On Friday I returned from a delightful sojourn in the Federal Republic of Germany, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.
And what a change has come over the homeland in those five weeks!
When I left, Barack Obama was still flying high. His administration was confidently insisting that Congress pass a sweeping nationalization of health care and do it within a week - or else.
Now, on that front and many others, the president finds himself stymied. Listening to the news on Armed Forces Radio is a surreal experience - often they go with A.P. Radio News or CBS, which means it's highly partisan and usually suspect.
When Obama went on his week-long vacation to Martha's Vineyard, I was amused to hear how there would be no, repeat, no media events all week.
Of course this pledge, like all others, promptly was rendered moot with the oddly-timed announcement that Ben Bernake - who's term expires but a short four months from now - will be renominated as the Federal Reserve chairman. This from an administration that is fighting two wars without a permanent Secretary of the Army.
It will be interesting to see if his administration will continue to thrash about. I doubt it - eventually even George W. Bush's ratings found a bottom despite his equally inept press relations. To be fair, of course, Bush had the entire press corps out to get him.
On the other hand, Obama clearly overerestimates that ability (if not the willingness) of his followers in the media to carry water for him.
Finally, thanks to T.Mo for keeping this site going in my absence. It is much appreciated.
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