The Obama administration catches a fair wind?

[rubato]

The political analysis is a little +/- but leaning optimistic about the major driver two years from now, economic recovery.

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http://economistsview.typepad.com/econo ... sance.html

"The Obama Renaissance"

James Kwak argues that Obama hasn't compromised his principles in recent deals with the GOP -- he was always far more conservative than his supporters were willing to acknowledge:

The Obama Renaissance, by James Kwak: President Obama is enjoying something of a political resurgence, at least among the commentariat. Ezra Klein points out that his approval ratings remain higher than those of his Congressional opposition, as opposed to Clinton in 1994 and Bush in 2006. In The New York Times, Michael Shear says the lame-duck session of Congress could be a “big win” for Obama, and Matt Bai hails the tax cut compromise as “responsible governance” and says it could lead to a successful presidency.

Obama is certainly in a decent position politically, and I would bet on him to be reelected comfortably in 2012. First off, his opponents in Congress are deeply irresponsible (admittedly: “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.”) and face a huge political problem within their own party: a significant portion of the conservative base really does want lower deficits, yet the only thing the Republican caucus knows how to do is cut taxes. ... Second, the Tea Party and Sarah Palin mean that Obama is likely to face an opponent who has been pulled dangerously close to the lunatic fringe during the primary (or, even better yet, Palin herself). And third, there’s triangulation.

Bai basically parrots the Obama administration’s line: they did the tax cut deal because it was good policy, it would stimulate the economy, and they got a good deal. In other words, it’s not a cynical political tactic, it’s good governance. And as I’ve said before, I think the Obama team may actually believe that, because their idea of good policy was centrist to begin with. ...

So no, I don’t think Obama is abandoning his principles for political advantage; I think these are his principles. And while I’m upset at him, I’m upset at him for being wrong on the policy level, not for abandoning anything or selling out. I think a lot of the bitterness on the left comes from people who thought he was more progressive than he is, and now feel betrayed. As I said in January, I always thought Obama was a moderate who looked like a progressive..., and, as Nate Silver said, “what Obama has wound up with is an unpopular, liberal sheen on a relatively centrist agenda.” What’s happening now, if his good run continues, is he is shedding the liberal sheen and getting a centrist sheen on a centrist agenda. And politically, that’s all good for him. Combine that with his obvious political skills, and the future looks bright for him.

... "
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see link for the rest.

Yrs,
rubato

[Econoline]

he was always far more conservative than his supporters were willing to acknowledge

More importantly, he was always far more conservative than his opponents were (and are, even now) willing to acknowledge...not to mention far more pragmatic.

[dgs49]

There is not a single conservate bone in Barry's body. Were he Emperor rather than President, he would take this country to Social Democracy and beyond.

He is simply realizing that Clinton was right. It's better to be re-elected than go down in the flames of ideological purity.

[Econoline]

More importantly, he was always far more conservative than his opponents were (and are, even now) willing to acknowledge.

There is not a single conservate bone in Barry's body. Were he Emperor rather than President, he would take this country to Social Democracy and beyond.

Q.E.D.

Thanks, Dave. ; )

[rubato]

Clinton's success, and Obama's are definitely due to their sense of pragmatism being more dominant than their ideology. Or perhaps it is the original Liberal value of following empirical science over superstition?

yrs,
rubato