I'm Not the Only One Who Thinks Obama is Winging It - Karl Rove Feels The Same Way

Earlier this week I said:

If that's the case why do all these plans fell like they were anally extracted on the spur of the moment. I have visions of President Obama wiping his ass and then reading the portents and signs like some Greek oracle after slaughtering a sheep, and it's not filling me with confidence.

Apparently I am not the only one who feels that way. Karl Rove has a piece in today's Wall Street Journal which reads in part:

Nevertheless, this fast start can't overcome a growing sense the administration is winging it on issues large and small.

...

Team Obama has been living off its campaign reputation for planning and execution. That reputation is now frayed, and all the bumbling and unforced errors will have an impact. Such things don't go unnoticed on Capitol Hill or in foreign capitals.

The president, a bright and skilled politician, has plenty of time to recover. The danger is that what we have seen is not an aberration, but the early indications of his governing style. Barack Obama won the job he craved, now he must demonstrate that he and his team are up to its requirements. The signs are worrisome. The world is a dangerous place. The days of winging it need to end.

Rove goes on to give a number of examples of areas where he has noticed problems including:

• Vetting of Cabinet Members
• The General Zini nomination
• Developing the economic stimulus package
• Selling the stimulus package to the American people. This is my personal favorite because Rove basically accuses the President of pulling figures out of the air
• The announcement of Sec. Geitner's bank rescue plan, which is part of what spurred my original post.
• Announcing the closure of Guantanamo Bay and ending enhanced interrogations without having alternative plans and policies ready.

A pretty substantial list for less than a month in office. I agree with Rove - This has to stop. I was not an Obama supporter and I disagree strongly with him on almost every policy he advocates, but if his administration fails it is bad for the country and that's not acceptable. Not being a failure in this case doesn't necessarily mean enacting all his policy goals, but showing that he has a hand on the tiller and a plan instead of flailing around like a drowning man trying to keep his head above water.