Obama's Wake-Up Call
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Ronald Reagan used to denounce what he called "welfare queens" who were supposedly living high on the government dime. Now that leading Republican Senators such as Jon Kyl are denouncing the idea of pay curbs for bankers living on the government dole, it's time to introduce a new term--welfare kings. Even as unemployment hits 7.6 percent and shows no signs of slowing any time soon, the GOP is falling over itself to protect the ostentatious privileges and prerogatives of a few financial potentates, while everyone else is supposed to bear the consequences.
Will this do? Will this be the wake-up call that President Obama needs to realize that trying to play kissy-face with the GOP is just going to end up bruising his presidency? Judging by his recent comments, Obama has begun to recognize that he needs to go on the offense in selling his economic plan. He needs, in short, to stimulate support for his stimulus plan.
His task, however, is not to pull the GOP into the 21st century. If Republicans want to pretend that spending isn't necessary and tax cuts are, then they will simply become a relic of the past, a party in name only, as insignificant as the conservatives of the 1930s and 1940s, who portrayed Franklin D. Roosevelt as a traitor to his class, even as he rescued capitalism from the capitalists.
Like FDR, Obama has the opportunity to reshape the American financial system. It's time, then, for Obama to leave Washington and start barnstorming the country. Republicans shouldn't admire Obama. They should fear him.
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I wonder if there is an excessive amount of pessimism about the economy and the job loss. Without a doubt the economy is in a very tenuous position but isn't now the time to believe in our inherent ability to overcome, survive, and thrive?
Instead of wasting too much time figuring out where blame lies (analysis of past mistakes is necessary to a degree) lets spend time developing solutions for ourselves and perhaps more help the people around us.
Now is a time to tighten our belts and push forward believing in our inherent ability to succeed.
http://www.weeklypoint.com/2009/02/06/are-job-losses-accelerating/
I voted for Hillary in my state's Democratic primary (a year ago) because I did not think Obama had the chops to stand up to the GOP propaganda juggernaut (Rush, Bush, Cheney, WSJ, RNC, congressional Rs.)
I was impressed with how he handled McCain ("What economy are you talking about?")
But now I am returning to my original concern the he will not be able to handle the GOP attacks. In just 2 weeks the GOP is reorganized, re-branded, re-energized and on the attack with a unified message. And they are winning the perception war. Obama needs a rapid response team so that, just like in the campaign, everytime a Republican lies and distorts, Obama is right there with the facts. This is what Bush did. Bush would flog every issue until the Democrats gave him his way.
And this should be easy to do, given the mood of the nation, the size of Obama's victory, the pick up of seats by his party in the Congress and his high approval ratings. But he seems oddly detached from the imperatives he faces, sitting by while the House and Senate hash things out.
I fear he will become another Jimmy Carter: an honest, highly intelligent man but also an incompetent saint.
I think he has the chops. He's also disciplined and patient -- 'way more than I would have been, through all those nasty personal attacks that were just begging to be answered with a quick smackdown. But his preference seems to be to turn the other cheek until there remains absolutely no doubt who's the good guy, then come back strong.
I thought he waited too long during the campaign, but I was wrong. Now I'm afraid, as you are, that he's lost the initiative in this debate -- and I'm hoping to be proved wrong again.
I think you are seriously underestimating PO. He is a brilliant political strategist as evidenced by the almost flawless 2 year campaign he ran. His timing is one of his strengths and like the good poker player he is, he knows how to get his oponents to show their hand, and exactly when to pounce. Have a little patience - you'll see.
welfare kings! I loves it...
"If Republicans want to pretend that spending isn't necessary and tax cuts are, then they will simply become a relic of the past, a party in name only, as insignificant as the conservatives of the 1930s and 1940s, who portrayed Franklin D. Roosevelt as a traitor to his class, even as he rescued capitalism from the capitalists. Like FDR, Obama has the opportunity to reshape the American financial system. It's time, then, for Obama to leave Washington and start barnstorming the country. Republicans shouldn't admire Obama. They should fear him. "
I agree with the author and I believe that President Obama get the message, it is time to travel from sea to shining sea and go to Alaska also and put fear in the GOP. The Pres tried to reach out to the GOP and they return his open arm with a clench fist (they miss the message on inauguration day), and now it is time for him to unleash the wrath of the mighty people power that got him elected because the GOP will not return to power for the next 24 years or longer. The democrats are looking at a 100 year majority for as soon as the hispanics, blacks, asians, indians and other minority become the majority in 10 short years, then the GOP will for sure can't win with the south alone. The GOP fail to realize that Texas is going blue in 2012 or sooner and that will be the end of the GOP!
How does a conservative fix their party? BECOME MORE CONSERVATIVE.
It's a genius tactic really. Very smart. They've got some brains steering their course. Yup.
It is also a really big help when you deny there is anything broken ;)
As angry as I am that the conservatives are continuing their old "stand up for the poor oppressed rich guys" routine, I'm really not surprised. In a way, it's all for the best since the more they cling to their old ideas, the more they will alienate themselves from their middle- and working-class followers. It's hard to be distracted by socially conservative issues when you can't feed your family and your home is being foreclosed on.
We needed to go through the process of attempting bipartisanship. We needed to make the effort because it was the right thing to do and because it was the only way to prove what would happen if we tried it - who would negotiate in good faith and who would shut down negotiations with rigid demands for the same policies that have already failed.
Now we need to move forward in the best interests of our economy, the best interests of the people - all the people. Senators, Representatives: Jump aboard or get left behind.
"Nice guys finish last" as Leo Durocher preached holds true in politics as well as sports. Obama will never make any gains if he thinks he can get a 19th century party to think 21st century needs.
But maybe the 19th century party will be exposed by this, and the 21st century party may reap the gains from a 21st century citizenry - who wont want a 19th century party.
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