The Worst Job In The World

To be the mouthpiece of an administration that has nothing to say.

The Middle East and North Africa are erupting in violence. A shutdown of the federal government looms. State governments have been disrupted by noisy protests. And, yet, the White House has been inexplicably passive.

CNN's Ed Henry asked why it has taken Obama so long to speak out about the violence in Libya. "The president puts out statements on paper sometimes," Carney explained.

AP Radio's Mark Smith pointed out that "since your briefing began, West Texas crude topped $100 a barrel. Is this just a matter of watching, or is there anything the U.S. government can do?"

Carney opted for the former. "I don't want to speculate about where prices will go, or any other potential things in the future," he replied. "We're just monitoring it."

Sometime it's best to keep silence and be thought a fool, rather than speak up and remove all doubt. Considering how things have turned out when Obama does get involved, this might be the best strategy.