The Issue: Whether President Obama should follow in LBJ’s footsteps and decline to seek re-election.
Michael Goodwin praises LBJ for choosing not to run for a second full term, and suggests the same route for President Obama (“One Speech Can Reclaim O’s Dignity,” Aug. 10).
But what are the chances Obama will show such self-awareness and humility and step down?
This president treats the gilded trappings of his office like they are his rights of kingdom.
Unlike LBJ, he does not care if he can serve his country well.
He dances away the night of his 50th birthday at the White House and aims only for re-election, oblivious to how his administration has been destroying our economy, security and national cohesion.
But why blame a child for playing with his toys? It’s ignorant voters who present him with the toy chest.
David Lawrence
Manhattan
I nominate Goodwin for another Pulitzer, and sincerely hope Obama heeds his call.
As Goodwin recalls, Johnson’s administration was responsible for expanding social-welfare projects that have grown unsustainable — deepening our dependency on government rather than sharpening our pioneer spirit.
America needs the proverbial shock treatment — and that is what Goodwin provides in his open letter to Obama.
Nancy Jancourtz
Brooklyn
Goodwin’s argument doesn’t carry any weight with me.
Obama has said time and again his priority is the everyday lives of “ordinary Americans” — not just getting himself re-elected — and he seems sincere to me.
It’s absurd to suggest that he could only focus on “bipartisan solutions” if he announces he won’t run again.
He would work for bipartisan solutions no more or less than he’s already doing, and to think the Republican leadership would be more willing to work with him is even more absurd.
The GOP will continue to stonewall him at every turn and ignore the American middle class, focusing entirely on the next election.
Heather Paul
Manhattan
There may be some parallels between Obama and LBJ, but given the former’s gargantuan ego, I doubt he’d ever refrain from running for office again.
He will only go kicking and screaming. Haven’t we seen enough whining and finger-pointing from him to know that?
Robert Sanfilippo
Roslyn Heights