Staff Reports
Being an effective leader may sound complicated based on history’s blunders, but in reality, it boils down to one main thing: being present and attentive. The current joke of a leadership at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue might make that sound like a Herculean task, but for anyone looking to lead, it ought to be as simple as showing up.
A lack of presence and attention is a surefire formula for failure, and the shining example of that is none other than Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. With California up in smoke due to rampant wildfires, one might expect their leader to be on the ground, coordinating relief efforts. Instead, Bass has managed to misplace her leadership skills halfway across the globe in Ghana, attending a presidential inauguration while her constituents are literally living in a hellscape.
Fire hydrants out of water, LA mayor out of town, governor out to lunch, president out of his mindhttps://t.co/Qeu3VV99O1
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) January 8, 2025
Bass, who once served as a potential vice president under Joe Biden, appears to have chosen to frolic in West Africa rather than tackle the fiery inferno that is currently threatening homes and lives back in LA. While the flames rage, she was busy soaking up the festive atmosphere of a foreign country, much to the outrage of the very citizens she is supposed to serve. It’s hard to imagine a worse optics scenario than a mayor mesmerized by overseas celebrations while local firefighters battle blazes desperately lacking resources.
In a rare moment of fairness, Bass did eventually decide to return to the U.S., but only after the fires had already begun. Critics, including her gubernatorial rival Rick Caruso, wasted no time voicing their disdain, pointing out the glaring failure in her judgment. Bass’s international escapade might well have been planned beforehand, but let’s face it—who approves a vacation when disaster looms? It’s as if she were collecting frequent flyer miles while homes are reduced to ashes.
Even with her delayed return, Bass has not escaped public scrutiny. Her social media presence, while attempting to project some semblance of leadership, has backfired spectacularly. Thousands of angry comments flood in questioning her dedication, with citizens expressing disbelief that their mayor would choose social media posts over actual fire management. It’s a classic case of micromanaging from a distance—and let’s be honest, those posts could probably use a bit more thought and a lot less distance.
This debacle raises a fundamental question: How can the party of Biden, Bass, and a host of equally lackluster leaders maintain a grip on power when their failures are on full display for all to see? With the shambolic track record laid bare, it’s little wonder Republicans just snagged themselves a decent majority. The Democrats appear to be on a collaboration tour of incompetence; can they really expect voters to overlook these glaring missteps as elections approach?
Seeing the absurdity of current Democratic leadership is a real eye-opener for the average American. As the situation continues to devolve, it should be no surprise that Republican fortunes could continue to rise in the coming elections. After all, voters want leaders who are present, attentive, and, above all, capable of responding to disasters—not those gallivanting abroad while chaos reigns at home. Such stark contrasts can only bode well for the GOP as they prepare to reclaim the mantle of responsibility that seems to have slipped through the hands of the Democrats.
