An American Socrates And Other Myths

by Peter Wehner - September 10th, 2009 - Commentary Magazine

Obama is, in almost every respect, the opposite of what he portrays himself to be. He is a divisive, polarizing figure, among the most divisive and polarizing we have ever seen. He has shown no interest at all in reaching across the aisle and working with the opposition party. He is an orthodox liberal through and through. He denigrates his critics and questions their motives. He has made the health-care debate more muddled, more confused, and less honest. He has hardened the disdain many Americans have toward their government. And he is increasing cynicism among the polity.

He is also a man of astonishing arrogance. “I am not the first President to take up this cause [health care],” Obama said last night, “but I am determined to be the last.” The last President to take up the issue of health care? Are we to take from this that Obama’s plan will be so perfect that this issue—among the most complicated public policy issues of all— will be solved now and forever more?

The critque by Peter Wehner is devastating. Those in the Democrat Party and on the left are mesmerized by Obama, yet he is held in contempt by most of those on the right and in the Republican Party. I would go farther. To me the Magic Marxist Messiah is the most demagogic hate monger I have ever seen in American politics. He constantly calls his opponents "liars" and condemns them while complaining about their responses. The wedge he is driving between the factions in the political dialog is accentuated by the his arrogance and the arrogant premise of his followers that he is above criticism.