I am an oil glutton compared to Al Giordano, but I agree with him about those criticizing the administration’s response to the travesty in the Gulf of Mexico. The administration should have gone to work immediately upon taking office to clean up the Department of the Interior because it was known to be the most corrupt department in the Bush administration (yes, even worse than the Justice Department or the Pentagon). They dropped the ball by doing that inadequately, and for allowing permits for wells like the Deepwater Horizon. So, some criticism is warranted. But I don’t see any flaws in the Obama administration’s response to the disaster. They are doing what they can.
However, this is a very difficult thing to handle politically, and the administration could definitely do a better job on that score. It’s tough to make sure the people know that Obama is engaged on the issue without making him look impotent. After all, he doesn’t have a magic solution. He really should have been back to the Gulf again by now (I know he’ll be there Friday) and he should keep us more updated on the progress, including backup plans and the timeline. I also think both Secs. Salazar and Napolitano come off as weak communicators when talking about this spill. I’d like to see less of them and more of the president and National Incident Commander, Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen. People want to hear from the people in charge, not from secretaries who don’t seem to have a firm grasp of the engineering challenge involved.
I also think Obama should be on the phone everyday with the governors, senators, and representatives of the Gulf Coast, and that everyone should know about those conversations. He just needs to display more of his concern and project that he’s working the issue relentlessly. I know it’s just the politics of the matter, but they need to do better.
