THE PITCH

Posted at 9:57 a.m. ET

When a Hollywood writer sits down to try to sell a new movie or TV show to a producer, it's called "the pitch."  I've been there many times.  The idea is to get the producer to commit to the next stage, known as a "development deal," where someone writes a check so you can develop the idea while not starving.  When you're doing the pitch you may know, or may not know, what you're going to do if you ever reach that next stage.  Some have gotten a development deal and realized they had nothing to develop. 

I had that impression in listening to the president last night.  Mr. Obama speaks beautifully.  We know that.  He has an active mind.  We know that, too.  And he looks good.  Women tell me that. 

But I felt too often that I was listening to a pitch, and that the pitchman had no idea what he would do if we gave him the deal.  The strategy here, if there is one, is to follow what congressional Democrats have done, surrender to them, and put on a happy face.  I had no sense that the president had thought through the next stage.  Neither did I have a sense that he'd know what to do if the stimulus package passed and failed.  Like a good pitchman, the president had his talking points in order, but little else.

The press questions were fair, some rather good, and none threw Mr. Obama off.  However, like so much in the president's recent verbal arsenal, the weaponry failed to conquer.  Maybe we've already begun to be skeptical.  Or maybe the American people know, instinctively, the difference between campaign rhetoric and the language of governing.  I can't imagine any of the masses rushing to the barricades after last night's presentation.

The emperor does have clothes.  But I think he's begun a bit of a strip-tease.

February 10, 2009.