Obama's Job Summit: Best. Idea. Ever.

Katie thinks that while President Obama's job summit is sensible on policy grounds it will be a political liability, reinforcing his image as a dithering talker in the face of crisis.

Says Katie, "Is it a good idea? Yes. Having key stakeholders put their heads together, or at least communicate about the problem, will undoubtedly produce some interesting ideas." So, case closed, right? Wrong! "The 'optics' of the summit ... might just work against him," Katie warns. "Obama is undeniably a deliberative president. He shares none of his predecessor's brash decisiveness ... I'm not sure the public finds that tendency comforting anymore."

Katie's premise is correct. Many Americans are reassured by leaders like our erstwhile "decider" in uncertain times. Until, that is, their rash decisions prove disastrous. Then Americans die, deficits mount, and their approval ratings plummet.

So, while Katie's political advice to Obama might be wise in the short term, it strikes me as short-sighted. Good policy is good politics, especially where the economy is concerned. Careful decision making now will pay political dividends later.

Nor, it should be noted, did Sen. John McCain's seemingly precipitous decision to suspend the presidential campaign during the financial crisis last summer redound to his benefit politically.

The first thing people want in a crisis is to see that the president is paying attention to the problem. President Bush's itchy trigger finger on fighting terrorism was perceived as legitimate, even reassuring, only because he addressed Congress shortly after 9/11 and said his administration would henceforth be committed to the struggle.

Issue-based summits are a good way of telegraphing to the public that you are putting an issue on the front burner. And, in the case of the summits on the financial crises and health-care reform, they were followed by bills in Congress. The summits served as a kick start, not a delay.

One of McCain's biggest liabilities was the perception that—being so old and wealthy that he didn't know how many homes he owns—he was out of touch. Obama is sending another message to Americans with his jobs summit, besides being serious about the problem he is saying, as Bubba would, "I feel your pain." Laugh if you want, but doing that is a necessity for politicians, especially ones in the "Mommy Party."