I disagree with Maher. If Obama is too aggressive in policy implementation, he risks a mid-term backlash as happened to Bill Clinton. Then he would be significantly constrained in ways he isn't right now. Oh, by the way, a big proposal on new financial regulations came in today. I don't like all of them, but it's clear that some steps were necessary. What I've seen from the Obama administration so far is a pretty cold and efficient operation. Lots of things have happened pretty quickly.

Maher wants more than a 4% CO2 reduction next year? Is he high (again?) In a recession? Fact is, this will not happen without new technology unless we see a total economic collapse. So the Obama administration is looking at a longer view.

As for all the TV coverage, I see it as just a way to keep out in front of the news cycle. Bush's administration was so secretive that the media often outran them in terms of public perception because they were unwilling to explain much of what they were doing. Obama doesn't give away the store either, but by being so accessible, he highlights how he's really the anti-Bush. And that plays well right now.