I think his philosophy is

miguelitoh2o — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:37:35 +0000

I think his philosophy is pretty much limited to securing himself a second term. His strategy in accomplishing that is fully open to criticism, if not derision, imo. I would guess that he'll try to make a case that his hands were tied during his first term, and only by electing him for a second, will the electorate see any hope for meaningful change. I think fat-tail events should be viewed as not just limited to economics and natural disasters. They surely can surface in politics as well. One crucial element of such, would be a politician with a vision which resonates with the electorate. Hopefully not someone named Adolph. The probability of a common ground in the collective mind of the electorate for that resonance to manifest, increases geometrically, the longer our current political charade continues. That's not really something to strive for, but it's about all I got in the "HOPE" department right now.

I really can't figure out

Dan Kervick — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 03:33:00 +0000

In reply to The Danger of Losing the Plot So Early in the Play

I really can't figure out what Obama's philosophy is. I dont' understand how all the pieces fit together. Maybe he doesn't either.

Outstanding analysis,

AmericanDreamer — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:58:57 +0000

In reply to The Danger of Losing the Plot So Early in the Play

Outstanding analysis, David.

So now I am thinking Kevin Drum and other liberals who were suggesting the recent agreement to avert the shutdown was not so bad and consisted significantly of accounting gimmicks rather than real cuts, were mostly mistaken, spun by someone, or both. I've never disagreed with your argument and that of many others that the frame accepted and ideological concessions made by Obama are entirely wrong for the country right now, regardless of whether they aid or harm his re-election chances.

So as you say the debt limit confrontation is the next big test. Obama keeps poo-poohing those who say he never draws firm lines in negotiations, saying of course he does. If so, he's drawing lines in a lot of bad places. He will not earn the respect of anyone--not just liberals, progressives, moderates, and progressive independents who voted for him, but his adversaries as well--unless and until he directly and very publicly faces down the GOP's hard right ideological and policy stances. Clinton did successfully draw defensive lines and drove the GOP to impeach him (with huge H/T to Clinton himself) when they realized the limits of what they could accomplish trying to defeat him politically, which made them almost literally insane. (In that regard I would quibble somewhat with your take that it is just now that the GOP has gone off the cliff in terms of what they are willing to do to the country in pursuit of their objectives--I think that goes back to the Gingrich Congress)

Some of the things Obama said yesterday look to be steps in a more positive ideological direction. But to give a speech is one thing. He's given great speeches before. He has to assert himself and clearly prevail in high-stakes conflicts, such as the one looming over the debt crisis (although there are going to be many more of them to come), in ways that enable him to take back the narrative and start forcing rather than accepting one terrible ideological and policy concession after another.

Notwithstanding his proud and in my view self-deceptive boast that he and his Administration have consistently chosen principle over politics, if he is being driven on these matters primarily by what he thinks may help or hinder his re-election chances he deserves to lose next year on grounds of being unfit for his office. Right now, what it desperately needs to be about for him is saving the country from further disasters. Will he clearly perceive and rise to the challenges that now comprise the only audacity we are observing in our politics these days? Or instead continue to shrink himself into an increasingly and painfully unrecognizable version of the brave and inspiring barrier-buster who sought and won the presidency?

dagblog - Comments for "The Danger of Losing the Plot So Early in the Play"

I think his philosophy is

I really can't figure out

Outstanding analysis,