Friday, December 14, 2012

Well, What Day Would Be Good for You, Mr. President?

White House On Newtown School Shooting: Today Not The Day For Gun Control Debate

Flashback: White House conversation overheard from six months ago.

--Smithers, I want you to prepare me a package for a full frontal assault on gun violence. Major address. Substantive proposals. Plan for a national conversation. Lists of supporters ready to deploy.

--Mr. President? Now? In the midst of an election?

--No, of course not, Smithers. Not now, out of the blue. The gun nuts would catch me wrong-footed and the whole program would go nowhere and I'd lose the election to boot. But believe it, Smithers, there is bound to be another mass school shooting--

--[Aghast] You wouldn't want to try to take advantage of a moment of national tragedy--

--And why not? When better moment to get everybody's attention--when even the wildest gun nuts will be feeling at least a trace of shame or remorse.

--But you might say something out of line--

--You really don't get it, do you Smithers? That is precisely why I want you to work on it now. I want something that puts these guys in corner. Humiliates them. Leaves them without a shred of support.You need help? We'll get you help. You need money? We'll find it. For once in my life, I want to do something other than "lead from behind." Now make it happen.

No, of course not. Or if he did, I guess he gave the job to the wrong guy.

Update: I wrote this before I knew the President was himself speaking out (indeed, I think while he was speaking out). Having read reports of his remarks, I see no need to revise mine.