March 9, 2009 7:52 PM
Obama - was he really ready for the job?
From NRO (National Review Online). the Campaign Spot, Jim Geraghty reporting:
Sunday, March 08, 2009
BARACK OBAMA
'Obama is overwhelmed.'
Perhaps it's just some Obama ally speaking out of school. But these are probably some of the most terrifying words to come from an unidentified source in some time:
Sources close to the White House say Mr Obama and his staff have been "overwhelmed" by the economic meltdown and have voiced concerns that the new president is not getting enough rest.
British officials, meanwhile, admit that the White House and US State Department staff were utterly bemused by complaints that the Prime Minister should have been granted full-blown press conference and a formal dinner, as has been customary. They concede that Obama aides seemed unfamiliar with the expectations that surround a major visit by a British prime minister.
But Washington figures with access to Mr Obama's inner circle explained the slight by saying that those high up in the administration have had little time to deal with international matters, let alone the diplomatic niceties of the special relationship.
Allies of Mr Obama say his weary appearance in the Oval Office with Mr Brown illustrates the strain he is now under, and the president's surprise at the sheer volume of business that crosses his desk.
A well-connected Washington figure, who is close to members of Mr Obama's inner circle, expressed concern that Mr Obama had failed so far to "even fake an interest in foreign policy".
A British official conceded that the furore surrounding the apparent snub to Mr Brown had come as a shock to the White House. "I think it's right to say that their focus is elsewhere, on domestic affairs. A number of our US interlocutors said they couldn't quite understand the British concerns and didn't get what that was all about."
The American source said: "Obama is overwhelmed. There is a zero sum tension between his ability to attend to the economic issues and his ability to be a proactive sculptor of the national security agenda.
"That was the gamble these guys made at the front end of this presidency and I think they're finding it a hard thing to do everything."
It's at moments like this I'm reminded of this assessment of Obama, back in 2007: "I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training."
That assessment came from . . . Vice President Joe Biden.
Posted in Obama Nation | Permalink
Comments
Don't know about Obama. I hear he's doing fine, energy wise. But the big issue right now is Geithner, Barbara. His cabinet is severely under staffed and they are not getting many comers for the job. This is a serious situation, because of so much being done right now to try to shore up the economy.
Posted by: Cath Young | March 9, 2009 8:13 PM
Every day, every new piece of bad news, I just can't believe HE is our president.
I keep hoping that I'll wake up and he won't be there. Well, not really, but I think you know what I mean.
I still can't hardly believe that someone so incapable is the leader of the free world!
I'm so glad that God is a God of miracles......I think we could use one or two or .....
Posted by: von | March 10, 2009 12:13 AM
I just pray for the holy spirit to work in Washington...
Posted by: Lisa | March 10, 2009 4:52 PM
