Ever confident in the power of big government to save the state she represents in the United States Senate, our state’s junior Senator defended her vote for the so-called stimulus, er, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, back in February 2009, favorably citing the White House’s prediction that the legislation would “save or create approximately 400,000 jobs in California“. Do wonder how that career politician explains the latest unemployment numbers from the Golden State:

California, New York and Pennsylvania reported large job losses, partly reversing gains earlier this year. California said employers cut 29,200 jobs last month, with big losses in professional and business services, which includes accounting, engineering, and temporary services. The construction sector also lost jobs.

Cutting 29,200 jobs last month?  With 11.7% of its workforce (officially) out of work, California now has the second highest unemployment rate in the nation.  And our governor is still trying to maintain the state’s high tax rates.

Seems he doesn’t want to settle for second place.

Reading Glenn’s report of efforts to stop the Gaza Flotilla, I started wondering if those do-gooders eager to help those suffering under the Islamicist tyranny in Gaza had organized such aquatic caravans to provide relief to those suffering under similar regimes in Syria, Iran and Libya or in such impoverished places like Somalia.

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One could say that of the many factors contributing to Barack Obama’s victory in 2008, perhaps the most important was that he came across as calm during the market meltdown in the midst of the presidential campaign while his Republican rival appeared erratic.  But, maybe his calm demeanor was not that of a leader showing he could keep his cool in a crisis, but a of man with little ability to show emotion, a man who was somewhat detached from his fellows and their difficulties.

As long as the difficulty doesn’t impact him personally, the president maintains his cool facade.

Sometimes, when he tours areas which just experienced a disaster, it appears he’s going through the motions, visiting the town and talking to the people not because he feels their pain (to borrow an expression of his most immediate Democratic predecessor who really could make it appear that he did), but because this is what a president does.  Or, perhaps, he’s just not as media savvy in such situations as was Bill Clinton.

But, then there’s this.  Just moments after honoring those who gave their all for our freedom on Memorial Day, he heads off for the golf course for yet another round.  I don’t begrudge him his leisure and grant every president should enjoy some recreation on his days off, but did Mr. Obama consider how it might appear if he headed off for the links on the day when we’re supposed to be honoring those who died in this nation’s service?  Maybe he just thinks the media will cover for him.*

These thoughts came to mind as I caught this post on Instapundit.  Glenn links a post on Powerline where John Hinderaker, commented on Michele Bachmann’s observation about the president’s apparent absence of empathy:

That Barack Obama is without a clue when it comes to the economy is no revelation, but that he lacks empathy–traditionally a Democratic refrain–is a bold and interesting twist. The fact is that Obama does often seem to be weirdly detached from the problems he ostensibly is trying to solve.

Read the whole thing.  When it comes to the economy, Obama doesn’t seem as engaged as he was during the push to overhaul our nation’s health care system.   (more…)

Reporting that Russ Feingold, voted out of office last fall by the voters of Wisconsin, said, “Russ Feingold says “The game’s not over until we win”, Glenn Reynolds quipped, “By any means necessary, apparently.”

Given that Mr. Feingold voted for Obamacare, even as the American people (and apparently also those in his home state) were rejecting it, it seems he and his ilk are bound and determined to impose their agenda on America, no matter what the voters say.

ADDENDUM:  Can you imagine the media reaction if a Republican had made a comment similar to Feingold’s?