Peggy Noonan writes for The Patriot Post that President Obama has essentially given up, stopped trying to do his job. He spends his time traveling, golfing and hanging out with "fun" people - athletes and actors. This when he has over two years left in the job and no prospect of an early departure.
Nobody wants to say what is really going on with the President. Obama has figured out that what is important about him is who he is (the first black president), not what he does (little that is worthwhile). The same is true for virtually all affirmative action hires, in or out of government.
Like the queen of England, Obama is a symbol, not an executive. Good symbols are important, good executives are even more important. Elizabeth II has David Cameron in the executive role of Prime Minister. Unfortunately the U.S. president is supposed to accomplish both jobs.
Having a split Congress means neither Harry Reid nor John Boehner can be the de facto executive in Obama's absence. The ship of state has no hand on the wheel, and its present course is frankly erratic.
