What's the matter with David Axelrod?

During Obama's campaign to be President, David Axelrod seemed like he was invincible. His strategies, and more importantly his camera time, were not just impressive but smooth as silk and convincing. He worked the networks like a precision watch. You believed in him and in turn, you believed in the candidate Obama. It was more than an impressive performance, it was history.

In his new role within President Obama's inner circle, Axelrod is somewhat less than impressive. In fact, he is downright embarrassing, especially on TV. His speech is faltering to the point of stuttering and his answers and spin are soft and unfocused. It's almost as if, as much as he truly believed in the rhetoric of the candidate, he now has to fight his conscience because of the actual dirty work that has to be done to make that rhetoric reality.

It happens with the staff of every President. Bullshit is an essential part of the job. I don't know if Axelrod has it in him to bullshit like he needs to do to fight for the lofty goals in Obama's arsenal. The goal may be admirable, but the tools can be less than pristine. Maybe deep down Axelrod is too nice a guy for this role, unlike a guy like Emmanuel who desperately needs a finger on the pulse of the public the way Axelrod had during the campaign. Never anymore the twain shall meet.

There is a problem with progressives or even moderates when they navigate the waters of power. They become jelly. The fight that fed them during the campaign starves them when they gain that very power. It can be scary. Power is almost endemic to these people. They lose their will to attack and to persevere. They want to be negotiators and the nice guys instead of sinking their teeth into the veiny necks of those who have no qualms about returning the favour with a kick in the nuts.

Much has been made of Obama's 'Chicago' dirty politics. Progressives, minorities, the downtrodden and foreign fighters for freedom long for Obama to be truly ruthless in fighting for them. He's been somewhat hesitant, almost as if he doesn't want to ruffle unrufflable feathers. He is dealing with an opposition who is free of morality and ethics. He must bare his knuckles and fight. The key is - it does not have to be Obama himself. A little courage and imagination from people like Axelrod will do. If he can't do it, Obama needs to pull the trigger and start battling with someone who can. The freedom of not just Americans, but much of the world, hangs in the balance.