One Year Later

It is often said that "a man is known by the company he keeps". That was evoked often, and appropriately, when our current president was only a candidate. Not so much anymore. All of those radical old friends that he "barely knew" didn't seem to matter to the voters anyway, and now Ayers and Wright and the like are pretty much off the radar.

But it might be even more appropriate now to examine who he consults with as president. The old adage still applies, even more importantly. We're talking about those outside of his immediate circle whom he decides to invite into the White House. Remember, you do need to be invited; walking up and ringing the doorbell without one is almost guaranteed to be instantly fatal.

This question really came to mind when it was revealed how little time he had spent since his inauguration in discussion with his commander on the ground in Afghanistan. To this day, General McCrystal has only been called to the White House twice.

So out of all the diplomats, ambassadors, advisers, royalty, celebrities, statesmen, dignitaries, businessmen and women, etc., etc., that have been invited in, who tops the visitors list? The answer: Andy Stern, President of the SEIU, the Service Employee's International Union. One of Obama's best buddies, his power base, and his chief fundraiser. 20 times to be exact.

General McCrystal, fighting a war on global terror and commanding 25,000 of our troops in the deadliest land in the world: 2 times.

Andy Stern, fighting in the streets of our cities to organize labor and spread social activism in a war on capitalism: 20 times.

Sort of defines this president's priorities doesn't it?

This president has never been a commander. He still isn't. He's always been a community organizer. He still is.