On the run today. Yesterday, as Tom Daschle was flaming out, I asked Robert Gibbs if it was harder to change Washington than either he or his boss had thought it might be. He basically replied, We never said we could do this overnight. That sidestepped the question of whether President Obama could transform Washington by picking longtime insiders to help him run Washington? But as Dana Milbank in The Washington Post notes in Wednesday's paper--referring to my exchange with Gibbs--the president offered a more straightforward reply to a similar query:
Darn, It's Hard To Change Washington
David Corn of Mother Jones asked Gibbs whether it's "more difficult than you or the president imagined to actually change the ways of Washington?"
"I think the president would say to you that he didn't believe that we were going to change the way Washington has worked the past three decades in the first two weeks of this administration," the press secretary replied.
But the president, returning to the White House from his "Moon Over Stars" reading, had a more thoughtful response when he sat down with the network anchors.
"I made a mistake," he told CNN's [Anderson] Cooper. "I campaigned on change in Washington, bottom-up politics, and I don't want to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of standards, one for powerful people and one for ordinary folks who are working everyday and paying taxes."
Well said.
Indeed. But the issue is not just failing to pay taxes. Perhaps Obama and his aides will ponder what message is sent when they tap for administration jobs other Washington insiders who have used the city's revolving door to turn public service into private fortunes.
CORN ON HARDBALL.I'm scheduled to be on the show on Wednesday night. The question: Is the Obama presidency already a failure? Or something a little less dramatic than that.
You can follow my postings and media appearances via Twitter.com by clicking here.
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Comments
DC,
"Is the Obama presidency already a failure?"
And you expect to be taken seriously?
It's been two weeks.
lolololo
Posted by: capt
| February 4, 2009 12:14 PM
I agree with Capt - are you kidding? Already a failure after 2 weeks? Come on David - really!
Posted by: flan
| February 4, 2009 4:00 PM
Change Washington?
Its perfect.
Washington State, that is.
:-)
Posted by: David B. Benson
| February 4, 2009 6:16 PM
In regards to the Stimulus controversy, some in the media, earning cushy salaries, unaffected by the impending crisis, asks what's the rush? But, thank God, there is a new Sherrif in town as President Obama takes his fight to the people. He understands the American people are hurting and needs help NOW!
Not unexepectedly, the GOP cry loudly, that that is not the way for Pres. Obama to win -- taking it to the airwaves, (however, he tried being diplomatic and nice)! They don't want him to fight -- to Expose their phony objections and impediment to this catastrophe. They don't want light but President Obama believes in transparency, and there is no time to lose in this situation. This patient, the U.S. economy, needs emergency care, now. Thank God, a new Sheriff is in town and President Obama is fighting for You. This country has waited long enough for a blood transfusion, and the time is now!
This is not about Pork, as GOP wants you to believe -- this is about the saving of our economy, our way of life. America is crumbling all around us and the GOP wants to play political games, as usual!
Republicans' new talking points regarding stimulus - is that polling shows the American people are against this Stimulus! What planet do they live on. By the day, Blue and White collar workers are losing thier jobs, homes, cars. They are resorting to food and bread lines; unemployment compensation and food stamps (by the way the GOP calls this Welfare). The American people are hurting and the GOP are playing political games -- let's damage the President, instead of putting their time and care on the crisis looming large for the American people. At least for Once!
We must remember, that when the GOP were in control they held no oversight hearings on anything, they did not increase the minimum wage, their concern was not about our crumbling bridges or dirty air, water, contimanted food or Ponsy Schemes that robbed people of millions.
We will know what to do in 2010.
Posted by: bacaangel
| February 6, 2009 8:21 AM
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