Is Obama In Danger Of Losing His "Change" And Competence Images?

Asks The Moderate Voice, a moderate-liberal blog, who sees some troubling signs: "Just look at a few of these untidy strands now visible as they blow in the political breeze:

1. Obama’s problems with vetting of three proposed cabinet officials. Former Majority Leader Tom Daschle was one of Obama’s closest advisers as Obama entered the primaries and ran for President. His tax problem raised the issue of a)how tough (or untough) team Obama vetting was. Do Obama’s advisers think 'vetting' is taking your pet to the doctor? Additionally, longtime political pro Daschle clearly knew about the Obama message of changing from the Old Washington. Did he take this message seriously? If he did, how could he let himself in for a fall and let his candidate down?

2. Obama’s electoral victory and polling numbers show no signs yet of translating into FDR-like clout. As of today, it seems as if the most accurate way to find out what might happen is to follow the rantings of Rush Limbaugh rather than the prediction of White House insiders. When Rush talks, the Republican party apparently now follows. And, apparently, what he says the party should do and the party does, Democrats cannot prevent. Republicans have clearly now rebounded in terms of political clout and defiance...."

3. Obama knows how to use the bully pulpit but is he using it yet and does he know how to bring it all together as President? Despite his eloquence, smart use of You Tube, and mastery of television if the TWO WEEKS (we need to capitalize it) is any indication, Obama does not yet seem to be proving to be a dominant political force who opponents need to fear.

4. Obama and his associates rightfully earned a reputation of knowing how to eschew drama and coolly focus on the mechanics of what was needed to win primaries and an election. But George Bush and Karl Rove knew how to win elections, too. The Bush team proved to be hideously lacking in several areas when it came to governance and competence. Do Obama and his associates have the skills to outsmart their opponents and create coalitions to get their agenda through Congress — and the skills to govern well and competently?"