Originally Posted by rubicon

"Obama is quoted as saying " I am a better speech writer than my speech writers." "I know more about policies on any issue than my policy directors." and, I'm Lebron baby...I got game"

Socrates wrote that wisdom begins in recognition of how little we know. Plutarch warned that flattery makes itself an obstacle and pestilence of great houses and great affairs. and the white House is stuffed with flatters.

Much is made of Obama's rhetorical gifts. Can anyone recall a memorable phrase from one of Obama's big speeches that didn't amount to a cliche'?

Then there is Obama as a political tactician. He makes prediction that prove false. He makes promises he cannot honor. He raises expectations he cannot meet. He reneges on commitments in makes in private. He surrenders positions staked in public.

It takes actual smarts to understand that glibness and self belief are not sufficient proof of genuine intelligence. Stupid is as stupid does says Forrest Gump. The presidency of Barack Obama is a case study in as stupid does.

Brett Stepehen Wall Street Journal august 9, 2011