Obama talkin' jobs with Dave

I was glad to hear President Obama acknowledge and place emphasis on the unemployment problem during his appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman last night.

The first step in overcoming any problem is to recognize it. Too many politicians, and even some business leaders, won't discuss problems (under their watch) and only talk about their various successes. While the economy is showing some signs of recovery, unemployment continues to worsen in most parts of the country. Until people get back to work, the recovery will be slow and fragile at best.

Obama handled himself well, mixing in humor with a serious tone at times. Almost the entire show was dedicated to Letterman interviewing the president. And while health-care reform is still a major topic, the unemployment situation seems to be a top-priority item for Obama. However, Obama didn't make any promises that jobs would be restored anytime soon, nor did he specify what he's doing to prevent more layoffs. I believe he was honest in his appraisal of the job market and the timetable for full recovery. He didn't seem to be sweeping the worsening jobless statistics under the rug, but I also didn't hear any details about how and why jobs would eventually return.

While Obama's frankness was a good thing, I would have liked to have heard what exactly it's going to take for businesses to start hiring again. Of course, Letterman was asking the questions, so I didn't expect the talk-show host to probe too deeply or for Obama to fess up to anything that he wasn't asked.

A lot has been made of Obama's many television appearances. Some in talk radio have been critical of the president for over exposure. But this is the information age. A time in which leaders must communicate and must do so often, clearly and on various platforms. As long as the president is doing his job, I don't see a problem with his appearing on TV, radio, the web or in newspapers. He seems to be a high-energy guy, capable of multi-tasking. Personally, I enjoy the fact that we have a president who is articulate and willing to shake things up.

Whether or not one agrees with all of his policies is a whole other matter. I've shaken my head more than once at some of the people Obama has appointed to help him run this country. Not much change reflected in some of those appointments. I've heard complaints from people I know who run small businesses, who don't feel Obama is helping them. And, of course, we are still waging war in two countries.

If Obama can get people back to work, that will give him time and public support to address other issues and reforms. However, if Americans continue to lose their jobs, it's going to be more difficult for Obama to change the things that need to be changed, regardless of how many television appearances he makes.

Read the latest about Congress possibly extending unemployment benefits: http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/22/news/economy/extending_unemployment_benefits/index.htm?postversion=2009092207