To the Editor:
“What Happened to Obama?,” by Drew Westen (Sunday Review, Aug. 7), encapsulates most of what I have been thinking and feeling about the Obama presidency for some time.
Barack Obama has just not been tough enough to confront the myriad transgressions of the Congressional Republicans, who have decimated our economy and our political process.
Further, despite his considerable rhetorical skills, President Obama has failed to articulate a coherent message for change, and has lacked the courage to use the bully pulpit to stand up to the bullies of the right.
As someone who spent long hours working for his election, and who basked in the glow of the inaugural events, I am heartsick about this failure to offer strong, firm and effective leadership, particularly at a time when our country so desperately needs it.
W. MICHAEL HACKETT
Santa Barbara, Calif., Aug. 8, 2011
Note from KBJ: So we agree: Barack Obama is incompetent. The difference is that some of us knew that before November 2008.
