President Obama, a history buff, has expressed particular interest in the Civil War and very particular interest in the leadership of Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps the President should consider the difference between two of Lincolns' generals, McClellan and Grant.
George McClellan was a bright, articulate man, second in his class at West Point. But, bright as he was, given leadership of the Army of the Potomac, he proved no match for Generals Lee and Jackson. McClellan was "meticulous in his planning and preparations" but "these characteristics may have hampered his ability to challenge aggressive opponents in a fast-moving battlefield environment" as "he chronically overestimated the strength of enemy units and was reluctant to apply principles of mass, frequently leaving large portions of his army unengaged at decisive points."
Sound familiar?
And then there was U.S. Grant. With only weeks of formal education before backing into an appointment at West Point (a rich man's son was kicked out, leaving a vacancy) he finished near the bottom of his class. Grant had an undistinguished military career that ended after the Mexican War. As the Civil War began, he was given an opportunity to organize a volunteer state militia. Rumors of a drinking problem persisted. But the man could lead and he could fight. His aggressive victories lead to the surrender of Vicksberg. When the Union Army was trapped in Chattanooga, it was Grant who went through Confederate lines to lead the army out under the cover of darkness. Notwithstanding his absence of a pedigree, he caught the attention of Lincoln who, looking for someone who would fight, gave him command of the Army of the Potomac. While Lee did not quit easily, Grant was relentless. In every key theatre of the War, there was Grant, the drunk.
Our President is McClellan. He has surrounded himself with Harvard. They made a mess of the world but they think they're the only ones smart enough to fix it. They're not that smart. And worse, they're afraid to fight. And those of us who can see what is going on are left depressed and disappointed.
There is a mistaken belief that individuals cannot change the course of history. The right ones -- and the wrong ones can. I think it is about time for a Democrat who is willing to fight to declare for the nomination. And I've had about enough of the pedigrees.