Obama: The Stoic, The Pragmatist, The Unpredictable

We are quickly learning that Barack Obama’s personality and leadership style may well do more to determine his policies and presidency than his race, political philosophy or his many constituencies.

First his personality: The 44^th President has described himself as someone who doesn’t get too excited by good news or too glum by bad.  He is therefore a stoic in temperament if not philosophy.  Obama’s cool character was a great strength during the campaign when he kept his staff and army of volunteers on an even keel.  It also helped convince voters that this young Senator could shoulder the weight of the world.  Indeed, during the inevitable crises that President Obama will face, a stoic temperament will be invaluable.

But there will also be times when Obama will need to reflect back the emotional state of the Nation.  Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton were masters at comforting a country in need and exalting a Nation in triumph.  And if he has no strong emotional attachment to groups or causes, how strong will his loyalties be?  Will President Obama feel the country’s pain and rejoice in its joy?  Remember, his narrower emotional range made it difficult for him to connect with struggling blue collar voters.  I’m still struck at his restrained reaction before weeping and cheering friends on election night in Chicago.

“No Drama” Obama goes hand in glove with his pragmatic approach to policy making.  The Washington Post’s Shalaigh Murray says, “He doesn’t have an ideological bone in his body.”   If true, then philosophically, Obama is something of a blank slate.  He’s made it clear that he’ll listen to all practical policy prescriptions but he may also ignore or even betray key constituencies.  Witness his choice of anti-gay preacher Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation and his legislative flip flop on wire tapping.  

Perhaps most important is that electing Obama means that we should expect the unexpected.  He says he will cast a wide net for solutions and will compromise in order to get things done.  But the upshot is that the 44^th President promises to be as unpredictable he is sensible.