Well, Gary gave President Obama rave reviews about Monday night’s press conference. I had a different – and apparently partisan – reaction. There was a time, not so long ago, when Obama talked a language that sounded a lot like plain everyday English but now, well, he’s taken to talking political-ese. High quality political-ese but political-ese nonetheless.

The other night the president was bobbing and weaving like a true politician.

For instance, he got this question: “During the campaign, you promised the American people that you won’t just tell them what they want to hear, but what they need to hear. Won’t the government need far more than the $350 billion that’s remaining in the financial rescue funds to really solve the credit crisis?”

I’ll paraphrase Obama’s answer: He wants to be sure the money is spent properly. He’s going to be sure his treasury secretary is working with his economic advisor. And, beyond that, he doesn’t want to preempt his treasury secretary… who’s going to be laying out the details.

Not exactly an outburst of candor.

Question: “Since you’ve been very clear about a timetable to withdraw combat troops from Iraq within 16 months, I wonder, what’s your timetable to withdraw troops eventually from Afghanistan?”

Obama’s answer: This is going to be a big challenge. We are undergoing a thorough review. General Petraeus and our special envoy are working on it.

Another dodge.

Question: “Related to that, there’s a Pentagon policy that bans media coverage of the flag-draped coffins coming in to Dover Air Force Base… You’ve promised unprecedented transparency, openness in your government. Will you overturn that policy so the American people can see the full human cost of war?”

Obama’s answer: We’re studying it.

Question: “On the next bank bailout, are you going to impose a requirement that the financial institutions use this money to loosen up credit and make new lending?”

Obama’s answer: I’m trying to avoid pre-empting my secretary of the treasury… I want all of you to show up at his press conference, as well… he’s going to be terrific.

Question: “Do you know of any country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons?”

Obama’s answer: I don’t want to speculate.

Question: “Sen. Patrick Leahy announced that he wants to set up a truth and reconciliation committee to investigate the misdeeds of the Bush administration… Do you agree?”

Obama’s answer: Nobody’s above the law… but, generally speaking, I’m more interested in looking forward than I am in looking backwards.

In other words, Obama sounded just like a president dancing the two-step with the press.

Candor went right out the window.

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