Joe Klein: Obama Needs To Get Tougher On Domestic Agenda

TIME:

Barack Obama has been President for six months now, and we are beginning to learn a few things about how he does business. The most surprising of these is that he is a vehement traditionalist, a small-c conservative, despite his opponents' best efforts to paint him as a radical. [...]

The fact is, Obama may be blowing a major opportunity for reform with his domestic-policy diffidence. He came to office faced with an unprecedented economic crisis, and he focused on it successfully during his first 100 days, giving two excellent speeches about the need for a stimulus plan and general economic reform. He has lost that focus as his other initiatives have come online; he has failed to speak with precision or clarity about the bills wandering through Congress. He has failed to make clear what needs to be in those bills -- and what can't be -- if he is going to sign them. He also needs to update the public on his stimulus plan, especially now that his Vice President inadvertently dissed it. And he needs to make a direct assault on the greedheads who created the Ponzi economy and are now trying to gut his plan to make them do business honestly.

Read the whole story: TIME

Comments

[TaxDayMan]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/trust_on_issues/trust_on_issues

Read lates polls on who Americans trust on the issues; more bad news for Obama and the demo-marxist!

[sueinmn]

You call O a Marxist. I suggest you look it up and read it very carefully. I relate much of what is said from prior experience of the past recent years.

dominates and exploits the vast majority (the working class or proletariat). In Marx's labor theory of value, workers typically have no choice but produce more value and more output than is necessary to pay the cost of their reproduction as people in society over time. They do this under conditions that they do not control, i.e., under the direction of the supervisors and threatened by unemployment or poverty the rather than following democratic decision-making, and thus give the surplus-product to the owners,

Can you deny this happens now under "the right to work" laws enacted by republicans?

You misquote out of ignorance and earns you no respect.

[Chernynkaya]

Very good reply. I am more prone to invective, but you said it with civility.

[IndieBlue]

Funny how Rasmussen doesn't post the number of Republicans,, Democrats and Independents surveyed. Also funny how their "survey questions and top line" have two different survey dates listed.

"Keep in mind that Rasmussen consistently tracks Obama's approval rating well below most other pollsters. And also keep in mind that Rasmussen served as something of a GOP lifeline last fall because it was perhaps the only major polling firm that showed McCain with even the slightest chance at winning down the stretch. But none of that matters to Power Line because Rasmussen says Obama's approval rating is just 55%."
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2009041400188

Of course Scotty received $95,500 from the Republican National Committee in consulting fees in '04. But that doesn't mean his outfit would be impartial.

[TaxDayMan]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/demographic_notes_barack_obama_approval_index

He does and breaks it all down by party, ideology. gender, etc.

[TaxDayMan]

"Our baseline targets are established based upon separate survey interviews with a sample of adults nationwide completed during the preceding three months (a total of 45,000 interviews) and targets are updated monthly. Currently, the baseline targets for the adult population are 39.0% Democrats, 32.5% Republicans, and 28.5% unaffiliated. Likely voter samples typically show a slightly smaller advantage for the Democrats."

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

[naschkatze]

Another person who likes to throw around terms he knows nothing about. As a leftist who is not a Marxist, I can tell you that calling Obama a Marxist brings tears of laughter to my eyes.

[TaxDayMan]

Yes I would call "O" a marxist!

[TovSquirrel]

And you would display your ignorance for all the world to see.

The man is a capitalist, the Democrats and Republicans are rabid capitalists.

Most governments (US included) are center-right and tend towards authoritarian.

It is capitalism that got the US to where it is today--both bad and good.

Capitalism: Feudalism all dressed up for the Industrial Revolution.

[Dynamohum]

You don't know squat!! Look up the meaning and you would find that you are WRONG!! and publicly showing what a dork you are!

[Dynamohum]

RASMUSSEN? ROFLMAO!!! Might as well say republican poll!! POLE! As in slippery.

[raop]

As Pres. Obama himself is finding out , it is much easier to comment and critique from outside than to be at the helm of affirs and actually effect change. Having said that, the president has an overloaded plate that he has been doing his best to handle. It is impossible for him to achieve any modicum of success in 6 months. At least 3 years are needed before judging him.The problem is the intense situations that have developed overseas with North Korea, Iran and the question of Israel vis a vis Iran and the issue of settlements. None of these can be outsourced and all these will take his attention away from the domestic aganda. The issue of reviving the economy is far more complex than was initially thought. One thing the president definitely needs to look into the snails pace of stimulus funds disbursement and speed up the projects, something he has himself acknowledged. While Joe Klein does bring up realistic points, critiques need to keep in mind that a president too is a human being after all, not a robot. I am sure if he could, the president would love to do all that Klein mentions. Maybe, Mr Klein shoould give a nationally televised speech on how to actually achieve all that he has mentioned in a practical way. Otherwise Mr Klein would seem to be morphing into candidate Obama in 2007-2008.

[JDM73]

I would disagree with the notion that Obama wants to be a transformative president. He says he wants to be a transformative president, but his track record so far clearly indicates the opposite. These are the most polite, diplomatic terms in which the truth can be expressed.

[naschkatze]

His track record indicates that he is running away from anything that could remotely be transformational.

[jmpurser]

I agree with the Author. President Obama has been presented with more challenges AND more opportunities to really make a difference in America than any president since FDR. Unfortunately, he's just not up to the challenge. I look forward to 3.5 more years of not quite making a difference before we get a chance to replace him with a leader.

[lifeagain]

Conservatism is on the rise. he is losing independants and key swing states and his poll number is at -8. Conservatives are now trusted more than dems on economic issues. Sorry guys...

[jmpurser]

Anyone who trusts "conservatives" (what exactly did they ever conserve?) on the economy or anything else gets what they deserve. America paid a high enough price over the last 30 years to remember it a while.

Obama's sin is being too conservative. Not too liberal.

[IndieBlue]

Are you going to keep spamming one Rasmussen poll result? From the article:

"That’s about what you’d expect from a President transitioning from a honeymoon period to a time when he will start to be judged by his policies. Those numbers translate to a Presidential Approval Index that has declined from +23 in January to +2 in June..
These numbers do not support the partisan spin coming from either side of the aisle. In fact, a good description of the situation is the same as Scott Rasmussen noted in an analysis on the President’s 100th day in office: “Republicans and conservatives try to paint a portrait of declining support and weakness. Democrats and liberals see a president with unrivaled popularity and power. Both assessments are wrong.”
-Rasmussen

[Clearing-Brush]

No matter how many times you repeat this fantasy, it will still be a false agument. It was your side that got us here in the first place remember? What make you think anyone trusts them now?

[naschkatze]

This time around, being disappointed with the Democrat does NOT translate into the public turning toward conservative. The disappointment in Obama is that he has not gone left enough. I say it opens up the possibility of a real third party if it continues.

[Mike Barden]

How long was FDR President?

[jmpurser]

He knew which direction to walk in the first day. Obama has had 6 months and isn't showing any signs of developing a sense of direction.

[naschkatze]

FDR set his course in early 1933 and never looked back. If Obama is setting his course now, I don't like what I see.

[Samalabear]

Four terms.

[talkitreal]

Since the day he took office, President Obama has made it very clear what his Domestic priorities are:
The Economy, Healthcare, Education and Energy!

With the Stimulus Package President Obama he already made significant investments in EVERY one of these 4 areas, FOR EXAMPLE: In the Stimulus Package, Billion of dollars was invested in Alternative Energy, and also invested in upgrading the electrical grid. AND President Obama, countinues to focus on these 4 areas: The Economy, Healthcare, Education, and Energy. - as more legislation concerning theses 4 areas are right now making their way through the Congress right now.

We know that President Obama wants a public option when it comes to Healthcare Reform.

We know that President Obama wants a Climate Bill / "Cap and Trade" bill that focuses on reducing pollution, the legistlation is currently in the Senate.

President Obama has already signed a Credit Card reform bill that helps to better protect consumers, from the unfair practises of rate hikes, and abusive fees, by Credit card companies.

President Obama, already signed a law to protect homeowners from mortgage fraud.

President Obama already signed a law that bans tobacco advertising within a thousand feet of schools and playgrounds, and bans marketing of products to children by using appealing flavors . The law also forces these companies to more clearly and publicly acknowledge the harmful and deadly effects of the products they sell.

And there's more to come...

[HeWhoReads]

1. The public isn't allowed to know where most of the stimulus money went.
2. That Credit Card bill is useless. No cap on interest rates, you see.
3. I haven't seen the wording on the Climate Bill yet, but from what I've read it has corporate loopholes to offset the renewable energy promises. For years. This will get worse as the Senate reworks it.
4. That part about the cigarettes is tricky. Kids shouldn't smoke, agreed. But it would have been smarter to educate the kids about cigs at a young impressionable age, rather than pretend they don't exist. No stupid scare tactics either.
5. Healthcare is joke. No single payer. The public option gets more horrible every time I read about it.

[sueinmn]

The states recovery info takes you to the federal website and transparency is not there.
CC bill is absolutely useless other than giving to teens that cant pay. They will find a way to give them .

Healthcare, I have drawn my line in the sand. If it is bad for us in the end, Its over. No more confidence in any politician. I will concentrate on how to avoid paying into a system that is so corrupt it is beyond repair. Change will come whether its good or bad. The Yes we can will be no more!

[barackobama4prez]

REPOST:

We are all just nervous is all. We've never been this close to real change before. Never.

But the captain is still cool, calm and collected....the media is losing their minds, politicians and voters are losing their minds...but Obama sees the big picture.

Reminds me of why I voted for him and why I must trust until he delivers. If he doesn't deliver, he will have confirmed all of our worst fears. If Congress doesn't deliver, they will suffer.

[fairtaxnow]

Re - Reply

Does this include CONTINUING Bush era policies on military tribunal, holding innocent people indefinately, bailing out failing companies with taxpayer funds, continuing the Wars n Iraq and Afganistain,etc. You really should try getting your info from other sources than the corporate media organizations.

[Clearing-Brush]

Re- agree with this post.

[barackobama4prez]

No...those are things I think he's wrong on. But I still have faith in his leadership.

[barackobama4prez]

Dude, I think you are confused. I don't parrot talking points. I read, analyze and think for myself.

[fixitfakeitcreateit]

Grow up. None of the Bush era travesties can be taken care over night. The president has already began to release prisoners. In fact, the repubs and conservative dems haver stood in the way. So why dont you use your time and effort to put pressure on the house and senate.

[chocolatecity]

The Health Care process is moving right along on schedule. Obama seems so make his moves through back channels because Harry Reid, who Obama recently stumped for, told Baucus to put in a public option and not to tax health care benefits. Now guys like Conrad are singing a different tune. The HELP committee will have a good public option and the House's version will have a public option. Obama is really going to have to put his shoulder to the wheel during debate and in conference committee.

[jazzman]

"It is Potemkin legislation, designed to give only the appearance of dealing with a problem."

This phrase from Klein's article is beginning to sum up the entire Obama legacy. We've got a credit card bill that is absolutely useless. We have a mortgage rescue plan that does not work. We've got a stimulus plan to anemic to stimulate. We've got a financial bail out system that is leaving everything right where it is, the crooks still in charge, the compensation still large, and producing no lending and no jobs. We've got a health care bill being gutted like a fish by Max Baucus and the gang. We have an energy bill that does more harm than good.

Obama needs to start asserting himself and force his will upon the Congress. They will not go against the lobbyists who fill their coffers with cash easily. It's time for him to prove that he can do more than be a nice bi-partisan good guy. He needs to become a leader in both word and deed.

[lifeagain]

You mean a tyrant

[barackobama4prez]

He cannot bully the Congress. We already had a prez. who did that. He can influence but he can not force over 300 Congress people to do their jobs. "Force his will?" Really????

[naschkatze]

If you are referring to Bush, you've hit on the one thing he probably was a success at: bullying Congress. LBJ bullied and cajoled, and he had great domestic accomplishments.

[HeWhoReads]

I agree with you. He needs to start acting like a leader and less like a celebrity. The legislation passing through Congress lately is a joke. Congress is more or less bought and paid for these days, so the President needs to start twisting some arms if he wants good legislation to pass.

That isn't tyranny, that's being a leader of the people.

[mikerobjohn]

All of us Obama supporters (real Americans), let me ask you a question: How many times need you panetic and lose hope during the Campaign?? President Obama's was always attacked but always came out on top.

Remember when McCain choose Palin and all the Obama supporters started losing hope, What happened??

BTW, John McCain put his political legacy in the hands of Palin. What a joke?

[TaxDayMan]

TRANSLATION: "real americans" hate america! Libs, LoL

[IndieBlue]

Put a lot of thought into that one, I see. Is that you, Eric Cantor?

[barackobama4prez]

Agree. I have learned from last year's Dem primaries not to get so worked up. When Obama starts panicking, I will know we're in trouble.

[naschkatze]

Until Obama starts paying attention, I fear we're in trouble.

[mikerobjohn]

Thank you for correcting my spelling of panic. I pulled a Palin.

[Christian]

I thought I was voting for a fighter but Obama has shown it is more important to be seen as a pragmatist and make as many politicians happy as possible.

[castlerider]

Right on... That's why I call him Barrack "Milquetoast" Obama.

I'm dying to see him get his hands dirty on just ONE ISSUE and show some real passion.

.

[jmpurser]

I didn't think he was a fighter but I did think he knew right from wrong and was at least OPEN to liberal ideas. I was tragically wrong on both counts.

[provgrays]

The Bailout was misdirected, poorly conceived and it did not address the core problem of real job creation. A second bailout would be just as weak without a complete reconfiguration of the whole idea.

Obama needs to be home dealing with this. He can't fix the economy by running around the world.

[teron678]

Are you insinuating .. Governing as cease .. when the POTUS is out of the country?????

[barackobama4prez]

They weren't bail outs...they were stimulation of the economy. And it takes more than 4 months to work its way through the nation, given that these problems existed for years before the current POTUS took office.

[jmpurser]

There was a bailout (mishandled) and a stimulus package (weakly constructed).

[provgrays]

How was the economy stimulated?

Much of the money going to the states is being used for basic operations and not jobs. The bank bailout isn't creating jobs and the money that was approved is moving too slowly to make a dent in 200,000 and 400,000 lost jobs a month.

I support Obama but I voted for better governing and better planning than this.

[lifeagain]

Obamas Poll numbers are sinking and Republicans are now viewed as better to handle the economy. That bodes badly for the dems...by 2010. You could lose one house of the congress.

[teron678]

I can't see how people have a good opinion of the Republicans on the economy .. when he is cleaning up their mess .......

Name me one thing the so called "Fiscal Conservatives" did that was good concerning the economy ..

[SangZe]

Trickle-down economics.

[Clearing-Brush]

Where do you come up with this stuff? The GOP is a joke end of story.

[IndieBlue]

No, it's true. His pastor told him.

[lifeagain]

If we are joke, then why does the majority of the public agree with the Conservatives on economic issues. It is because your side is failing to resolve the issue. End of story...

[apoyo]

Go write a book, Joe, and leave policy to the experts.

Just think, you can use "color" in the title again. (Primary Colors)

[imusintheevening]

The most valid point of the article is that the process is now in the hands of Congress, a disorganized, couch potato, democratic, lobbyist infested, wayward, ADD afflicted body that needs to shape up and work at the pace this President is demonstrating can be done.

[4real]

I love President Obama but he needs to lock those 60 dems (or 58 dems and 2 ind) in a room and get them in line. Forget these repubs. The american people are behind hime.

It's time Mr. President.