Obama's Tragic Campaign: Our Last Chance

John McCain's economic programs are so meaningless and damaging they require new adjectives. Absurd won't do.

But Barack Obama's campaign is tragically modest. A soft kiss on the cheek for those in trouble. And it could cost him the election. More to the point, it will cost America its future.

His diagnosis is not built genuine analysis -- he chooses centrist economists to provide him research he seems to think objective, even scientific. Rather, it is built on what is perceived as politically plausible.

That is how Clinton formed his policies. Even if times are bad and we are neglecting our assets, only tell the voters what they want to hear. A little push here, a little push there. But don't worry, the age of big government is over. Democrats gave us the Democratic Leadership Council and The Third Way, organizations bankrupt of ideas and guts.

In fact, America is in far deeper trouble than Obama or his advisers dare to think. It has been living off of past brilliant government, investment in science, management, manpower, education, its highway system, and its great water and sanitation systems. It's also been living off of low oil prices and an unusually and misleadingly high dollar.

Wages have been crummy in America since the 1970s, not only in the 2000s. Educational quality is highly unequal. There is no serious nationwide pre-k program in a world in which other nations have or will have one. Americans are no longer getting more schooling on average; other nations are.

Transportation and healthcare are stunningly inefficient. Respected observers say the nation has to spend $200 billion a year to repair and get transportation up to speed. No one is talking about more than $50 billion a year or so.

We spend so much on inefficient healthcare, it leaves little or nothing for other requirements. It is our biggest problem. As big as anything the nation has ever faced. It will get worse.

Then there is energy. It is not time for compromise on offshore drilling. We need big programs.

There are solutions, but not if we don't raise money. What are Obama's people taking about instead? Modest tax cuts for the middle class! Right out of the Third Way playbook. It is nonsense, tragic nonsense. It will backfire.

Americans will put up a little more tax money to solve its serious problems if they are asked. They are willing to share in the pain. If they understand such tax money will be spent to make them better off, relieve their concerns, save their future.

I just can't believe this emphasis of Obama's on minor tax cuts. Now is the time to be bold and maintain the courage of one's convictions.

Obama seems convinced equanimity is the answer. Cut a compromise. The problems are too deep and wide. (The same is true in foreign policy.) Obama's falling behind the curve. The people sense it.

This is not a class room. It is not a mere conversation. It is a battle for the truth and the future. It may be our last chance.

Comments

[DM]

The biggest problem is the amount being spent on innefficient Health?? Well, it is galling to see the Insurance, HMO, Pharmaceutical rip-off cartel in action but really ... Is the "Defence" budget (spent mostly on attacking other countries) so sacred as to be invisible????

[OldKnute]

Well,,,

What some write here about the GREEN Obama is true. Alternatives. WIND and SOLAR are also part of Joe Bidens pledge to America.

Clinton is a Mono-Issue candidate. With a single focus base.

How to raise revenues without raising TAXES?

How is this done?

Through the supporting of Small Businesses and the JOBS they represent. The GREEN Flood is here. Even BIG business sees this. The new jobs and support of FREE Enterprise, tax incentives and Private Businesses that is at the CORE of the Obama Energy and Economic package will raise revenues in America.

MORE Earned Income is all Obama needs. More people working, MORE JOBS, MORE prosperity, MORE income to find its way into the economy.

It is called,,, Trickle-UP,,, Economics. Build the BASE of the system FIRST.

The working class, the middle class, FIRST.

It got us out of the great depression,,, it will again.

All the best

Knute Neo-LIB

[orangepetal]

Obama is not the solution, his inexperience with the complexity of the issues and his focus on issues that most Americans do not prioritize, will lead to a loss in November. McCain will win, but then again, does America need McCain. I think America needs Hillary. But at least we can be sure that McCain will not compromise our security or ecconomic opportunity. McCain is also green and will effectively deal with the energy issues that America will need to face soon. McCain is friendly and will work successfully on many imperative issues with many different people. Obama is not electable. His friendships with so many questionable people and his serious lack of public accomplishment as well as his political games that 'hurt ' millions of voters who have tremendous admiration and affection for the Clintons. His win was so close and too many questionable things came into play. Biden will not get the votes, I think if there is one thing Americans learnt from the Bush fiasco is that experience at the top this time. Hillary in a back room, will not work. McCain WILL win.

[KaAp]

Clinton is someone who helped get us into this mess (Republican lite let's say) ... a mess we have been marching towards since the 80's when ketchup became a vegetable in school lunch rooms, and Dallas was all the rage on TV ...
McCain was my Senator in Arizona ... he will not be green, he will not be friendly and will not work with many people that is an illusion ... he has a very difficult temper ... my concern as a woman and as a mother is also that with the supreme court teetering on the edge --- coat hangers will be all the rage if you catch my drift ...
Obama does not have friendships with questionable people --- please do your research ...
Also his win was NOT close that is a construction of the media and of the Clinton's it was over after Wisconsin mathematically ...

[gmlaster]

Did you know that Bush has not paid a penny on our war debt? We're in debt up to our eyeballs to the Chinese for this war; the same Chinese who just spent millions of dollars to fix the Olympics, win the medal count over us and show the world that we are no longer a superpower, and that they have taken our place. They're trolling HuffPo like crazy. Just look for any of the stories related to their being investigated for cheating in gymnastics or harassing foreign journalists and you'll see their comments. They think they already own us. Bush got us in debt with loan sharks, people.

They're bragging about how they're going to be calling the shots in America after we default on our massive debt to them. The Chinese government has their trolls out in full force bragging about how they can't wait to own us. While we're quibbling about who gets tax cuts, they're planning a hostile takeover of our country.

We've gotta pay them off NOW. Maybe our new prez can institute a Johnson-style war tax on stuff we buy that ends when we've paid off our war debt. But I say we make the corporations who got fat by giving our jobs to the Chinese shoulder the bulk of the tax burden to pay them back. And lets put a moratorium on pork projects and use that money to pay down our debt.

[mcostello]

Of course Obama/Biden is the only sane choice. But whoever gets elected is going to be hated.
Every leader who takes the goodies away from the children is hated. And we children have been loving our goodies (bought with borrowed money) since the sixties.

The party is over.

[BraveWarrior]

Addendum: Your point about the Boomers (me too) needs further analysis. The Boomers started out so well. Fighting for social justice and against war. They questioned authority, demanded change, changed the culture, marched in protest the last time the American government conscripted soldiers.
Shortly thereafter they discovered that the government is not something to mess with. It doesn't hesitate to resort to institutional violence to protect its interests, even against its' own children. The conventional wisdom changed 'If you're not a rebel by 20 you have no heart, -if you're still a rebel at 30 you have no brains'. America Inc.- we became part of it. As long as our property appreciated , our retirement plans and 401Ks grew . Our pension funds and stockmarket holdings rose we lost interest in politics . Instead we planned on a comfortable retirement. Unfortunately the ruling elite has no sense of 'Team America'. The irony and poetic justice of this turn of events is just setting in. Have a good day.

[BraveWarrior]

The Obama veer to the middle has indeed at times, appeared to be pandering . Many find his soft tone emotionally deflating -we are angry and afraid for our country . If he was Jesus Christ returned to earth a significant portion of white Americans would never support him because he is black. The Democrats understand well how serious the situation is for America. Thanks to President Bush , and the Neocons the American Empire is crumbling. The Democrats sense the nationwide animus, disgust, and skepticism towards the Republican Party. Their goal is not to lose the election. The focus should be to force the current administration, including McCain to defend their records. The hope is that Obama, not threatened by, and surrounded by the sharpest minds would lead in a Crisis mode. That he would have the flexibility, indeed the elasticity to respond the real world in a creative, non-ideological approaches to serious, intractable problems. Keep hope alive!

[zull2]

Ha. The real damage was done by all of us who consider ourselves liberals or progressives way back in the 1980's. We all didn't fight back nearly hard enough at the entrenchment of media stereotyping of our core principles as being "wrong", "outdated", etc. Progressives and liberals didn't stand up and argue with Ronald Reagan when he said that government was the problem. Instead, they waited and watched the country slide down the drain, while right wing talking heads entrenched the ideas that liberalism was evil and foreign into the minds of the working class in this country. They fostered a distrust, even hatred, of government and encouraged the individual to check out of the system. Progressives should have been fighting this since 1980...but in 1980, I was only 5. The baby boomer progressives dropped the ball right then and there, and the damage will be incredibly hard to reverse. THAT is the reason for Clinton triangulation and for moderate economic reform. Doing anything in a major way is almost impossible anymore.

[Bon1042]

Well said... I watched a progrm on PBS 25 yrs ago on Reagan's $700 Billion tax cuts over 3 yr period that shifted income and wealth in this country upwards. As Congressional leaders left a meeting, Dan Rostenkowski said, "there are no heroes here tonight". Democrats, afraid of loosing seats, voted for it. These tax cuts that gave me a $5 a month tax cut, combined w/budget cuts of needed programs, was David Stockman's admitted strategy. Cut taxes, then say you have to defund programs because don't have federal revenue. Of course Reagan democrats and republicans still haven't figured out that taxes then were increased at state and municipal levels to pay for social programs. After Reagan rout in 1984, cowardly democrats formed DLC (Clinton) shifted to center right in order to win elections. I'm reading Partners in Power by Roger Morris, excellent bio of both Clintons and all along the way shows that there was no real commitment to anything.

[kotexbarbie]

You're right, it started with Reagan. He set the frame that Republicans have been operating in for the past thirty years. That's why I was so angry (and still am) with Obama for giving credence to Reagan in the primaries. Not only did he praise Reagan, he claimed the Republicans "have been the party of ideas for some time now." In his book "Audacity of Hope" he says Reagan was right about a stagnant Democratic welfare state concerned too much with income distribution and not enough about the free market.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/magazine/24Obamanomics-t.html?pagewanted=2&em

I'm waiting for the day when a real Liberal will run against a Republican. Then we can have a choice. Let's see where America stands when everything is in the open. I'd rather lose on principles than win by co-opting Republican ideology.

That's how we got where we are.

[master09]

Most of us know that Obama must always choose his words carefully for fare of the " GODDAM AMERICA EFFECT" this is why he hesitate a lot when speaking without prepared notes. John MCCain has entered his dementia stage and I hope enough americans realize this, don't think that because his mother is in her 90's that he will enjoy the same longevity; she was not in a prison camp for 5 years and is not fighting caner. All I'am trying to say is that this country cannot survive 4 more years of the republicans. I will vote for obama f/Biden for the good of this country ; Biden was my canidate he will help obama to bring this country back in forcus.

[research]

the Good Reverend Wright was saying that God WILL damn America for it's sins, He was not ASKING God to do so.

The MSM is going to smear Liberals no matter what they say or do.

We must not let that deter us from our beliefs.

[MPinFlorida]

This is absolutely true. In restrospect, all this doom and gloom and negativity about Barack Obama will be forgotten and seen in its proper perspective (as ridiculous).

If this country had a perfect candidate, the media would still wallow in negativity and faultfinding. WHY CAN'T THE MEDIA JUST REPORT THE NEWS AND NOT OFFER THEIR OPINIONS ON WHAT IS REPORTED??? That is what journalists are supposed to do. What is wrong with the media in America?!

[goldnchyl]

"Most of us know that Obama must always choose his words carefully for fare of the " GODDAM AMERICA EFFECT" this is why he hesitate a lot when speaking without prepared notes"

This is a very good observation. I saw it before but I never put the words to it. He has been hindered, not by Rev Wright, so to speak, but by the very mentality that takes those words, GDA, out of context and demonizes them rather than considering the full context. Some people respond as automatically as Pavlov's dog to certain buzzwords and I have to wonder if there are subliminal suggestions during episodes of WWF or Amer Gladiator and these folks are just plain hypnotized!

I trust that after the conventions, Obama will attempt to get the campaign back on message about the issues that matter. I say "attempt" because, of course, there is another candidate involved. One who wants anything BUT talk on issues.

[studhamster]

Obama could use the words of G.H.W. Bush when asked about taxes he said read my lips
No New Taxes... He just lied and got elected.

[evgolightly]

#1 way to lose an election in America: Tell people you're going to tax the living "heck" out of them.

Oh, yeah, the promise of a better, cleaner, safer nation is really going to make people give up the green... in his dreams! Americans like making money, and they perceive Democrats as taking it away to spread the wealth.

Case in point, off-shore drilling. 69% approve. Why? Because the oil companies will foot the bill, not "the people"! Obama wants to invest in alternative energy and that makes people worry that the money will have to come out of their pocket. Why else would so many people support such a stupid idea that won't even yield a drop of oil in at least 7 years?

If Obama wants to be branded a "tax and spend liberal" he'll take the writer's advice -- and lose the election. The same way Democrats lose over and over and OVER again.

Time to be a little more savvy in a presidential campaign. Then get in there and tax our heads off.

[goldnchyl]

"Because the oil companies will foot the bill, not "the people"

You're kidding, right? The oil company makes its money off the backs of the American people. As if they would give up one cent of their record profits without a fight

[greenlightwilly]

I disagree with one portion of the premise of this post. Yes, it would certainly be 'tragic' if Obama loses but I don't think the words of his campaign reflect the profound misunderstandings the author suggests. What Obama is saying now is designed to WIN the election - and his words are not designed to go much further than that. OK, so it sounds cynical but we are past the primaries and the general election calls for different tactics. There's no point in looking for 'solutions' in either of the candidates words now. The best way now to get at their realities can be had by looking at their past, reading their recent policy positions and being aware of what each of their PARTIES stand for.

I for one believe that Obama is smart, authentic and in touch with the pulse of the most fundamental issues that threaten us at this time. He obviously knows how to get things done and coupled with his stated policy positions he has convinced me that he is truly up to the task. I do share the feelings of the author that he needs to get tougher and start pointing out McCain's astounding weaknesses. But I have to trust that he will rise to the occasion and adjust as required to win the election. If not then he risks being defined by McCain and yes, the result could be catastrophic.

[Soothsayer08]

You are so right ! Too modest and aboveboard doesn't cut it,and it will fail. To dare to be bold, sticking to your convictions is what garners respect. That's one of the reasons I lost respect for John Kerry.When he was a war activist, he seemed more passionate about his beliefs, but when he ran for president he seemed bland and dull. When you compromise your principles trying to please everyone usually you lose the ability to inspire. One of the main reasons to vote for someone is their ability to inspire, plus qualifications.

[goldnchyl]

"To dare to be bold, sticking to your convictions is what garners respect."

Running an aboveboard campaign was (and still is for me) considered "bold" and Obama certainly is "sticking to [his] convictions" and completely garnered my respect.

[LookingGlass]

Like a wise man who recently passed away once said, this country was bought and sold a long time ago. Obama, and the Democrats are just pretending that isn't the case, and that makes them look even more phony than the Republicans, who are at least sincere in their right wing meglomania. It's that sincerity, or lack thereof, that the voters pick up on.

[akkadian]

this is a rabbit and turtle race, the media will paint it as close because that is in their ratings interest, just like florida & michigan, the nuclear option etc. etc.
Obama and his supporters are keeping their powder dry while giving McCain enough rope to hang himself, which he will do in spectacular style.

[LisaMarieC]

You think? I hope so. I'm getting this weird sinking feeling about the whole election.

[lizr]

Optimism is great, realism better.

[goldnchyl]

Optimism a better realism makes