Post by AztecWilliam on Oct 22, 2009 11:57:17 GMT -8
I confess that as the campaign of 1992 unfolded I wondered whether Bill Clinton might become the first Democratic presidential candidate whom I could admire and respect. Well, he kind of went off the rails subsequently, at least in terms of my libertarian philosophy. But I will say that Clinton had lots of promise to be a very effective and successful President, even if one located a bit to the left of center.
Obama is different. Whereas Clinton made at least a half-hearted attempt to govern within one standard deviation to the left of center, Obama has steered his administration way to the left. . . stunningly so. (Have you taken a close look at the positions taken by some of his advisers? Wow!) The result is that huge blocks of independents and moderates are disappointed and would almost certainly not vote for him again if there were a do-over of the 2008 election. It didn't have to be that way. There are plenty of areas in which a bit of moderation and serious outreach to the Republicans could have produced legislation that would have received general approval.
If things keep going down the same road the Republicans might well make significant gains in the House of Representatives and actually reach 41 in the Senate. (That last one is crucial, since the Dems could be blocked via filibuster in that case.) Should that happen, Obama's presidency could well be weakened, perhaps seriously so. To some extent that would please me since I think that many of Obama's policies would do great harm to this country if enacted into law.
On the other hand, a weakened presidency in itself might harm this country. That would be unfortunate.
AzWm
Obama is different. Whereas Clinton made at least a half-hearted attempt to govern within one standard deviation to the left of center, Obama has steered his administration way to the left. . . stunningly so. (Have you taken a close look at the positions taken by some of his advisers? Wow!) The result is that huge blocks of independents and moderates are disappointed and would almost certainly not vote for him again if there were a do-over of the 2008 election. It didn't have to be that way. There are plenty of areas in which a bit of moderation and serious outreach to the Republicans could have produced legislation that would have received general approval.
If things keep going down the same road the Republicans might well make significant gains in the House of Representatives and actually reach 41 in the Senate. (That last one is crucial, since the Dems could be blocked via filibuster in that case.) Should that happen, Obama's presidency could well be weakened, perhaps seriously so. To some extent that would please me since I think that many of Obama's policies would do great harm to this country if enacted into law.
On the other hand, a weakened presidency in itself might harm this country. That would be unfortunate.
AzWm
