The American people are not as casualty-sensitive as the weenies in the American press are.
Fred BarnesPresidents with strong nerves are decisive. They don't balk at unpopular decisions. They are willing to make people angry. Bush had strong nerves. Clinton, who passed up a chance to eliminate Osama bin Laden, did not. Obama is a people pleaser, a trait not normally associated with nerves of steel.
Fred BarnesRonald Reagan has a story for every occasion. Bill Clinton has an excuse for every occasion.
Fred BarnesCandidates don't have to deal with reality. They talk about the wonderful things they can accomplish as if advocating them is the same as achieving them. They live in a world of political make-believe in which everything from reconciling conflicting interests to paying for costly programs is easy.
Fred Barnes