'Tis the season of snap judgments on President Obama's first 100 days in office, replete with scorecards, grading sheets, and cartoon thumbs pointing up or down. The temptation with such analyses is simply to generate a laundry list of accomplishments, as if a crowded agenda or a flurry of decisions connotes successful leadership. Under normal circumstances, the key measure tends to be "traction," as in, Did the new administration hit the ground running on issues A through Z? But these aren't normal times. America and the world are experiencing the sort of once-in-a-lifetime restructuring of international affairs that only a synchronous collapse of economic demand around the planet can trigger. The giant meteor has struck, and now we shall find out who are the dinosaurs and who are the mammals. The aura of leadership, such as it exists, clings to those great powers whose demeanor best matches their objective circumstances. During such a crucible, what is true for individuals is equally true for nations: Now is not the time to kid yourself about who you are or what you're capable of.
Obama’s First 100 Days: The Essential Course Correction
