President Obama lacks the popularity and credibility now to give Americans confidence about the economy, Washington Post reporter Neil Irwin told CNBC Friday.
“Given that he may be about to lose the House,” added Irwin, “He’s going to face a very formidable legislative environment in the next couple of years.
"Can he, at least, be the voice of reason and send some confidence and just be the adult in the room?”
Irwin said that Monday’s Town Hall with Obama is aimed squarely at the business community, to offer reassurance to Wall Street that he’s willing to listen to their concerns about regulation and taxes. (Watch video of Irwin's comments here.)
Obama has angered not just Wall Street, but the Senate, by naming Elizabeth Warrento serve as a special advisor to oversee the setup of the new consumer protection agency, said Jeanne Cummings, assistant managing editor at Politico told CNBC.