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Bold Advice to President Obama

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New York Times columnist Roger Cohen on his call for the President to get bold.

President Barack Obama at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 10, 2010. (AP)
President Barack Obama at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 10, 2010. (AP)

Barack Obama was a candidate with a campaign and appeal like no other. He promised – in his words and in his person – a breakthrough age for this country.

In the White House, President Obama has been a sober, straightforward, determined leader. He’s brought the civility and seriousness that he promised. But soaring? Not exactly. Not yet.

He’s had a tough road, and searing opposition. But even friends are grumbling. After the midterm “shellacking,” what now? What’s needed?
-Tom Ashbrook
Guest:

Roger Cohen, columnist for the New York Times. See his columns: "Get Bold, Barack," "American Dreamland," and "An Unknown Soldier."

William Galston, senior fellow at The Brookings Institution and a blogger for The New Republic. See his piece: "It's the Ideology, Stupid."

Further discussion:

For those looking to weigh in on the debate over President George W. Bush's reemergence on the national stage, click through here to our blog, where we post some audio clips and link to some differing opinions. We decided to focus only on President Obama in this particular show in order to expand that discussion.

This program aired on November 11, 2010.

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