One of the biggest problems I see with all of the commentary from all sides is that everyone is trying to make a judgement of the Obama Administration's actions based on single snapshots and simply can't wait to look at a series of actions within a larger framework. It's really bizarre. What happened to critical analysis in this country. Oh, yes, we don't teach that anymore. Why can't people simply stop and realize they're working through many items and just because something hasn't happened doesn't mean that it won't. It's just a matter of time for those Wall Street CEO's. Rick Wagoner from GM should have been removed by GM awhile back.

ever think of THAT?

Sorry to nitpick, but I hate it when we use the word casually that way. In spite of what the root of the term seems to imply (split mind), it isn't about conflicting personalities within a single person. It's tossed around all the time as a cheap and easy metaphor for "self contradictory," and that use of the term contributes to a massive misunderstanding of a disease that affects millions of people. Schizophrenia - actual schizophrenia - means having delusions, hallucinations, and other disturbances of cognition, speech, mood, and behavior. It is not multiple personality disorder/disassociative identity disorder.

Of course, it occurs to no one that Obama is consciously trying to navigate a middle path here. Perhaps even making tough decisions that are unpopular for the fate of the economy? Oh no, he couldn't possibly be making these decisions out of rational appraisal of the facts. He must be a commie stooge. Or wall street stooge. Whatever. Lets make him whatever we want, just as long as we can stay angry! Yay!

When Obama selected his Treasury Secretary and economic advisers, the jury lost all doubt; he is with the fascists. Hopefully, he will use his massive intellect to see the error of his advisers' ways and change course (in spite of current circumstances, it is comforting to have an intelligent individual in the White House).

I am genuinely ashamed to come from in the same country as nihilist rampaging Republicans. They take both sides of every issue, such as spending in Eye-Rack versus spending in the USA, such as encouraging Toyota and Honda while strangling GM and Chrysler, but still crowing about buying American, such as murdering Eye-Rackees but not even allowing stem cell research...

Republicans act as if their wars and economic destruction were just normal cute political shenanigans. They refuse to be tricked by logic. They squeeze their eyes and grin like maniacs while they spout cliches in painful accents and bad grammar.

"I am sorely tempted to argue that anyone who can inspire such fear and loathing from both the extreme right and left has got to be doing something right." - alex

Yeah, he's probably doing something right, but it sure isn't "making good political appointments."

In addition to all the democrats who didn't pay their taxes, and bill richardson (who's a crook), now we have a nominee for the Sec. of Navy who taped conversations between his wife and their priest (while they were going through a divorce).

And you guys worry about the NSA listening in on pizza order.

Obama's judgement with regard to political appointees has been horrible.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/us/politics/30mabus.html?_r=1

The explanation for President Obama's having to duck both right and left shots may be fairly simple. It may be that he is a pragmatist, not an ideologue, who is listening to his advisors, analyzing his options, and making imperfect choices that have the best odds of success, defined as preventing a deeper recession/depression and setting the stage for a recovery. This is what he tells us if we bother to listen, and this is what his brief history as a legislator suggests. He is not left or right. He is a liberal pragmatist.

In short, the simplest explanation may be the right one.

I am sorely tempted to argue that anyone who can inspire such fear and loathing from both the extreme right and left has got to be doing something right.

Ah yes, the traditional cop out of the media. Looking to take over for Howard Kurtz or sumthin' like that?

Sorry Mr. Leonard, but no. I am flabbergasted first off by your apparent belief that there is some sort of extreme left with a voice in our political discourse. There isn't and if you don't know that, you really may have been too long at this station. Time for some fresh air.

The uproar over what is happening to the autoworkers is based in the complete and utter disparity of the treatment being doled out by Obama as opposed to the obscene sums thrown at the investment banks and banking conglomerates. The automakers may or may not be viable in the long term, but then again, their odds of being viable are at least as good as those facing AIG, Citigroup and (if not for all the taxpayer money laundered through multiple channels), Government Sachs.

Opposition from both ends of the spectrum is, in my opinion, far more likely to be indicative that something is way wrong with the Obama plan and not, as you seem to feel, some contra-indicator proving its rightness.

Geez!

Autos, trucks and heavy equipment.

We are taking a beating this year.

The founder of my company, who knows a thing or two about the Big 3 from the inside, had this to say about Obama's stance:

"Ballsy and right on target."

Obama has been in office for just over two months and got handed the biggest turd of a situation in quite some time. I'm a bit concerned about the influence of establishment Wall Street in his White House, but can we please give the guy a couple more months?

I continue to think that Obama is very deliberate and patient. I see some things here that, in addition to being tough love for the auto industry, may be setting him up for bank and health care strategies as well.

I've had my disappointments so far, but I still think Obama's pretty damn good.