I'm not politically savvy. Most journalists aren't. We tend to blurt out questions most would consider inappropriate, like asking the grieving mother, “How do you feel?”

This week, credit union leaders made public statements and decisions that, given the current political climate and dissatisfaction within the industry, were so ill-advised even I scratched my head.

NCUA Vice Chairman Rick Metsger's prepared statement during the agency's monthly board meeting regarding the risk-based capital rule topped the list. The NCUA approved the final rule with only a few changes to proposed risk weights, and until Metsger spoke, the meeting was pretty tame.

Metsger spoke last, following Chairman Debbie Matz and Board Member Mark McWatters. Both Matz and McWatters, who have had cringe-worthy exchanges during past board meetings, stood firm on their opposing positions about the necessity and legality of the rule. They made strong statements but did so professionally.

In fact, I applaud Matz for addressing House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling's request that his Oct. 13 letter requesting the NCUA hold off on finalizing the rule be read during the meeting. While Matz said such a request was unprecedented, she also said she respected the committee's interest in the rule and had the letter entered into the official record. That was a classy move, considering committee members hammered Matz during her July 23 hearing.

Metsger, however, repeatedly mocked H.R. 2769, the Risk-Based Capital Study Act, which would require the NCUA to review its risk-based capital rule and report back to Congress the impact the rule would have on credit unions and their members.

Metsger referred to the rule at least 20 times during his 30-minute speech; it was overkill. He spoke longer than Matz and even lawyer McWatters, who joked if those in attendance wanted to take naps while he spoke, he wouldn't be offended.

Metsger made a good point that the NCUA stopped and studied its risk-based capital rule when it withdrew its first proposal and offered up RBC2, which included several changes to risk weights and removed concentration and interest rate risk elements.

Tragically, his sarcasm invalidated his arguments. He jeered official positions released by both CUNA and NAFCU and scoffed at the bill's sponsors and the financial services committee.

Metsger also made my jaw drop when he stressed how most credit unions have so much capital, the risk-based rule won't affect them at all. He should have stopped there, but added that instead of complaining about the rule, credit unions should be critical of themselves because holding on to that much capital is a misuse of member funds. That might be true, but it's not smart to state it on the record during a board meeting.

He also said he found it ironic that credit unions asked the NCUA to hold off on finalizing RBC2, but wanted field of membership reform approved as quickly as possible. Again, perhaps that's true, but don't publicly say so when your stakeholders are listening.

Congress was also listening: Staffers working for the bill's sponsors and the financial services committee tuned in to the online feed. I feel bad for the NCUA's lobbyists. They have some 'splaining to do the next time they head to Capitol Hill.

A firm position from a regulator is fine, but Metsger's attempt at what I assume was humor came off as unprofessional and made the NCUA board look like amateurs compared to other regulators.

Another move that could have negative consequences was CUNA CEO Jim Nussle's decision to accompany World Council executives to Cuba to promote credit unions. If CUNA wasn't faced with turmoil regarding the board's decision to reject the task force's membership recommendation, leagues that are reconsidering dual membership and reports CUNA is reducing staff, the trip wouldn't have raised eyebrows.

But CUNA appears, at least from the outside looking in, to be a house in chaos. Its top leader should be focused on righting the ship, not sightseeing. SECU CEO-turned-blogger Jim Blaine is already having a field day with this one, and I anticipate he'll milk it for all it's worth.

I was also disappointed to hear Nussle was a no-show at the NCUA board meeting. CUNA did send a couple of executives, but considering that RBC2 was one of the most important rules to be finalized in years, the face of the industry's largest trade association should have been there.