He-Said / She Said
By Nicole Nutting & Don Valentine
She-Said: Don, in my humble opinion this was absolutely the best President in our lifetime! Obviously it was a huge achievement for Blacks, but the man himself was pure delight. His intellect and poise should have won over the most virulent racists, if only they could get past their knee-jerk response. When was the last time a President didn’t get embroiled in a controversy, despite the opposing party’s best efforts to manufacture one? A tan suit–oh, the horror!
He-Said: Madam, those are valid points. Let’s not jump to your conclusion because he made history becoming the first Black man to ever be the President. George Washington made history too, by being the first President ever! No other person will ever accomplish that milestone again.
Note, Washington had minimal political experience based on a few years in the Virginia legislature. He not only had no role model to follow, he had no collegiate education. Still, agree that his Presidential resume cannot be compared to the twice impeached last President!
It should be acknowledged that President didn’t have Black role model to follow. When you add that to a less than cooperative Republican Senate he managed well. Still most historians rate Obama as a mundane President. He is lauded for guiding the nation from an economic catastrophe. Plus for extricating America from two protracted, inconclusive wars. Obama’s aggressive use of executive power in the face of congressional obstruction imperils his biggest achievements in restructuring health care and the financial sector, immigration reform, environmental protection, labor policy, and LGBT rights.
She-Said: Obama didn’t need a role model, he was a trailblazer. The proof of his effectiveness is in the raging backlash that brought us, Trump. The pendulum inevitably swings both directions, but for the life of me, I can’t understand why anyone would consider Trump an improvement!
He-Said: I want to let our record stand clear on my opinion. President Obama was challenged with resistance to his administration, due to his melanin content. He still became a powerful 2 term President.
- He was more charismatic than Clinton.
- President Obama was affectionately known as “No Drama Obama”. There were not any Iran-Contra hearings on his watch like Bush had.
- I won’t waste any ink contrasting him to his predecessor.
- Reagan had a stalwart economic run in his 2 terms.
- Carter shares the ignoble complement of Nixon and Trump of being a troubled 1 term President. Who wants to be remembered for having the compassion of a “Wet dishrag?”
Happy Birthday Mr. President!
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