President Obama participated in a Business Roundtable this afternoon. He never ceases to amaze me. His depth of understanding and his willingness to listen to others is so incredibly remarkable. Personally, I have not seen the combination of his brilliance, sensibilities, and confidence in many leaders, nationally or globally, in the private or public sectors.
On issues of the economy, taxes, regulation, competitiveness, deferrals, globalization, emerging markets, and so many others, the President's responses were in-depth and thoughtful. The business owners seemed genuinely appreciative of the opportunity to express themselves and pleased with the President's plan in moving forward. In fact, it was noted that many business owners present have been a part of putting the plan in place. This is key.
President Obama sees the financial crisis in inclusive and not exclusive terms. His budget addresses both short-term and long-term strategies, as would any good president of a nation or corporation. Education Secretary Duncan's presence at the Business Roundtable was very encouraging to see. We will not be competitive without addressing our education and training failures which require not only funding, but the responsibility of parents, houses of worship, and the community at large..
Mr. President, we, the American people and many others throughout the world, are with you.
10 comments:
Hi Judith,
You make some wonderful points about the President's depth and knowledge. One of the things that drew me to the President was his poised confidence and his calm deameanor. I feel like he brings balance and is able to see the larger picture. I believe all these things will be beneficial for our country. And the market has been up three days in a row. Things will begin to look up soon.
Thanks so much for your kind words on my site.
Take care
I agree with your words here, The Write Girl, and what a wonderful writer you are. Visiting your site is a pleasure.
What will Obama do for the world of management? I saw him today at the business conference. I found it to be amazing. The nation gets to see a person with real leadership qualities managing in real time and leading the most complicated situation in history and doing and excellent job.
Normally, historians write books about men like Obama which allow people in future generations to benifit from a great man insights. This is different. We get to see it happening in real time. Obama might be the first truly wise man I've ever seen in public life. And then, there his amazing wife and children.
We are very lucky to be Americans.
Normally, historians write books about men like Obama which allow people in future generations to benifit from a great man insights."
allen - I so agree with this. Don't you feel incredibly glad to witness this? I wish my mom was still with us. The President would have become her 13th child, as I'm sure many mothers across our country feel the same way, regardless of ethnicity.
I saw the Business Roundtable too and I also was amazed. Americans are indeed blessed to have such a leader and I think the world by and large.
There is no doubt, however, that Americans are particularly proud that we have groomed such a leader who by all accounts will be written of the history books for his keen leadership abilities. He is an extraordinary leader.
Did you, by chance, catch Bill Cosby and Dr. Poussaint on Chris Matthews tonight? I thought the points made about the President and First Lady, not to mention our nation and race relations for all concerned, was right on.
The First Lady was quoted as saying that, as his wife, she worries each time he leaves the "House" to go to work. I had not thought of this in this way.
I saw the Hardball interview -
It was great -
I agreed with Michelle last year when she said this was the first time she was proud to be an American - and I'm white!
And I feel prouder every day.
Americans are no longer allowing fools divide us so they (the fools) can stay in power.
In a post last March, Being a More Perfect Union, during the heat of the Rev. Wright controversy, before he seemed to have lost his mind appearing on various media outlets and utterly crushing the then presidential candidate Barack Obama, I wrote these words about Michelle Obama's comment:
"As an African American woman born after the "I Have a Dream Speech," it is incredibly heartening to read such thoughts by those of different ethnicity, nationality, and undoubtedly political persuasion. In this vein, I understood the words spoken by Michelle Obama when she said 'for the first time, I am proud to be an American.' Although the quote has been grossly misaligned, I understood perfectly what she meant. It did not come from a place of anti-Americanism, but rather from a place of true community across racial divides. She may have, however, forgotten her audience. And this is a good thing, a real thing.
"In a real sense her open transparency bespoke, in fact, of the overwhelming pride she felt as an American in that so many of different races, ages, and people of various economic backgrounds were linking up and embracing the beauty and truth of Obama, this remarkable change agent, despite his race. We have not forgotten the not too distant past, though we believe so joyously in the future. Also, Michelle Obama was speaking of none less than her beloved husband and father of her two beautiful daughters. The response of others to her husband, whom she knows best, I'm sure made her feel particularly proud of being an American. This 'first time' may simply imply the first time of such a candidacy."
"In a real sense her open transparency bespoke, in fact, of the overwhelming pride she felt as an American in that so many of different races, ages, and people of various economic backgrounds were linking up and embracing the beauty and truth of Obama, this remarkable change agent, despite his race."
We elected a whole family when we elected Obama. In interviews before the election, Michelle said she decided to OK Barack's run for the Presidency because we needed his leadership. I believed her and felt weird that I believed her because I can be a bit cynical. There was/is something real about her. Like I said before, we are lucky to be Americans at this time We might be witnessing the actual re-birth of America.
"We might be witnessing the actual re-birth of America."
This is a beautiful hopeful thought. Thanks, allen, for that!
Have you seen the First Lady in the presence of kids? She's wonderful! When kids like you, you're real!
I have posted pictures here. Check out the "Michelle Obama" label.
The president took questions only from a preapproved list of questions. His depth of the knowledge plummets when he has to talk off the cuff. So he doesn't.
Anon - Thanks for popping through. Do you think that the questions asked, from a pre-approved list or not--which I have no direct knowledge of, do you?-- were not broad in nature? What would you have liked to ask and have answered?
With regards to speaking off the cuff, did you watch any of the debates with both the then Senator Clinton and presidential candidate Senator McCain? During these debates, did you think his knowledge plummeted? And, if so on which issues, please. I remember the debates distinctly.
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