Krugman Attacks Obama's Reagan Comments

NY Times:

Historical narratives matter. That's why conservatives are still writing books denouncing F.D.R. and the New Deal; they understand that the way Americans perceive bygone eras, even eras from the seemingly distant past, affects politics today.

And it's also why the furor over Barack Obama's praise for Ronald Reagan is not, as some think, overblown. The fact is that how we talk about the Reagan era still matters immensely for American politics.

Read the whole story: NY Times

Comments

[m4rk0]

If you watched Meet the Press yesterday you would have seen Bill Clinton (In 2002 I believe) saying the exact same things Obama is getting bashed for when talking about the Republicans of the past 15 years. Seems like Bill is a hypocrite.

[ZinZen]

I never knew that Krugman "from 1982 to 1983, he spent a year working at the Reagan White House as a staff member of the Council of Economic Advisers. ", and that in 1999 he was an advisor for Enron. Kind of puts a new light on Mr. Krugman.

[trailrunner9]

Capaign slogan for Republicans for fall election:

Even the Democrats think the Repubicans are the party of ideas.

Compliments of Barack Obama - way to go!

[laurainaustintexas]

Well, of course he did. Hence the sarcastic joke.

Anderson, your previous claim that Krugman is just "telling it like it is" interests me. How would you feel about his piece if he put as much emphasis on Hillary's DOCUMENTED, UNQUALIFIED admiration of Reagan AND George H. W. Bush? Just curious.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=4674

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4092735

[Madampotential]

Krugman is right. I think Obama is triangulating, he is really bringing America together right??

Headline should read "Reagan forced by DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS to make MLK day a holiday"

[rivrgrrl]

Whoever the next president is, they would be doing all of America a favor by appointing Mr Krugman as Chief Financial Advisor. This man has consistently been on top of and correct in his assessments of the economy for decades now.

Too bad most Americans would rather "have a beer" with a man who has consistently lied to us about the economic effects of his policies since his first day in office. I only hope that they have learned that lesson the hard way, but I won't hold my breath.

On Obama's comments; Mr Krugman is also correct. To label Raygun as anything but the failure that he was is dishonest at it's core and only plays into the Reich's attempt to rewrite history.

[Cedman]

This guy is a weasel.

[Buddhabelli]

I can't believe krugman is taking sides by his constant dismissal of Obama.
But That shrinks in comparison to the ex-president and tichular head of the Democratic party being a campaign attack dog.(against a promising Democratic candidate)

Now after seven years of GWB's depressing and destructive presidency we're having Hillary forced on us. What a depressing outlook.

I would never vote for Hillary.

[nolalily]

Someone up-thread wrote:

PHOOEY. This really makes me angry. Krugman should take care to keep from sullying his good reputation by resorting to this kind of CHEAP, intellectually bankrupt CRAP.

Precisely.

[letreasonprevail]

Oh, come ON, HuffPO!

That's not an "attack" on Obama -- it's a reasoned critique of failed conservative policy -- and an understandable calling out of Obama for the comparison.

Could you tone down the rhetoric a little bit? Obama's not being attacked; his ideas are being challenged.

We know you love Obama, but let's not get FOXy here.

[laurainaustintexas]

Okay, Mr. Krugman. So why didn't you also criticize Hillary's statement, taken from HER OWN WEBSITE, that Reagan, AND George HW Bush are among her FAVORITE presidents?

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=4674

I mean, she's NEVER been on record praising their policies any more than Obama has (Obama only noted Reagan's ability to detect and respond to massive public desire for political change).

In fact, that's not the only place you can find the Clintons' praise for Reagan: "Hillary and I will always remember President Ronald Reagan for the way he personified the indomitable optimism of the American people, and for keeping America at the forefront of the fight for freedom for people everywhere."

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/05/reagan.health/index.html

I am really embarrassed for Krugman. He's a great intellect and has been a reliable and reasonable voice for economics and policy for many years, but his statements have the look and feel of a very cheap attempt to conflate Obama's remarks about Reagan's keen political ear with an acceptance or even ENDORSEMENT of Reagan's policies and their dreadful results.

PHOOEY. This really makes me angry. Krugman should take care to keep from sullying his good reputation by resorting to this kind of CHEAP, intellectually bankrupt CRAP.

KNOCK IT OFF, KRUGMAN. Offer honest critical analyses of Obama's proposed policies, but don't insult ALL OF US with this kind of cheap, political BULLSHIT.

[drewdawgsea]

Mr. Krugman, you are an idiot. Did you even read his statement? He wasn't praising Regan or saying that the Republicans had GOOD ideas. No, he said they had IDEAS and then later clarified that the ideas did not work but they were ideas all the same. I realize you all want your beloved Hillary to get elected but enough of the spinning already. If she can't win the election by telling us what SHE has to offer and what SHE can do better than Obama, then I see no reason why I should vote for her even in the face of all the twisted spin being thrown around the media. But no, all she focuses on is why Obama shouldn't be president and not why she should be. THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH WASHINGTON.

[BufoAmericanus]

When it's time to change tracks, the conductor shouldn't be lookin' at "trickle-down."

Not gonna' get a lot of urban votes with Reagan appeals.

[AnninCA]

I agree. Mostly I think Obama dissed the Democratic party in that interview.

He's above us, you know.

Floating on a cloud......*

[dockboy]

Reagan rocked.