Word on the Street

President Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner received failing grades for their efforts to revive the economy from participants in the latest Wall Street Journal forecasting survey.

Their assessment stands in stark contrast with Obama's popularity with the public, with a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll giving him a 60 percent approval rating. But a majority of the 49 economists polled is dissatisfied with the administration's economic policies.

However, economists' main complaint centers on the administration's plan for the banking sector. "The most important issue in the short run is the financial rescue," said Stephen Stanley of RBS Greenwich Capital. "They overpromised and underdelivered. Secretary Geithner scheduled a big speech and came out with just a vague blueprint. The uncertainty is hanging over everyone's head."

In conversation with my brother yesterday, he asked me, what has he done?, in exasperation with Obama. I corrected him, saying the question is not what has he done, but rather, what has he done? in the very short period that Obama has been in office. I think the answer is too much because in that very short period of time, Obama has tried to be everything to everyone, resulting in half-baked, made-in-haste plans.

There is no leadership . . . just seeing if it sticks.