Would it not be a good idea for the President to address the nation on the oil gusher?

[Bluebear]

We saw Bush's pathetic mug on the tube at the drop of a hat when he wanted to announce some nonsense. I really am surprised that our President has not done the same either to:

Say that the oil leak is not as bad as people fear and assure us or;

to say that a possible catastrophe looms and that the following steps (A B C) must be taken immediately.

From April 1 until now all we have heard on the subject is Obama explaining that oil drilling is safe and should be expanded, and, post-disaster, a Rose Garden speech in which he said he is furious with BP. I know he has a lot on his plate right now, but I am sensing that the American people would like to hear from him directly, and not through Press Secretary "briefings".


U.S. Fish and Wildlife officer Raul Sanchez bags and tags as evidence a dead oil-covered pelican that was found at the Breton national Wildlife Refuge on North Breton Island, La., Thursday, May 20, 2010.

[villager]

1. would he not have to have some kind of new policy to announce, if he did?

And so far, there's no intimation of anything that tangibly "hopeful" from this administration, certainly regarding this calamity...

[closeupready]

2. He should, but he won't, since there's no upside.

And it will only cost him in terms of polling.

[greencharlie]

3. P-O-L-I-T-I-C-I-A-N nt

[Lerkfish]

8. yup, there's a difference between a leader and a politician

[phleshdef]

14. If that were the case, he would be in everyone's face acting like he can actually do something.

The reality is, there is very little he can do other than get on your tv and say things to make you feel better.

[Brickbat]

4. Well, I haven't seen a whole lot of leadership on anything else, so...

:think:

[IndianaJoe]

5. Rahm hasn't OKed it yet. n/t

[katandmoon]

6. K&R

[Angry Dragon]

7. I called the White House today and

said the same exact thing. He needs to get out in front of the people.

[dgibby]

9. Too late.

He's already lost control of the message (again). When people are asking, "Who's in charge, the Govt or BP", it doesn't bode well for the public's perception of the President's ability to lead on this.

[amborin]

18. +1

[FBI_Un_Sub]

10. Yes - only after

1. HE HAS A SERIOUS, REALISTIC PLAN TO GET US OFF OF HYDROCARBON FUELS.
   
2. A significant increase in CAFE.
   
3. HUD grants that favor urban center housing over suburban MacMansions.
   
4. DOT grants that stimulate mass transit.
   

We can't go on befouling our own shores and sacrificing our own kids in oil land wars.

I don't buy Kunstler --- but I do buy Klare.

[Trillo]

11. +1

nt

[Dr Fate]

12. As soon as BP gives him permission. n/t

n/t

[nashville_brook]

17. touche.

[Bluebear]

19. That is exactly the impression.

[Dr Fate]

20. And not a very impressive impression at that. n/t

n/t

[blindpig]

21. There's real understanding of the power relationship.

Government is the crowd control subsidiary of Capital.

[Enrique]

13. no speeches

we need a press conference, on this and other issues.

[Stinky The Clown]

15. I'll take a speech after he seizes BP's US assets.

Until then, I want press conferences.

[nichomachus]

16. It would be a good idea not to let Wall Street run his administration

but that's not going to happen either