I tried to listen to the president’s press conference today but my son decided to babble loudly during the entire thing until he caused me to lose my patience. I see that Obama received a lukewarm response from left side of the aisle. I basically accept Ezra Klein’s explanation for this, but it leaves me a little dissatisfied. I remember when “I got this” described Obama perfectly. It’s hard to accept “I can’t touch this” as a substitute.
I’m glad the president isn’t narcissistic and recognizes the limits of his powers. “First, do no harm” is a wise maxim for a physician or a president. I think there are real limits to how much benefit the country can get from the insights of the president on issues of race. But I still believe there is a way for him to talk about Ferguson that wouldn’t prejudice the case or exacerbate the divide. He used to be the guy who knew how to do that when no one else could. I’m sad that he can no longer do it, or, at least, that he no longer believes he can do it.
I don’t like to see the assholes win.
