Office of Urban Affairs

Criticism of Obama and the czar "system" is overblown. In fact, a czar's power comes not from dictatorial authority, but from humble restraint.

President Obama seems committed to shifting federal urban policymaking from a reactive, "Marshall Plan"-type strategy to a proactive, cooperative approach.

Though this is less robust a beginning than urban policy advocates might have liked, Obama will address the Urban and Metropolitan Policy Roundtable, which demonstrates his continued commitment to cities.

Why not set up stimulus accountability outposts of the White House in cities? Obama came into office with a metro mandate and now is the time to claim it.