During a visit to the Gulf Coast since the BP oil spill, President Obama stated that “the buck stops” with him. There is an air of familiarity to the president’s phraseology.

He said the same thing when “the system broke down” following the failed Christmas Day bombing and he certainly should have admitted responsibility when there was another failed bombing in New York’s Times Square.

Obama’s recent comments taking the necessary and overdue responsibility for the complete ineptitude of the molasses-like federal response to the oil spill is growing taxingly familiar. His repeated usage of this phrase has grown tiresome and his continued failures — three in the past six months — do not engender confidence from the American people.

In fact, it seems that the president’s continued mantra of “the buck stops here” can be better likened to savvy political spin regarding a reality that would be better summed up as “passing the buck” on being capable.

We expect the president to be held accountable for shortcomings, but we need him to competently mitigate crises. In the end, it’s about action, not rhetoric.

Mr. President, which one will it be?

Timothy W. Coleman

Downtown

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