I've been hearing over and over the term "steady leadership" in describing Barack Obama by his many surrogates during this campaign. The Truth Fights Back website attempts to explain this "steady leadership" as it relates to his reactions "in the first hours of the economic crisis." According to the site he did exactly the following: he had phone conversations with his advisors; attended normally scheduled campaign events where he refrained from blaming John McCain directly for the meltdown; spoke by phone again with several federal officials including Henry Paulson and Ben Bernacke; and attended a private fundraiser in Los Angeles where he addressed the celebrity crowd and praised John McCain's heroism in Viet Nam. That's it. That's their definition of leadership.

I posted a comment here on Townhall yesterday in response to a news story about the former governor of Massachusettes endorsing Barack Obama. He too sited the "steady leadership" Obama has shown and would provide in the White House. My comment posed one umbrella question... what has he done? Can anyone actually site an example where in some meaningful way, Barack Obama displayed any tangible leadership? Another comment responded by saying, "interesting point, but I thought leadership was leading an overwhelming amount of people based on charisma and trust." To that I would say, "interesting point as well. But doesn't that sound a lot like the Pied Piper?"

Having spent six years in the Marine Corps, I learned a lot about leadership, at least in the vein that the USMC sees befitting. JJDIDTIEBUCKLE. Any of you jarheads out there recognize this acronym? Justice, judgment, dependability, integrity, decisiveness, tact, initiative, endurance, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty, enthusiasm- the Marine Corps Leadership Traits. I utilized these traits to advance through the ranks during my years in uniform, and they have since served me well in civilian life. I don't see charisma and trust on this extensive list put forth by generations of exceptional leaders.

So, I ask again. Just what has Barack Obama done to 'earn' this "steady leadership" mantra that has been spread by his surrogates since he began running for President? What major piece of legislation did he author (not just add his name to, in preparation for his run for President) that was brought to the floor, voted on, passed, and signed into law? What significant action has he performed as a U.S. Senator that has been to the benefit of a significant portion of the electorate? What, simply, is his major leadership ability? Given the media's unwillingness to challenge Obama on almost anything, I'm quite sure the campaign operatives put the message out to their surrogate; something like-- "keep hammering 'leadership'. It's the one area we're most succeptable. Throw it out there- the drones in the media will eat it up."

Great speakers do not necessarily make great leaders. They may spout an elegant message but his or her delivery is not nearly as important as the substance of the message. And just saying you're a leader, does not, in fact, make you one.

Which brings me back to the Pied Piper legend of old. To briefly describe the story-- A town was overrun with rats. A stranger came to town and promised to remove the rats. The town accepted the proposition, and the piper played a musical pipe to lure the rats into the river where they drowned. With the rat problem resolved, the townspeople reneged and refused to pay for the service as promised. The man left angrily, only to return sometime later - this time playing his musical pipe for the children of the town, who in turn, followed him out of town and were never seen again. (One hypothesis for the origin of the pied piper legend claims the childred left the city to become part of a pilgrimage, military campaign, or "children's crusade" but were never returned to their parents. These theories see the unnamed piper as their leader or recruiting agent.)

So beware of the Pied Piper my friends. Beware of the man promising change with charisma and charm. Do not trust such a man solely on these characteristics alone. For he may one day "lead" us all into an abyss as we follow to the tune of his soothing notes.