Well, at the risk of receiving a tidal wave of thumbs down, I respectfully disagree. This is also at the risk of fomenting a bunch of political "feedback". But I just want to say that if one dons a military perspective, and fighting for the economic, psychological, and physical health of a country demands it IMO, the president must lead. Imagine yourself as a Pvt 1st class, an 18-year-old naive young man who has never been shot at, hearing your Lt soliciting your courage. Would you like to hear, "Holy cow, half of us are gonna die on that hill! They have guns up there! So, let's attack 'em right now!"

Or would you rather hear, "You guys trained hard, put up with the challenges that brought you here. You are the BEST! Be courageous and firm! Let's kick some butt and keep your heads down? Sorry, leadership in a crisis isn't about vomiting your fears all over the ones who look to you for inspiration. I guess this deserves a delete...