I recently watched Tim Geithner’s speech with an Obama supporter and made the comment, “Wow, it’s official, you have to say that Obama’s first 21 days have been a complete disaster. That may be the most disappointing, empty, vague speech I have ever heard. I can’t believe Obama hyped it up the night before on his national speech.” He disagreed and said he liked a few things Obama has done in his first 3 weeks. We had a few minutes to spare, so I asked him, “Really, other than Guantanamo and torture, which a few people in America will argue hurt national security, what do you like?”

1. “I like a few of his nominations” – Really? Four of his major nominations had tax problems, as in “they didn’t pay them”. The only reason lucky number 4 got through, Tim Geithner, is that the country is in a financial crisis, we needed someone, anyone, at the helm. So unless we are talking about the Ambassador to Guam, I am not sure who we are really talking about.

2. “He is at work; Bush took a vacation until September 11 so he had a rough start at the Ranch.” Really? I didn’t want to get stuck comparing him to Bush and what Bush did, but are we now giving Obama a “check plus” for being at work? Really? The fact he gets up everyday and goes to work gets him a point? It reminds me of the Chris Rock skit where Dad’s say “Hey Man, I don’t beat my kids, that makes me a good Dad” and Chris responses “You’re NOT SUPPOSE TO BEAT YOUR KIDS” (i.e. You don’t get credit for that)” Sorry, Obama doesn’t get credit for “going to work”.

3. “He is admitting his mistakes.” As Glen Ordway would say on sports talk radio on WEEI in Boston, “You are proving myyyyyyyy pointtttttt!” He is 21 days into office and he gets a “check” in the box for “Admits Mistakes”? Isn’t that my argument? I think I am arguing he has had a dismal start and has made tons of mistakes. I don’t think you get credit for “admitting mistakes”. I mean, how low are we setting the bar here when “admits mistakes” and “shows up for work” get you two thumbs up?

4. “Went to the Hill and talked to Republicans” – I agree, but did he have a choice? What was he suppose to do, not talk to Republicans? We will call this a draw.

5. “Talked to the 911 victims about Guantanamo” – Very classy move and I like it, but he was talking about closing Gitmo on the campaign trail. I don’t think talking to families helped shape his policy or decision. Again, a nice act, but if we are giving out “star stickers”, does he get one for that? I will call it a draw out of respect for those families and leave it at that.

I am no Obama basher. I told my friend to take the emotion out of it and lets call the president is John Smith. So now, there is no baggage and no emotion around John Smith the president, he is just John Smith, faceless, colorless, and ageless. Would you say John Smith, president for 21 days, has done a good job or is off to a dismal start?
John Smith’s vetting process has been an embarrassment. John Smith’s nominees have been dismal. John’s Smith financial system plan, which he has been working on for 90 days, since he won election, still has no detailed workings or ideas. The biggest financial speech of this year turned into vague references and clichés, and the Market noticed.