It's Yours Now
In a surprisingly long list of Obama administration missteps over its first three weeks, one stands out as having the greatest long-term political ramifications. Prior to the election, right or wrong, most Americans came to the conclusion that Republican mismanagement was largely responsible for the economic collapse. Democrats appeared to have bought themselves a considerable window of time whereby liability would continue to be assigned to the Republicans. Presumably, Obama and team would be able to use that period of special insulation to make particularly difficult decisions and begin the process of reinvigoration.
Chalk that up under "the best laid plans." The tightly focused, near error-free machine that was the Obama team during the campaign has morphed into the Bad News Bears. Or, more appropriately, Da Bad News Bears. Nowhere has that been more evident than in their mishandling of the "stimulus" package.
Obama has managed to assume responsibility for the troubled economy much earlier than was necessary. That would be fine, and perhaps even boldly preferable, if he was seen to have spearheaded a broadly popular and economically sound piece of legislation through the Congress, but unfortunately, it's quite the contrary. Instead, his name is stamped in big bold letters across a disaster of a package that is viewed by the majority as more harmful than good.
It didn't have to be that way. The Audacity of Hope has turned into the Tragedy of Arrogance. In a gross misinterpretation of their electoral mandate, not to mention repudiation of their campaign mantra, Obama and the Democrat leaders adopted an "our way or the highway" approach. Obama and Pelosi went so far as to lecture Republican Eric Cantor and others that "we won so we get to write the bill." Funny, I didn't realize that's how bipartisanship worked. If I'm not mistaken, the mandate was for change and a new way of collaborative governing, not the same old partisan posturing.
Well, whether he likes it or not, title to the economy is now in Obama's and the Democrat's hands. If they're not very, very careful, the repossesser may be knocking on the door of 1600 Pennsylvania in four years.
Chalk that up under "the best laid plans." The tightly focused, near error-free machine that was the Obama team during the campaign has morphed into the Bad News Bears. Or, more appropriately, Da Bad News Bears. Nowhere has that been more evident than in their mishandling of the "stimulus" package.
Obama has managed to assume responsibility for the troubled economy much earlier than was necessary. That would be fine, and perhaps even boldly preferable, if he was seen to have spearheaded a broadly popular and economically sound piece of legislation through the Congress, but unfortunately, it's quite the contrary. Instead, his name is stamped in big bold letters across a disaster of a package that is viewed by the majority as more harmful than good.
It didn't have to be that way. The Audacity of Hope has turned into the Tragedy of Arrogance. In a gross misinterpretation of their electoral mandate, not to mention repudiation of their campaign mantra, Obama and the Democrat leaders adopted an "our way or the highway" approach. Obama and Pelosi went so far as to lecture Republican Eric Cantor and others that "we won so we get to write the bill." Funny, I didn't realize that's how bipartisanship worked. If I'm not mistaken, the mandate was for change and a new way of collaborative governing, not the same old partisan posturing.
Well, whether he likes it or not, title to the economy is now in Obama's and the Democrat's hands. If they're not very, very careful, the repossesser may be knocking on the door of 1600 Pennsylvania in four years.
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