When our leaders don't have a clue

Last night President Obama held his first press conference to plead for passage of his economic stimulus bill. He also made it clear that left-leaning media will get preferential treatment, which I guess is payback for open bias on their part during his election.

As I watched the former Senator turned most powerful man in the world passionately talk about his $800 billion plus bill, I couldn't help but feel that he, nor anyone at the White House or Congress, has a clue how to counter our free falling economy. They are doing something, but do you think they really have a clue whether it will work, or is it more a PR move to make us all think it will work.

By the same token, elections were held today in Israel for the next government. As of this writing, centrist Kadima party candidate Tzipi Livni is edging past Bibi Natenyahu, the favorite. Bibi was prime minister once before and Tzipi has been in the current government for a number of years. Both talk about how they will being peace to Israel. Do you believe either knows?

Leaders need to make their flock feel good. Too bad it is more PR than substance.

Obama Puts Worst Foot Forward

It's just a couple of weeks since Obama took office and he is off to a disastrous start. Nominating cabinet appointees who don't want to pay their taxes isn't exactly setting the example Obama promised us.

First Richardson drops out because of shady bond deals in Arizona. Then Geithner reveals he oops forgot to pay his taxes, but coughed up the money and all is forgiven. Now Daschle seems to have the same problem with tax amnesia and has dropped out.

Yesterday the president sat down with five networks to say he "screwed up." A brilliant PR move on his part, admitting he was wrong and promising to set things right. Other presidents would have made excuses and stonewalled.

Regardless of what you think of Obama, he has a good sense of portraying an honest and decent image -- until the next screw up at least.

What Voters Really Want

If a selection committee was charged to pick the next president -- like choosing the CEO of a corporation -- John McCain would win hands down. He has the experience, the character and everything else that qualifies him for the job.

But presidents are not selected by committees, they are voted in by the American public, and the American public is not as discerning as a committee of professionals.

We as Americans often vote charm, charisma, looks and personality over intellect, experience and values. That's why people like George Bush (the father) who was perhaps the most qualified person to assume the presidency, gets booted out of office by a charismatic Governor of one of the poorest states in the country. That's why a good-looking upstart like John Kennedy could beat incumbent vice-president Richard Nixon.

It's not about experience, talent, intellect or ability.

We are a nation of starry-eyed celebrity watchers. Our heroes are sports figures, movie stars, recording artists and the super-rich. We don't care for what a person has accomplished, rather, we care how someone looks on camera.

And that's why we always get what we deserve.

Can I Show You Something In a Medium?

From Drudge:

Barack Obama

With a week to go until the Texas and Ohio primaries, stressed Clinton staffers circulated a photo over the weekend of a "dressed" Barack Obama.

The photo, taken in 2006, shows the Democrat frontrunner fitted as a Somali Elder, during his visit to Wajir, a rural area in northeastern Kenya.

The senator was on a five-country tour of Africa.

Are Polls Ever Wrong?

From USA Today:
The air of inevitability that once surrounded Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton has shifted to challenger Barack Obama. In a new national USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, those surveyed predict by 73%-20% that Obama will be the Democratic nominee.

Do You Feel Outraged?

Just a few days ago when Hillary and Obama debated in San Antonio, Hillary sensed that going for jugular was not earning her any points. So she ended the "debate" taking the high ground and saying how "honored" she is to be running against Obama.

Now the gloves are off again and the desperation has set in. And, Hillary wants every Democrat to be outraged!! Why, because she might lose? Don't all of us have more important things on our minds beside Hillary Clinton's political ambitions?

Not to her, I guess.

From the LA Times:
CINCINNATI -- In a move to salvage her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Rodham Clinton adopted a newly bellicose tone toward rival Barack Obama on Saturday, saying he was making false and shameful attacks on her record.

The New York senator mocked Obama's speaking skills and his power to draw tens of thousands of supporters to rallies that have dwarfed her more modest events. Clinton scolded Obama for two campaign mailings that she described as distortions of her positions on healthcare and trade.

"Enough with the speeches and the big rallies, and then using tactics right out of Karl Rove's playbook," she said, alluding to President Bush's chief political advisor. "This is wrong, and every Democrat should be outraged."