… It is not being an Introvert that is the Problem [with POTUS] …

.. it is his lack of familiarity with the truth that is .

.. It never fails. Whenever a president’s approval ratings tank, out come the deep think pieces about how the president’s

Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States of America. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

personality flaws explain his political dilemma and ours. POTUS , it seems , does not enjoy schmoozing, small talk and pressing the flesh. And that, according to Purdum, has something to do with why Americans have soured on his scandal-wracked, power-abusing, blunder-prone presidency.

Obama’s “resolute solitude — his isolation and alienation” from other Washington players — is “his greatest weakness.”

Purdum’s not the first to lay this charge. The New York Times’ Maureen Dowd periodically wails that Obama acts like “President Spock” instead of being our “feeler-in-chief.” And, “he’s an introvert,” says Game Change author John Heilemann, and that’s why he’s in trouble.

.. It is a common tale — and as a congenital introvert , I am sick of it . Obama is a terrible president , but, contra media types , that has got nothing to do with his “penchant for solitude.” Extroverts : Do Not Even think of trying to hang this on us .

.. As Jonathan Rauch explained in his classic 2003 Atlantic article, “Caring for Your Introvert,” introverts are not necessarily antisocial or misanthropic — we’re people who are wired to enjoy solitude and need it to recharge after social interaction. And, dammit, we’re “among the most misunderstood and aggrieved groups in America.” Introversion, Rauch wrote, is “not a choice. It’s not a lifestyle. It’s an orientation.”

.. In that light, the common media argument is so incoherent and self-contradictory, it’s hard not to suspect him of rank “lonerphobia.” He asks, “were Obama’s aides too afraid to tell him” about tapping Angela Merkel’s cellphone or the problems with healthcare.gov?

.. There is no single convincing example of what victories more backslapping, jawboning and congressional “beer summits” would have delivered to the president . When you find yourself writing sentences like, “it’s hard to imagine that Obama did not do himself at least some real harm in September by abruptly canceling the annual congressional picnic at the White House,” it might be time to reevaluate your argument.

In his influential 1972 book, The Presidential Character, political scientist James David Barber argued that we should pick presidents by their personality type.

The “active-positive” president — the ideal voters should seek — tackles the job with manic energy and zest, and “gives forth the feeling that he has fun in political life.”

The “passive-negative” sees the office as a matter of stern duty, and his “tendency is to withdraw.” Among Barber’s “active-positives” were crusading meddlers like FDR, Truman and JFK; his “passive-negatives” included the Cincinnatus-like figures Washington, Eisenhower and the under-appreciated Calvin Coolidge, who cut taxes, shrank spending and delivered peace and prosperity.

.. Introverts  can make good presidents. Obama ’ s current predicament stems in large part from his lack of acquaintance with the truth . This one is a personality flaw that has nothing to do with his sometimes solitary nature .

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