Back in the 19th century there was an American political group known as the "Know Nothings" because they were secretive and pretty much ineffective. Today we have a do nothing government in Washington. Our elected officials generally sit around saying oh they will get to the bottom of it. They will get to the bottom of everything. Claiming they are working around the clock but little is actually accomplished.
Let me back it up. When Putin invaded Crimea, America was caught by surprise. When terrorists killed four Americans in Benghazi, Libya, America was caught by surprise. When the V.A. scandal broke in Phoenix Arizona, the administration was caught by surprise. When thousands of children started illegally walking across the southern border it was a surprise in Washington.
And now, with Iraq on the verge of collapse, guess what? They are surprised. But the President says they are working hard on the problem.
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BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My team is working around the clock to identify how we can provide the most effective assistance to them. I don't rule out anything.
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O'REILLY: The critics of the President say he has known for months that Iraq was in danger.
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BOEHNER: It's not like we haven't seen this problem coming for over a year. And it hasn't -- it's not like we haven't seen over the last five or six months these terrorists moving, in taking control of western Iraq. Now they have taken control of Mosul. They're a hundred miles from Baghdad. And what's the President doing? Taking a nap.
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O'REILLY: Even though that's a partisan statement, President Obama does appear disengaged from vital problems all over the world and it looks like American voters are starting to understand that. New Gallup poll asks does President Obama manage government effectively: 39 percent say yes; 60 percent say no. Then this question: does President Obama have a clear plan for solving the country's problems -- 34 percent say yes; a whopping 65 percent no. Let me put that number into perspective for you; 34 percent of Americans will approve of whatever Barack Obama does. It doesn't matter to them. They just like him and that's that. So the President is virtually getting a no confidence vote from every other person in the country. That's amazing.
Now Talking Points has been very consistent over the past 18 years -- I don't care about party politics. I want problem solvers in Washington and in our state capitals. I want honest people who will think about creative solutions to vexing situations. I have nothing personally against Barack Obama. He has helped us raise a lot of money for Wounded Warriors. He has been respectful to us generally and I support some of his programs like mentoring poor children and raising the minimum wage so more people get off the dole.
But there no question at this point in history that President Obama is not effectively running the country. Senator McCain was right yesterday when he said Obama needs to fire his crew. And get some experienced people to it advise him on vital issues. Again, 65 percent of American adults believe the President is not an effective problem solver. And boy, do we have problems.
And that's ‘The Memo.'
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