Echos from a Townhall

On Monday business cable network CNBC organized a town hall meeting. President Obama was the guest of honor, correspondent John Harwood was the moderator. As an interested spectator of that town hall, Washington Post political analyst Dan Balz has written a summary of what took place, complete with quotes of the more interesting questions.

If you could not bring yourself to watch this hour, Balz' overview and evaluation are worthwhile. A number of questioners unloaded on the president, and Balz seems to think Obama was particularly ineffective in his responses. Balz characterizes the town hall:

The questions illuminated the deep dissatisfaction the president's allies and opponents feel about his performance. The president's answers raised anew the issue of how effectively he communicates on the economy.

For example, Balz quotes the president as saying:

The rhetoric and the politicizing of so many decisions that are out there has to be toned down. We've got to get back to working together.

Balz finds this disingenuous since:

The president has been on the campaign trail offering sharply partisan rhetoric and even attacking individual Republican candidates running for office this fall.

I think it fair to say that Balz finds Obama disappointing and ineffective.