Looks like Obama can't win. Even though the seriousness of the financial crisis only became apparent late in the campaign--it was only two days before the final debate that all the big meetings were being held in Washington to decide on bailout legislation, remember? Since then the economic situation has worsened dramatically. There's not one "expert" that I've listened to or read who has a clearcut plan for reversing the economic decline or shortening its duration. They all say, yes it's going to get worse before it gets better. The only questions are how much worse and how long before it gets better?

So now there's criticism that Obama is telling the public the truth--hey, that's a refreshing change, isn't it?--instead of telling them things they want to hear or things that will make them feel good. He seems to have an economic plan that requires significant legislation that may even be passed before he's actually inaugurated. He's explained that the initial legislation he'll ask for addresses the critical economic problems as opposed to some of the issues that were being debated on the campaign stump many months ago. He's begun to explain to people that our lives are going to change and that we're all going to share some pain. He's explained that even his most well thought-out plans might not work. If that happens, he says, he and his team will come up with new plans. This situation is unprecendented. That's the truth and there's no way to sugar-coat it. Priorities on what the government should do about things have changed and anyone who really thinks about it would agree that they clearly should have. The situation that the U.S. faces is far, far different today than what was apparent even a month or two ago. What's happened is the economic equivalent of the events of 9/11.

But I guess that's not good enough for some. It makes one wonder, why would anyone want a job where you'd already be criticized for your performance before you even started on the job?

Don't count me among the critics and naysayers. For me, we have the right President who is organizing the right team to address the unprecedented problems facing the country. He's telling us what he's seeing and what he plans to do about it. He explains complex situations clearly and truthfully. He seems to be operating with a laser focus on solving the problems without a political or ideological agenda. He engenders our confidence. He is a leader. He's plenty good enough for me.