David Axelrod and company are clearly worried about the President being labeled as a reckless spender, which is why they announced earmark reforms the day he signed earmark-laden spending bill and hosted a “fiscal responsibility summit” days after he signed the deficit-exploding stimulus bill. But yesterday’s announcement that he was asking his Cabinet to cut $100 million (out of a $3.6 trillion budget) was clearly too cute by half. Reports the New York Times:

Budget analysts promptly burst out laughing. A reporter declared at the White House briefing that the initiative would become fodder for late-night talk show hosts. The Republican Study Committee, a group of fiscal conservatives, put out a news release with the headline “Obama’s 0.0025% spending cut.” The White House was quickly thrust into explaining mode.

The Obama team has a reputation for being flawless, but in fact they make mistakes just like everybody else (the Obama-seal comes to mind). But to their credit, they don’t dwell on them – or repeat them. Which is why I doubt we’ll see any more Presidential announcements of token budget-cuts.

Tags: budget, communications, new york times, obama, White House