Vote: Has Obama Failed the Leadership Test?

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President Barack Obama used his first Oval Office address to press for compensation from BP for those "harmed by the Gulf oil spill," and to call for a comprehensive energy bill.

While many have questioned BP's response to the Gulf oil spill, others have been equally critical of President Obama's handling of the situation from Washington. Last night, on the eve of meeting with BP executives, President Obama addressed the nation about the spill. This leads to today's Kudlow Caucus question:

Did President Obama fail the leadership test in last night's Oval Office speech?

Take our poll below and tell us what you think! Watch "The Kudlow Report" tonight at 7pm ET and find out what out caucus members have to say or check back here later for a summary from our caucus members.




The Kudlow Caucus Breakdown

Yes Jerry BowyerEconomist, CNBC Contributor Bush didn’t blame Clinton for Katrina and Obama shouldn’t have blamed Bush for this.

Yes Kellyanne ConwayCEO and President the polling company™ He lacked for specifics and solutions and sadly, misused the platform to lobby for his jobs-killing national energy tax and moratorium on offshore drilling. Yes David P. GoldmanSenior Editor First Things He should not have wasted the nation's time with nothing specific to offer. No David GoodfriendLawyer No, he didn't get an "F" in leadership. But he didn't get an "A" either. His core supporters wanted to hear more about how we will protect the environment and transition to renewable energy; Gulf Coast residents wanted to hear more certainty about clean up and recovery efforts; and his congressional allies wanted to see more inspiration. Yes Jim LaCampPortfolio Manager, Portfolio Focus, RBC Wealth Management Co-Host, Opening Bell Radio Show, Biz Radio Network It was an important, crucial speech given the state of the economy and the worsening oil situation. Because the administration has no coherent energy policy, the speech lacked vision and a clear message. Yes Art LafferFmr. Reagan Economic Advisor Chief Investment Officer, Laffer Investments Blame is not a policy. Yes Donald L. Luskin Chief Investment Officer, Trend Macrolytics LLC There are two parts to the leadership test: to act like a leader, and to lead. He did neither. Yes Steve MooreSr. Economics Writer, The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board Yes, he failed. It was the equivalent of Carter's malaise speech. At least he didn’t push cap and tax. Yes Peter Navarro Business Professor University of California, Irvine He took the blame game to a whole new level. Small guy in a big office. Yes James Pethokoukis Money & Politics Columnist Reuters Leaders work to fix the problem at hand, not merely use them as a political pivot for some dreamy green policy agenda. At one point in the speech, Obama said, "First, the cleanup." But with estimates of the oil flowing into the Gulf rising by the day, shouldn't the priority by plugging the hole? Yes Robert Reich Former Labor Secretary Professor of Public Policy, UC Berkeley He didn’t use the opportunity to push for a carbon tax, which is the only real way to reduce our dependency on oil and coal. No Mark Walsh Political Strategist and Campaign Innovator No, he did not fail the “test” of leadership. He asked for a new age of energy use and promised to use the government to clean up the gulf and hold those responsible to the task of paying for it. You can argue with his style, but the content was spot on.