In watching the past couple weeks, it seems that Obama's wave of popularity might eventually crest. Eventually meaning very soon. The wave that carried him through the elections and into his inauguration is being stymied by the persistent upheaval of the US economy. The other aspect that will force his popularity to wane is the unrealistic expectations that are placed upon him by the American public that put him into office.
Obama is most likely a good man, but a man none the less. What we are going through is a cycle. (See R. H. Migliore's article in the Tulsa World on this.) Though Obama is painting a picture that this is "the end of the world unless something happens" and his is the best and only plan to go with is ridiculous. If anything we have learned in the past decade is that rushing to "fix" what's wrong has not lead to the proper solutions. Regardless of your political views, and whether it be Afghanistan, Iraq to the TARP funding that ended with no oversight and no one who rapidly approved the bill is able to tell us where the money actually went. Taking time to protect the taxpayers investment into our nation and economy is not a fruitless endeavor and should be of the utmost concern.
Obama is correct, this is not a time for "business as usual" attitude in Washington. Both sides have been jockeying for what they believe. Facts are facts and there is pork placed in this bill that has no place to be there. Now is not the time for this.
Obama should also be taking a more stoic position in his media interviews as a President. He should not be relying on catch phrases and public jabs to the opposing party, as well as the speeches that brought him to where he is to carry him forward. Change was his promise and this is a change that is needed. The media can and will dote on his words and how he chooses them carefully and the 30 different diluted meanings that may or may not have been purposed by the President. But only actions will bring the resolution that the American public desperatly desires. Actions, not words may and should be his legacy. That he was a great leader and decisive with proper actions, not that he was a great speaker.
America is watching, and our attention spans, none the less our patience is not as long as it used to be in terms of historic events and challenges that we face.
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