Obama, Biden, Kevin Jackson

The following article, The Myth of Obama’s Power: A Manufactured Legacy and Misplaced Allegiance, was first published on The Black Sphere.

For years, many people have insisted that Barack Obama is the puppeteer behind Joe Biden’s presidency, labeling it Obama’s “third term.” The idea has become a refrain among political commentators and average citizens alike. But let me be clear: Obama is no puppet master. In fact, he isn’t even in control of his own home—let alone the White House.

Imagine being the former leader of the free world and your wife can make you crap your pants when she yells or gives you “the look”. That statement isn’t meant to be an attack on Michelle Obama, nor am I suggesting she’s an abuser. But everybody knows she could kick Barack’s behind.

Patrick Bet-David reinforces what I have been saying about Obama for years:

What True Leadership Looks Like

Obama embodies: controlled, carefully curated, and ultimately hollow “leadership”.

Real leaders are shaped by strength, conviction, and the ability to inspire lasting loyalty and respect. They don’t rely on PR gimmicks, and they certainly don’t crumble under pressure. History’s greatest leaders—men and women who saved nations or transformed the world—are remembered for their courage and vision.

Barack Obama? He was a carefully manufactured personality, propped up by media hype and cultural sentiment rather than actual achievement. Metrosexuals like Obama don’t lead nations; they run boutique consulting firms or manage niche start-ups.

Obama’s Rise: A Cult of Personality

Obama’s first presidential victory was a triumph of image over substance. His charisma captured the imagination of an electorate desperate for “hope and change,” thus his lack of experience was conveniently ignored. His second victory? A pity vote. Many Americans felt his lackluster first term wasn’t enough to gauge his potential, and others feared being labeled racist if they denied him a second chance. But that second term was just as unimpressive as the first, rendering Obama the Affirmative Action president.

I’ve written extensively about how Obama’s second term ended in disappointment, especially for Black Leftists. His administration offered them little more than symbolic gestures dressed up as progress. Take, for instance, Valerie Jarrett’s infamous attempt to pacify Black voters by touting two of Obama’s “achievements”:

  1. Subsidized healthcare, which many labeled as a version of reparations.
  2. Reducing sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine.

Talk about out-of-touch leadership! This was akin to telling struggling Americans, “Let them eat cake.”

Obama’s Slide from Savior to Sideline

Barack Obama began as the “Chosen One,” a metrosexual messiah who promised a utopia of “hope and change.” By his second term, though, the messiah had lost his magic. Democrats endured devastating midterm losses, and the crown jewel of his presidency—Obamacare—was a bureaucratic mess that even its supporters grumbled about. Obama’s charisma dwindled, his once-commanding presence reduced to a tepid “please clap” energy.

By the time 2016 rolled around, Obama couldn’t even gift-wrap the presidency for Hillary Clinton. Despite his tireless campaigning, Hillary got stomped by Donald Trump—a man Obama had mocked relentlessly. Talk about karma coming back faster than Joe Biden forgetting his next sentence.

The Fantasy of Obama’s “Shadow Presidency”

When Obama left office, there was a frenzy of speculation about his post-presidency influence. Maxine Waters famously suggested that Obama had amassed a treasure trove of “dirt” on Washington insiders and was assembling a secret command center. This shadow presidency, some claimed, would enable Obama to wield unprecedented power. But what did we get? Some Netflix specials and Michelle Obama becoming more relevant than he is.

In reality, Obama never had real power. His influence was always more theater than substance. This was evident in his embarrassing farewell tour. At his final UN appearance, the lack of interest was palpable. I watched as he concluded a speech, unnoticed by the distracted audience, only to receive a single reluctant clap as he exited the stage. It was a moment that underscored just how far his star had fallen.

Obama’s attempts to campaign for Hillary Clinton in 2016 were equally telling. Despite his best efforts, including a rally in Philadelphia that barely drew 30 people, Clinton lost. The myth of Obama’s influence continued to unravel.

The Biden Era: Not Obama’s Third Term

Fast-forward to the Biden presidency, and the refrain of Obama’s supposed puppeteering persisted. But let’s be real: The people who orchestrated Biden’s rise are far more strategic and ruthless than Obama could ever hope to be. Obama was a product, designed to win in 2008. The architects of his ascent never intended for him to hold actual power—they used him until he was no longer useful.

If you still believe Obama is pulling strings, consider this: Obama’s absence from Biden’s campaign wasn’t a coincidence. He knew the fix was in, and he didn’t want to tarnish his carefully maintained image by aligning too closely with Biden.

Then came Kamala Harris. And the cabal took Obama from the stables and trotted him out one more time to usher the pseudo-Black female candidate to victory. Obama was so effective, I doubt anybody could tell you where and when he stumped for Harris. In the end, Obama failed to bring the victory. Again.

Compare Obama to Trump’s Spectacular Comeback

Donald J. Trump, the man Democrats thought they had buried under an avalanche of scandals and impeachments. When Trump left office, the Left were popping champagne, thinking they had finally neutered him. But Trump’s “exile” turned out to be more that of the Count of Monte Cristo’s.

Unlike Obama’s flaccid second term, Trump’s hypothetical second term is shaping up to be historic. He plans to dismantle the administrative state and drain the swamp for real this time. Where Obama faded into irrelevance, Trump has kept the Left sweating bullets, whether it’s rallying record-breaking crowds or being the kingmaker for Republican candidates.

Obama couldn’t even fill a rally in Philadelphia during 2016, struggling to draw more than a handful of attendees. Meanwhile, Trump’s rallies remain Woodstock for conservatives. You have to laugh: the man Democrats branded a political pariah wields more power post-presidency than Obama did at the height of his.

Ironies and Realities of Obama’s Influence

Let’s not overlook the hypocrisy here. Obama, hailed as the Democrats’ savior, couldn’t save them from irrelevance, while Trump—written off as a political flash-in-the-pan—is orchestrating what could be the most radical reworking of government in decades. Democrats thought Obama’s legacy would endure for generations. Instead, they’re stuck watching their “cool dad” fade into the background as Trump reshapes the GOP and dominates headlines.

The takeaway? Obama was always a figurehead, a carefully crafted icon whose power dissolved as soon as the teleprompter was unplugged. Trump, by contrast, thrives without a script. That’s the difference between being a puppet and pulling the strings.

Barack Obama isn’t a titan of influence or a mastermind of political strategy. He’s a symbol—carefully packaged and marketed for a moment in history. His relevance has faded, as it was always destined to. Obama’s legacy is built on illusion, the same illusion that Joe Biden was elected in a fair process.

Why Common Sense Matters in Politics

For years, I’ve been telling people that Obama isn’t the leader they think he is. And time has proven me right. This isn’t about boasting; it’s about trusting your own judgment. Politics isn’t as complicated as the media makes it seem. Look past the headlines, and the truth becomes clear: Obama’s legacy is one of mediocrity, not mastery.

 

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