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The PG should scrutinize Obama's policies
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The Post-Gazette's Sept. 14 editorial "Romney's Gamble" about presidential challenger Mitt Romney's response to the killing of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans attempts to make what is both a tragedy and foreign policy disaster into a so-called "gaffe," not for the Obama administration but for Mr. Romney.
This takes some real doing on the PG's part: With four Americans murdered by what appears to be al-Qaida sympathizers, on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks no less, and images from the simultaneous U.S. Embassy assault in Cairo looking like the beginnings of a Jimmy Carter-era Iran, one would think President Barack Obama's policies in the region might be up for some serious criticism. This is what Mr. Romney did, but in PG World, real scrutiny of Mr. Obama is not tolerated. Therefore we readers are assured that Mr. Romney "mishandled" the situation and showed that he is "shockingly inept" or something. Please.
What is perfectly clear from this editorial is the outline of your future re-election endorsement of President Obama: The PG will "sadly" conclude that Mr. Romney, a leader with enviable success in both the private sector and public life, is "gaffe-prone" and has "questionable judgment" and is somehow "not ready" for the job of president.
Meanwhile, as the Obama administration careens from one economic and foreign policy disaster to another, the PG will avert its eyes and remind us, once again, how it's a wonder Mr. Obama had any success at all, seeing as how he inherited the toughest times ever while battling those bitter, unhinged opponents of his. Finally the PG will, reluctantly, go with Mr. Obama because, um, well, the other guy could be worse.
That's an editorial I hope to see soon.
DOUGLAS POWELL
Robinson
First Published September 19, 2012 12:00 am
