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Intelligence, persistence, focus and savvy are characteristics that President Barack Obama has always possessed in abundance.
When he announced his candidacy for commander-in-chief, people predicted failure was inevitable.
When Rev. Jeremiah Wright became the "militant black man" heard round the world, pundits declared the Obama campaign dead in the water.
As right-wing revisionists unearthed a loose association between ex-Weatherman and retired University of Illinois at Chicago professor William Ayers, supporters sighed in defeat, and tucked their hopes of change back in the corner.
And when Obama apparently caved in to Republican demands to continue the tax bail-out for the wealthiest Americans, liberal media lambasted the loss of his principals and some voiced their concern that he may even lose his party's nomination in 2012.
Through all of the upheaval and uncertainty, one thing has remained constant, and that is the cool, self-assured demeanor of our President.
In just a brief time span, he has passed, with major objection from his own party, the most significant tax legislation in a decade, the most comprehensive health care reform since President Lyndon B. Johnson's Medicare and was the catalyst behind the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Now, true to his pledge to "seek a new agreement by the end of this year [with Russian President Medvedev] that is legally binding and sufficiently bold," President Obama, with days to spare and buoyed by strong bipartisan support, pushed through the ratification of a new S.T.A.R.T. (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), with Russia by a decisive vote of 71-26.
President Obama called the fresh S.T.A.R.T. "the most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades," and at least 13 Republicans, breaking rank with the two senior Republican senators to support the legislation, agree with him.
"We know when we've been beaten," Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah told reporters on Tuesday, hours before the Senate voted 67–23 (including 11 Republicans) to move the legislation forward.
"This is the kind of issue that is outside of politics," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said in a televised interview Tuesday. "It's really an issue of national security."
In a major speech in Prague last April, Obama laid out his vision and his purpose, and today, he is closer to making it a reality:
"In many ways, nuclear weapons represent both the darkest days of the Cold War, and the most troubling threats of our time. Today, we've taken another step forward by -- in leaving behind the legacy of the 20th century while building a more secure future for our children. We've turned words into action. We've made progress that is clear and concrete. And we've demonstrated the importance of American leadership -- and American partnership -- on behalf of our own security, and the world's."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said debate on the treaty had been "open, honest and thorough."
"This broadly bipartisan ratification sends a clear message to the world: America's leadership on nuclear nonproliferation is strong and unwavering," he said in a statement.
In the midst of the petty Beltway games and punditry that has dominated the political landscape since the dawning of the Obama Administration, true progress has silently been brokered. It's true that red and blue ideological battles have polarized the country, but at least we can all agree that no amount of money matters if we stand constantly in fear of a nuclear holocaust.
While many progressives are still simmering, angered by the lack of fight in our President, he has proven once again that he is playing chess, not checkers.
The level of strategic planning needed to pull out this victory was only accomplished through the sheer focus of President Obama, even when it seemed that he was potentially undermining his re-election efforts.
It's been a long time since I've said this, but "Congratulations, Mr. President. Job well-done."
Check. And Mate.
Comments: (13)
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By: rbk84 on 12/23/2010 12:40AM
I totally agree with you. This issue is so old hat. like this generation goes to bed thinking about those bad russians and their bombs. That trick to ensure the military kept their funding collapse when the berlin wall came down. Even those old white hippies are scratching their heads because everyone knows russia isn't the threat it used to be so why all the attention. Not impressed anyone trying to make political points on this is just dumb. Come on Obama what base are you talking to on this one. We already have seen the emperor without his cloths. So whats nextin the game of good cop bad cop. People had better understand that it is a game of good cop bad cop when it comes to anything comming out of washington, if you haven't figued that out you haven't been paying attention. Obama gives rich people money and in exchange someone told him the rest of the countries biggest concern was a deal about nuclear weapons with russia. Riiiight. are we getting pimped or what.
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By: luvingmylocks on 12/23/2010 12:45AM
WOW! WHAT ROCK DID THIS IDIOT CLIMB OUT FROM UNDER.WHAT CAN YOU DO BETTER, TO EVEN SIT IN THE SAME ROOM WITH THE PRESIDENT,I'M SURE HIS CARETAKERS OF HIS DOG IS SMARTER THAN THIS FOOL.O YES CONGRATS TO OUR PRESIDENT A JOB WELL DONE DO TO THE FACT THAT YOU HAD MORE CRITICS AS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAS EVER SEEN AND YOU SURVIVED THE MEAN SPIRITS AND SKEPTICS.
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By: rbk84 on 12/23/2010 1:50AM
Yea keep your hopes up for the next two years and pray your retirement is there when you pres and repubs get finnished with the job they're doing. Bend over and take as it seems thats the only thing you Obama fanatics are capable of doing. When you are forced to get your social security from wall street after the next major deal comes up because it will. You can't stop payroll taxes going to social security in the middle of a recession and running a deficit and expect it to stay solvent. This is the biggest setup in history. Why is every major proposal put off until 2012. The tax cut for the rich will be reviewed in 2012, the social security tax exemption expires 2012 on and on. The rupubs know that it will be a three way race for the presidency and that falls into their hands. Then they will have the justification to say that because of Obamas bad fiscal policy and running the deficit up, they will have to open up discussion on privitizing social security because they did'nt see the impact of not having revenue comming from social security payroll taxes for a year and no way to make up the difference. Remember they are rich and social security means nothing to them. So keep on drinking the Obama cool aid. Dude is set for life, what about you. Remember a president only have to worry about 4 years or maybe 8 years of his life and he is elevated to the status of KING, you onthe other hand will always be a PEON to them. You are a stepping stone in their career path not an equal. Thought you would have figured that out by now, oops i forgot you're under his spell. Don't take the red pill.
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By: keith on 12/23/2010 4:48PM
Kristen,
I love the way you described our beloved President Barack Obama in your aticle. I agree with every word you wrote. Indeed, our President's responsibilities in office is like a game of Chess It requires focus, caution and the American people must be patient. This man has a full plate of cleaning up the MESS George Bush created during his tyrant days in office. Let's us keep President Obama in our Prayers. He has two more years in office and I get the feeling that the best is yet to come.
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By: ADMR on 12/23/2010 5:47AM
AMEN...This Clown Is Lost In Fantasy...What A Joke...HOWEVER OUR PEOPLE Continue To LOVE Our PERFECT Start & PERFECT Finish.
WE LOVE YOU More....
Those BAD, Really Enjoy What You Have Says
The A Team
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By: Dreamprincesstar on 12/23/2010 7:02AM
"While many progressives are still simmering, angered by the lack of fight in our President, he has proven once again that he is playing chess, not checkers."
Couldn't have said it better myself.
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By: TruthBeTold on 12/27/2010 4:55PM
Co-sign.
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By: John Lindsay on 12/23/2010 7:08AM
....people predicted failure was inevitable.
...pundits declared the Obama campaign dead in the water.
....As right-wing revisionists....
....some voiced their concern that he may even lose his party's nomination in 2012.
And most importantly:
...despite all the VITRIOLIC comments by racist CONservatives....still he rises.
Of course, I, too, would like to see the elimination of ALL nuclear weapons from the face of the Earth.....but that is NOT going to happen
any time soon.
Each side, in fear of the other, will hide their weapons, keep something for "just in case."
Until there's greater trust or the total elimination of "the other side," nuclear weapons will continue to exist.
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By: R.W. on 12/23/2010 10:42AM
Peabody, you're an idiot!
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By: cocoabear on 12/23/2010 6:29PM
Are you awhere that the US senate passed the Food Modernization ACT?It is on it`s way to the white house for Obam`s signature.This bill makes growing a garden in your own back yard illegal.Illegal to save seeds.Outlaws organic farming.Giving Monsanto control over the entire food industry.
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