The Paralyzed President

Many pundits have analyzed Obama's lack of emotional connection. His recent multiple appearances only underscore that he is in neutral while the rest of us are in high or low gear. He seems hamstrung. The word that is being bandied about is feckless. Unless he shows more juice, more intensity, more leadership he is going back to Chicago in 2012. I think the markets have tumbled in part because of European Debt Crisis, our debt ceiling muddle, and the stalled economy. But most of all there is a lack of confidence in the President. He let the tea party run right over him. The middle is not working. Maybe he should try to show some spine. In my mind, he'll be worse than Jimmy Carter if this continues.

Spiraling Down

To all but a small band of very wealthy Americans, the country is in a state of stagnation. Any stall or downward spiral of the economy could cause a very bad double dip recession. The President is reduced to talking about 100,000 jobs for veterans if he gets business support. This is a drop in the bucket. He spent far too much time on his health reform plan and its passage, and far too little energy, political capital or money on a jobs program. We've got the worst structural unemployment problem (millions out for over 40 weeks)since 1952. We can all abandon hope because that train has left the station. Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride to November 2012.