Impact Man: Obama's Comeback

Will this do? For the past month, Democrats have been wringing their hands over President Obama's supposedly lackluster performance, while Republicans have become increasingly cocky about derailing his presidency. But Obama's speech Wednesday should put to rest any illusions that he or his presidency are on the ropes.

Obama didn't simply come out swinging. He also made the single most persuasive case for government intervention in decades in the final section of his speech. He put an end to the Reagan era dogma that America's biggest foe is government itself. With this speech, Obama has begun to fulfill the promise of his presidency. Obama, you could say, found his sea legs. He's ushering in a fundamental philosophical shift that could set the stage for several decades of a revived and modern liberal movement, while the right spins off into noisy irrelevance.

Obama's references to Ted Kennedy were moving, but he made it abundantly clear that he wasn't simply pursuing an old-time liberal vision of big government as an end in itself. Instead, Obama explained that there are times in America's history when the free market has failed. To avoid a catastrophic failure today he had to intervene at the outset of his presidency to bail out the economy. Recall that both the Republican right and progressives chastised Obama then for either doing too much or not enough. They were wrong. The economy stabilized -- and Obama gets the credit for making the right call.

Wednesday night Obama struck the proper balance again. He made it clear that he isn't talking about radical measures like putting the insurance companies out of business and scorned the canard that he's setting up death panels to be administered by bureaucrats. His speech was soaring in its aspirations, but modest in its proposals.

This fall he will celebrate the biggest victory of his presidency when Congress passes a health care bill. It could well be the first of many. If Obama continues on this path, he will not go down in history as a good president, but as a great one.

Comments

[UKOH]

I'm from Europe. We have always seen health care as a moral issue.

(1) Health care is a basic right of a cilivized society, just as much as education is.
(2) It is imoral to generate huge profits out of the illnesses and misfortunes of others.

It is about time that the debate in the USA started being framed in those terms.

[magiart1]

To take any political speech seriously is begging to be disappointed. Sure, if what he promises is not delivered (and what, exactly, is he in fact promising?) he'll see his popularity dwindle precipitously - so what? - His predecessor got what he wanted with a 30% public approval rating...When sophists(lawyers) make speeches we may be wowed but words are cheap...And what does it mean to believe that the economy has been 'stabilized' - for whom? And how does anybody really know?

I like this man's style but until the we, the people - who pay with all we've got from - sweat blood and tears to - consumerism and taxes to keep the vultures (who think they're eagles) in clover, until we get back our own money for what's essential to life itself - we have to admit we're only holding our breaths hoping his optimistically perceived promises are in fact what we imagined...The meat and potatoes is what always counts, let me put it that way...Feeling good about an inspirational and hope-engendering speech by a president may elate and motivate but - until we, who have to endure, receive back what we've invested in a capitalism salvaged by a too generous welfare (our money) - And until those who were 'bailed out' in fact actualize their sense of accountability and responsibility to all who've allowed them their wealth - we're just shipwrecked sailors treading water hoping for favorable currents before the sharks sniff us out.

[thomas37]

Mr. Heilbrun is right on target. For the first time I heard someone point out what should be blatantly obvious to anyone who has ever read a history book. The free market is not a perfect system of justice and will never promote the general welfare because of the nature of the beast. Survival of the fittest is the law of the jungle. Godd for the lions; tough on the antelope.

[Scent]

The most important thing in that speech is Onama pulling his head out of the sand.

Calling liars liars is important. - I for one think that he has to go a LOT further than that. But it is a start.

What made him lose MY support is that he talks about working harder to us while letting criminals not only keep their ill gotten gains but giving them MORE of OUR money. - That he talks about accountability but holds not a single one of the vile actors of big business to account. - That I voted for him in part because he told us the will be no illegal wiretaps and now he legalized them more than Bush ever did.

Calling liars liars seems to be a little step. But I think it is the forst step that is most important. Because it points the way. And this certainly is the right way. I sorely hope he will listen to himself and actions will follow that will not betray himself again.

[zkmoore80]

If you are refering to the bank bailouts, then I must remind you that they were loans, not gifts. The banks must pay that money back, plus interest, and in some cases that interest is as much as 23%

In the end, the government will actually make money off of that.

The auto industry, however, was not a gift. But, had we not bailed them out, we would have spent billions paying out unemployment to the auto industry's employees. So, we bail them out, they keep their jobs during a tough reccession, or we let it die, and we still spend billions? Obama made the right call

[DaveCarroll4]

This Obama guy... proves time and time, again, that all of the guesswork about his political and Constitutional savvy, is just that, guessing! The right-wing can wear their ear-plugs and blinders to pretend like He isn't there, but He is! And, he's going to be there for 8 years. After there is no doubt that President Obama tried the bi-partisan route to the max, it is going to become evident that this President knows what he's doing, and he will be the most successful Chief Executive in modern American history. I really love the teleprompter jokes! They'd carry some clout if he was as dumb as "W", but he writes most of his important stuff himself, and being a good lawyer, he doesn't take any chances on blowing his presentations. Look, I'm a tried and true Liberal, but it's not my ideology or imagination telling me that President Obama is a very smart fellow. And, anyone who thinks this guy can't fight... well... it has to be because they don't recognize the power of brain over brawn. He pretty much kept his mouth shut while the right-wingers went from absurd to insane, and when he figured they'd made as big of fools out of themselves as is possible, he delivered a knock-out punch born in brain matter! KO

[FlexSF]

I'm absolutely fascinated from Obama's speech last night. This is the first time in my life that our government, that we pay into, will give us something back.

He had me sold when he acknowledged the fact that our well being is so delicate, and like walking on a tightrope, that we are so unprotected from a financial disaster caused from the current health insurance industry.

We never asked to be a part of this world, but are expected to participate in it, by way of working and paying our taxes. The least that our government should do is to provide us with a minimum level of support for when we do fall victim to mother nature.

[Elle Bach]

It only underscores the limited intellect of a vast swath of the country that so many "bought" into the "government is your enemy" meme, that was originated and sold to the American people by the folks who stood to profit most from a weak federal government (the one with all those pesky rules and regulations to protect American citizens from the outsizes greed of the robber barrons - the super capitalists.) They've been very successful at us ("we the people"), ostensibly the folks with all the "power" to hate and so revil their enemy, that we virtually have become puppets (slaves?) of the monied clases. They're only today getting a clue that maybe the jig is up. And that's why this healthcare battle has been so bizare. The weird stuff worked before. They were forced to get weirder and weider (death panels?) - yet - a lot of people swallowed the lies, hook line and sinker.

Every time I think about "trickle down economics" I just want to die laughing. Someone told us to give all the money to the very wealthy and they would let some of it "trickle" back down to the lower classes.

And we bought that big lie - for YEARS!

[truthmachine]

"He made it clear that he isn't talking about radical measures like putting the insurance companies out of business"

And thus will never be a great President, only a moderately good one.

[DaveCarroll4]

You might want to suck that one back in and wait to see what the rhetoric is after he signs the 1st Health Care Bill... there'll be more... eventually Single Payer will be adopted and the insurance industry will no longer be the axe over everyone's head!

[human2008]

agreed, it's the start only .. republicans and insurance companies thought their thuggery is the law in this country - times up for these pigs ...

[Seepdx]

The man I saw last night is the man I voted for. Intelligent, honest, to the point, and pushing forward in spite of all the childish mudslinging.

[TwistedNibbler]

It was also just another speech of his. He *does* have a way of wrapping like minds around his little finger when you watch him deliver a well crafted oratory. I still support him and would never say otherwise (yet, at least) but as posted in a reply to the post after yours, wait until we see what the rhetoric is after the first health care bill passes.

We haven't seen him speak at big-time Speeches like this one since the Spring. That alone is one reason you haven't seen the man you voted for in so long. The man you voted for was making every speech, every point count as much as he was Wednesday night.

[Doubledoot]

All for show ! We won't really know how this effects us until it is passed and implimented. He said the bill would allow 4 more years of Insurance co. abuse to continue until the bill went into effect. If that's right : That's BAD and not in a good way ! Everyone seems to be saying great things about Obama's speech but I'm still as confused as ever about the health care bill and I don't expect it to get any clearer. Insurance is a mess as anyone who has triffled through an insurance contract can tell you. It's complicated and I was hoping this endeavor would greatly simplify things. The illegal allien point was good. I didn't realize that Illeagals received millions of dollars worth of health care in emergency rooms for free. No wonder health care is so expensive. Wouldn't it be a prime chance to deport these people when they come in for health care ? It's not government intervention that bothers me but the lack of enforcement of our laws when the Republicans are in power. You can pass a medicare bill but if the Republicans refuse to fund it or the VA when they are in office it makes it look like government is incompetent. While it often is : it doesn't have to be.

[speakingout]

We can intelligently respond to the "Health Care" Bill when we get the chance to read it BEFORE it is passed into law and the IRS ibecomes the bill collector as I heard. That will be just great. People going to jail because they can't pay their insurance bill.
If Obama gives us the transparency he promised, I want to see the bill. I don't trust the greedy politicians to write a bill for us when they get kickbacks (they call it campaign contributions) from the lobbyists.

The FIRST bill they should pass is, Campaign finance reform, and stop "allowing" themselves to be paid by the corporates to write bills. THEN we might see a bill in favor of the People.

Instead of creating a NATIONAL Health program, why don't they just standardize the fees for medical procedures to bring the costs in line. The insurance companies should be non-profit. Deal with malpractice insurance PREMIUMS - another insurance greed factor, and we can bring down costs of health care. No need for all the big pharma manufacturers stuffing everyone with their pills to fix every ailment they create. Eat healthy, exercise, stop pounding down the sugar, and most of americans problems would be taken care of. People in other parts of the world are starving and Americans are obese! Shame on all of you who are so selfish. This country is greedy in more ways than one. Take responsibility for yourself, don't give it to the government!

[Paramendra Bhagat]

More like great.

[Jupitersky]

Obama is a pragmatist and knows change doesn't happen overnight. First things first- reform health care so it's better. A lot of people on both sides think he's weak and flip flops. They watched- or thought they watched him flounder. What we just saw was political savy - lots of it. After watching his campaign you know not only is he intelligent, he's disciplined and paitient. Those things will allow him to pass reform. While the right and health care companies shot their wad he stood there and withstood the blows- knowing that if you go in for the kill to early and fail it's over. Now he's going in for the kill after his critics and detractors have given their best shot- they're tired and weary and he's ready for a fight. While we want more- I'm 100% for a single payor plan- we can't get what we want right away. You have to start small and you can't fight the battle on too many fronts. Obama already regrets what he knows he has to do- capitulate and compromise to make any change occur. But remember nothings permanent and we can keep moving forward and demanding further action. Taking on and changing the world isn't easy.

[jhm1953]

May i say a well said post. He's up against a highly entrenched bureaucracy that does not change direction quickly and many, many vested economic interests are working against him. His sense of pregmatism and intention to work with more than just his closest allies is very admirable, especially in such a toxic political climate.

[TrekBear]

This President is a strategist - he plays politics at Masters-level chess in contrast to his predecessor's "go fish" card playing skills!

[blaqntelligence]

And that is exactly why Barack Obama is president and republicans are wandering in the wilderness after listening to another bush.

[Troyxx]

Very good! I totally agree.

[redsongia]

He was very effective in drawing the line between those who work toward solutions, and those who don't work at all.

Joe Wilson took the bait and decided to represent those who aren't working at all, rather than say, the people of S. Carolina.

[LongTimeLiberal52]

Well said.

It strikes me, after reading a surprising number of negative reactions here on HuffPo to the President, that his critics must have heard a different speech than I. Mr. Obama really can "see the forest for the trees," to paraphrase the old saw. The previous occupant of the White House couldn't see further than the end of his own nose, and his disastrous, dictatorial administration bore that out at every turn.

Yet for some reason, too many of my brethren on the left resist celebrating that the current occupant of the White House is a remarkable individual who proved once again last night that he sees that forest clearly.

Mr. Obama did precisely what he needed to do last night. He defined health-care reform as a moral imperative. He forcefully, bluntly chastised and refuted the lies and rumor-mongers, and made it clear that his tolerance for misinformation is at an end. He painted, in broad strokes, a proposal so full of common-sense that it is remarkable anyone could oppose it. He placed the multitude of problems with the current health-care system (which include far more than just the public option) in accurate perspective - and still left the door open to further reasonable ideas.

In short, he acted like the President of ALL of us. What a welcome change that is from ANY President in recent memory.

[EthnicHeart]

Outstanding commentary and analysis. Let's hope more people of various political persuasions can see the forest for the trees. Fanned.

[wanttruth]

Great post.

[jhm1953]

Very well said.

[blaqntelligence]

Excellent.
BTW, you do your SN proud.

[TwistedNibbler]

Born in 1980, child of life long southpaws, and a left-hander myself.

What we are afraid of, is that after a baby step, things will go nowhere.

We haven't seen real legislation that affects real positive societal change ever actually take off. Ever.

If this bill is "just getting the ball rolling" than it is hard to disagree with your excellent post... but I think many others share a feeling that this bill is all we've got. Are you saying that trying for it that way is poor strategy? (Because I can certainly see that, but see above regarding change.)

[TheMediaRanger]

The president's speech was not only smart and well reasoned, but obviously a necessity. Many people claim to know what details will be contained in a new health care bill, but actually few do. They can't. President Obama made a point of saying the many complex details still need to be worked out, and why there was laughter at that remark totally confounds me. It must have come from a crowd that is used to shooting first and asking questions later. Look where that got us.

[KoolBreez]

The line was intended to be funny and it was. The joke was the that he was deliberately understating the wrangling involved.

[TheMediaRanger]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, Kool. The president was trying to inject some levity in a speech that serious, on an issue that compelling? C'mon.

[LoHaze]

The laughter might have been because the President hasn't even read the 1000 page health care proposal and the details were supposed to be in last night's speech! He didn't write it, didn't read it, doesn't even KNOW the details. The Obamatrons on HP confound me!! Why does he continually get a pass - everyone is looking at him through rose-colored glasses. We are all commanded to trust his wise decisions about EVERYTHING. We don't need details because he knows what's best for us? Wake up people - this is the least qualified President in my lifetime, next to Bush. Yes that's right - I'm not a Bush lover, and I'm not a racist - open your eyes and realize many of us oppose Obama's out of control spending policies, not the color of his skin.

[Trublulu]

How do you know that the president didn't read the bill or doesn't know whats in it? Are you with him day and night?
He gave a great, intelligent, sincere speech; something that has been lacking for the past 8 years.

[Doubledoot]

I didn't see the comment as ' intended to be funny' . He was just being straightforward about the work to be done. He looked a little suprise when people laughed and then a look like oh yeah "I get it" . The humor comes in when you think that "many complex details" is not only an understatement and stating the obvious but that there are an incredible amount of complex details to work out. That's why they laughed : because they know how much of a mess it is !