“It would be an inconvenience at the least, and probably that’s too mild a word for people that live in the neighborhood and businesses in the neighborhood,” Bloomberg told reporters. “There are places that would be less expensive for the taxpayers and less disruptive for New York City.” – White House asks Justice Department to look for other places to hold 9/11 terror trial
Liz Cheney’s group channels Scott Brown.
Presidential imperative 101: Don’t make pronouncements, promises or policy prescriptions you cannot keep or uphold. The presidency, especially one taking incoming after a bad first year, doesn’t have the power to stand on previously solid ground when a restless populace doesn’t approve of your decisions. The likability factor doesn’t offer enough cover. At this point, people want to see Obama delivering what they want, which is the test he’ll have to face in the next years. Proving that his presidential prowess has taken a hit. Likability not automatically meaning credibility or competency, which are clearly in question and on the line.
Remember, politics is ruled by emotions, and the person or party who captures the emotions of the people at a particular moment wins the day.
Maybe that’s why Liz Cheney’s “security” group put together the video seen above using newly elected Sen. Scott Brown’s terrorism quote, which has become the Republican mantra on national security.
There is nothing more emotional for New York City residents, which Major Bloomberg represents, than remembering 9/11, but particularly its aftermath; what businesses and residents went through, which included months and months of waiting for the deadly dust to clear.
Even though I fully understand Jonathan Turley’s arguments, emotions are driving the political on this one, which is quite different from the sober, objective legal one, things that don’t have a chance.
This was easily foreseen.
Where was the White House political team on this one? It’s a gut thing. Get out of your heads, people.
In fact, the decision to have KSM’s trial in lower Manhattan reveals more deficits on the empathy quotient from Pres. Obama and his administration. The reaction from residents of New York City and their political representatives a natural one, predictable even.
Who couldn’t have seen this coming? Evidently, the White House, which means they are as out of touch as Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia voters think.
Bloomberg gave Obama a commitment about holding this trial in New York City. Bloomberg has now double-crossed Obama by going back on his word. One wonders how much input Howard Wolfson and AIPAC had on Bloomberg’s decision to break his word and reverse himself on this? Add ‘Crazy’ Peter King and Jerrold ‘the Zionist’ Nadler to the mix and you’ve got a witches brew of bitter politic infighting. Peace
“There is nothing more emotional for New York City residents, which Major Bloomberg represents, than remembering 9/11, but particularly its aftermath; what businesses and residents went through, which included months and months of waiting for the deadly dust to clear.”
True. Obama has informed the NY delegation that he doesn’t support the 9/11 health care bill, providing help to those who sacrificed in the rescue and recovery efforts, and are suffering the health consequences of it; maybe the administration is feeling the backlash.
Not supporting health care assistance for 9-11 responders? That seems a bad decision; particularly in light of the fact that Obama is supporting giving $9 Billion to a new “private space flight” initiative.
Exasperation. What is wrong with this administration? They appear completely incompetent, not to mention disingenuous. They refuse to support 9-11 responders, but support “private space flight” which benefits private equity? It’s not as if this will provide jobs any time soon; and the vast majority of people can’t afford “private space flight.” But Americans can sure distinguish between supporting people who deserve it, and supporting big money.
Politics is also about the symbolic. It seems to me that considering the crime was committed in NYC, it only follows that the trial be held there.
Leadership is not defined by giving people what “they want” but by doing what is best. If we cannot put a criminal on trial in our courts, in the location where the crime was committed, then we will never gain an upper hand in the war on terror. We simply look scared, a paper tiger.
It is unfortunate that the administration seems ready to back away from this decision because I believe that such a trial would have had a cathartic effect on the entire nation, but once again terror porn wins the day.
GaBuck, the Hebrews in Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco will howl like banshees if Obama tries to move the trial to one of those cities as well. This is about something much bigger than holding the trial in New York. Peace
If anyone doubts that Bloomberg heard an earful from constituents and leaders, including business, after Obama directed Justice on this one, you are not living in the real world. The people in New York City driven by real emotions on an issue that many people just don’t get.
In the end rational policy means nothing when American voters weigh in on an issue that can be used to beat politicians over the head with during an election year.
So the political trumps doing what’s right? You have a queer idea about what leadership is.
How can anyone associated with the Obama Administration feel secure in what they are doing? You know there must be well meaning Democrats working on all levels. They must wonder when he will undermine their efforts next?
GaBuck…to you point. We sure don’t compare well with London during the blitz do we?
Except that Obama wants “to be a great one-term President rather than a mediocre two-term President.” So doing the right thing trumps the stupidity of the unwashed masses every time. Peace
On page 147 of the 9/11 Commission Reprt it says, “By his own account, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s animus toward the United States stemmed not from his experience there as a student, but rather from his violent disagreement with US foreign policy favoring Israel.” That is what AIPAC, Bloomberg, Nadler, Feinstein, Wolfson and the rest of the Zionists don’t want the American people to hear. Peace
GaBuck says:
29 January 2010 at 10:50 am
Pay attention, GaBuck.
http://www.taylormarsh.com/2010/01/26/bob-herbert-obams-creating-a-credibility-gap/
Barack Obama had no history of leadership when this began, and as we have seen demonstrated over his first year, he still doesn’t.
Great. right. I get it. I read this blog everyday, I know where you stand as far as the President is concerned. Didn’t say myself that i thought he was a great leader.
But the whole thesis of your post is that he should have done the political as opposed to what is right, which strikes me as an odd idea of leadership.
That’s all
Leadership can also be defined as getting people to do what should be done even when they think it’s against their self-interest to do it. Just because Obama doesn’t fit into one’s traditional view of what a leader is does not mean that he isn’t leading. Peace
Ah Imhotep when has he ever done what you are suggesting?
The second there’s resistance, he caves in.
Give Lieberman what he wants. Let the Hondurans have their coup. Give Nelson his Medicare Money. Make a deal on settlements with Netanyahu, Move the trial from New York. And so it goes. . .
But the whole thesis of your post is that he should have done the political as opposed to what is right, which strikes me as an odd idea of leadership.
…and ’round we go.
Listening to real concerns of the people is political, absolutely, it’s also a matter of understanding, especially on deeply emotional issues, particularly when 9/11 is involved.
The substance of my post is that the White House should have considered how people in NYC would feel about the KSM trial down in lower Manhattan in the first place. Bloomberg is reacting to pressure inside the city, including business, commuters, etc., which is what a politician is paid to do: represent the city & reflect the will of the people.
Bulldozing through an issue on which your constituents do not agree isn’t leadership, though it’s what Bush thought it was.
You have to convince people to follow you on any issue, otherwise you have no one to lead. The people of NYC are not convinced. They pushed back hard, which Bloomberg reflected.
Anticipating the reaction wasn’t hard, imo, where the White House was concerned. Setting a trial close to New York, a military instillation or wherever, would not have been a poor first choice. Rahm or Axelrod should have figured this out, maybe Plouffe did.
Don’t kid yourself. Schumer saw what happened in MA and wasn’t about to loose his senate seat for The One.
Taylor Marsh says:
29 January 2010 at 1:39 pm
I think he should thoroughly think things through with ALL its ramifications and implications BEFORE he acts, but once the decision is taken he should stick with it. Too often, he has had to back off after every decision. This has made him look weak.
If other people KNEW that he was in the habit of standing his ground maybe they would be less reluctant to challenge him or go back on decision and promises they made to him. Maybe they too would stick to their commitments once made.
Just think maybe the Iranians may also be waiting for him to change his mind about sanctions as well. After all, he has given in to everyone else who resisted him.
As JoeCHI so succinctly puts it, this one is a loser with people who hold the keys to your office.
…and as you rightly state, Ramsgate, even in the face of GaBuck’s point about the importance of leadership beyond politics, taking all possibilities into account on this one wasn’t done.
One thought, as Gregg Craig is gone… This is another Gitmo instance; where Obama made a decision, then things like the Underwear Bombers impeded reality. Again, the political team is failing Obama, so maybe Plouffe is stepping in on these things now. Something to consider…
Taylor Marsh says:
29 January 2010 at 2:32 pm
This is a bad habit. I agree he’s likable, but we have to stop blaming Rahm, Geithner, Axlerod et al — the political team — the buck stops with HIM.
HE sets the tone of his administration. He only gets back what he sends out.
“Administration officials are pushing back on a slew of news reports this morning — among them “Bam Blinks” in the New York Post and “Big Apple Turnover” in the New York Daily News — that the White House is moving towards abandoning plans to try the chief architects of the 9/11 attacks in downtown Manhattan.”
They WILL move it, but at least they KNOW (sadly only after the fact) that this constant “blinking” does the President of the US no good.
Taylor Marsh says:
29 January 2010 at 2:32 pm
Again, the political team is failing Obama, so maybe Plouffe is stepping in on these things now.
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It’s a fools errand.
Until people are no longer in danger of losing their homes and their jobs, Obama and the Dems are up the creek.
Homes and jobs. Without this, nothing else matters.