Unity? Naw.

As I write this, Barack Obama just left the White House from his first sit-down with President Bush, presumably to be informed about a few realities of governing this wildly complicated nation- and perhaps to be shown the back way into the kitchen. (You O’Reilly “body language” fans should note that Barack gave George the “friendly shoulder tap”, and guided him through the door. A classic power move, one that Bush usually wins. Bush is weary, and doesn’t give a crap about power moves with Obama.)

Obama was swept into office as a “unifier.” He promised his adoring fans that he’d “put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat . . .”

What kind of politics pits Republicans against Democrats? All kinds, fool! It is a tribute to Obama’s oratory skills that the people listen don’t pay much attention to what he is saying. It’s not the politics that divide a nation, it’s the issues. The politics just magnify and clarify the issues, and the issues that divide our nation are not going to go away. Obama pledged, however, to make all of this dis-unity stop if he were elected. Elect me, and we will all be unified. If you believe this, you are either a sucker, or, you are terrified.

The easiest way to “unify” a nation is to get rid of the elements causing the divide. Nazis were GREAT at that! A less severe option to try and unify Americans would be to paint the stubborn, independent types as morally inferior. Or, he could pretend that they simply don’t exist. Andrew Ferguson of the Weekly Standard elaborates:

Obama does both, depending on the rhetorical point he’s trying to make. When his opponents dissented from his tax plan, he said they were making “a virtue of selfishness.” They were, he said, coddling criminal CEOs and responding with Pavlovian discipline to the commands of sleazy lobbyists. They refused to honor American troops and veterans. Their cynicism was instinctual. Obama’s “new politics of unity” would end “the old politics of division” by labeling those old politicians and their arguments irredeemably corrupt, hence unworthy of consideration. Obama’s supporters were asked to divide the country between those who were united–that would be them–and those who weren’t, for whatever reason. In a platform trick reminiscent of Huey Long, Obama actually asked his supporters during campaign rallies how much money they made, the better to drive them away from the unsavory, nonunited elements that earn more than they do.

When these elements have been dispensed with, unity becomes a simple matter of people identifying their own best interests and falling into one another’s arms. In his stump speech, Obama pretended that every major political disagreement was merely the consequence of a false choice. “When it comes to health care,” he said, “we don’t have to choose between a government-run health care system and the unaffordable one we have now.” But of course nobody–really, nobody–thinks those are the only alternatives in the health care debate. “When it comes to jobs,” he said, “the choice in this election is not between putting up a wall around America or allowing every job to disappear overseas.” Who says it is? “When it comes to giving every child a world-class education,” he said, “the choice is not between more money and more reform.”

This is more than rhetorical license. By positioning himself as the third way between two absurd alternatives that no one favors, Obama has persuaded voters of his reasonableness and moderation; and thus of his ability to get things done. That illusory advantage will go poof soon enough, though.

My guess is that the fantasy (for Obama’s supporters…none of us bought that snake oil) WILL end rather quickly. Obama’s already signaled that one of the first things he will do is to undo over 200 Presidential mandates…including the prevention of federal funds being used for embryonic stem-cell research. He is going to try to push through the Freedom Of Choice Act, which will override state laws that place limits on abortions…the age of the mother, parental consent and term of pregnancy would all be moot points under the Act. Pregnancy would be the only qualification one would need to get an abortion. And you think illegal immigration is bad now? Just wait.

Obama, contrary to what the media has told you, did NOT receive a “mandate” with his win. Much less a “sweeping” or “clear” one, as Red State so beautifully illustrates here. 48% of the country voted against him. It’s time to stop nursing our wounds, and get our battle plans together.

Share this Right Soup with others: