COMMENTARY | Last election cycle, the fledgling presidential hopeful needed a partner with worldwide political experience. Barack Obama who showed voters the flashy excitement of youth, balanced the ticket with advice, wisdom and political contacts. Electability was the prize Joe Biden brought to the 2008 Democratic ticket.
When President Obama had to decide the fate of Osama Bin Laden, his top aides offered advice and consent. Uncertainty filled the room. The mission could be wildly successful for the administration. At that time in Obama’s presidency, people doubted his grit. Was he an intellectual lost in his world of ideas? Although his speeches were inspiring, many people complained that he wasn’t tough enough.
In that room full of experienced politicians and military experts, the President had the loneliness of the final decision in his hands. When he polled the room, the opinions seemed guarded, uncertain. Perhaps Bin Laden wasn’t there. Proof positive did not sit among the facts before the committee. The President wanted to show the world he would get Bin Laden.
Hesitancy ruled the room, except for Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta’s stance to pursue the mission. The second in command, whose presence helped Barack Obama become president, advised against the mission. The President made that tough decision, despite his advisers. “He knew what was at stake, not just the lives of those brave warriors, but literally the presidency,” Vice President Biden said, according to a Yahoo! News report gleaned from Mary Bruce at ABC News.
The president showed the world that he could keep his word by assessing advice, even the words of those who disagreed. Considering the President’s rejection of his Vice President’s opinion, might he have a new Vice President in the room for the upcoming re-election cycle?
Four years of service to our nation have done more than grey his hair. Mr. Obama has had to make more tough decisions than those of us beyond that trusted inner circle know. He has gained his own world-wide political experience. Consider the recent freeing of the hostages held by vicious Somali gangsters. He didn’t order that merely to save an American, but a Danish national as well. Mr. Obama’s personal grit along with the daring SEAL team 6 achieved another brilliant success.
The fledgling of 2008 has learned to tuck his legs under him and soar into the campaign of 2012.