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February 15th, 2009
07:23 AM ET

Dear President Obama #27: Nothing from Nothing

Reporter's Note: President Obama wants idea about how to run the country. So I am writing a letter every day until everything is perfect.

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/02/13/obama.whats.next/art.obama.ahead.gi.jpg]

Tom Foreman | Bio
AC360° Correspondent

Dear Mr. President,

I know you have asked for advice, but frankly it's Sunday and I'm fresh out. In a pinch, I could probably whip up some dazzling insight about Iran or a plan for "Free Biscuits for America," but I'm not sure putting that on the agenda would go well for either of us.

"Mr. President, where did this biscuit thing come from? Is this Tom's work?"

"Uh, let me get back to you on that, Rahm."

Sometimes I think the smartest course, especially when you get really tired, is taking a page from the doctor's book: First, don't do any harm.

I think "doing nothing" is also one of the hardest things to do. When you are smart, engaged with issues, ambitious, and energetic, (as you certainly are) it is easy to feel like you should be doing something all the time. Couple that with the enormous power of the presidency, and I suppose I'd be whipping out new laws and policies by the second. But I think that would be a bad idea.

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