Amidst continuing economic uncertainty at home, and growing frustration among the more rightward Obama supporters, the President finds himself confounded with a deteriorating foreign policy situation. It is perhaps for this reason that Secretary of State Clinton seems to have such a free hand in conducting foreign policy on behalf of the administration so far. The desire of President Obama to delegate difficult tasks makes sense. President Reagan, whose legacy it is alleged by some that President Obama seeks to reverse, also delegated various tasks to others in his administration. Delegating tasks allows individuals with particular knowledge sets to demonstrate their strengths.

Nonetheless, delegating tasks also enables leaders to more effectively skirt blame for policy failures and crimes committed at the behest of an administration. With President Obama seemingly out to change the country and render big government cool again, Americans should be cautious. If (or when) the domestic or foreign policy reforms sought by the present U.S. administration fail, culpability will squarely rest with an administration mired by ethics and staffing questions at home, and growing worry from all corners. To think that the Obama administration hasn’t yet completed its first 100 days.

Last 5 posts by James Kane

• A November to Remember - November 8th, 2010
• On hope and fear - October 18th, 2010
• Expecting Different Results - September 12th, 2010
• A glaring omission on Iraq - August 31st, 2010
• Employing a losing strategy - August 7th, 2010