Comparison of Scott Walker and Barack Obama

[Velleity]

Newly sworn in Scott Walker takes an extreme ideological position with the goal of breaking unions. Walker and his fellow extremists enact hardball legislation, completely disregarding Democrats. He paints himself into a corner where he cannot back out. He must now see this through without compromise.

So what's the next step if he "loses"? What's the next step if he "wins"? Can he win here, ultimately?

Compare that tactic to Barack Obama. President Obama has an agenda that can only be rightfully considered to be aggressive but takes flack because he did not proceed the way Walker proceeded. That is he didn't just take a radical leftist position and ram it down the Republicans' throats (even though they claim he did). No, he's attempted to compromise, only the Republicans will have none of that. Still President Obama has not done anything radical, like Walker's attempt to reverse 100 years of Wisconsin labor progress.

Sun Tzu said that you should crush your enemies completely or else your enemies will recover and return to defeat you. This makes sense on a battlefield but not so much in contemporary American politics, where you can't put your enemies to death. So do you attempt a radical "crushing"? Or do you leave yourself room, not painting yourself into a corner, so you can keep fighting the battle?

Do you opt for the most radical conclusion, attempting to ram your position down everyone's throat, or do you work your way more slowly and methodically toward your goal?

[NJMaverick]

Very good points. The angry/unreasonable left are mad at our President for not behaving in the same terrible manner King Walker is behaving (only forcing through a far left ideology rather than the right). In the end we need to get away from the enemy thing and get back to looking after the interests of our nation. Of course it would help if the GOP hadn't sold itself to the Koch brothers.

[Velleity]

(02-25-2011 01:06 PM)NJMaverick Wrote:  The angry/unreasonable left are mad at our President for not behaving in the same terrible manner King Walker is behaving (only forcing through a far left ideology rather than the right).

Let's forget about the angry and unreasonable left for a minute and think not so much about politics as about strategy. I agree with you, of course, but I'm thinking here about tactics. It's not so much "enemies" as it is about the longer run.

I don't think Scott Walker or "conservatives" have given any thought at all to the longer run. The part about "winning" and "losing" is not really about winning and losing, which is why I put those words in quotes. It's about tactics and strategy and getting policy enacted.

What good will it do Scott Walker if he gets his way, only to be recalled a year and a day after his election? I don't have hard evidence that he's energized the Democratic base in Wisconsin but I would be shocked and appalled if he hasn't. Do you suppose he thought through the consequences of that before he started this?

I don't think he did and I don't think he has a clue even now. He simply painted himself into a corner with visions of landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier and assuming the role of conquering hero.

Quote: In the end we need to get away from the enemy thing and get back to looking after the interests of our nation. Of course it would help if the GOP hadn't sold itself to the Koch brothers.

We do look after the interests of our nation. They are bought by the Koch brothers.

It's part of the equation Mav.

[nofurylike]

thought-provoking.
thank you for presenting and pondering this dichotomy, Velleity.
well said!

[Change Happens]

Yes, Walker can win here...Results will be a fired up work force, Unions, lefties...etc.

May be settled in 2012?

[Treestar]

Good point. Sometimes the angry left seems to think that the right can be put to death so to speak, in some way.

[Julie]

Good points Velleity and in the subsequent comments too. Walker is like all those on the far right, they care only about their own narrow minded agendas and refuse to even pretend to listen to any viewpoints differing from is own. No debate is necessary, he's got it all figured out.

And many who would've otherwise had much reason to note his existence will hate him and what he stands for. He will be part of the face of right-wing corporate-Koch-whore- toadies that the Dems can point to throughout the 2012 election season.

Julie