My thoughts on Obama’s rather long-winded press conference last night:

The press has really become pathetic. I couldn’t believe the lollipop questions. Perhaps if they stopped the adoring puppy-love gazes for a while someone would be able to come up with a relevant question. My favorite was the Alex Rodriguez steroid question. Does anyone care what the President thinks about this? Too bad the mic was cut before we heard the follow up question: What do you think of Hannah Montana’s new hairstyle?

Kudos to Major Garrett for asking the only significant question of the night. This, of course, led to Obama throwing his Vice President under the bus, joining President Bush, members of Congress, conservative commentators, the evil capitalist bankers, all prior elected representatives and pretty much anyone who has ever held a job in Washington. On that note, I will say that Obama was effective in changing the tone of his administration from one of inspiration and hope to one of fear and gloomdom. I always thought the President should be a voice of optimism and reassurance, a person who personifies strength in times of crisis, who makes us all comfortable that his hands are firmly on the steering wheel of our country. Obama hasn’t exactly portrayed that image lately, and last night was no different. He couldn’t even explain his own Vice President, much less his monstrous spending bill.

But he was sure to point out – numerous times – that this wasn’t his fault. He inherited this mess, which no doubt sets up his explanation in four years for why it failed. He can’t blame Republicans in Congress, since they didn’t vote for it, so plan B is to blame the prior administration. What was that about a new kind of politics? America wants leadership from our President, not whining about the problems you inherited. Unless I’m mistaken, you asked for the job, Mr. Obama.

I’m not sure how many times he was dishonest with us because I stopped counting at 7. 1) He contends that the plan isn’t perfect but the alternative is to do nothing, which is what the GOP is advocating. WRONG. I’m not aware of anyone in Congress who argues that we should do nothing. Instead, they have offered a strategy of tax cuts that have been proven to create jobs. 2) He stated that if the GOP wanted their voice heard they should bring him a proposal that creates 4 million jobs. See above. Actually, the GOP claims they would create more than 4 million jobs with their proposal, so I guess they didn’t meet Obama’s exact requirements.

3) Japan experienced the lost decade because they didn’t do enough. WRONG. As Dick Morris said, Japan quadrupled their national debt via stimulus packages meant to reverse their ailing economy, and yet this massive spending did nothing except for increase the speed of the spiral. 4) “I don’t know what Joe was talking about” – This is a blatant lie. Of course he knew, and we all know that Joe was talking about the spending package. How stupid does he think we are? 5) “I will demand that our laws are enforced (pp)” – Except, of course, when it comes to his aunt who is living in this country illegally and in contempt of court. 6) The contention that our economic problems are a result of the policies of the past 8 years. Again, this is very dishonest. The economic problems are a result of the housing bubble collapse. This was due to two things: government sponsored social engineering in the mortgage industry and bank deregulation. Both measures were passed during Clinton’s time. Bush had nothing to do with it. However, his tax cuts DID rescue us from a recession earlier this decade and prevented another after 9-11.

But if the press refuses to call him on it, why wouldn’t Obama blame Bush for pretty much everything?

And lie #7, the most laughable of all – “There are no earmarks in this bill”. Excuse me?

But my favorite moment was his brush-off of GOP criticism. He rationalized spending $1 trillion and mortgaging my kids’ futures by essentially saying the Republicans were big spenders when they were in power – so they have no right to complain. Okay. What about the 50% of America who is complaining? Do we have a right? Or are we too dumb to understand the situation?

Last night was a joke. He did not explain the massive pork, did not explain how jobs would be created, did not explain how this would affect the next generation and didn’t explain that even at his best estimate of 4 million jobs each job would cost about $300,000 to create. Nothing of the sort. Instead it was basically: I know what’s best, don’t worry yourselves with it. Very paternalistic. Very insulting. A very disappointing first month.

My opinion of this man is being reshaped on a daily basis, and I am deeply concerned about what’s going on in Washington and which direction he appears to be taking us.