Obama Adviser Touts His Even Temper

Former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig, a senior national security adviser to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, said that he has never seen Obama lose his temper, even in situations of “exceptional stress.”

By comparison, Obama’s GOP rival John McCain is known for “losing it.” Danzig said McCain is known for forming an opinion or a decision quickly and then “digs in.” McCain’s volatile temper is well known to Beltway insiders, but Democrats at their convention are trying to make this known to the larger audience, as part of a tug-of-war about who between the two candidates is prepared to be commander-in-chief.

Danzig traveled with Obama on his recent trip to Europe and the Middle East. At some point in Jerusalem Obama was so tired that he said he could fall asleep on his feet, Danzig recalled. But despite the “extraordinary fatigue… I have never seen Barack Obama lose his temper; I have never seen him lose his balance,” Danzig said.

Danzig added that he was also impressed by Obama’s ability to listen.

McCain has particularly touted his national security experience as a former Naval officer, Vietnam prisoner of war and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He has attacked Obama for his lack of experience saying that he would not be prepared to be commander-in-chief.

On Wednesday, the theme of the convention speeches will be national security and foreign policy as the Democrats attempt to show that they are strong on military and diplomacy issues.

–Roxana Tiron