How Is Obama Doing So Far?

The Emperor Has No Clothes

 

Actually, I was expecting more- expecting better- from Obama. Not impressed, so far.

Perhaps this is what one should expect from a first term Senator who had a meteoric rise out of a corrupt political machine in Chicago.

The gun has gone off. Obama fell, right out of the blocks.

Here’s briefly why:

 

Pots and Kettles

Two appointments to his cabinet failed to pay their taxes properly. After their quick mea-culpa’s, they will likely both be confirmed. Geithner’s appointment is to the Treasury, and his “mistake” spanned years. Geithner failed to rectify his back taxes in 2001 and 2002 returns, and also made mistakes on his 2003 and 2004 returns- to the tune of somewhere between $30 and $40 thousand dollars. I’ve heard reports about Daschle’s taxes varying from $106 to $140 thousand.

The problem?

We were promised change. That implied more ethics, higher standards. Leadership is lacking in Obama here for not putting his fist down and saying “Sorry Tom, Tim… we have to have better leadership in this Country.” Additionally, this is the party that complains about the rich getting richer. That IS rich…

And lastly- you just don’t appoint an ass from the Clinton years like Daschle. This is NOT how you show your intent to be “bipartisan”.

Grade: D

 

Porking the Stimulus 

What happens when you let hundreds of legislators try to rush a bill through Congress? Everyone gets pork. Or is that, everyone gets porked?

Regardless of which side you fall on for the stimulus package, one thing is certain- it is business as usual in Washington. 

This is not a “which side are you on” issue, and, once again, we were promised on stump after stump “change” and “hope”. And once again, albeit a short time he has been in office, the first impression is- expect more of the same.

Intertwined in the “package” are various pork issues. Examples? 

• Hercules, CA: $2.5 million for a “Waterfront Duck Pond Park”; $200,000 for a dog park.
• Providence, RI: $4.8 million polar bear exhibit at the  zoo.
• Dayton, OH: $1.5 million program to reduce prostitution.
• $400 million for global warming research:

To their credit, EVERY Republican present in the House voted no on the package on Jan. 29th, along with 11 Democrats. How was this received by the left? They called it ‘partisan’.

Odd. I thought when there was a unanimous vote by one party for or against something, and you also obtain the support of your opposition, that made YOUR side the bi-partisan side, and the side without both parties involved the partisan side… My mistake.

Let’s review what our fearless leader said about pork, Dec. 7th, 2008:

(CNN) — President-elect Barack Obama issued a warning Sunday to officials around the country who want to fund projects with federal dollars: no more business as usual.

Decisions on projects won’t be made “simply based on politics,” President-elect Obama said on “Meet the Press.”

“You know, the days of just pork coming out of Congress as a strategy, those days are over.”

This is, or was, an opportunity for Obama to take a principled stand. Obama could have very easily, with the political capital he has currently, simply stated “Send me a package with NO pork in it, or I will veto it.”

Opportunity missed. Why? The man is not leading. He is following. But, he still has that deep commanding voice, and dour look that he can wield. 

Grade: C-

 

Freedom of the Clueless

His first newspaper interview is with… what? WHO?

Al-Arabiya. 

Again, this is a bumbling idiotic novice move. Why? Not on substance, but on appearance. This is about simple symbolism. Troops are in the field in two Arab/Muslim nations, fighting a war. The nation still stings from the towers coming down. And his better judgment and wisdom doesn’t jump up in his little mind and say “Hmmmm- I think the right thing to do here is not let the first interview be with an Arab Television Station.”

But, what can one expect from someone who openly shunned the flag lapel pin, or putting his hand over his heart during the National Anthem.

This man has a long way to go to be a leader of a nation.

Grade: C

 

Bang For Your Buck

Another failure of Obama thus far is recognizing that what you say has power. The man can speak, and send markets up, down, or sideways. As much as it pains me to say it, this is one of the areas where I appreciate that a politician probably is better suited to handle the discussion of a topic- better than the average Joe, anyway. 

Obama has stated several times that, regarding the economy, “It is going to get worse before it gets better.”

He can’t know that, and even if he can, doesn’t he understand that saying so has the chilling effect OF making it worse before it gets better? In a volatile market (or any other crisis) a calm cool head is appreciated, but – and follow close here – so is a little support. A little understanding that you are talking to millions- not your friends and family- should be shown. 

There are those who will cry “I would rather hear the truth!” or “I don’t want him to LIE to me!”

People, he can’t KNOW what is going to happen with the economy. But what we are going through is like a war- it isn’t over ’til it’s over, and while we are in it, just join hands and try to hold your head high.

Coming to mind is the Captain of the flight that recently crashed in the Hudson. Granted, the man had his hands full, and did not have time, BUT… imagine he stuck he his out the cockpit door for a second and said “This is probably going to get worse before it gets better.”

This is an idiotic, novice move on the President’s part that shows immaturity and lack of wisdom. Here is another:

Grade: D

 

There’s No Place Like Home

During the Pre-Superbowl interview, Obama replied to the question as to whether a substantial number of troops would be home in time for the next Superbowl:

“Yes. We are going to roll out in a very formal fashion what our intentions are in Iraq as well as Afghanistan.”

Oh. That’s brilliant, Commander in Chief. Sometimes I am baffled how someone who appears so bright and, um, articulate, can just pop off at the mouth with such poorly self screened thoughts or responses. He could have easily satisfied his “promise to end the war” and still been very cryptic by simply stating “It is our intention to have as many of them home as early as possible, but we have to let the conditions as they develop determine that.”

So, all of you over there that really just wish the military will go home, leaving Iraq and Afghanistan to your desires? Well, just sit it out for about a year, and if Gumby gets his way, there will be far fewer troops over there. In fact, just fighting with us altogether, and the pull out will likely be more precipitous and complete.

Again, lack of experience and wisdom is showing the Emperor has no clothes.

Grade: D

 

Appointing Lobbyists

Obama stated that he was going to try to end the era of lobbyist influence and involvement by eliminating White House advisory and cabinet appointment positions. Think again. One day after his inauguration, President Obama signed an executive order which stated that no lobbyist could be appointed to a position for which he had influence over when he was lobbying. Then, he nominated William Lynn for Deputy Secretary of Defense. Lynn is a former executive for Raytheon, a MAJOR player in military weapon development.

This is, I think, an example of why some on the left hate ideological people. They (the left) can’t hold onto an ideological position for more than a couple of minutes. Kind of a form of ADD. We’ll call it “IDD”.

 

Right now, these appear to be the mistakes of a rookie, and you can’t really protect him from all of these kinds of mistakes with advisors holding his hands 24-7, so I’m guessing more is coming.

 

Yes we can, hope, you will change…

Tweet This Post