Obama didn't "cave" on the debt ceiling

[azmouse]

Quote:by Matthew Dickinson

http://www.salon.com/news/debt_ceiling/i..._dickinson

Predictably, although the ink is not yet dry on the debt agreement -- indeed, there’s no ink even on the legislation -- Obama is getting crucified on left-leaning blogs, amid headlines suggesting the Right won (see also comments here), with charges that he was outmaneuvered -- that he caved. Let me briefly take issue with the prevailing political sentiment among Obama’s Democratic base. Since the day Obama was elected (indeed, even before he was elected!) I’ve detected what I believe to be a completely unrealistic, emotion-driven faith among his hard-core supporters that he was different from other politicians -- that he could somehow overcome the political constraints and institutional barriers that have limited the power of all his presidential predecessors. I saw it in the debate regarding Guantanamo, military commissions, the public option, Afghanistan, extending the Bush tax hikes and now this. This sentiment was perhaps never more manifest than in the fervent belief among some that he was playing a "deep" game during these negotiations, maneuvering to a position where he could cut the Gordian knot of budget impasse with a master stroke (14th amendment anyone?). And in this latest occurrence, when he failed to fulfill these outlandish expectations, his erstwhile supporters proceeded to blame it on a character defect -- a lack of fortitude, an absence of courage, or perhaps simple political naivety.

The reality is that this budget outcome had nothing to do with personal weakness, and everything to do with political weakness. Obama is fighting for his political life. Right now he’s in Jimmy Carter territory -- his approval rating is the lowest it has ever been, the economy shows no signs of recovery (indeed, it may be getting worse), the House is occupied by an opposing party energized by newly-elected representatives convinced they have been sent to Washington to do God’s work by cutting spending, and I haven’t even begun discussing foreign affairs. And, given that he has less than 14 months to turn it around, and that presidents are held responsible for the nation’s economy, he wasn’t going to start that political recovery by watching the government default on its loan obligations. Given this context, the idea that this president was in a position of political strength during these budget negotiations is pure fantasy. Indeed, it should be the Tea Party members who are mad -- in all likelihood they could have forced a balanced budget vote as part of the package. Where’s the outrage at Boehner? Isn’t he the one who caved?

My point is simple. Obama had two imperatives during this fight: prevent a default and get this issue off the table until after 2012. Period. To achieve that he would have gone as far Right as the Democratic Left would allow. And, in the end, he pretty much did and he accomplished his two objectives.

[Dimwitted Fool]

Yup.

(this text included because messages must be at least 5 characters)

[Eponine]

That's a great article. Thanks for posting it.

[yowzayowzayowza]

Nope, a hard earned stalemate with a buncha zealots.

Quote:Indeed, it should be the Tea Party members who are mad -- in all likelihood they could have forced a balanced budget vote as part of the package. Where’s the outrage at Boehner? Isn’t he the one who caved?

Caved on defense cuts too. No systemic changes and most of the cuts are beyond the scope of this Congress. Basically boils down to: a ceiling raise, cuts already agreed to and lotza repuke bunting.

[jaxx]

Good article. I wish more could see the truth instead of buying into the wingers pap.

[There Is No Spoon]

That article didn't make me feel any better.

He didn't cave because he essentially has no political power and had to concede that.

Oh, and everything is going to hell and a handbasket and there isn't much we can do.

[jaxx]

It does seem to be going to hell today. The vote was too late, the damage was done to the economy with the never ending back and forth.......but I have one thing I'll hang on to. Boner in an interview saying he was happy because he got 98% of what he wanted. He just owned the downfall in Dem ads for the election.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

(08-02-2011 07:49 PM)jaxx Wrote:  It does seem to be going to hell today. The vote was too late, the damage was done to the economy with the never ending back and forth.......but I have one thing I'll hang on to. Boner in an interview saying he was happy because he got 98% of what he wanted. He just owned the downfall in Dem ads for the election.

Right. They haven't done squat about jobs since they got in there last November, they got spending cuts by nearly crashing the economy. Whoop-dee-doo! All Republicans in Congress also get to own their vote for "voucherizing" Medicare and Paul Ryan's "Ayn Rand" budget and several of them are on record for repealing ACA, defunding Planned Parenthood and NPR, among other crazy Tea-Party-inspired votes during this Congress so well. Also, because of their antics about the debt ceiling, the Republican Tea Party actually COST us money!!!!

The question that Democrats and progressives REALLY need to be asking themselves is: How much more "rope" are the Republicans going to give us before the election next year and which of the aforementioned votes of theirs do we use in ads?

Progressives are looking at the situation the wrong way. Instead of bemoaning the fact that nothing progressive is getting done (did they really expect anything remotely progressive to pass with the Republican Tea Party in the House?) and the Republican Tea Party's flirtation with austerity measures in a fragile economy, they should be glad about- so far-the Republican Tea Party's actual lack of accomplishments, as well as the fact that their "accomplishments" have only come about as a result of bizarre and thuggish tactics that should hopefully help turn the tide against them nationwide in 2012.

[OptimistesMaddie]

Great Read and accurate!!

[Baltoman991]

They got no cuts to SS, not cuts to Medicare, no cuts to Medicaid and no Constitutional Ammendment for balancing the budget. If they claim to have gotten 98% of what they wanted then the proof is right there that all they really wanted was to protect the fucking free loading uber-rich.

Yeah Boner, something to really be proud of.

[Cha]

(08-02-2011 10:04 PM)Baltoman991 Wrote:  They got no cuts to SS, not cuts to Medicare, no cuts to Medicaid and no Constitutional Ammendment for balancing the budget. If they claim to have gotten 98% of what they wanted then the proof is right there that all they really wanted was to protect the fucking free loading uber-rich.

Yeah Boner, something to really be proud of.

We know boner gets on tv and lies his a$$ off without being held accountable so of course he's crowing about what he didn't get.

[Cha]

One thing in the article doesn't jive with this latest from Gallop..

"Almost Jimmy Carter Territory"?

"Nope, not losing the base" blackwaterdog~


http://blackwaterdog.wordpress.com/2011/...ment-89819

"Erstwhile supporters"..if ever.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

IMHO Obama only "caved" in the sense that he didn't risk an actual default in order to attempt to achieve things he never would have achieved in the end, anyway.

What did the Mad Republican Tea Party really get out of this deal that was for and will actually help the American people?