When it comes to leadership Obama is a 'tortured genius'

Leif Babin and Jocko Willink:

A U.S. Navy SEAL teammate and friend once described the worst type of leader as a “tortured genius.” By this, he did not mean the artist or musician suffering from inspired hysteria, but someone who, no matter how obvious the failing or how fair and valid the criticism, accepts no blame and denies all responsibility. In the mind of such a leader, the rest of the world simply can’t see the “genius” in what they do.

In truth, this type of leader lives in denial of the facts as they are, rationalizing actions and refusing to alter or adapt strategies to win. To such a person, maintaining the illusion that he is right is somehow more important than mission success. We have all known a tortured genius or, perhaps at times, have been one ourselves. Such a leader can be a serious detriment the performance of any team and the chief obstacle to victory.

Over the past week, the world witnessed President Obama rationalize his failure to lead in the fight against the Islamic State, or ISIS. Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, the president insists America’s strategy to defeat ISIS is working. The terrorist attacks in Paris that murdered 130 civilians was merely a “setback.” Sen. Dianne Feinstein, an otherwise staunch ally, declared Mr. Obama wrong: ISIS is “not contained.” Never has the president admitted he and his top advisers underestimated the terrorist organization they called “JV.”

At the G20 Summit in Turkey last week, one question from the press captured the essence of many more: “Given the strategy that you are pursuing, and it’s been more than a year now, ISIS’ capability seems to be expanding . Do you think you really understand this enemy well enough to defeat them and to protect the homeland?” The president scoffed at this, aloof and annoyed that anyone would dare question the genius of his plan or its effectiveness. He maintains, “This has always been a multiyear project” — not a war, not even a conflict. Yet, the Islamic State has made clear they are at war with America, Western Civilization and anyone in the Islamic world who stands in their way.

What is lost on the president has become painfully clear to even one-time supporters and members of his own party: We are at war, and containment will not defeat ISIS, nor will airpower alone. The horrific terrorist attacks in Paris testify to this. Such attacks by ISIS only inspire and embolden Islamic terrorists everywhere, as witnessed in Mali last Friday.
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There is more.

When Obama claims there is no military solution to ISIL what he really means is there is not one he is willing to engage in.  There are plenty of military options that he has taken off the table which cause him to say there are few options to what he is doing.

What has become clear is that Obama is such a narcissist he thinks his are the only viable responses to the war being waged against us.  This is very dangerous.  It is probably one reason the top military is reluctant to push for more action because they believe Obama is incapable of implementing any other plan.

How big a failure has Obama been?  This much:

Terrorism Deaths Quadruple Under Obama