'Jack Squat' Obama

Some folks are pointing to a response from Gen. James L. Jones, the National Security Adviser, to CNN interviewer John King's question about don't ask don't tell on Sunday as evidence that President Obama won't fulfill his promise to end the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. I've followed this very closely, and I just don't think the criticism is warranted -- yet.

Acknowledging that the presidential plate overfloweth, Jones said, "I know this is an issue that he intends to take on at the appropriate time. And he has already signaled that to the Defense Department. The Defense Department is doing the things it has to do to prepare, but at the right time, I'm sure the president will take it on."





There are two things Jones said that are not being given due consideration. First, Jones said Obama "has already signaled that to the defense department." "That" being an end to the foolish policy that deprives the United States of able men and women who want to serve their country. Second, Jones notes, "The Defense Department is doing the things it has to do to prepare...." I know of two White House meetings in which the president made it clear to Defense Secretary Robert Gates that he wanted an end to the ban.

Exactly when to make the grand (and long-overdue) move has always been the tough part. Obama believes that Congress should repeal the law. But he also knows that bringing the military along first is essential. Without it, Congress could at best block attempts to repeal the law or at worse approve something much worse. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) is working hard to get the support of his House colleagues to repeal "don't ask don't tell."

But this takes time -- and patience. And patience on this issue and a host of others is increasingly in short supply. Just how short was on devastating display in the opening skit of the season premier of "Saturday Night Live," when Fred Armisen as Obama said, "[W]hen you look at my record, it's very clear what I've done so far -- and that is nothing... Nada.... Almost one year and nothing new to show for it....''

The skit made me sit up and pay attention because this is the same show that was perceived to be in Obama's corner through the primaries and the general election. When your "friends" start talking about you like this -- and friends with a huge megaphone and a feel for the national mood -- the White House should listen.

The president has set many of the wheels in motion to bring about a resolution to some of the things on his long to-do list, or at least to ameliorate a few situations (read: Afghanistan). But the man who ran on change is discovering that folks don't care much about the deliberative process. They want results, and they want them now. Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure what Obama can do to calm everyone down.

