Everyone Has a Bad Day

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is one of my favorite people.  He is witty, and I believe, attempts to answer questions honestly, and respects the people who day after day hurl questions at him, hoping to get an answer that will make news, if not make Gibbs' day. 

But just as with flight attendants, even White House Press Secretaries have an occasional bad day.

Call it a consequence of the dog days of summer.

But Gibbs' controversial attack on the left needs to be examined by the White House, because it represents an attitude that has caused Obama's supporters on the left concern for awhile.

We understood the Wall Street bailout, coming during the changing of the administration, but we wondered why this literally golden opportunity to curb the wild extravagances of salaries and risk-taking was passed up.

When our President, who we thought was horrified by the abuses in Iraq and Afganistan, from prisoner abuse to Halliburton's bilking of the government, did not step up to demand a thorough investigation, we were dumbfounded.

And when Barack Obama did not stand up and use his bully pulpit to demand a public option, but allowed Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to struggle for months in the fight against one of the ugliest Republican Congressional blocks ever, we began to be infuriated.

And then our President, who we believed in with our hearts and souls, told us that we needed to be more willing to accept compromise.

I hate hearing the poll numbers.  Yet I understand them.  I too distrust the Congress, but like many Americans, it is because attempts to compromise have resulted in ever more inaction, in a time where not just action, but dramatic action, is demanded.

And I too, if asked, would have to say I am disappointed in President Obama's performance.  When he has stood up against his opposition, he has had some amazing accomplishments.   But the opposition is ferocious.  And uncompromising.  And we need a leader who will be consistent in his support for the goals and values he declared in his campaign.

So, no, I don't get my critical attitude from Olbermann or Maddow.  It comes from the same place Obama got his critical values, the ones that made him want to run for office and effect change.  Our ideals were once the same, and the White House needs to get back in touch with that.

And Robert, if you do that, I will forgive you your bad day.