In the current issue of Time, Joe Klein writes a paean to President Obama, saying in part:

[Obama] could have planted solar panels and a wind turbine on the White House roof or blasted the Bush Administration as he signed an Executive Order banning torture or lacerated the bankers who got us into the economic mess. But that’s not his style, apparently. He has reversed the tactical, win-the-news-cycle sensibility of recent presidencies. During his first week in office, at least, he opted for strategy and substance over showbiz.

What unfortunate timing. In today’s New York Times we read this:

President Obama branded Wall Street bankers “shameful” on Thursday . . . It was a pointed – if calculated – flash of anger from the president, who frequently railed against excesses in executive compensation on the campaign trails. Mr. Obama was reacting to a report by the New York State comptroller that found financial executives had received an estimated $18.4 billion in bonuses for 2008. “That is the height of irresponsibility,” Mr. Obama said. It is shameful.”

For good measure, Vice President Biden added, “I’d like to throw these guys in the brig.”

So it turns out that (by Klein’s own standard) Obama & Company have not reversed the tactical, win-the-news-cycle sensibility of recent presidencies. And they have opted for a strategy of showbiz over substance. I’m sure we can count on Joe Klein to point this out. Unless, of course, Klein, having discovered yet a new political superhero, turns into a cheerleader instead of a reporter.