Who would have thought that President Obama would turn to stand up comedy in order to boost his sagging ratings?

I realize that we're facing an untenable fiscal situation. There was a $1.3 trillion deficit staring at me when I took office, and although the economic crisis and the steps we took to stop the freefall temporarily added to our fiscal challenges, it's clear that we're going to have to get serious about the deficit.

And that's why I've proposed a three-year freeze on non-security discretionary spending. That's why I've launched a bipartisan deficit reduction commission, which will be reporting in a few months.

As Matt Welch interjects, "Keen government observers and other Jane's Addiction fans know what's coming next: The big "but":

What I won't do is cut back on investments like education that are directly related to our long-term economic performance. Now is not the time to sacrifice our competitive edge in the global economy.

Welch again:

A-ha. Because nothing says "competitive edge" like "doubling spending while failing to improve results."

Note what the news reports probaly won't, that A) this was a meeting of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, B) the first 10 paragraphs of his remarks were about "maintain[ing] our commitment to education," particularly strengthening community colleges, and C) there was zero discussion, in the long ensuing Q&A with the Economic Recovery Advisory Board, about concretely addressing this "untenable fiscal situation." There was tons of talk about home weatherization, though.

That's our president. He's very good at identifying problems created by others but a little short on solutions. I suppose he actually believes that since he says the problem isn't his fault, it should be up to someone else to solve it.

He will get his wish in 2012.