Merry-go-round: Administration's whirlwind style does not foster confidence

There is something to be said for youthful exuberance -- the kind that puts energy and "can-do" attitudes on the forefront while sending caution to the wind.

And in a sense, Washington could use more people who spend less time bemoaning the fact that there is a lot of work to be done and more who actually decide to put their shoulders to the grindstone and do something about it.

But when it comes to being president, you kind of have to have a list of priorities. You cannot scatter shot five to 10 different issues -- especially when you have the highest national debt ever and millions of people who cannot find jobs.

You have to decide that Jobs are Priority 1, nothing else, just jobs. And you have to attack that issue and any other issue that directly relates to it.

When you are finished with that task -- or have it well along the way -- then you take up something else unrelated and start working on that.

That's what you do when your first priority is being a leader and doing what is right for your country -- and when you have the maturity and experience to know that patience and focus are key factors when you are trying to get something done.

When you are not sure about your standing with your base, and you are a little worried that you might not have the votes you need to get anything done, you flail -- attacking every issue within a 5-mile radius and really getting nothing done in the process.

And therein lies the key problem now for President Barack Obama.

At a time when the country has signaled it wants something done -- now -- about the economy, he is allowing his staffers to launch a study of the policy of gays in the military.

Why now? Is that what should be occupying anyone's attention right now? Is that mission critical when this nation is facing concerns about defense spending and other budget items?

President Obama needs to focus -- and soon -- on what his constituents want him to consider a priority -- putting this country back to work and getting its economic house back in order.

And, for now, that should be Job 1 -- and only.

Published in Editorials on February 2, 2010 10:48 AM