I’m not sure what Krugman was expecting…

The NYT’s Paul Krugman penned an op-ed in response (or perhaps in review) of Barack Obama’s inauguration address.  And he is apparently a mite disappointed.

Apparently — I did not listen / watch / read twitter feeds of the speech — the economic crisis still exists post-speech.  From what I can gather from Krugman’s op-ed, he expected universal healthcare and a financial system nationalization and triage project to be announced.  Apparently the past eight years (and several decades prior) did nothing ot deaden Krugman’s optimism for bold governance.

I am by no means optimistic about Barack Obama’s presidency (I’m pessimistic about almost everything, I’m told), but even I’m very impressed with what has done in what little time he has had to do it.  By all accounts (except for Krugman’s), he read an inspiring speech.  Which is the only objective of an inauguration speech.  The multimillion dollar national onanism convention is not the place for policy initiatives.

In his first few days in office, he has already surprised me by making the bold and in the long-run, much needed, move to close down Guantanamo.  Of course, he didn’t give his inauguration speech from Gitmo’s front door as he set the place on fire.  But he made a clear commitment to close it in a year and that seems only reasonable to me.

Prior to his inauguration, he made surprising and commendable moves such as appointing Elizabeth Warren to oversee the never-ending bank bailout.  Even Krugman was surprised and impressed by that.

And he has surprisingly made some public commitments to bringing the workings of the White House back out into the public eye.  Of course, with Joseph Biden as VP (father of lobbyist Robert Biden, and Senator from the credit card capital of America) and Tom Daschle as Health and Human Services Secretary (husband of lobbyist Linda Hall Daschle), some of the more repugnant aspects of governance will no  doubt remain.

I know Krugman isn’t entirely happy that his dog in the fight — and mine as well — John Edwards failed to secure the nomination and the presidency.  And I believe Krugman’s second choice was Hillary Clinton, as far as I can tell largely due to Edwards’ and Clinton’s stance on universal health care.  So I can understand his disappointment after eight years of waiting for George W. Bush to leave.  But Krugman should give credit where credit is due:  Barack Obama has done more ‘good’ in his first few days than I would ever have expected from him, any of the other major Presidential nominees, or any politician.  There’s certainly a long, long, long way to go, but Good Lord he’s been a breath of fresh air so far.

So Krugman: I love you man, but quit your bitching.  Keep watching him and tell us if Obama is failing to salvage the economy, but really.  It was just a speech.  Relax.

… and the cow goes moo