By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Oct. 1, 2009 – The president held a meeting with his national security team Wednesday to discuss the progress and the challenges the U.S. is facing in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Today he’ll leave for Copenhagen to plug the U.S. as the host of the 2016 Olympics.

First lady Michelle Obama stops to talk to waiting reporters as Pat Ryan, third right, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chicago 2016 looks on. Mrs. Obama meets with International Olympic Committee (IOC) members in Copenhagen,Wednesday as part of the Chicago 2016 bid team who are competing with Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro for the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The OIC will vote on Friday, Oct. 2, in Copenhagen. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Critics this week have charged the president is spreading himself too thin and that he needs to stay put and worry about health care reform, two wars and the economy.

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, told reporters Tuesday, “I think at a time of recession, at a time where Americans have expressed rather significantly their concerns and frustrations over the course of the spring and summer about health care, about the economy, about a host of domestic issues, even international issues, I think that this trip, while nice, is not necessary for the president.”

But the White House disagrees.  During Wednesday’s press briefing, Robert Gibbs, the president’s press secretary, was asked if all the issues with Iran, Afghanistan, and health care created an “extraordinary week.”  Gibbs said, the administration has been juggling a number of issues since taking office on January 21, and this week was no exception.

“I think this has been an extraordinary eight months. What did we wake up to on the 21st of January?  An economy that was sliding off the cliff; a banking system that your paper had written about that could fail; any number of international challenges,” Gibbs said.

On Wednesday, House Minority Leader John Boehner added his voice to the chorus of critics. “Listen, I think it’s a great idea to promote Chicago, but he’s the president of the United States, not the mayor of Chicago. 

“And the problems we have here at home affect all Americans and that’s where his attention ought to be,” Boehner said.

One of those important issues is how the U.S. deals with al Qaeda. It was the topic of a closed door meeting with the president and his national security team.  Few details were released, but the White House released a brief summary stating, “As the U.S. aggressively confronts al Qaeda and its leadership around the world, the President has set a clear goal in Afghanistan: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and their extremist allies.”

“When it comes to decisions as important as keeping this country safe and putting our troops into harm’s way, the President has made it clear that he will rigorously assess our progress.”

The president will join the first lady in Copenhagen Thursday, but it’s doubtful his critics will go away.  It’s also doubtful his absence for a few days will be more than symbolic in asserting he isn’t working on other issues at hand.
 
What do you think? Should the president be promoting the Olympics coming to the U.S. or minding the store here in Washington?

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

May 18, 2009 – Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele will mark his 100th day on the job this week. Since taking over as head honcho, pitchman and fundraiser, he has faced a series of challenges from his partymates. How has this affected his ability to raise money and attract new faces to the fold?

When Steele was elected he wasted no time sending a message to President Barack Obama that he would “torpedo” the public perception that Republicans are a party “unconcerned about minorities” and  average Americans.  “This is the dawn of a new party. There is not one inch of ground we’re going to cede to anybody,” he challenged.

But before Steele could make good on his early agenda, he’s had to ward off attacks from conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, edit his personal opinions in the public eye, and as recently as this weekend, fend off an attempt by Randy Pullen, the newly-elected party treasurer to take over control of the party’s purse strings.

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Steele was asked about the ribbing he took from the president during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.  Obama made a veiled reference to Steele’s hipper outreach efforts with hopes of attracting African-American voters to the GOP.  

Obama jokingly said, “Michael Steele is in the house tonight, or as he would say, ‘in the heezy.’ What’s up?”

“Michael, for the last time, the Republican Party does not qualify for a bailout. Rush Limbaugh does not count as a troubled asset, I’m sorry.”

Steele said on the Sunday talk show that he wasn’t insulted at all by the president’s jabs. “I really appreciate the president throwing me a shout-out.  It took me totally by surprise, and so this morning I just wanna say ‘what’s up’ right back at ya’.”

That response is far more gracious than the message he sent the president shortly after winning the chairmanship.  Still smarting over Obama’s somewhat dismissive treatment of his run for the Senate in 2006, he told reporters, “I would say to the new president, congratulations. It is going to be an honor to spar with him. And I would follow that up with: How do you like me now?”

Steele has signed up for one of the toughest jobs in Washington during the toughest times: his party is the minority in Congress, is no longer in the White House, and is a minority party among American voters. Only 21 percent of folks self-identify as Republicans. 

Faced with party unity only within the conservation base that requires a litmus test on issues of abortion rights, stem cell research and opposition to gay marriage, Steele has immeasurable obstacles before him.

As the first African-American chairman he may have wanted to expand the Republican party’s tent to bring diversity, but it looks like that may be more difficult than he expected.

What grade would you give Michael Steele as chairman of GOP?  

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