In the Wall Street Journal yesterday, Karl Rove asked the question: Is the Obama Administration winging it? ( http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123500260310017735.html )
The vetting process is the example, with the loss of Bill Richardson for Commerce and then Gregg. Are they scrambling or have they found someone that can get approved? Or are those who are really qualified refusing to touch it with a 10-foot pole? I had hope, honestly, when the new Cabinet was being put together so quickly.
Former President Clinton feels Obama should be more “positive” and direct when discussing the economy (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/President44/story?id=6916695&page=1 )
I had hoped that the bi-partisan promises would come to some fruition. On that, it’s not in the hands of Obama, but the hands of the Republicans. I still believe that, through good will, the Dems can begin to win some of the Republicans over to their way of seeing what is best for this country. However, until folks like Pelosi show a little effort from the left side of aisle, the right side of the aisle will remain, overall, stubborn.
And a CNN Poll reports that the love for Obama, while still high, is slipping ( http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/20/poll.obama.stimulus/index.html ). Is the honeymoon already beginning to be over before the first 100 days is over?
I was not an Obama fan during the election (though I admit, I love Joe Biden). He was too slick and too much like a salesman. Now that he has won the office, you will see me support him, as I believe the President deserves respect. I just want the deliberate approach that Obama took to win the job will continue while he’s doing the job.
Here’s my question. For 8 years the republicans felt no need to play ball, or even pretend that bipartisianship mattered a big fat rats ass. So why is it that now the dem’s are supposed to play all happy and nice?
If I were in charge I’d forget all the reaching across the aisle. I’d say, you ran this country into the ground, now sit down, shut up, and stay out of the way.
And you were the one who wanted to welcome Republicans, Ms. R.
It’s hard for me to read anything Karl Rove writes, because I can’t help feeling he shouldn’t be out influencing public opinion, but should be in prison, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and playing love slave to a big guy named Bruno. I’ve also lost all confidence in the Wall Street journal since it became a domino in Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
That said, I don’t think this is the time for the propellor heads to be experimenting with what does and does not work if the nation really is in crisis. Roosevelt took action, good or bad, and then took responsibility when projects failed. I’m looking for some of that from Obama.
Here’s an example: I’m a firm believer we should nationalize zombie banks, no matter how large or how vested in the market. Federal regulators closed the 14th bank this year yesterday, when Oregon’s Silver Falls Bank went belly-up. If small institutions can be nationalized, why are Citibank and Bank of America exempt?
About the only place we’re seeing strong leadership is at Foggy Bottom, where Hillary Clinton is going to make a name for herself. But her husband needs to shut his mouth. He is no longer president and was unable during his administration to keep the Democratic majority he inherited (not to mention keep his penis in his pants). When he owns up to signing on to the deregulation that enabled this mess, I’ll listen to him.
My hope is Obama is doing what he did during the election, waiting for the right opportunities and capitalizing on them. In the presidency, though, he should learn he must make many of his own opportunities. The stimulus was too small, Geithner needs to pledge his allegiance somewhere, and the cabinet members who are still locked in committee need to be liberated. Those are three places I’m looking for decisive leadership from the Obama administration. Until I see it, I’m going to remain skeptical.
Yes, I am all for playing nice and throwing out the welcome mat. However, once you come in my house and then piss on the floors the welcome mat is removed and you are no longer invited to my parties.
I think the Pres. is trying to play nice, and my hope is he is extending the hand of bipartisianship over and over and getting it smacked so he can then say “See I tried.” And THEN he needs to say Sit down, shut up, and stay out of the way.
Sigh. I didn’t feel I was pissing on the floors. And here I thought I could co-exist with the liberals, and maybe learn a little in the process.
Bi-Partisanship? I do think Obama is trying, but I feel that other members of his party are going to hinder that (have you been watching Pelosi??). I also put the responsibility in the hands of the GOP folks on The Hill. My underlying desire - that no matter what party someone belongs to, that they do what is best for their constituents and not play “party games”.
Now, I will say that I agree 100% with Harry on Hilary. I dated a Marine Captain this fall for a bit and I recall bit of political pillow talk: two conservatives discussing the upcoming elections and we both agreed that Ms. Clinton would be the best choice for Secretary of State no matter who won the election. She is proving how good she is and in 2016, she should win the Democratic Presidential Nomination, if she still wants it. Her husband, however, will be a liability.
The Country is in crisis. My question still is this: does Obama have a plan to lead us into solutions that will help the average person living in the US? Or was he not quite prepared and is kind of winging it?
PS - I haven’t gotten comfy enough to shed my pumps and pantyhose yet here, at the pub…
You didn’t piss on any floors-but if someone would put John Boehner out in traffic for a few minutes and let me drive by… that would go a long way toward cleaning the floors; and as for Nancy P. she’s an idiot.
In fact, let’s put Boehner, Pelosi and Bill Clinton out in traffic.