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Washington diary: Doing too much? Washington diary: Doing too much?
(3 days later)
By Matt Frei BBC News, Washington Washington can barely discuss anything else.By Matt Frei BBC News, Washington Washington can barely discuss anything else.
Is Mr Obama attempting to tackle too many problems at once Is Mr Obama attempting to tackle too many problems at once?
They are much bigger than expected; they bulge more than any of their forerunners; they frighten some and delight others; unseemly, bionic, threatening or reassuring. These are just some of the comments and adjectives bouncing around the ether.They are much bigger than expected; they bulge more than any of their forerunners; they frighten some and delight others; unseemly, bionic, threatening or reassuring. These are just some of the comments and adjectives bouncing around the ether.
I am, of course, not talking about the bailout or stimulus packages, but Michelle Obama's impressive biceps, triceps and abs, popping out of sleeveless dresses as if they were North Korean missiles waiting for launch.I am, of course, not talking about the bailout or stimulus packages, but Michelle Obama's impressive biceps, triceps and abs, popping out of sleeveless dresses as if they were North Korean missiles waiting for launch.
Just why the First Lady is not allowed to display an absence of flab, when much of the country spends hours each week at the coal-face of bodily perfection, is beyond me.Just why the First Lady is not allowed to display an absence of flab, when much of the country spends hours each week at the coal-face of bodily perfection, is beyond me.
The real point is that the Obamas at Number 1600 have become "The Incredibles" in the White House. While the First Lady is doing push ups, serving meals at soup kitchens and posing for Vogue, the president is busy rearranging the political furniture of the nation as if this was a marathon edition of Extreme Makeover USA.The real point is that the Obamas at Number 1600 have become "The Incredibles" in the White House. While the First Lady is doing push ups, serving meals at soup kitchens and posing for Vogue, the president is busy rearranging the political furniture of the nation as if this was a marathon edition of Extreme Makeover USA.
And Lord only knows what the First Puppy will be capable of.And Lord only knows what the First Puppy will be capable of.
'Nero-esque''Nero-esque'
The rumbling this week has been that after a mere 50 days in the job, Barack Obama is doing more than most presidents cram into one term, while riding roughshod over the nation's sensibilities.The rumbling this week has been that after a mere 50 days in the job, Barack Obama is doing more than most presidents cram into one term, while riding roughshod over the nation's sensibilities.
As David Brooks put it in the New York Times: "Republicans could argue that it is Nero-esque for Democrats to be planning extensive renovations when the house is still on fire."As David Brooks put it in the New York Times: "Republicans could argue that it is Nero-esque for Democrats to be planning extensive renovations when the house is still on fire."
He may have a point, but you could also argue that if the Democrats are Nero, the Republicans are behaving like Caligula with a barrel of petrol, dousing the flames with fuel rather than coming up with any genuine alternatives.He may have a point, but you could also argue that if the Democrats are Nero, the Republicans are behaving like Caligula with a barrel of petrol, dousing the flames with fuel rather than coming up with any genuine alternatives.
The Obama administration has always seen this crisis as an opportunity to hasten its realisation of the American make-over. On that score the president is living up to his election promises.The Obama administration has always seen this crisis as an opportunity to hasten its realisation of the American make-over. On that score the president is living up to his election promises.
Just as the new administration is hurling around figures of cash that look like bogus telephone numbers, the American public is counting the penniesJust as the new administration is hurling around figures of cash that look like bogus telephone numbers, the American public is counting the pennies
Whether it is healthcare, education or immigration reform, the White House insists that these fundamental issues have languished for decades, gathering mould, because the impetus for change was too weak to survive the dead hand of Congress.Whether it is healthcare, education or immigration reform, the White House insists that these fundamental issues have languished for decades, gathering mould, because the impetus for change was too weak to survive the dead hand of Congress.
Inertia maintains the status quo, delighting the special interest groups, the administration argues. So the new president's team is determined to seize the day: "Carpe diem" might as well be emblazoned on the North Facade of the White House.Inertia maintains the status quo, delighting the special interest groups, the administration argues. So the new president's team is determined to seize the day: "Carpe diem" might as well be emblazoned on the North Facade of the White House.
They have a point. The president's political capital is still high.They have a point. The president's political capital is still high.
The last Democratic president wasted precious time doing too little, too late. The Republicans are floundering on a rudderless, listing ship weighed down by an elephant called Rush.The last Democratic president wasted precious time doing too little, too late. The Republicans are floundering on a rudderless, listing ship weighed down by an elephant called Rush.
Healthcare, education, the moribund infrastructure, to name but a few, all need urgent attention.Healthcare, education, the moribund infrastructure, to name but a few, all need urgent attention.
If they are not addressed now, the moment may have passed.If they are not addressed now, the moment may have passed.
And "carpe diem" has always been Mr Obama's mantra.And "carpe diem" has always been Mr Obama's mantra.
During the campaign, he gave the impression of being measured and sober-minded. But the 47-year-old president has also always combined thoughtfulness with the urgency of now. He is an impatient man.During the campaign, he gave the impression of being measured and sober-minded. But the 47-year-old president has also always combined thoughtfulness with the urgency of now. He is an impatient man.
Hopelessly confusedHopelessly confused
I remember talking to one of his oldest friends in Chicago - Ivory Mitchell - a powerful voice in the African-American politics of Mr Obama's home town.I remember talking to one of his oldest friends in Chicago - Ivory Mitchell - a powerful voice in the African-American politics of Mr Obama's home town.
Shortly after Mr Obama was elected to the US Senate, Mr Ivory had seven hours of knee surgery.Shortly after Mr Obama was elected to the US Senate, Mr Ivory had seven hours of knee surgery.
"I had barely woken up when I had Barack on the phone telling me how he was going to run for president. I said, Barack: 'Not so fast! You only just got into the Senate'. But he was determined - 'My time has come!', he said.""I had barely woken up when I had Barack on the phone telling me how he was going to run for president. I said, Barack: 'Not so fast! You only just got into the Senate'. But he was determined - 'My time has come!', he said."
Mrs Obama's bare arms have been the subject of much debateMrs Obama's bare arms have been the subject of much debate
Mr Obama's character is in perfect synch with the avalanche of policy pouring out of the White House.Mr Obama's character is in perfect synch with the avalanche of policy pouring out of the White House.
But here is the danger. Just as the new administration is hurling around spending figures that look like bogus telephone numbers, the American public is counting the pennies, treading carefully, preserving scraps, allergic to any gambles.But here is the danger. Just as the new administration is hurling around spending figures that look like bogus telephone numbers, the American public is counting the pennies, treading carefully, preserving scraps, allergic to any gambles.
The savings ratio is finally up. Uncle Sam has rediscovered the joys of parsimony. He is forgoing that Starbucks Latte, flat screen TV or new car because he is afraid of what the future might bring.The savings ratio is finally up. Uncle Sam has rediscovered the joys of parsimony. He is forgoing that Starbucks Latte, flat screen TV or new car because he is afraid of what the future might bring.
And he is hopelessly confused. He cannot tell Bailout One from Bailout Two; Tarp 1 from ARRA (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) which, anyway, all sound like exotic creatures from another planet.And he is hopelessly confused. He cannot tell Bailout One from Bailout Two; Tarp 1 from ARRA (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) which, anyway, all sound like exotic creatures from another planet.
He is not sure where the stimulus package ends and the budget begins. Was that billions, trillions or gazillions the administration was spending? And how long will it take for these astronomical numbers to start making a recognisable difference?He is not sure where the stimulus package ends and the budget begins. Was that billions, trillions or gazillions the administration was spending? And how long will it take for these astronomical numbers to start making a recognisable difference?
Master storytellerMaster storyteller
The administration's narrative is beginning to sound as confusing and complex as the Mahabharata, when America really wants Slumdog Millionaire, a simple tale of endurance triumphing over adversity.The administration's narrative is beginning to sound as confusing and complex as the Mahabharata, when America really wants Slumdog Millionaire, a simple tale of endurance triumphing over adversity.
The big question is whether, in its desire to reform everything, the White House has spent too little time and attention on the most crucial issue: reviving the financial system.The big question is whether, in its desire to reform everything, the White House has spent too little time and attention on the most crucial issue: reviving the financial system.
The swelling ranks of critical economists seem to think so. The administration has been chewing on this problem for months but so far no clear line seems to have been drawn to determine exactly which banks should be allowed to sink or swim - why?The swelling ranks of critical economists seem to think so. The administration has been chewing on this problem for months but so far no clear line seems to have been drawn to determine exactly which banks should be allowed to sink or swim - why?
Timothy Geithner may be a very clever chap, who knows a lot about banking, but working with a skeleton team on skeletal sleep, his eyes bulging like an alien from planet Tarp, he is unable to tell his story at a time when compelling stories are as important as numbers. It's the psychology, stupid!Timothy Geithner may be a very clever chap, who knows a lot about banking, but working with a skeleton team on skeletal sleep, his eyes bulging like an alien from planet Tarp, he is unable to tell his story at a time when compelling stories are as important as numbers. It's the psychology, stupid!
This administration has a master storyteller. He is called Barack Obama. It should turn to him more often on the vital issue of the banks.This administration has a master storyteller. He is called Barack Obama. It should turn to him more often on the vital issue of the banks.
If America were a patient, then the eager surgeons in the White House have been resetting broken limbs (healthcare), cutting out a few malignant tumours (education), while also performing a nose job (lifting the ban on stem cell research).If America were a patient, then the eager surgeons in the White House have been resetting broken limbs (healthcare), cutting out a few malignant tumours (education), while also performing a nose job (lifting the ban on stem cell research).
They have been doing all this desirable stuff, while leaving the all-important heart (the banking system) to flutter perilously and the entire patient in mortal danger.They have been doing all this desirable stuff, while leaving the all-important heart (the banking system) to flutter perilously and the entire patient in mortal danger.
Matt Frei is the presenter of BBC World News America which airs every weekday on BBC News, BBC World News and BBC America (for viewers outside the UK only).Matt Frei is the presenter of BBC World News America which airs every weekday on BBC News, BBC World News and BBC America (for viewers outside the UK only).
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