Presidential "Leadership" Doesn't Work

Gun control as an example

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One other thing about the death of background checks in the Senate. It's further proof that the Beltway theory of presidential power-Obama needs to show "leadership" to move things forward-is wrong. Here's what President Obama did in the service of passing new gun laws:

  • He gave a widely-heralded speech after the Newtown shooting, demanding action from Congress.
  • He held an event in January, announcing his new gun control proposals, with parents and children from Newtown in attendance.
  • He followed up at the State of the Union, demanding that Congress put new gun laws to a full vote of the Senate.
  • He held an event in early April, again demanding action on gun laws from the Senate.
  • And just a few days ago, the mother of a Newtown victim gave Obama's weekly address.

None of this had any effect on the Republican senators who filibustered the Manchin-Toomey compromise, nor did it affect the red-state Democrats who feared political attacks for backing new gun laws. It simply didn't work.

Not that this will change the views of Beltway pundits, of course.

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