IT CAN'T BE MY FAULT, I WAS WORKING IN MY GARDEN:

Five Signs of a Flailing Presidency: The White House tries its hand at damage control. (Fred Barnes, 03/30/2009, Weekly Standard)

Bonuses for AIG executives are like the infamous Bridge to Nowhere--an issue that's broken through outside Washington. And we know it's become a major political problem for the president because he and his administration act as if it has. Here are five signs of this:

1. His allies are moving to protect the president. In a political emergency, this is the highest obligation of everyone in the administration. The president must be distanced as far as possible from decisions that led to the problem, even if he is made to look out-of-touch or actually incompetent. [...]

2. The president gets out of town. [...]

3. Top spokesmen dismiss the crisis as a distraction. [...]

4. Administration figures can't keep their stories straight. [...]

5. The president indulges in hyperbole. [...]

One more thing. If Obama is showing the effects of a political crisis, how can he josh about basketball and bowling and other light subjects with Jay Leno? When in trouble, play to your strengths, such as being a likeable, regular guy. It worked with Leno. "Mr. President," he said, "I must say this has been one of the best nights of my life."

Can anyone think of a presidency that was ever in deeper trouble quicker except for Lincoln's?

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 21, 2009 9:52 AM