On the President and His Job

Earlier today, the president spoke at the United Nations before the general assembly of the world's leaders.

That's about all he did at the United Nations' headquarters.

No staying to hear other speeches and meet with other leaders, particularly newly elected ones since the previous assembly.

No face-to-face meetings with the leaders of allied nations and trading partners.

Not even twenty-four hours spent in New York City and part of that was spent taping for "The View" last night.

"Thank God I don't have anything to do right now except pal around with these fine ladies...."

Keep in mind that Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, specifically requested a meeting with the president in New York this week.  He was even flexible enough to offer to fly down to Washington in lieu of that.  He was refused, however, because the president's itinerary was too crowded to make time for him.  I'm sure he's not the only leader who requested to meet with the president either, though his rejection received the most play.

When the president's schedule includes a fundraiser with Beyoncé and Jay-Z, an appearance with David Letterman and a hour with the ladies of "The View," well who can blame him for not having enough time to meet with the leaders of the world?  There are campaign events to go to, after all!

I think it's pretty clear that what we have here isn't a case of a packed schedule, but a badly-prioritized schedule.

Now, let me be clear, I'm not criticizing the president's fundraising.  As he's running for a second term, he should take time to raise funds (even if he hasn't really stopped since being elected).  However, he is also the leader of the free world, a role which comes with responsibilities.  He is neglecting those duties when he prioritizes fundraisers over rare, face-to-face meetings with other leaders.

That reality is only compounded when one considers that the leader who was shown being snubbed was Prime Minister Netanyahu, who clearly has reason to speak with the president.  As the leader of the only truly pro-Western democracy in the Middle East, who could very well be facing a nuclear neighbor in a short time and, thus, possibly a second Holocaust, it's obvious he has a clear reason to meet with the leader of the most capable military force in the world.

"Yes, Mr. President, nothing to do at all...."

Also, keep in mind I haven't said a word about the president's incessant campaigning and apologizing while the Middle East burned.  Nor have I said a thing about the fact that the Benghazi consulate was not secured immediately after the attack, allowing CNN journalists to discover Ambassador Stevens' journal.  There is still little indication it has been secured.

Fret not, however!  The president has everything under control.  After all, he knows how to deal with the hard truths of international crises.  His campaign volunteers have taught him that hard lesson, sacrificing daily for his cause, just like the soldiers and diplomats overseas sacrifice for America!  These problems in the Middle East, including four dead Americans, are just "bumps in the road!"  Netanyahu's concerns?  Just "noise" in some far off, irrelevant corner, clouding his vision and judgement!

Or perhaps the president, instead of being sure he's ready to deal with the world's problems, is instead preferring the company of celebrities.  All of which he does in lieu of being at his desk, ensuring that terrorist attacks are investigated and no more sensitive intelligence is lost in our consulate.

He has a job to do.  He should be doing that first and, in so doing, prove to us that he deserves to be re-elected.