POTUS

I have never hidden the fact that I lean more toward conservatism (except on many human rights issues, i.e. gay marriage) or that I did not vote (and will not vote) for President Obama.  However, this whole Governor Brewer chastising President Obama "controversy" has me thinking (see here for another article).  Is the President immune from criticism?  Is it disrespectful to stick up for yourself in a disagreement with the President?

Of course, social media is abuzz and I've seen several posts on facebook (from supporters of the President) calling the Governor out for being rude, disrespectful, etc.  I would challenge those same people to stick up for the Office of the President when George Bush was our leader.  Nonetheless, I tend to agree with the crux of their argument.

While I do not agree with many of the policies our President has enacted or supports, I have the utmost respect for the Office of the President.  He (and hopefully one day, she) has a job that I do not envy and that none of us can comprehend unless there is a former President reading this lil' ol' blog  (if so, hi, and call me!).  I would still get a thrill out of meeting President Obama and shaking his hand.  Hell, I'd love to sit down and have a beer with him and congratulate him on kicking his smoking habit and tell him how I admire the First Lady's children's health initiative.  I'd love to pick his brain about why he supports certain policies and share some of my ideas, like how his "shovel ready" projects are lame-o (build big infrastructure projects that are NEEDED and employ WAY more people over a WAY longer period of time than these little jobs).  And, if we disagreed, which we would, I would not back down.  However, I do think any President deserves a level of respect and decorum which was not displayed by Governor Brewer.

We're really only hearing her side of the story, but based on that, I support her sticking up for herself.  Just maybe don't put your finger in the President's face next time.