Today, President Obama made what would have been an excellent speech about the budget and the economy if he had made it at least a year ago.

Unfortunately in this address he took the same tone that has proved to be so damaging  to his negotiating position throughout his term in office.  He asked for perfectly reasonable and moderate steps and then cut his own feet out from under him by adding that he is willing to negotiate.

If you must add in that phrase, then you at least need to start by asking for the near impossible.  If Obama had asked for repeal of the Bush Tax Cuts before June of this year is over, he could have said, but I am willing to negotiate.

Talking about people clinging to silly ideas, the President still believes that if he presents a reasonable proposal, he will be met with a reasonable proposal from the other side.  The Republicans have even given the President a lesson in negotiation.  The House Republicans have just presented a budget plan that would have been unthinkable for even George W. Bush to propose.  I didn’t even hear them say they would be willing to negotiate.

Obama keeps reminding us that in previous times of  dire stress this country has always come together to find a solution.   He fails to mention what is different this time.  This time, he is the leader that must make it happen.  If he fails to lead us to a responsible way out of our mess, then history will note that the big difference this time is that we were not able to find a leader who knew how to lead.