Victor Davis Hanson sees President Obama’s demonizing of George W. Bush as an obsession (“A Crippling Obsession,” PostOpinion, Nov. 20).

It is, in fact, not an obsession. It is standard operating procedure.

Community organizers depend on focusing blame on others. The goal is to keep people focused on something other than what you are doing, because you know they won’t like it or understand it.

On Nov. 2, America sent a message: We understand, and we don’t like it.

One can only hope that in 2012 Obama will get the same message.

Robert Sanfilippo

Roslyn Heights

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Obama had better get over his “it’s Bush’s fault” obsession, or the remaining two years of his presidency will be even more embarrassing for him.

America likes leaders like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, not whiners like Obama and Jimmy Carter.

Bush, in contrast to Obama, never uttered a single negative word about his predecessor, Bill Clinton, even though there was plenty to be said. Obama, on the other hand, has blamed all of his problems on Bush and, to a lesser extent, on the Republicans.

It’s time for Obama to take responsibility for his actions.

Charlie Honadel

Staten Island

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There are a few basic characteristics that all good leaders share. Among them are two salient pieces of common sense: “The maximum range of an excuse is zero meters,” and “assigning blame is not taking command, control or responsibility.”

I’m not sure why these hard lessons were not taught to Obama or why his party consistently fails to take them to heart.

Leaders lead. They do not complain about what happened before or avoid taking charge by assigning blame. They take charge and inspire by doing, not talking.

Don Mills

Jackson, N.J.