The president is out of touch

When Richard Nixon was running for president, his handlers sensed voters thought he was out of touch with the common man. And history would prove them right.

So to give the always-stiff Nixon a more common touch, he was scheduled to appear on the highly-popular "Laugh-In" comedy program using the now-famous line, "Sock it to me!"

Unfortunately, his awkward and highly non-comedic rendition became a laughing stock in itself.

But politicians of all stripes are always anxious to portray themselves as just a common man who can understand the ups and downs of the voters.

That approach came in handy for our current president.

During a fundraiser in Minnesota last week, the president told the woeful tale of a local woman hit hard by the economy.

According to the president, the woman and her husband -- along with two children -- had wrestled with finances like never before.

The husband lost his job, got another job and was injured, lost that job, too. The wife returned to school to get an accounting job and rolled up $12,000 in education loans. Both parents finally got jobs but at much lower wages and now struggle to pay their debt and make ends meet.

The president desperately wanted the woman -- and the nation -- to know he understood her plight. He was not much different, in his view.

To illustrate to this woman -- and the nation -- his depth of understanding with this struggling family, the president told his tale of woe.

"When I see you, I'm reminded of when Michelle and I were starting off early on, and Michelle calling me in tears because we had just lost the nanny and we had no idea whether we were going to be able to replace her with somebody."

Can you imagine? Losing your nanny! Oh, the humanity.

This story should illustrate to the nation that this president can truly understand our economic struggles. He is one of us.

Like the struggling woman in Minnesota, the First Family has had to deal with similar circumstances. Granted, they didn't have to worry about college debt or losing their jobs. But a nanny is such a critical element in most of our lives and, at long last, we have someone who can appreciate the concerns we have.

Nothing out of touch.

Now granted, this minor anecdote does not compare to the turmoil in the Middle East, the flood of immigrants crossing our southern borders or the on-going impact of Obamacare.

But it does illustrate what pundits have said concerning this administration's lack of understanding about the real world issues that face far too many Americans.

It's one thing to think the loss of a nanny can compare with the loss of jobs and mounting debt. But it's another thing to say those words in public.

What's really funny about the president's little tale is that his Minnesota trip was billed as a chance to hear the concerns of average Americans.

Well, he heard an earful.

Unfortunately, the president should have listened more and talked less.

I strongly suspect the president's loss of a nanny did little to sooth the hardship of this Minnesota family.

But hey, they got to meet the president!

Michael Jensen is the publisher of the Sikeston Standard Democrat.