A NEW ROSE GARDEN, OR GOLF COURSE, STRATEGY - AT 6:22 P.M. ET:  It used to be called the "Rose Garden strategy" - the notion being that the best strategy for a sitting president seeking reelection is to be seen working in the White House and appearing in the Rose Garden.

Today we had a variation:  The president appeared in the Rose Garden to make a statement proclaiming North Korea's nuclear test a grave threat.  He then went to Arlington to lay the wreath honoring those who had faced down other threats in the past.  He then went to play golf.

Ugh.

MEMO TO THE PRESIDENT:  Playing golf on Memorial Day, after declaring that a grave threat to the peace has erupted, is not a good idea.  Check with those visiting graves at Arlington for a full critique.

May 25, 2009