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Monday, January 19, 2009

The Handover

Is it a sign of white America's nervousness with an Obama presidency that they summoned all living former (and soon-to-be-former) Presidents to the White House to advise him on the challenges he will soon be facing? Such a gathering had not happened there in 27 years. 

Or is it simply a recognition of the humongous hole George W. Bush has dug them into and the fact that his successor would require all the help and advise he could get?

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Son of Kogelo has some pretty high approval ratings from the general population. Methinks that ka-meeting was to ask Obama not to peel the scabs that the previous presidential legacies left. 'Please Hussein, don't overhaul the system. It just needs an oil change, ama?'

Gathara said...

After 8 years of W, I think the system needs much more than an oil change! In fact an overhaul is probably just what the doctor ordered.

Wyndago said...

I think the meeting was just for the purpose of symbolism. And maybe for Obama to learn what is awaiting him ahead, it has nothing to do with the fact that there could be a crisis or anything.

Gathara said...

Screamer,
Not to put too fine a point on it, neither Bill Clinton nor George W Bush benefited from the collective wisdom of such an ensemble during the transitions from to their Administrations. In fact, one would be hard pressed to come up with an equivalent scenario for any President in the last 60 years.

Wyndago said...

Gathara,

I can't make out your bottom line are you saying there is a crisis?

Even If that was true, I don't believe the former presidents would be the best people to seek advice from. A person like Jimmy Carter are irrelevant, I think. There are people who work in the pentagon and wall street who could offer better advice.

Gathara said...

Screamer,
I'm just pointing out that Obama is being treated differently from most other presidents and wondering why. I have not suggested that a crisis is imminent though one must surely wonder why Obama was deemed to require the advice.