Posted by
Harvey on Saturday, July 05, 2008 12:00:00 AM
Many years ago a man whom I admired gave me some valuable advice about leadership. I had just been appointed to a divisional sales management position and this man 's division was one of the company's national leaders.
He said, "The thing people want most from their leader is consistency. If you're a jerk, they may not like it, but they can adjust to it. If you're a nice guy, they'll like it and they'll grow to expect it. However, if you're a nice guy in one situation and a jerk in another, they'll be confused and get discouraged. Eventually, they'll quit because they don't know what direction you're taking."
This is as true now as it was then. It is especially true for the leader of the free world, the President of The United States of America.
Senator Obama is the epitome of inconsistency. I'd never vote for his liberal philosophy anyway, but were he to become President, I could adjust if I just knew what he believes.
The most recent example of his inconsistency is his position on accepting campaign contributions from lobbyists. He has made a big deal about not accepting campaign contributions from lobbyists.
Then today I read this in Robert Novak's column:
The Republican lobbyist who was solicited for contributions by Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign a month ago has received a second request for money from the Democratic presidential candidate, who has banned lobbyist money from supporting his candidacy. The second try was made after no response to the first attempt. As did the first solicitation, the second letter signed by Obama asked the veteran Republican donor and fundraiser for a contribution "to change the way business is done in Washington."
The lobbyist's only contributions to Democrats have been to two powerful committee chairmen -- John Dingell (Energy and Commerce) and Charlie Rangel (Ways and Means) -- in order to open their doors to his clients. The lobbyist figures that the Obama campaign lifted his name from Dingell and/or Rangel money lists.
What does Obama believe and when? Does he want campaign contributions from lobbyists? It's apparent that he does. He just doesn't want voters to know it.
This kind of leader is dangerous. Mainly because even he doesn't know what direction he will take.
The problem with a leader like that is his lack of resolve. He'll never stay the course . . . any course. Because he'll abandon his beliefs of today for other beliefs tomorrow, if it's personally or polictically expedient.