OCTOBER DAZE

As I encounter my usual news and opinion sources, papers, televison programs, comments from friends and associates it seems clear that the dominant theme for this fall is impatience, especially impatience with the gestation of this nine month old presidency of Mr. Obama. There was an almost universal air of excitement when he and his family watched the inaugaration parade and we saw them enter their new home together.

Certainly by now the President should have solved the issue of a failing world economy, how many world crises? - Iraq, Iran, Afganistan, Pakistan, North Korea- the campaign promise of a much-needed reform of the health care system with the attendant issue of a public option in health insurance, plus, how many other things? Oh yes, America's standing in world opinion, though the latest reports indicate we are back to number one.
It's only the Rightists on our shores who publically admit they keep hoping our President will fail in every way.

We often hear the old political science class wisdom that some people make good candidates and run well, and others can govern well when they are installed in office, but many can only do one or the other. Was Barack Obama simply an attractive and inspiring candidate, but now a weak leader? One recurring criticism about the stalled health care plan is that he simply threw this to the warring Congress and is sitting back waiting for them to solve the conlicted positions on things like single payer and the public option. That's depending on a solution from an Institution that is rated far lower than his ratings with the public.

Some of this may be style and personality, Obama is professorish even to the slight stammer and hesitancy in answering a question or introducing a subject. We wish that he would bang his fist once in a way and grab lapels like Lyndon Johnson.

But we know the issues and they are huge and complicated and have been around for eight or ten years. In Afganistan alone, the counter-insurgency plan of General McChrystal is generally agreed may take ten years of our involvement to see settled. The news today is that very likely Obama won't be able to close the prison at Guantanamo by the January promised deadline he made during the campaign.

With the exception of the swine flu epidemic, all of these other issues were waitng on his desk when he first reported for work. No one else or group have come up with clear alternative solutions.

I think it's better to pull for the President at this point than to wish him ill, that is wishing it for the whole country.

Still, Mr. President, couldn't you flash a little more fire? We're all waiting.