lead from the front

[jasonlulu_2000]

What does "lead from the front" in the following examples?

Lead from the front in Libya

We can lead from the front in disarming


Thanks

 

[SoothingDave]

When you lead you do it from the front. Otherwise you are not "leading."

To understand this, you have to understand that the Obama administration could best be described as "leading from the rear." Which is to say it was not leading at all, but allowing other nations to take the lead.

Libyan revolution: In Libya, "leading from behind" was the best policy. - Slate Magazine

See this article in praise of the Obama policy.

To state that we should lead from the front is to say, in basic words, that we should lead period.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Jasonlulu:

I believe that "We can lead from the front in disarming" means that we (for example, the United States of America) can set an

example by disarming first.

Some people feel that if the United States starts to destroy some of its missiles and starts to have a smaller army, navy, and

air force, then other nations will follow our "good example" and start doing the same.

(On this forum, we discuss only language matters. So whether or not leading from the front in disarming is a good idea or a bad

idea cannot be discussed on this forum.)


*****

Most observers agree that we did NOT lead from the front during the recent unpleasantness in L ___. The United States left the

"leading" to NATO. The United States played a behind-the-scenes role. That is, it supplied certain kinds of vital help to NATO.


HAVE A NICE DAY!

 

[billmcd]

I understand the phrase, but for me it is not only clumsy but also redundant and typical of "politic-speak".

 

[jasonlulu_2000]

Thank you all. That's very kind of you, indeed!

 

[SoothingDave]

I understand the phrase, but for me it is not only clumsy but also redundant and typical of "politic-speak".

Yes, it's a retort. If no one claimed to be leading from the rear, then no one would insist that we lead from the front.