The Perfect Summation...

White House bimbo Valarie Jarrett sums up Barack Obama's novel concept of presidential leadership perfectly:

"President Obama checked in with the leadership over the weekend and he hears from Senator Reid that there is a lot of support for Ben Bernanke. We are confident that the chairman will be confirmed," Jarrett said, echoing a sentiment expressed by her colleague White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, who hit the airwaves on "Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace."

What a remarkable choice of words: "Checked in".

You know, presidents really shouldn't be seen as checking in on anything. Checking in is what you do when you're a kid and you want to have dinner at Jimmy's house. Checking in is what you do when you're a teen-ager and you want to stay out half and hour past your curfew. Checking in is what you do when you're an adult and you want to stop in for a drink with the guys before coming home for dinner. Checking in is what you do when you're a geezer and you have to be in your room when the nurse comes around with your meds at 8 o'clock.

So the real question is this: Did Obama wait for Harry's permission before speaking?

And these people can't understand why - all of the sudden -  nobody's taking Bambi seriously anymore.

Comments

[JeffS]

I've had commanding officers "check in", Dennis. That happened when they thought it too much of a bother to actually be at their post during tight or critical situations. They might have a party, or a meeting, to attend instead.

Not so oddly, those C.O.'s were viewed as losers by most people in the command.

[Simon]

You're on a roll Dennis.

Wouldn't you think Bambi would be taking this opportunity to lead ? Surely he sees how panicky the horses are getting. Either throw Bernie under the bus or keep him on - the crucial thing is that it has to look like Bambi is making the call.

So why is he 'checking in' and saying he is 'confident...' ? Because he has absolutely no power over the Congress, even on a crucial issue like this.

Finished.