taking in Tehran occurred on his watch, and ultimately became his death nail when he proved he lacked the faculties to resolve the crisis.

President George HW Bush became a one-term president after bipartisan efforts to negotiate a budget resulted in reneging on a famous campaign promise, “read my lips, no new taxes.” Regardless of his successful foreign policy efforts and management of the world stage, the American people were unforgiving and mandated change through a resounding defeat.

Similarly, President Obama offered “Hope and Change”, but has delivered on little of what he promised. After an elegant campaign two years ago we watch with dismay wishing Hillary Clinton had won the nomination instead. Among both sides there is acknowledgment that she has proven herself loyal and demonstrated leadership characteristics. Vice President Biden correctly prophesied the President would be tested, and the fury of examinations have come both domestically and internationally: Ft. Hood, The Underwear Bomber, Times Square bombing, losing the Chicago Olympics, failing to close Guantanamo, breaking Afghanistan troop withdrawal promises, economic instability, cloudy transparency, the Gulf crisis, and a cast of Czars to guide him.

The inexperienced man, with no executive experience, has missed multiple opportunities to provide “Hope and Change.” Last week was the ultimate example during the Gulf Spill speech, no solutions were offered, no Presidential analysis was given. Instead, Chicago-style political thuggery was the theme to pressure BP, ensure constituency votes were purchased, and springboard non-related legislation. We have 29 months until the next election, and I believe we have a Lame Duck president who, like President Ford, will be remembered for his golf game.