As ruthless as one ever gets.

I suspect that a successful politician must be ruthless. In order to get what he wants. Because politics is power. And one must exercise it. At least on some occasions. But maybe Barack Obama will prove me wrong. I think he's trying to get what he wants by being persuasive. Rather than downright ruthless. No doubt about it, his most staunch opponents are ruthless. Even in an evil and corrupt sense. They might resort to practically anything to derail Obama. So far, at least on the surface, Obama has tended to turn the other cheek. And just plod ahead in a relatively kindly, civil manner. That baffles me a little bit. Makes me wonder if Obama is sly. If beneath that exterior, he knows how to play ruthless and dirty politics. That he's calculating. That he has a grand design. To pull off exactly what he wants. Maybe to the surprise of his foes. After all, Obama got himself elected president. Against all odds. Left lots of people surprised. Including his foes. They're livid. Because they've been outmaneuvered. Quite likely by a more astute politician. They want to get even. By seeing to it that Obama doesn't have a successful presidency. They desperately want him to fail. Even if that means failure for America. Doesn't bother them. Because they're true blue politicians. As ruthless as one ever gets. --Jim Broede