On Role Models: Obama’s Missed Opportunities
By Pat Racimora on September 21, 2009 at 6:00 PM in Current Affairs, President Barack Obama
We did get a different kind of President. He’s a rock star and ran as someone to tag along behind cheering, “Yes we can.” So whether he likes it or not, he became the most visible role model on the planet.
I actually hoped that when Barack Obama became President he just might use his charismatic persona to raise us up in ways both large and small. The possibilities were endless. But, he has missed many chances. Three missed opportunities are illustrated here.
#1. I expect that the President should eat well and understand that holding receptions goes with the gig. But while increasing numbers of Americans were struggling to put food on their tables, Obama served $100 a pound Wagyu beef to his guests. These Japanese cattle are purposely and severely restricted in their movement to prevent muscle roughness and regularly massaged to soften the sub-cutaneous fat). What a missed opportunity to be known as a wisely frugal president or a leader who models creative ways of throwing parties featuring humanely derived and cost-effective but clever food choices.
#2. The White House puppy fanfare was the most excellent opportunity ever to advocate for rescue or shelter dogs and to call attention to the needs of the tens of thousands of companion animals ready for adoption. But, after months of media-crazed waiting amidst calls from animal rights groups, the favorite purebred of Ted Kennedy, a Portuguese Water Dog (a nice dog, but pricy–$1,800 each on average, with multiple health risks), was chosen instead.
#3. The last example happened recently. Whereas the Obama children are appropriately dressed for safe bicycle riding, what’s missing from Obama’s head? (OK, I’m not putting that out as a straight-man line.) But I can just hear little kids across the country saying, “Well, the President doesn’t wear a bike helmet so why should I?” I guess if you don’t like Obama much, you can just respond, “Because he’s an idiot.” But that’s not teaching respect for the Office to our children either. A dilemma.
Maybe the fish bowl in which celebrities live in is inherently unfair. They have no private life, and every act outside of one’s abode with the shades drawn is ripe game for anyone with a device that takes photographs. But they should know that this is what they signed up for. And the President should always remember that he has the power to rise us up–or bring us down–by example.
(Photo credit: Associated Press)
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