Author Archive: Bill Black

Wise Move

So, Obama gets panned for his decision to sign the final 2009 appropriations bill.  This is that rare situation lately where I know for a fact that he absolutely right and every single media critic is wrong.  The idea that he should get into a big fight with Congress over earmarks at this particular moment is totally crazy.  I’m old enough to remember when Jimmy Carter picked a fight over water projects early in his administration.  It was a disaster and he never recovered.  His relations with Congress sucked and he couldn’t get anything done.  People who say Obama should have vetoed that bill are either ignorant of how Congress works or cynical.  Sadly, none of the coverage gives any coverage to Obama’s legitimate explanation along these very lines.

The man is disciplined.  He picks his battles.  And can take the heat when he knows he’s right.

An Irish Blessing As It Should Be

Click Here.

Bennacht

Enough!

I am so sick about the way this stimulus passage is being covered in the media.  It is so maddening.  The theme seems to be:  Obama has been given everything he asked for from Congress by passing an $800 billion bill two weeks after his inaugural.  How did he screw up??

Give me a break!!!  An unprecedented political accomplishment.  That’s the story.

Josh Marshall, as usual, gets it.

Maybe They’re Starting to Get It

Talking Points Memo has this video, which suggests that maybe the pundits are starting to get it. As per my post below, it shows that Obama’s winning.

Obama’s Game

I like Josh Marshall’s take on the press conference. He notes that, if you listen to Washington chatter, you’d think that Obama’s position was unpopular or controversial. In fact, the public is behind him and stands in opposition to the Republican approach. This happened during the campaign, as well. The “pundits” would act as though Obama was in deep doo doo as a result of some perceived gaff. And the polls wouldn’t move. He continues to surprise everyone with his command of the situation, every situation.

Here’s Marshall’s take:

What’s most striking about these numbers is the continuing disconnect between the mood of the capital and that of the country. For me, a lot of that is a product of how Washington continues to be wired for Republican control. A president, and particularly one like Obama, is the one person who is in a position to cut through that.

As to the pundits’ demand for bipartisanship and their indictment of Obama for failing to achieve it, again, I think he’s a few steps ahead. He meets with Republicans on the Hill, invites them to the White House, makes seemingly grand gestures of conciliation and still they stiff him. And, even while he makes “nice,” he slams them for leaving him the mess he has to deal with. I think he has the discipline to continue the outreach even while they stiff him. Over time, whether or not he concedes anything in terms of policy, he will continue to gain public support for his efforts. So, while the Republicans congratulate themselves for standing strong against him and receive their kudos from the Washington pundits, Obama lays in wait. At the appropriate time, like September of 2010, he will declare the Republicans hopelessly obstructionist and ask for more Demcrats and the public will give them to him.

Just watch.

Science ahd Religion

John Polkinghorne appeared at the National Cathedral today as part of the Sunday Forum to discuss science and religion. This is a topic that is dear to me and I’ve long admired Polkinghorne, an internationally renowned physicists, who became an Anglican priest at age 49. He is very British, very articulate and very persuasive in reconciling the worlds of science and religion.

Among his many provocative comments was his discussion of the nature of light being both particle and wave and comparing that mysterious understanding to the nature of Jesus Christ being both divine and human.

He also talked about “unseen realities” in both science and religtion, using quarks as an example from the physical world. No one has ever seen a quark, yet scientist believe firmly in their existence. Again, analogized to religious belief, which is “belief driven by experience.”

I Agree with Reich

Robert Reich has an very interesting post on the strategic choice that Obama faces with his stimulus package. It has actually changed my thinking.

Here’s the choice. Does he make it as big as possible for economic effect and roll the Republicans to get it enacted? Or does he work with Republicans, which will inevitably mean a smaller package that may not work? Paul Krugman comes down firmly on option one. Surprisingly, Reich goes for the second path saying:

Why would he ever choose the second strategy? Because his goal is not just to get the biggest stimulus package he can squeeze through Congress. It’s to get a Congress that’s mostly united behind whatever stimulus package emerges. This would ensure that Republicans and blue-dog Democrats take some ownership of the package, and therefore responsibility for making it work.

As partisan as I am, I agree with him. Clinton rammed through his economic plan, which led to 8 years of prosperity and he was rewarded with a loss of a Democratic majority in both houses. Bush rammed his through leading to vicious partisan divisions for his entire term.

Obama has got a long term strategy for making fundamental change in Washington. I agree with Reich that, while working with the Republicans might mean a short term loss in economic effectiveness, it could work to bring about the fundamental change that Obama has promised for the whole campaign.

Maybe he meant it?

Goodbye, Mr. Bush

In typical British fashion, the Financial Times gives the best requiem on the Bush Administration I have seen. Here’s just one killer quote:

With his preternatural ebullience, fathomless lack of curiosity and disdain for empirical reality, Mr Bush compromised America’s reputation as a power that stands by the rule of law – giving real succour to an enemy he helped multiply.

But you have to read the whole thing to get the full effect.