|
|
|
| |
Three Ring Circus
Sept. 7, 2010 KUDOS, ART
Congratulations to Art Gallagher on the relaunch of his website, now found at MoreMonmouthMusings.net. We'll be reading! QUOTABLE QUOTES The single most important two things we can do. -Tony Blair
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Three Ring Circus Archive
|
|
|  |
|
|
|
| |
Guest Column: OBAMA AND CHRISTIE: A STUDY IN CONTRASTS
Posted on Friday, January 29 @ 05:43:47 PST by dailymuse |
|
|
|
|
| |
 Jan. 29, 2010
By PATRICK MURRAY
Wednesday night was certainly an interesting one for political observers in New Jersey. The evening began with the Garden State's new chief executive, Chris Christie, appearing on New Jersey 101.5 to talk about what he would do in his first year. An hour later, President Barack Obama took to the national airwaves to explain what happened in his first year and how the second will be different.
Both addresses acknowledged what is unquestionably the major underlying failure of government today. As President Obama stated in his State of the Union, "We face more than a deficit of dollars. We face a deficit of trust." However, the two chief executives demonstrated different approaches to regaining the trust necessary to get us back on the right track.
Governor Christie appeared aggressive and direct in his responses to constituent questions. While he may have been short on details, he was crystal-clear on style. Speaking about some minor cost-cutting measures, he advised listeners that these cuts alone would not close the budget gap, but he showed that he understood the importance of such actions when he said, "I believe that symbolism is important. It says we 'get it.'"
President Obama's speech also included statements intended to convey that he "gets it." For example: "We all hated the bank bailout." And: "Jobs must be our number one focus in 2010." He even tried to recast his health reform proposal as primarily a middle class measure. It was a decent speech, but way too long. (And the length only reinforced the sense that he is not focused on key concerns).
One major difference between the president's and the governor's broadcasts was the tone. Middle class voters want to know that their elected leaders truly appreciate the problems they face. Christie demonstrated that, while Obama fell short. When the president came to office, there was a sense that his cool demeanor would be an asset in Washington's overheated partisan environment. His tone is now perceived as an unwillingness to engage in the heat of the battle.
(For more of Patrick Murray's analysis of the different styles of President Obama and Gov. Christie, read his guest column here.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| | The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
