A biography for Ron Fournierhasn’t been written yet.
“Barack Obama may have found the answer to his biggest rhetorical challenge: When millions of voters are unemployed or underemployed, how does a president simultaneously sound realistic and optimistic?”
“Obama won the presidency on the strength of his message and the skills of the messenger. Now the talk of hope and change feels out of tune when so many Americans are out of work, over-mortgaged, and worried that life will be even tougher for their children.”
“The question is whether voters, particularly independents, believe that Obama truly values personal liberty and responsibility as much as the government-bought safety net.”
“Don't stigmatize in a rush to explain inexplicable evil.”
“Political consultants are pugilists, masters in the dark art of negativity. Which is why it's surprising to hear Democrats such as Steve McMahon and Republicans like Rich Galen urging their presidential candidates to be more, well, positive.”
“At his best, Obama promised to work with Republicans to reduce the deficit in a way that honors both individualism and community.”
“Say what you want to say about the rest of his presidency, including his tone-deaf response to Katrina and a war waged in Iraq on false pretenses, Bush connected with Americans in the aftermath of 9/11 because he looked as frail and unforgiving as we felt.”
“A dose of humility goes a long way in life and in politics.”
“President Obama is casting his lot in the middle of a debate as old as America itself: Are we rugged individualists pulling ourselves up by the bootstraps? Or are we a nation of community, all connected and counting on one another?”
“Anything may be possible in America, but a Palin presidency is virtually implausible.”
“Clearly, the Obama presidency hasn't wiped out racial prejudices.”
“One side of the American psyche wants smaller government, lower taxes, and more choices for individuals, even if those choices increase risk. The other wants a strong social safety net to protect the weakest among us, even if it costs more to minimize risk.”
“In Washington, compromise has become a dirty word.”
“The failure of the White House and Congress to seriously address the nation's fiscal situation is certain to broaden the belief among many voters that the U.S. political system is broken.”
“If acknowledging that racial misgivings and misunderstandings are still a part of politics and life in America, I plead guilty.”
“Don't kid yourself. President Obama's decision to withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan before he stands for reelection is not driven by the United States' 'position of strength' in the war zone as much as it is by grim economic and political realities at home.”
“The fact that Obama is getting criticism from the left and the right might reflect his understanding of the underlying political dynamics.”
“I'm hearing echoes of Bill Clinton, circa 1996, in President Obama's reelection rhetoric.”
“Don't underestimate questions from the crowd; technology has made voters more informed than ever.”
“'Argo,' 'Lincoln,' and 'Zero Dark Thirty,' three films honored with Best Picture Oscar nominations, lionize their Washington-anchored protagonists as crafty, competent, and virtually incorruptible.”