Does Obama ever get excited about anything?
The description being given by most commentators of Obama’s demeanor in delivering last night’s speech is “cool.” Cool? He could have used the same tone to give a weather report. Showing some emotion is not the same as losing control. Joe Biden could have done a better job with the speech (provided he stayed on script). Heck, even with my nasal New York accent, I could have done a better job. Does anyone else feel the same way? I kept waiting for the president to show a some animation.
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My wild guess is that a statesman (feels the) need(s) to remain ‘cool’ as much as possible in most occasions.
When something really big happens, then is the time to show (more) emotions.
If he does it ‘all the time’ it may devaluate, people might say when he addresses the nation after a catastrophe:“He shows the same emotions as when he talked about his visit to Great Britain.”
I don’t think he spoke about anything that required wild emotions.
I prefer a leader to be calm and cool.
It’s pretty clear to me that he’s been royally (so to speak) pissed. While I wouldn’t want a leader that throws temper tantrums, I don’t think it would be out of line for him to more clearly express his frustration with the obstructionist activites that risk so much.
@blueiiznh , The Republicans are creating an artificial crisis that could cause economic catastrophe. If that does not require some emotional reaction then I don’t know what else does.
@LostInParadise :: If he was more emotional and calling them out for being the fucking children they are he would get shit for it. It is best to stay calm, that is why I like him. After Bush I like the fact that it seems like he thinks about stuff.
When I was 18 I thought they should just pick a random Social Security number to be president so the average guy was represented. 17 years later I know that was stupid idea. I like the idea that the President is better than me.
I loved his speech. It was meaningful. I distrust politicians who show a lot of fake emotion.
I prefer calm, measured responses in my leaders. While I am royally disappointed in the posturing in DC now (what’s new?), my current discontent lies in the disrespect exhibited on all sides of the table. If memory serves me, our president called congress a “three ring circus,” and our speaker of the house was childishly disrespectful with his “scornful” tone. I’m sick of all of it—I say we rise up in the streets, jellies!
Nothing would play into the GOP strategy better than some histrionics from Obama. Obama’s supporters wold love to see him channel their anger, granted, but ratcheting up the passions sends exactly the wrong message in this particular debate.
The true outrage is that the right is trying to frame this as some grand battle of moral principle. Framing it this way plays into their strength, which is appealing to their constituency’s tribal instincts through emotionally charged rhetoric. If the President takes that bait, then he yields his greatest strength, which is the appeal to composed rationality.
Some problems call for an emotional response. Raising the freaking debt ceiling does not. There’s virtual unanimity on the part of economists about what the best approach would be. It’s looking at the issue through the lens of ideological passions that distorts the obvious.
When he’s with his family for example. Like when celebrating the birthday of one of his daughters.
Obama is authentic.
The situation in US politics is so overwhelmingly grave right now, no authentic and honest person would be excited.
I think he’s trying to appear cool and presidential—above the fray. It signifies that he is in control no matter how hot the heads around him get.
I can understand erring on the side of not expressing emotion, but I can think of several presidents who were able to express emotion and still remain in control – FDR, Truman, Reagan and Clinton. Putting the burden on the poor and middle class and giving the rich a free ride is unfair. Obama did say that, but a little righteous indignation would have helped, as well as a few examples of just what the rich are getting away with, like tax breaks on race horses.
Angry dark people scare Americans lol. Just kidding, but I agree with the other answers. I’d like my leaders to be calm and collective.
I prefer the logical thought out speech to the catastrophizing BS the Reps keep tossing at us.
I’m proud of our President for not giving in to bafoonary.
He is cool and needs to stay that way. His detractors are waiting for him to do something crazy and unpresidential.
Republicans and Fox news readers get excited, Obama is way too cool for that.
”Angry dark people scare Americans”
@Blackberry: Ha. I just spit out my water reading this.
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