The Leadership Vacuum

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_leadership_vacuum_20110215/?ln

Failure of political leadership knows no party. The past few days have offered an unfortunate demonstration of this sad maxim: House Speaker John Boehner ducking his appropriate role in countering the belief that President Barack Obama is a Muslim, and the president himself, once again ducking a leadership role in dealing with the nation’s fiscal crisis.

Boehner first. On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” David Gregory pressed the Ohio Republican about a recent focus group of Iowa Republicans in which 11 of 26 indicated that they think Obama is Muslim.

“As the speaker of the House, as a leader, do you not think it’s your responsibility to stand up to that kind of ignorance?” Gregory asked. Good question.

“David, it’s not my job to tell the American people what to think,” Boehner replied. “Our job in Washington is to listen to the American people.” Bad answer—and Gregory didn’t let up. He made seven more attempts—an eternity in television time—to get Boehner to acknowledge some responsibility to lead his misguided troops.

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