Apparently us conservatives aren't the only ones noticing Obama's recent dance to avoid responsibility. Now some Democrats are finally starting to criticize Obama for failing to step up and take a stand on the issue.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/04/democrats-impatient-obama-act-economy/

Democrats are growing impatient with President-elect Barack Obama's refusal to inject himself in the major economic crises confronting the country.

Obama has sidestepped some policy questions by saying there is only one president at a time. But the dodge is wearing thin.

"He's going to have to be more assertive than he's been," House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., told consumer advocates Thursday...

"At a time of great crisis with mortgage foreclosures and autos, he says we only have one president at a time," Frank said. "I'm afraid that overstates the number of presidents we have. He's got to remedy that situation."

That was a slick swipe at President Bush but, in this case, I tend to agree with Barney Frank. Bush has really personified the concept of "lame duck president" and Obama has been strikingly vague about what he will do when he assumes the presidency in less than a month.

I first commented on Obama's AWOL status when it comes to the economy almost a month ago (and then again a week later). The world has been waiting for some hints on what Obama plans to do and we've all been waiting as stock markets stumble mostly lower with extreme volatility--due to, in my opinion, uncertainty of what's going to happen in January as much as due to the economic bad news that keeps trickling out.

Frank wasn't the only Democrat to swipe at Obama. Democrat Senator Dodd also shared some thoughts:

"The Obama team has to step up," Sen. Christopher Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and one of the lead negotiators, said Nov. 21 in Hartford, Conn. "In the minds of the people, this is the Obama administration. I don't think we can wait until January 20."

Senator Carl Levin also commented:

"It would be very helpful if the president-elect would become more involved in resolving the issue over the source of the funds," he said. "I want him to offer his assistance. He is a person who can really bring people together."

I'll have to admit that I'm encouraged by Democrats making some honest criticisms of Obama. Obama has been immune from the typical political process too long and been getting away with things most politicians wouldn't. With some Democrats openly articulating reservations about Obama's handling of the situation, it would appear that some of Obama's immunity to real criticism is fading.