Imagine for a moment an American newspaper publishing a column with the following opening sentence:
Has Barack Obama’s presidency already failed?
Not in a million years, right?
Well, on Wednesday, one of the most respected international publications, the Financial Times of London, published such an article written by its associate editor and chief economics commentator Martin Wolf.
In it was an astonishingly frank analysis of what the Obama administration has done and not done to solve the current financial crisis (picture courtesy FT):
Has Barack Obama’s presidency already failed? In normal times, this would be a ludicrous question. But these are not normal times. They are times of great danger. Today, the new US administration can disown responsibility for its inheritance; tomorrow, it will own it. Today, it can offer solutions; tomorrow it will have become the problem. Today, it is in control of events; tomorrow, events will take control of it. Doing too little is now far riskier than doing too much. If he fails to act decisively, the president risks being overwhelmed, like his predecessor. The costs to the US and the world of another failed presidency do not bear contemplating.
What is needed? The answer is: focus and ferocity. If Mr Obama does not fix this crisis, all he hopes from his presidency will be lost. If he does, he can reshape the agenda. Hoping for the best is foolish. He should expect the worst and act accordingly.
Yet hoping for the best is what one sees in the stimulus programme and – so far as I can judge from Tuesday’s sketchy announcement by Tim Geithner, Treasury secretary – also in the new plans for fixing the banking system. I commented on the former last week. I would merely add that it is extraordinary that a popular new president, confronting a once-in-80-years’ economic crisis, has let Congress shape the outcome.
The banking programme seems to be yet another child of the failed interventions of the past one and a half years: optimistic and indecisive. If this “progeny of the troubled asset relief programme” fails, Mr Obama’s credibility will be ruined. Now is the time for action that seems close to certain to resolve the problem; this, however, does not seem to be it.
Pretty shocking stuff, yes? As were Wolf's recommendations which readers are encouraged to review without children in the room to witness your startled expressions.
Frankly, this is the kind of examination that should be occurring on a daily basis in newsrooms across America.
If the economy truly is in its worst shape since the Depression -- a premise I still don't buy as today's data aren't yet as bad as the '81-'82 recession or '73-'74's -- shouldn't journalists be dissecting and analyzing every administration recommendation rather than cheerleading it?
Must Americans rely on the foreign press to do that?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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I caught a link to that
February 11, 2009 - 10:31 ET by motherbeltI caught a link to that article yesterday, and my first thought was "Wow!" I thought even Europeans saw him as the messiah of America.
I think he showed his inexperience by giving it over to Her Speakerness and Dingy Harry to manage. I also think he should have enlisted a couple of Republicans, and instruct that it be a joint effort from the beginning...being the post-partisan President and all. Didn't Madame Speaker say this was going to be a Democratic bill?
So if it fails, he will be hoist on his own petard. Unfortunately, the country as a whole will suffer for his delegating this task without guidance and some ground rules.
He chose to let her handle this. Maybe he should try to lead his own party before he goes for the entire country.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
no no no
February 11, 2009 - 10:59 ET by AJBIf he fails, it will be Bush's fault. EVERYTHING is Bush's fault. War in Iraq? Bush. AIDS in Africa? Bush. Gas shortage in 73-74? Bush. Dodgers lost the pennant? Bush. WWII? Bush. Civil War? Bush.
Yeah!
February 11, 2009 - 12:09 ET by jdubyaMy dog took a dump on my neighbor's lawn and he like started to yell at me about it and all "who's gonna pick this up, pal" and I was you know like "hey, you know, it's all Bush's fault n'sh*t!" and he was all you know like "wtf? that mother f&^%er Bush!"
Considering the fact
February 11, 2009 - 10:35 ET by klchadwickConsidering the fact that journalists did their best to get Obama elected (and a lot admitted as much), why would they want to report any of his short comings? They didn't during the primaries, they didn't during the general, they didn't after the election, they didn't before, during or after the inauguration that was upward of $140mil. Why would they start now?
They have too much invested and too much at stake to report any negatives and would be losing what credibility they have with the audiences that they still garner. After all, they were the one's that were tooting Obama's horn whenever they had the chance and bowing down to praise "The One". To not only indicate but publicly acknowledge that BO was/has been/is over rated, would be to proclaim that they were wrong and that he doesn't have all of the answers.
And since the media for the large part believe that they they did help elect "The Obamessiah" by way of their dissemination (or lack there of) of information to the American people, they would have to either fully acknowledge the part that they played or gasp...admit they were wrong. Oh the horror of it all!
OMG
February 11, 2009 - 12:23 ET by UpNorth"After all, they were the one's that were tooting Obama's horn whenever they had the chance and bowing down to praise "The One". I'm trying to get that image out of my mind, but it keeps returning. They bought him, and they're going to shove him down our throats, regardless what he actually does.
They never bothered to look into his background, work, grades or anything about him. Why would they admit they were lax then by doing anything like that now?
lest you forget
February 11, 2009 - 12:33 ET by AJBDon't forget about his phoney-baloney birth certificate :-)
The congress will outlaw the IRS before, we see COLB.
February 11, 2009 - 13:31 ET by upcountrywaterFREEDOM
(D)
Not only tooting his horn
February 11, 2009 - 18:47 ET by ahusserbut either believing or trying to make us believe he is some sort of holy man or divine presence. (If this AP photo is not scary then someone is not paying attention.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
The failure was in electing
February 11, 2009 - 10:40 ET by fitzfongThe failure was in electing Malibu Ken in the first place.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
Enough Already
February 11, 2009 - 10:45 ET by LynnObama, Obama, Obama - morning, noon and night.
I am sick of it and him. Yes, it's over!
The MSM feasted on Obama and now they can choke on it.
Changing my mind
February 11, 2009 - 11:14 ET by KC MulvilleI read this off a Drudge link yesterday, and I confess it's changing my mind. Let me describe what I think I read, and why he's persuasive.
If I have this right, he makes sense. The Titanic is going down, and we don't have enough life rafts. Better to save who we can.
My first thought is that it's going to be a tough sell to a president who believes that social equality in more important than profit. Remember Obama's argument against cutting capital gains tax? He was against it because it wasn't equally distributed, even if everyone did better than they were.
My second thought - who's got the "ideological blockage" now?
If I have this right, he
February 11, 2009 - 11:50 ET by Jack BauerOf course, in those days it was the weakest who were saved and the strongest who drowned. Just sayin'!
I think that Obama has
February 11, 2009 - 11:23 ET by ForeverOnTheRightI think that Obama has already shown his incompletency, and it deeply concerns me. Once this "sitmulus" bill goes through for better or worse, Obama owns whatever happens after, it is no longer Bush's fault.
I Beleive
February 11, 2009 - 11:34 ET by kilrodI beleive 0-Dumb-uh will/has fail/failed and will forcebly be removed from office well short of his first term. He aint nuthin but a "post turtle" to start with.
kilrod
.Remember, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
I usually don't quote Sean
February 11, 2009 - 12:49 ET by Chris NormanI usually don't quote Sean Hannity (he's just usually not that insightful), but something he said the other night struck me as spot on. He said to Greta Van Susteren that Obama struck him as someone who studied up on how to look and act presidential but has no idea how to be the president beyond the appearances.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
I sure HOPE he fails! The
February 11, 2009 - 13:22 ET by wiwfI sure HOPE he fails!
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
wiwf,
February 11, 2009 - 13:28 ET by Chris NormanI think his failures will become more and more apparent despite the media's best efforts to hide and diminish them. Obama's "presidential" demeanor will look more and more like Ted Baxter's "serious anchor" demeanor as the failures pile up - buffoonish.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris... Ted Baxter
February 11, 2009 - 13:32 ET by bigtimerChris...
Ted Baxter indeed....
Perfect!
I'll go along with Ted Baxter, but also want to throw
February 11, 2009 - 19:45 ET by Cape Conservativein Jack Bailey's name just for the fun of it ;-) Wasn't he the host of Queen for a Day? Remember watching that on our old black and white tv ;-)
I could NOT believe 'the one' told that woman to talk to his staff after her sob story! Wonder if the msm will follow through and find out how long she's been on welfare, did she and her son really look for work etc etc etc
Maybe he could call his buddy, Deval Patrick, to see if Aunt Zetuni's Boston public housing apartment is available. By the way, where is Aunt Zetuni? Why didn't we see her at the inauguration? Why didn't we see Barack's African grandmother featured during the inauguration coverage?
It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
CC... Like I heard Rush
February 11, 2009 - 19:50 ET by bigtimerCC...
Like I heard Rush mention today, O can't even contribute a Welcome mat for his step-brother in his hut....yet he is going to help all the masses be warm, comfy, have rainbows and lollipops...while his Aunt Petunia is most likely going to be exported to-boot.
Yup,
February 11, 2009 - 20:33 ET by UpNorthdead on, Ted Baxter reincarnated.
I have thought this all along...................
February 11, 2009 - 13:37 ET by BEGRUNTObama doesnt want the "job" of being POTUS........just the title and priviledge that come with it. As I have said before.........he is a clueless 10 year old playing dress up.
Good job America!!! One hell of a price to pay for "looking stylish" to the rest of the world.
"Blago got in touch with his inner dirt bag"
Dennis Miller
Wham-Bam!
February 11, 2009 - 14:51 ET by okiehawk44My wife and I believe Obama is trying to quickly pay off on his campaign promises so he can relax, maybe go on vacation, or to Camp David for some down time.
This guy has never really worked in his entire life, and wouldn't be able to recognize tiredness if it hit him in the face.
OK, I'll say it. OBAMA IS A LAZY MAN. Too bad he has a full-time job. He's getting tired and wants to put his feet up.
The scariest part of this man/child is.................
February 11, 2009 - 14:57 ET by BEGRUNThe has NO CLUE what is in his executive orders or bills he signs....NONE!!! That is why he can never answer with truthfulness or accuracy........like..."There are NO PORK earmarks in the stimulus". He is either a bold faced LIAR.......or he really doesnt know whats in there........That is SCARY!!!!
"Blago got in touch with his inner dirt bag"
Dennis Miller
Four long years
February 11, 2009 - 15:45 ET by Georgia GirlBEGRUNT,
You're right. What an earth-shattering price for America to pay, for just trying to "look stylish" and popular to the rest of the world. Frankly, I don't want a "cool" president -- give me a good, geeky one instead! Seriously, when has being cool been a great character trait in a president? It's the solid character and real leadership that matters to me.
At first, I was just incredibly angry that Obama was elected. Now I am just sad and totally disappointed. The disappointment comes from the knowledge that so many Americans bought into this phony-baloney Obama and really, truly voted him in! I'm still in shock that we are stuck with him for four years.
Speaking of which, does anybody want to give me some hope that this will JUST be for four years? I am already so Obama-weary...I just can't imagine eight years of this.
GG - I share your concerns.
February 11, 2009 - 20:00 ET by Cape ConservativeIf Julio and Henrietta are examples of the people who voted for Obama, of course we can understand why they did so...we, the hard-working, revenue-producing Americans are going to paying through the nose for people who have absolutely no sense whatsoever of taking responsibility for their own lives!
So far, the cabinet has proven to be one disastrous appointment after another. Yet the msm is silent!
When I first saw all those Republicans on the stage during the primaries, I realized we were going to end up with not the best candidate. The msm did its best to give us the worst man for the job. I hope before 2012, we have ONE STANDOUT LEADER to run...if we can do that, I believe we will limit this president to one term.
How I wish we could have SERIOUS election reform. It is NOT fair for New Hampshire or Iowa or for that matter any other state to decide who will be the candidate. With today's technology, we could easily schedule ONE PRIMARY date throughout the 50 states - I'd like 24 voting hours, with staggered start times so that all would begin and end at the same time! This past election certainly brought out the MANY POSSIBILITIES of FRAUD and I do not ever want a repeat performance.
Why can we not have an accounting of ACORN's illegal voter registrations - or an accounting of the MANY illegal donations to the Obama campaign? It's as if we live in a third world country! At least in Iraq they all had a purple finger to show they voted. I wonder how many fraudulent votes were cast in November. I guess we'll never know.
It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
CC -- Will YOU run?
February 11, 2009 - 22:07 ET by Georgia GirlI just got done reading your comment (time-stamped at 20.00)...I say Cape Conservative FOR PRESIDENT! :)Your comments are insightful, and sadly, it's your kind of common sense that has been thrown out the window by many Americans.
I guess we just have to stay involved and do what we can to keep an eye on Obama...an eye on the mass media...an eye on the Left Loonies...and an eye on the House and Senate. Wait, that's five eyes -- we can possible see everything!*_* Seriously though, I agree that the sooner a strong Republican front- runner is identified who we can all get behind, the better.
What do you think of Huckabee? I did meet the man in person at a book signing (for "Do the Right Thing"), and it's my impression that he is genuine, caring and engaged on the issues. I do like his values and have found he's got some good insight and practical solutions.
I know one thing -- I'd rest a lot easier if Huckabee was in the White House tonight. Shoot, I'd think I'd rest easier if even Clinton were in the White House. I know, that's sad. ^_^
Your kidding, right?
February 11, 2009 - 20:54 ET by general companySeriously, when has being cool been a great character trait in a president?
How do you think we got Bill Clinton? Oh, wait. : ]
Its going to be a bumpy ride. Keep calling your reps.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
I agree with Sean, Chris.
February 11, 2009 - 14:45 ET by SmartypantsI agree with Sean, Chris. I think Obama is all about appearances. This man cares more about how he looks in any given situation than the policies he is actually proposing. He wants to come across as the answer man (although he has few answers); he speaks in platitudes and empty statements with few specifics. These press conference folks are obvious plants to allow him to come across as a caring leader. Obama is the ultimate narcissist. He's in love with the idea of being president, but I'm not sure he knows what exactly to do with it.
Yes, exactly!...
February 11, 2009 - 15:16 ET by Georgia GirlChris,
That is exactly what I said to my husband about a week ago! It's like Obama is constantly playacting. I know that's why I find him so phony. It also explains all the things he does to keep himself propped up -- all the slimy people that he keeps surrounding himself with, and the insidious aspects to him.
Really, it would take a lot of deceit to keep up the delusion of Obama being a "real president"...he acts like he is just oh-so-cool, but I honestly think he is creepily controlling. I know this sounds petty, but the way he walks reminds me of somebody who is playacting like crazy -- trying to remember the "cool walk." I am serious when I ask: Does this guy even know who he IS?
It's like watching some big stage production, with magic tricks mixed in. Scary!
SCARY, INDEED!
February 11, 2009 - 20:02 ET by Cape ConservativeIt is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
The answer...
February 11, 2009 - 23:02 ET by talkradio55...is yes. Obama is slowing going down the tubes, but the sad thing is that he is taking the country with him. As Sean Hannity said and I believe that Rush made the same observation, Obama just likes being called the president. Having never had a real job, Obama just likes being important and not having to do any actual work. That's why he let Princess Pelosi and Dingy Harry do the work on the non-stimulus bill. He lets the media do his dirty work on slandering his opposition. His overswelled head let 62 million Americans down the primrose path and now its leading them down the tubes.