"Way to Kick Ass, Mr. President!"

This is what Ed Schultz said at the top of his radio program this afternoon when the word came out that BP was not only putting up $20 billion in an escrow account, administered by a third party, but also $100 million in a fund for people who have been left unemployed by the moratorium on drilling. I look forward to hearing the backstory of today's meeting. I get the sense there was very little room in which BP could "negotiate" or try to roll this president.

I listened to that speech from the Oval Office last night, and I must say, I miss the rousing orator from the 2008 campaign. But, that's not governing. Doing the business of the nation can be dull and boring. But once again, just when we thought he was being too professorial, too cerebral, and not feeling enough of our pain, he quietly, precisely took aim and hit a bulls-eye.

When you think about all the crap that has been thrown his way and the booby-traps that no doubt still await this administration, we really do need to realize that he does have this. For the first time I can remember, we have a president who thinks about 18 steps ahead of today, and way ahead of his rivals and critics. He resists the urge to do things for show, and time after time, this cerebral, deliberative approach has worked.

While I don't agree with everything, I can at least respect his process and I trust his judgment. When he's pissing off the left and the right, he must be doing something right.