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Obama's Question
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Obama's Insight
Did he expect that what he'd have to do to restore hope might cost him a second term, I asked.
"If not," he said, "it surely will cost my party the following election.
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Looking next at the OPPORTUNITY, Obama admitted thinking outside the box was important but keeping quiet seemed impossible.
It didn't mean to stop talking, just not talk about certain things.
Since he was having to ask everyone to sacrifice, if he explained every detail, no one would vote for the changes. Nothing would be accomplished.
"You're right,
" he said.
"Everyone wants help but no one wants to sacrifice."
The message was suggesting he and his team come up with the best, most creative solutions. Then only talk about the benefits.
Either that or he'd have to keep cutting back on his plans to help.
"Yes," he said. "We'd stop ourselves by worrying about whether we could get enough votes." |
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The topic Obama asked about was very general: "serving my country as President."
He did not ask a "Should I" question. He knew doing so would set up an internal debate where the loud voices could then drown out his Quiet Voice.
He was calm.
He wanted his Quiet Voice to give him a clear picture.
The message, I explained, would have three parts:
The Expectation
What you're doing and where you believe it will take you
The Opportunity
Most fulfilling approach to the situation and what that will bring
The Mistake
What you'd continue to try unsuccessfully to do instead of changing your course
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The situation Obama asked about:
"Serving my country as President."
EXPECTATION
By restoring hope I expect to bow to the opposition.
OPPORTUNITY
If I keep quiet I'll be able to think outside the box.
MISTAKE
My desire for reassessing my commitments isn't appropriate here. Because I'd just be wasting time trying to defend the helpless.
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