In the world of former presidents, most tend to slide quietly into the background, occasionally emerging to cut the ribbon on a library or give a tepid speech about the benefits of bipartisanship. But then there’s Barack Obama, who seems more interested in clinging to the limelight than riding into the political sunset. It’s been nearly a decade since he left office, yet he continues to pop up in interviews, as he did recently with a comedian whose jokes are about as fresh as expired milk. Obama’s latest media appearance was a reminder of his penchant for delivering lectures rather than gracefully bowing out.
Amidst discussions on television, Obama worried aloud about Republicans, accusing them of not acting in good faith or following the rule of law. He waxed nostalgic about days when opposition meant a party that would debate, maybe not shake hands, but at least believe in some shared principles like science and justice. This would be funny if it weren’t so laughable coming from the very man whose administration was allegedly notorious for its political gamesmanship. Remember when journalists were conveniently wiretapped or when certain business leaders found themselves suddenly in legal trouble? Oh, the memories.
Lest anyone forget, Obama’s government wasn’t shy about playing hardball using the powers of the state. Recall Eric Holder, Obama’s attorney general and apparent “wingman.” The Obama era was marked by the instrumental use of various government branches to keep a tight rein on political discourse. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s case is but one example where the justice system seemed to be an accessory to political ambitions. And who can ignore the name Donald J. Trump, whose candidacy and presidency appeared to be under a magnifying glass, thanks to the games played during Obama’s tenure?
It’s puzzling how Obama can chastise the GOP on rule of law while having presided over an intelligence community that sought to weave narratives around Russian collusion that supposedly never happened. Reports surfaced pointing to the murky origins of these allegations, stemming from high-level political gatherings under his watch. And let’s not skip the infamous mugshot chapter in recent history, a spectacle seen internationally, born of a cascade of legal entanglements.
To top it all, Obama’s previous policies left open borders, a de facto free pass for various nefarious actors, while simultaneously loosening the reins on law enforcement. This meant lighter sentences and more criminals on the streets, almost contradicting the rule of law he now bemoans Republicans for supposedly violating. Meanwhile, he had foreign policy stumbles like the Iran dealings, enriching a regime that posed significant threats. And as Obama critiques from his posh paradise, the reality of his own tarnished legacy looms larger. One has to wonder: Does he genuinely believe in the narrative he’s selling, or is he just another political actor clinging to a fading script? Quite a production, indeed.
