…just in cse you forgot Jonah Goldberg’s origin to public notoriety here is a direct quote from Wikipedia… My mother was the one who advised Linda Tripp to record her conversations with Monica Lewinsky and to save the dress. I was privy to some of that stuff, and when the administration set about to destroy Lewinsky, Tripp, and my mom, I defended my mom and by extension Tripp…I have zero desire to have those arguments again. I did my bit in the trenches of Clinton’s trousers.⁸

Thanks for the tip, Bob. Forgive me, though, if I have no idea why Goldberg’s background warrants any reconsideration of the merits of his editorial? Do you disagree with Goldberg, David Remnick, Mark Halperin and others who contend that Obama has a hearty ego?

Can you recall instances in which sitting U.S. Presidents felt compelled to repeatedly stoop down to the level of campaign attacks that named political/media opponents? I can’t. Obama’s pride and immaturity in office far exceeds any past U.S. President of all political parties. My beef here is not with Obama’s policies. It’s with his demeanor as President.

It is unbecoming of a U.S. President to chastise the U.S. Supreme Court at a State of the Union address. It is unbecoming of the U.S. President to call out by name other politicians and journalists whose views he opposes. There is a reason why even Obama’s political supporters are admitting that he is a man of great pride. It is readily apparent. And he would do well to exude more humility in office in the next 2 years. The old adage is true of anyone, including the President… “pride comes before the fall.”

Well Neil, I don’t see Obama’s pride as arrogance, which seems to be what Goldberg is clearly inferring and some of us believe that he’s been too restrained in defending his policy.I do believe, however, that Goldberg’s background, does impugn his editorial because his mother(and he by his own implication)advised Tripp to secretly tape Lewinsky(who described Tripp as her “best friend” at the time). Tripp was asked to betray a bond of trust so that Jonah and his mom could break a big story.Whatever one thinks of Clinton, the events that followed nearly paralyzed the nation before a parade of hypocrisy, which included many egos, much more self-serving than Obama’s.

I’m curious which policies you believe Obama has been too restrained on. In his landmark legislation – health care – he made 54 speeches on the matter (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20000825-503544.html).

Any thoughts on Obama’s tendency to call out – by name – his opponents? Immature? Unique to Obama? Again, I find this tendency in him to be so un-presidential.

Re: Goldberg
I prefer that reporters always get to the truth, however inconvenient it may be for the general public. Your beef should be with Tripp, not with a journalist whose mandate is to report on the truth and let the world decide. I have a little more faith in the resiliency of the American people to cope with a President’s affair.

Goldberg did what any reporter should have done – tell the truth. If his integrity is to be impugned, better evidence is required.