We are getting "back to bad" with the O-admin.  There have been lots of little and not-so-little mistakes happening lately and it's beginning to give those of us in the O-Cheerleading Squad a little less to cheer about.

First up:  International headaches.  Specifically, a little mix-em-up caused a stir last week when Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen visited the US and the two scripts for Obama and Cowen were switched inadvertently.  It resulted in Obama thanking himself for bringing everyone to the White House. This follows the chilly reception Obama recently gave British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a longtime US ally, during his recent visit to the US.  The reception was so flat that it caused quite a panic in Britian, sparking concerns about a souring US-British relationship.

There are also gaffes about returning a bust of Winston Churchill, letters to Chirac and laughing about the economy on 60 Minutes.

But perhaps the most symbolic of the recent gaffes:  The Special Olympics comment on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.  When referencing his well-publicized lack of bowling skills, Obama noted recent improvement. However he attempted to poke fun at his still-low score, saying  "It's like - it's like the Special Olympics or something".  Holy. Shit.  I say stupid, non-PC shit all the time.  But I am not on camera and nor am I the President of the United States.  I don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but it comes across as extremely insensitive and anyone involved in the developmentally disabled community basically thinks Obama said "I still bowl like a retard."

Now, each of these events, isolated and by themselves, wouldn't cause any real headaches or problems.  No one expects the POTUS to be completely error and gaffe-free for the entirety of their term.  However, these recent gaffes are particularly ill-timed and when you overlay them with the tax-challenges of O-appointees, the AIG bonus fuckup and previous campaign trail comments about guns and religion, it begins to paint of picture of a President who is out of touch and doesn't "get it".

I agree with Politico when they say: "It was brilliant communication skills that carried Obama to the Presidency. But the discipline and the strategic focus of the campaign have yet to move into the White House."  And think it goes a little further: The team in and around the White House isn't as well oiled as the campaign team either. Voila: Obama's Chief Economic Advisor, Larry Summers, says nothing can be done about AIG bonuses, then the next day Obama says 'We'll pursue every legal avenue to prevent these bonuses."

Obama takes to the airwaves again tomorrow night in his 2nd press conference in his first 100 days. I'm a little nervous.