Tone Deaf White House

I mentioned in an earlier "blog" that I was and am a registered democrat, a lifelong democrat in fact. I voted for Mr. Obama and was caught up in the wave of hopeful fervor that swept across the nation from November 2008 through much of last spring. The success of healthcare--the fact that the White House kept working the process through many arduous months, refusing to give up despite national opposition--was another plus for Obama in my view and in my eyes.

But I've always felt that his coolish demeanor and the overarching intellect of his advisory circle members created a cone of insularity that prevented he and his advisors from understanding the issues and problems of everyday America. His economic policies have always shown a favoritism towards corporate interests despite expressions to the contrary. His choices for top economic positions have demonstrated an affinity for the politically well-connected and well-heeled. True economic progressives have been exiled to government siberias where the positions they take have no chance of being recognized much less made part of federal policy.

His advisors proved their worth to him in keeping out of the White House the truth and pain of the Gulf Coast tragedy these past few weeks. They also revealed an unfortunate provincialism, a rearing of hidden north-south animosities or, more to the point, northern liberal ivy league arrogance vs. southern working class ethics. Even if that wasn't the intended consequence, and you'd have to be politically stupid beyond all reason to knowingly push these kinds of agendas, that is how it will be perceived.

If anything could have lost the American South for the democrats in upcoming elections, the uncalculated, passive White House response to the Gulf oil disaster would be it. It won't be an obvious factor. And yet, while republican strategists sharpen their knives, democrats will be preparing the "drill, baby, drill" ads. When the dust settles, however, and democrats scratch their heads, many standing along the edges will remember the moment in President Obama's recent press conference when he said that his detractors--many of whom were salty and salt of the earth southern democrats--didn't understand if they chose to criticize the federal response.

This is just the kind of attitude that is sowing the seeds for the demise of the Obama presidency. It's looking less and less, each passing week, like Mr. Obama and his tight circle of highly educated advisors are cognizant enough to figure out where and why they've gotten it so completely wrong: the pulse of the American electorate, that is.

This is a National Emergency

Dear Mr. President:

With all due respect, your administration is beginning to look a lot like that of your predecessor, especially with regards to how you're not handling the catastrophe now unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico.

What is happening down there constitutes a national emergency and, as such, it must require a robust federal response. Many who have been unwavering in their support of your administration--including respected commentators like James Carville, Senator Nelson of Florida, and David Gergen--have been livid over the federal government's seemingly passive response. Many have suggested a number of options that I agree with: miltarize the clean up. Order all available oil tankers to the gulf to begin mopping up the oil spill. Let BP handle the logistics of stopping the leak, but take them off of the clean up. They're clearly not up to the job and they seem, frankly, to be uninterested in the environmental nightmare that they created and that is spreading like wildfire across the Gulf. It threatens to, if not contained, enter sea currents and spread beyond Gulf waters.

Perception is reality in politics and the general perception right now is that you're allowing a private company oversee the debris of a possibly criminal action that they are legally responsible for. Though there is precedent for this with regard to oil spills, it's time for you to cut short the fundraisers and demonstrate to BP and the rest of the nation that you are indeed in charge. Leadership is required here. If it's not demonstrated, and demonstrated soon, this absolute disaster will doom your presidency as well as your chances for a second term. If your advisors are not telling you this, then you need to pull apart the veil of insularity that surrounds you in the White House, roll up your sleeves, and demonstrate that you are, indeed, the elected leader of this country.

Thank you.

Stephen Graff
Woodbury, NJ