Calling Jimmy Carter...

He waves to the crowd...a flood of faces cheering him on. He rolls up his sleeves, he walks up to the microphone...and says "thank you!, thank you!..." He talks about the opposition, he rants about the economy and the jobless...he paints a tough environment...then he shouts, "pass this bill!"...he repeats it, "...pass this bill". Then he walks off...and news reporter asks him a direct question...then across the wire...the news hits. The President is willing to wait on some parts of the bill until later...but the jobs parts of it need to happen now. Whatever happened to the "pass this bill" demand not too long ago...during his appearance in front of the crowd?

We agree on one thing...the President saved us from the brink by pushing for a stimulus...but he negotiated it down--even though he had a majority of both houses. The reality is he did not have the majority--as long as moderate and conservative democrats were in the house (thanks to Howard Dean). Though GWB did not get what he wanted, he did not broadcast his willingness to negotiate...he kept quiet. This President broadcasts his willingness to negotiate before negotiations begin. Then he goes forward and speaks about compromise--while appearing weak.

Jimmy Carter...is needed here. He can explain what weakness is..he was shown to be weak. "Weakness", he will tell the President, "comes when things spiral out of your control, and you come up with all sorts of proposals...then work with the other side...and get nothing back in return. Kinda, like what you are doing now. The economy is not under your control, the job numbers--beyond your control. GDP...beyond your control. Layoffs...not something you can do anything about. The budget...lost and out of your control. The message...beyond your control. What can you control?" Carter, will take a drink of tea...then he will say..."what do you control?"..."You control your anger." "Stop controlling your anger...get pissed off...say a few cuss words...admonish someone, like you would admonish someone in a drunken sports trivia argument."

He will continue, "...bang on the podium...chew someone out...call someone a name...call in the Marines or some armed helicopter..." "Don't let the opposition keep mouthin' off...get pissed Barack...do an impromptu interview with a reporter...while walking in the hall...say something outrageous and rude...get the attention of the electorate and let em know that you can dress down the Republicans."

Carter will put his cup of tea down..look at him straight in the eye and say..."do what I did not do...get pissed and throw something...", then he will will walk away...as he exits the door, he will pick up a piece of furniture and throw it at the wall...everyone will turn their heads, then he will turn to the President and say "See, it works."

As Carter fades away and down the hall...the President...will pick up the pieces of broken furniture...and hopefully he will stare at them...and decide...to either fix it or break another one...