Haven't you expected more Optimism from Obama?  I know I have.  He advises us how bad it is at every turn.  He discusses the "heavy lift" he's confronted with to get the economy back on its feet.  He repeatedly emphasizes that this is the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.  Alright already; we get it.  Things ain't so good.

No doubt this is what virtually every other politician would do.  It is sensible from an expectation-setting standpoint, and it's CYA-rific.  What politician wouldn't want that?  But, haven't we been conditioned to expect more from the inspirational Obama?   We've  witnessed his pragmatism; now how about some hope?   Would it hurt to more aggressively express confidence in his ability to facilitate a recovery?  That shouldn't be too risky for a self-assured, motivating leader, should it?

Perhaps this is just what you get with lawyers and the culture they've spawned.  It's life in the land of the disclaimer.  The never-ending search for plausible deniability.  I expect more from Obama.

A little unsolicited advice:  Leadership does matter.  Words are meaningful.  The presidential bully pulpit is powerful.  Get beyond the negative.  The media are there every minute of every day to remind us about all that is wrong.  Focus on accentuating the positive.  Reagan did that masterfully.  He instilled us with confidence—never talking down our prospects.  And, most important, he had the political courage to tell us that things would be better.  He would see to it.  That "shining city on a hill" is still there.  It would be visible again if you would just help clear the fog of negativity.