Friday, March 23, 2012

Obama's Dukakis Moment?

Eli,
The pictures of Obama in front of oil pipes in Oklahoma just seemed so, false. I know he's claiming he's an "all of the above" energy President, but it just seems so, false. This is the same guy whose Energy Secretary thought European gasoline prices of $8 a gallon was a necessary thing. This is the same guy whose Interior Secretary promised to keep his "boot on the throat" of BP. This is the same guy who is funding billions for solar and wind ventures. This is the same guy who rejected the Keystone Pipeline because three years was not enough time to allow a "full assessment of the pipeline's impact," but in the two months subsequent to that decision, enough time has elapsed to allow the southern part of the pipeline to be approved. Now he's crowing enough pipe has been laid during his administration to circle the Earth or go to the Moon or something like that. (Maybe he should speak to Gingrich about that moon metaphor).


It reminded me of Michael Dukakis in the tank. From Wikipedia:


Dukakis was criticized during the campaign for a perceived softness on defense issues, particularly the controversial "Star Wars" SDI program, which he promised to weaken (although not cancel). In response to this, Dukakis orchestrated what would become the key image of his campaign, although it turned out quite differently from what he intended. On September 13, 1988 Dukakis visited the General Dynamics Land Systems plant at 38500 Mound Road in Sterling Heights, Michigan to take part in a photo op in an M1 Abrams tank. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher, had been photographed in a similar situation in 1986, riding in a Challenger tank while wearing a scarf;[14] although somewhat out of character, the image was effective and helped Thatcher's reelection prospects. Dukakis's "tank moment" was much less successful, however.[15] Footage of Dukakis was used in television ads by the Bush campaign, as evidence that Dukakis would not make a good commander-in-chief, and "Dukakis in the tank" remains shorthand for backfired public relations outings.[16] Although he had served in the United States Army, Dukakis was widely mocked by his opponents for what they characterized as martial posturing and a silly image.

Romney gets justly criticized for his inconsistency. Both Obama and Romney should learn the Dukakis lesson: Americans can smell phonies.

Bill

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