But in the meantime, he's lost the high ground.

Obama's big problem is that he isn't believable anymore. He made a moral argument for "change" in the form of a public option, and no mandate, and lower HC insurance costs. Only no sooner did he hit the White House when his campaign Health Care promises changed into the complete opposite.

He'd also said that unemployment would not go over 8%. IOW, he SAID a whole lot on the campaign trail, only he never came through. 9.5% unemployment has just risen to 9.6% unemployment.

And, now, here we have an electorate that's been screaming about all the spending, and Obama's about to come out with a plan to spend a couple of hundred billion more. Plus, he's got members of congress turning on him with respect to the Bush tax cuts for the "wealthy." And I suspect it's not because certain candidates are catching crap on the campaign trail but because they know that unless they create stability and confidence for Business, these temporary small business tax credits and temporary payroll breaks are not gonna do a thing except waste a couple more tens of billions of dollars, such as occurred with his mortgage-saving initiative.

Here's something I found pretty interesting:

Bloomberg in line to replace Geithner?
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/hey_give_mike_look_TkbzBQhAhcc9KOSIcYSD2H

I was wondering what Bloomberg was doing on the golf course with him the other day.

And I've finally realized that this is not only #1 on my list of disappointments w/ the Obama administration, but the only thing that's on my list anymore.

Obama won with a moral argument for change.

He came in with broad support from the American people for resetting the agenda. And I think he's worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help make this happen.

But in the meantime, he's lost the high ground. People don't know why he's doing what he's doing and what Democrats believe in. Instead, they're being defined by the opposition.

Hadn't seen Westen's latest article, but this is exactly what I want to see Obama say when he talks about the economy: "We don't have a shortage of work ethic in this country, we have a shortage of work."

A philosophy. A belief. Not a policy announcement.

I want to hear him say things like:
"Those who have benefited the most from the hard work of Americans have a responsibility to our country."

Or, "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. We have to ensure they survive in order to ensure competition."

Or, "If our country fails, we all fail. It doesn't matter how successful or well run your business is."

Then ... introduce policy. Then the American people might better understand what Democrats stand for.

As it is, it seems like all they stand for is compromise.

Why is it that Alan Grayson is the number 1 target of conservatives? Because he's one of the few people who seem to get this.

Apologies for the rant, CW. But you touched a nerve. It's hard to believe that the Dems can't see this and makes me wonder what's going on. What are they afraid of?

Cheers
David

p.s. To be a little less cynical, I'd like to introduce someone who could be a future star for progressives, Justin Coussoule.

He is running against none other than John Boehner here in Southern Ohio.

His odds are long in a district that votes RA ("Republican anything") but he's running a nice campaign and it's great to see up-and-coming progressives like him.

http://www.coussouleforcongress.com/

And I think it's a beautiful thing that he's challenging Boehner to a debate. Would love to see it!

Ouch... And the ref take a point away!!

Don't beat around the bush, CW.. Tell us what you REALLY think.. :D

On the right, it is alloyed with racial anxiety and prejudice.

Right there, Westen blows it...

He buys into the stereotyping Urban Legend that, if you are on the Right, you MUST be racist and prejudice...

Sorry, CW.. Westen doesn't deserve to be on the same planet that you are on... :D

Michale....

Sounds like you had a good time! Welcome back.

Interestingly, from the opposite direction, a similar thought flitted through my mind the other night. I was watching Joe Biden being interviewed on the PBS News Hour (or MacNeil-Lehrer as I still call it), and he was talking about the political situation in Iraq. He said something along the lines of "the only political solution is for the Iraqis to form a government that includes all of the four major political parties. If the (Sunni/Shi'ite, I forget which, would have to look it up) form a government on their own, the government won't work." The thought that went through my mind was: "That's even harder than trying to get Democrats and Republicans to work together in our country, and look how well that's been going recently."

Sigh.

-CW

Re-emerging into life as we know it, that is, reading today's column & the comments on how both parties seem bent on shooting themselves in the foot (feet?) a thought occurred to me which I've not seen anywhere else -- has our political system come to seem uncannily resonant of Baghdad's since their indeterminate election?

You have some folks who are hell-bent on sabotaging
the other's every move (so they can point to how "ineffective" they are), another focused on bureaucratic & system "solutions" barely tied to the everyday problems of ordinary people, others who ride the anger/adrenalin train for all it's worth in a cloud of moralistic hate mongering against various 'enemies" and calling for an Armaggedon against "Them" of various ilks. Meanwhile nothing gets done.

Reminds me of Obama's most trenchant remark since he was elected, in his Stat of the Union Address: "You were elected to GOVERN; it's time you started doing so." Which applies in both directions, of course.

Enough; my blood pressure's rising again. Thank you for your kind attention.