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Washington diary: Turbulent times Washington diary: Turbulent times
(about 2 hours later)
By Matt Frei BBC News, Washington In these turbulent times the new White House is fond of mixing it all up.By Matt Frei BBC News, Washington In these turbulent times the new White House is fond of mixing it all up.
President Obama's approval ratings are at 65% or even higherPresident Obama's approval ratings are at 65% or even higher
A fiscal responsibility summit in the middle of the biggest spending spree in history, which is a bit like donating a case of Bourbon to the Betty Ford Clinic; Super Bowl parties with Republican senators and - this really IS new - piano music in the White House foyer.A fiscal responsibility summit in the middle of the biggest spending spree in history, which is a bit like donating a case of Bourbon to the Betty Ford Clinic; Super Bowl parties with Republican senators and - this really IS new - piano music in the White House foyer.
Legislators and cabinet members can soothe their frayed nerves with live Chopin or Gershwin while crunching the terrible numbers of an economy that sounds more like a funeral march.Legislators and cabinet members can soothe their frayed nerves with live Chopin or Gershwin while crunching the terrible numbers of an economy that sounds more like a funeral march.
Obama has replaced the air-tight vault doors of the Bush administration with a net curtain through which even the most stubborn foes are invited to breeze.Obama has replaced the air-tight vault doors of the Bush administration with a net curtain through which even the most stubborn foes are invited to breeze.
Huge gambleHuge gamble
Witness Monday's televised news conference in which he invited Democratic and Republican members of Congress to vent about the stimulus package.Witness Monday's televised news conference in which he invited Democratic and Republican members of Congress to vent about the stimulus package.
It proved that Obama has cojones, while knowing how to play the egos of the Senate with the deftest of hands. It also showed once again that senators are incapable of asking pithy questions.It proved that Obama has cojones, while knowing how to play the egos of the Senate with the deftest of hands. It also showed once again that senators are incapable of asking pithy questions.
And then there were the much-vaunted break-out sessions during the White House Woodstock of belt-tightening about health care, defence spending or taxation. Briefly the professor-in-chief turned the White House into a college campus.And then there were the much-vaunted break-out sessions during the White House Woodstock of belt-tightening about health care, defence spending or taxation. Briefly the professor-in-chief turned the White House into a college campus.
The rest of America is still giving the president the benefit of the doubt after barely 40 days in officeThe rest of America is still giving the president the benefit of the doubt after barely 40 days in office
But the real test of Obama's huge gamble will, of course, come with the results. The billions and trillions spent on economic life support will only have worked if America starts spending again, if the banks start lending again and if the economy stops being anorexic.But the real test of Obama's huge gamble will, of course, come with the results. The billions and trillions spent on economic life support will only have worked if America starts spending again, if the banks start lending again and if the economy stops being anorexic.
As ever, the Beltway is out sync with the rest of the country. In the bubble of power, the wagging tongues have gone from lick to lash in just over a month. But the rest of America is still giving the president the benefit of the doubt after barely 40 days in office.As ever, the Beltway is out sync with the rest of the country. In the bubble of power, the wagging tongues have gone from lick to lash in just over a month. But the rest of America is still giving the president the benefit of the doubt after barely 40 days in office.
His approval ratings are at a robust 65% or higher. Two-thirds of the country believes he is doing as well as anyone could in tackling a mess that is not of his making.His approval ratings are at a robust 65% or higher. Two-thirds of the country believes he is doing as well as anyone could in tackling a mess that is not of his making.
And John McCain's snide comment about Marine One - the presidential helicopter - costing as much as Air Force One not only backfired, it was also a reminder that we could have been under the stewardship of a man who has still has pork on the brain when pork is the least of our problems.And John McCain's snide comment about Marine One - the presidential helicopter - costing as much as Air Force One not only backfired, it was also a reminder that we could have been under the stewardship of a man who has still has pork on the brain when pork is the least of our problems.
The real break-out session involves breaking out of Washington and escaping the water-boarding of horrible economic data.The real break-out session involves breaking out of Washington and escaping the water-boarding of horrible economic data.
'Flying commercial''Flying commercial'
Forgive me for bragging but I did just that last week by going on a short skiing trip to Utah, where the snow was powdery, the sun bright, the runs groomed like cream cheese and the ubiquitous courtesy patrols extremely encouraging about my dodgy skiing.Forgive me for bragging but I did just that last week by going on a short skiing trip to Utah, where the snow was powdery, the sun bright, the runs groomed like cream cheese and the ubiquitous courtesy patrols extremely encouraging about my dodgy skiing.
Deer Valley is a fantasyland ski resort, a snowy theme park of optimism, where the credit crunch has clearly yet to bite and where hedge fund exiles can huddle in comfort.Deer Valley is a fantasyland ski resort, a snowy theme park of optimism, where the credit crunch has clearly yet to bite and where hedge fund exiles can huddle in comfort.
Utah: Taking a chance on and off the ski slopesUtah: Taking a chance on and off the ski slopes
Everywhere your red nose turns, even next to the most inaccessible ski lift there is a box of tissues ready to be plucked.Everywhere your red nose turns, even next to the most inaccessible ski lift there is a box of tissues ready to be plucked.
The ski teachers, lifts attendants and cafe staff all wear matching green uniforms like forest-dwelling elves. If it wasn't a ski resort, it would have been a snow-bound sect.The ski teachers, lifts attendants and cafe staff all wear matching green uniforms like forest-dwelling elves. If it wasn't a ski resort, it would have been a snow-bound sect.
I apologise for the detour but I am now getting to my point. The average age of the Deer Valley staff was suspiciously high.I apologise for the detour but I am now getting to my point. The average age of the Deer Valley staff was suspiciously high.
The man who handed me my skis at the gondola was in his late sixties. The woman at the ski locker reminded me of my granny, only with more conspicuous jewellery. She was far too elegant for the job.The man who handed me my skis at the gondola was in his late sixties. The woman at the ski locker reminded me of my granny, only with more conspicuous jewellery. She was far too elegant for the job.
Then someone told me that Deer Valley employs retirees on a part time basis in return for free skiing and subsidies on living in one of the most beautiful places in America.Then someone told me that Deer Valley employs retirees on a part time basis in return for free skiing and subsidies on living in one of the most beautiful places in America.
It keeps the elderly employed for part of the time while allowing them to have fun for most of the time. It seems to go a small way towards solving one of the biggest headaches approaching an ageing society with rising healthcare costs at a time of declining revenue.It keeps the elderly employed for part of the time while allowing them to have fun for most of the time. It seems to go a small way towards solving one of the biggest headaches approaching an ageing society with rising healthcare costs at a time of declining revenue.
The short break also allowed me to overhear the most absurd twitter-worthy twatter on the chairlift: "Tyler, if you don't go to ski school, we are flying commercial!"The short break also allowed me to overhear the most absurd twitter-worthy twatter on the chairlift: "Tyler, if you don't go to ski school, we are flying commercial!"
That must have hurt.That must have hurt.
Matt Frei is the presenter of BBC World News America which airs every weekday on BBC News, BBC World News and BBC America (for viewers outside the UK only).Matt Frei is the presenter of BBC World News America which airs every weekday on BBC News, BBC World News and BBC America (for viewers outside the UK only).
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