Obama: President; McConnell: Sucker

[sandnsea]

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/th...ucker.html

"And notice that Obama has secured - with Republican backing - a big new stimulus that will almost certainly goose growth and lower unemployment as he moves toward re-election. If growth accelerates, none of the current political jockeying and Halperin-style hyper-ventilation will matter. Obama will benefit - thanks, in part, to Republican dogma. So here's something the liberal base can chew on if they need some grist: how cool is it that Mitch McConnell just made Barack Obama's re-election more likely? Bet you didn't see that one coming, did you?

The mix of policies is also shrewd from a strategic point of view.

At some point, I suspect, the Congress will have to decide between extending the payroll tax holiday or keeping the Bush tax cuts for millionaires - the double-track of the current Keynesian deal. I think Obama wins on that one, and has set up the kind of future choice the GOP really doesn't want to make. What he has done, in other words, is avoid an all-out fight over short-term taxes and spending now in the wake of a big GOP victory in order to set up the real debate about long-term taxes and spending over the next two years, leading into a pivotal 2012 election that could set the fiscal and political direction of this country for decades, an election in which he may well have much more of an advantage than he does now."

[spazito]

(12-07-2010 11:52 AM)sandnsea Wrote:  http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/th...ucker.html

"And notice that Obama has secured - with Republican backing - a big new stimulus that will almost certainly goose growth and lower unemployment as he moves toward re-election. If growth accelerates, none of the current political jockeying and Halperin-style hyper-ventilation will matter. Obama will benefit - thanks, in part, to Republican dogma. So here's something the liberal base can chew on if they need some grist: how cool is it that Mitch McConnell just made Barack Obama's re-election more likely? Bet you didn't see that one coming, did you?

The mix of policies is also shrewd from a strategic point of view.

At some point, I suspect, the Congress will have to decide between extending the payroll tax holiday or keeping the Bush tax cuts for millionaires - the double-track of the current Keynesian deal. I think Obama wins on that one, and has set up the kind of future choice the GOP really doesn't want to make. What he has done, in other words, is avoid an all-out fight over short-term taxes and spending now in the wake of a big GOP victory in order to set up the real debate about long-term taxes and spending over the next two years, leading into a pivotal 2012 election that could set the fiscal and political direction of this country for decades, an election in which he may well have much more of an advantage than he does now."

Great read! Mr. Sullivan is absolutely right, imo. The President IS a strategist and the long-term implications for this deal are positive ones I have no doubt.

Thanks for posting this, it is much appreciated.

[nofurylike]

great piece! thank you for this, sandnsea!

[OptimistesMaddie]

Thanks for posting. It makes sense and the drivel from those on the left attacking President Obama is getting old.

[PoliticalTiger]

I totally agree with Sullivan. From a political standpoint, I think President Obama comes out looking good. While the angry left will bitch and whine until there's no tomorrow, those of us who think instead of just reacting see that Obama is doing what needs to be done for the country ... and in 2012 the pukes are going to be put on the spot trying to run for office on a platform of tax breaks for the rich.

[Velleity]

I have to say that I am not happy with tax cuts being extended for the rich. I blame Republicans for creating this sorry scenario--not Obama. He has to deal with it as best he can.

I'm hearing some rebellious tones in Congress. Maybe they're doing a good cop bad cop routine and maybe the Congress kicks some ass? I don't know. I'm not happy having the lower income types paying the price for a political war either, so I don't know the answer.

But I'm sure as hell never ever going to play into the Republican strategy of blaming Obama for Republican obstruction and callousness and cynicism.

Whatever happens there needs to be some backlash against the Republicans.

[sandnsea]

(12-07-2010 07:51 PM)Velleity Wrote:  I have to say that I am not happy with tax cuts being extended for the rich. I blame Republicans for creating this sorry scenario--not Obama. He has to deal with it as best he can.

I'm hearing some rebellious tones in Congress. Maybe they're doing a good cop bad cop routine and maybe the Congress kicks some ass? I don't know. I'm not happy having the lower income types paying the price for a political war either, so I don't know the answer.

But I'm sure as hell never ever going to play into the Republican strategy of blaming Obama for Republican obstruction and callousness and cynicism.

Whatever happens there needs to be some backlash against the Republicans.

I think two years of a payroll tax cut for working people juxtaposed against the McConnell/Boehner tax cut for the rich, will be some very painful backlash if our Dems stop yelling at the President and start yelling at Republicans.

[Velleity]

(12-07-2010 07:56 PM)sandnsea Wrote:  

(12-07-2010 07:51 PM)Velleity Wrote:  I have to say that I am not happy with tax cuts being extended for the rich. I blame Republicans for creating this sorry scenario--not Obama. He has to deal with it as best he can.

I'm hearing some rebellious tones in Congress. Maybe they're doing a good cop bad cop routine and maybe the Congress kicks some ass? I don't know. I'm not happy having the lower income types paying the price for a political war either, so I don't know the answer.

But I'm sure as hell never ever going to play into the Republican strategy of blaming Obama for Republican obstruction and callousness and cynicism.

Whatever happens there needs to be some backlash against the Republicans.

I think two years of a payroll tax cut for working people juxtaposed against the McConnell/Boehner tax cut for the rich, will be some very painful backlash if our Dems stop yelling at the President and start yelling at Republicans.

Maybe. I hope you're right.