On David Letterman Wednesday, Chris Thrill-Up-My-Leg Matthews had some advice for our executively-challenged president. After reminding Obama of the several roles he must fulfill as the POTUS, Matthews ended with this sage-like exhortation: “If I were him, I’d get my act together.” But what was significant about Matthews’ lecture to the president is the audience’s response: applause.

Matthews’ major point of frustration with Obama was his inability to create an effective hierarchy and clarity of responsibility in his administration. (No executive competence? Who would’ve seen that coming?) As an example, Matthews cites Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ woeful performance in the Heathcare.gov hearings, where she was unable to explain who was responsible for aspects of the rollout.

When we went into Japan after the Second World War, we put one guy in freaking charge. His name was Douglas MacArthur. He was the boss. That’s the way you run everything. And for some reason Obama doesn’t like to run things that way. He likes floaters, people moving around, sort of available. Old pals...

Come on! You’re head of the military, you’re Commander in Chief. And you’re also Head of State, you’ve got a formal responsibility there, like a king. But you’re also Chief Executive—that’s a job! And I think he’s let that slip. I’m just stating the facts. And I like the guy. I like what he’s trying to do, but if I were him, I’d get my act together.

At that line, Letterman’s audience applauded. One by one, the Obama administration is losing them all.