PassivePositive

Although I do not agree with Barber's theory and think that it is cut out to be too specific for categorizing each president, I think Barack Obama would best be fit as a Passive Positive. I was not convinced he could be fit as this until Kayla made a well put argument that won me over. Passive Positives are receptive and compliant with a very hopeful optimistic view towards the future. This can very well describe Obama. He may try to be active and get things done independently, he just is not the guy to do so. He is just not cut out to be aggressive and assertive. In the video we watched for homework, he made many attempts to work with congress and be compliant with there ideas for the future. The congress also reflects the president's character. Congress does not seem to be intimated by going against the president's will and rather views Obama as a "push over". Another sign that Obama is a Passive Positive President is his constant attitude of optimism. His whole campaign was for "Hope and Change" leading right into his presidency of always coming out of failed meetings or conferences with a comment to press about "staying positive" and "hoping for the best".
By looking more in depth of the president's character and how he fits the job, I think for the 2016 election people should be voting for an Active Positive. An Active Positive would fit the best because instead of letting Congress push for more power, he would be more assertive and productive about what he wants to get down. Obama's character type prevents him from creating a strong relationship between him and Congress leading to controversy and harder/slower decision making. By Neustadt's reading, I do not believe Obama is able to use the "power of persuasion" effectively. He does not have the personality to work easily with other people and get them to want what he wants done. This holds  him back unlike other presidents who got what they wanted done by manipulating people almost. I agree strongly with Neustadt but not very much with Barber's theory. Like Kayla said in class, Barber's theory is a good way for classifying presidents but not a good way for choosing the next one.