I Said No More Earmarks, Starting .... Now! OK .... Now! I Really Mean It This Time!
On the campaign trail, Obama promised that he would not tolerate earmarks and pork projects. Well, he is finally putting his foot down. No more pork!
"[Such bills] will not happen when the president has the full legislative and appropriations process in place," Peter Orszag, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, told CNN's "State of the Union with John King."Of course, this comes only after passing a trillion dollars worth of pork, including some 10,000 earmark items.
Obama will keep his promise to not allow pork and earmarks -- starting, uh, tomorrow!
A Yankee Swap in King Obama's Court
As for foreign policy, Team Obama has shown its cluelessness in two "presents" given to foreign dignitaries.
When British Prime Minister Gordon Brown came to Washington to visit Obama, Brown delivered a set of very thoughtful and meaningful gifts for Obama, including a wooden pen-holder made of wood from the anti-slave ship Gannet.
In exchange, Obama gave Brown some DVDs -- a gift that the London Daily Mirror called "as exciting as a pair of socks." Obama must have dispatched some intern to the Wal-Mart for a few flicks as a gift to a man blind in one eye and going blind in the other, who might not be able to play the DVDs as European players use a different format. Classy move from one who is supposed to be the hippest president ever.But, in Obama's defence, Brown is a hard guy to buy for, giving away the cool bomber jacket given by George W. Bush.
Maybe that's why Obama returned to England a loaner bust of Churchill given to us after 9/11.
If you don't like Churchill (and Obama seems to have reason), put the bust in Clinton's little tryst space or force Joe Biden to hold it for awhile over at the Naval Observatory.
At least Obama's team didn't need to figure out what Brown might like for supper. No white tie for this guy:
Has the financial crisis become so bad that the White House could not afford a casserole?But, Obama dispatched someone to the White House gift shop for toy models of the president's helicopter for Brown's kids.
For Instant Peace in the World, Press HERE!
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a puzzling gift to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavro a big red "Reset" button, so the U.S. and Russia can "reset our relationship." Clinton and Lavro then pushed the button together.
You've got to be kidding me! Next, Clinton will stop by Staples on the way to a Palestinian/Israeli negotiation to pick up a couple of "That Was Easy" buttons. Yikes.Besides, I thought we didn't want the Russians pressing the red button.
But, I Am Soooooo Tired!
But, all these gaffes and rookie mistakes can be excused because Obama and his skeletal team are tired.
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.Poor baby. And to think, people used to make fun of President Reagan's reported napping. Sounds like he had the right idea.
Who Knew That Being President was a Full-Time Job?
Being president is not like being a Senator; the president actually has responsibilities!
Oh, but he has so much to do!
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.How could Obama possibly have known that the President of the United States might have a thing or two on his plate to deal with. And to think, some of us thought Obama didn't have enough experience to be president.
At least he won't fall asleep regarding the War on Terror.
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".It's just a good thing that nothing important is going on elsewhere in the world, eh?
After all, the Taliban in Afghanistan just need a good talking to. They're basically decent people, too.
Help Wanted. Only Tax Cheats Need Apply
But, it's not Obama's fault. He just hasn't had the chance to hire enough people yet, it seems.
Of the 15 key Treasury Department positions that require Senate confirmation, only one has been filled. Stuart Levey, a leftover from the previous administration, who as under secretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence...A surprising number of Obama appointees still haven't had a Senate hearing, and most of those aren't even schedule yet.
Besides, Obama and his administration are busy attacking major media figures like Rush Limbaugh, Rick Santelli and Jim Cramer. How dare you question the president!
But, I guess that's what happens when you hire the PC Guy to be your press secretary.
Does anybody have a Reset button for the November elections?
