Popping the Bubble

Barack Obama is trying to figure out a way to punch holes in the presidential bubble (the one that allowed Bush to stay oblivious):

"I'm negotiating to figure out how can I get information from outside of the ten or 12 people who surround my office in the White House," he said. "Because one of the worst things I think that could happen to a president is losing touch with what people are going through day to day."

Here's an idea, try saying this: "I'm going to be the head of the Executive Branch, all you fuckers will work for me. This is what I want to do, you figure out how."

The infamous presidential bubble has largely been a disaster for every president entombed in it. It makes the president aloof and out of touch. Maybe if Chimpy had been able to keep in touch with what was going on in the country, rather than rely on his sycophants, he might have had a chance of doing a marginally adequate job (OK, that's a bit of a stretch).

Obama is right to try to pop holes in the bubble, as long as the holes don't increase the risk to his safety.