I’m glad they’re only discoring this now. I mean, it’s not like there was any indication of such a character trait prior to the election. Whooda thunk a guy who consistently refused to take positions on controversial issues would have a problem asserting himself?

“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…

Two Democratic senators involved in trying to salvage the auto companies have said Obama could help move the process along and should become more engaged.

“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.”

Two days later, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, a point man in helping his state’s main industry, called on Obama to help resolve the dispute over money for the auto loan package.

“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.”

A few points here. First of all, Dodd’s probably right that the perception of many Americans is that Obama’s in control, and the bad economic news is bad news for him. 57.4% of people who voted for Obama can’t even tell you which party controls Congress. What’s the likelihood that they understand the concept of the Electoral College and transition periods?

Second of all, I hope Democrats aren’t counting on Obama getting terribly more assertive as President. I predict flip-flops and deafening silence (more often the former) quite often throughout his administration. His time in the Illinois Senate and U.S. Senate doesn’t exactly indicate that he becomes more assertive once in office. This probably won’t be the last time we’ll hear about a lack of leadership from the Obama Administration.