Is Obama Doing Too Much Too Soon?

March 10, 2009— -- It was just five months ago that President Obama, the then-junior senator from Illinois was rallying across the country, campaigning for one of the world's most influential seats. But those days seem long gone.

The president has been a whirling dervish of activity ever since he took the oath of office seven weeks ago, nominating his Cabinet members just minutes after inauguration.

In his first 50 days, Obama has taken action on practically every policy issue under the sun -- economy, education, health care, national security, the list goes on. You might take issue with what he's trying to do, but you can't accuse the president of dragging his heels.

But while the administration says the issues Obama faces, particularly the economy, need swift action, his critics warn he may be doing too much too soon.

This morning, Obama made his first speech dedicated solely to education, a topic he spoke passionately about during his presidential campaign.

"It's time to give all Americans a complete and competitive education from the cradle up through a career. We've accepted failure for far too long. Enough is enough," the president said to applause at a meeting of The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "America's entire education system must once more be the envy of the world -- and that's exactly what we intend to do."

Of course, the economy has been the dominant focus. Even before assuming office, Obama took steps on the issue. He asked President Bush in early January to work to release the second $350 billion in federal bailout funds to help stabilize the financial system.

Since then, he has pushed the massive $787 billion stimulus package, the largest of its kind in the history of United States, and one that the president insists is necessary to avert catastrophe.

"Today does not mark the end of our economic troubles," Obama said when signing the bill at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. "Nor does it constitute all of what we must do to turn our economy around. But it does mark the beginning of the end -- the beginning of what we need to do to create jobs for Americans scrambling in the wake of layoffs; to provide relief for families worried they won't be able to pay next month's bills; and to set our economy on a firmer foundation, paving the way to long-term growth and prosperity."