President Obama's Sermon At Georgetown

By: Dan Farber
Topics: Barack Obama

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

President Obama can't turn water into wine, but he is determined to change sand into rock. In a major economic speech today at Georgetown University, Mr. Obama invoked the Sermon on the Mount -- likening the economic foundations of the previous administrations to sand that is easily blown away:

"There is a parable at the end of the Sermon on the Mount that tells the story of two men. The first built his house on a pile of sand, and it was destroyed as soon as the storm hit. But the second is known as the wise man, for when '…the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house… it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.'"

Click here to read Mr. Obama's full remarks.

"We cannot rebuild this economy on the same pile of sand. We must build our house upon a rock. We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity – a foundation that will move us from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest; where we consume less at home and send more exports abroad."

The question is whether Mr. Obama's economic recovery plan can turn sand into rock. He hasn't performed or promised any miracles. His administration has been persistent and dogged in its efforts to "clear away the wreckage" and create a new, 21st century financial system, "tough new rules for Wall Street," as the president said in his speech.

But, the grinding sound you hear in Washington is the various factions producing more sand than rock as the economy continues to sputter -- despite some modest improvements, such as a spike in mortgage refinancing. The president noted "glimmers of hope," but also said, "We are not out of the woods just yet."

"The severity of this recession will cause more job loss, more foreclosures, and more pain before it ends. The market will continue to rise and fall. Credit is still not flowing nearly as easily as it should," he acknowledged in his speech.

"If we don't lay this foundation now, we'll be right back where we are today," he warned, and then pointed an accusing finger at the Washington culture and the media, citing the short attention span, grown shorter with the 24-hour news cycle, and need for instant gratification of "this town," and its "tendency to score political points instead of rolling up sleeves to solve real problems."

"When a crisis hits, there's all too often a lurch from shock to trance, with everyone responding to the tempest of the moment until the furor has died away and the media coverage has moved on, instead of confronting the major challenges that will shape our future in a sustained and focused way," he said.

The speech gave Mr. Obama an opportunity to once again state his case, articulate his vision and ask the American people for more patience and delayed gratification. As a chief executive only three months into a four-year term, he'll have several more quarters to show whether he can turn sand into rock. But the incessant grinding, partisanship and short attention span will continue as a counterpoint to Mr. Obama's relentless pursuit of the redeeming rock.

Daniel Farber is editor-in-chief of CBSNews.com.

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by Steve4538031 April 15, 2009 3:22 PM EDT: So Obama is going to have a committee lead by Volker review the tax code and report to him at the end of the year. Haven't we heard this before. At least he didn't call it a blue ribbon committee. My understanding is that the economic team that Obama appointed, including Volker, has not even met in the last 3 months. Once again Obama comes out in a press conference with a new plan, and doesn't bother to follow through. It is sad to see Americans and our President think that a $7 a week tax cut is a big deal. You can't even eat at McDondalds for that.; Reply to this comment


by bumpedoff1 April 14, 2009 8:51 PM EDT: By spending trillions that America dose not have real bright boy there; Reply to this comment


by jab232 April 14, 2009 8:14 PM EDT: I appreciate President Obama's long term vision and the way he is working to make all his programs come together to foster that long term vision.; Reply to this comment


by valh1 April 14, 2009 7:31 PM EDT: I thought we were no longer a Christian nation. Why is he quoting the Bible?; Reply to this comment


by ebika April 14, 2009 4:57 PM EDT: MORONIC BLOGGERS. The President is evidently far ahead of these Say Nayers.; Reply to this comment


by TheMasses01 April 14, 2009 4:55 PM EDT: This whole administration should be waterboarded.; Reply to this comment


by Steve4538031 April 14, 2009 4:02 PM EDT: I agree with the comment above. Classic Obama - do as I say, not as I do.; Reply to this comment


by McHineguy April 14, 2009 3:42 PM EDT: From the article, Obamas words: "We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity ? a foundation that will move us from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest; where we consume less at home and send more exports abroad"

Obamas actions. "And we will build that foundation on the mountain of debt I have created. And that debt will be owned by foreign nations. A debt that they can claim whenever they want. So they too can spread our wealth and all can celebrate in the poverty that I have created."; Reply to this comment