As if Obama didn't anticipate the Democrats would scream, "He should spend more!"

[BeyondGeography]

Folks, it works much better for Obama right now to be hearing more complaints from Democrats than Republicans over his stimulus plan, and this is not about appeasing Republicans.

Lurking underneath the near-term fears of the slowdown is the long-term concern that we will spend ourselves into a terminal debt hole, make that the Democrats will spend us into a terminal debt hole. This is a political point, and you might say, "Obama should just do what's right," but politics is an inevitable part of the process. That's why he would never come out of the box with something costing a trillion dollars (nor will he sign off on a package that meets or exceeds that politically poisonous amount).

Supporting these fears is a real concern that we won't be able to raise the amount of debt that those who would turn the Democratic Congress into Santa Claus want them to spend. See the attached article on China's dimished appetite for our Treasuries, and it turns out they have their own $600 billion plan to pay for http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/07/business/yuan.php

So Obama's opening bid is $775 billion, with about 40% of that allocated to tax cuts that Congressional Democrats aren't thrilled with. He will spend more, but only after making the Democrats scream for it. He will be the adult in the room, but only after the Republicans launch their counter-offensive and come out in favor of tax breaks for the yachting industry and giveaways to oil companies. He is counting on both sides to overplay their hand, and one side, the Democrats, have already started to come through for him.

When it's all said and done, don't be surprised if we're somewhere in the neighborhood of $900 billion, and Obama looks like a real President, because he will have beaten back the most excessive demands of his own party. I expect he will have outsmarted his ex-congressional colleagues, and it won't be the first time.

[Onlooker]

1. On the other hand, maybe he's DLC

With his choice of Rich Warren, his silence on Gaza, his emphasis on Reaganesque "middle class tax cuts," he's looking more and more like Lieberman. I hope that's not true, but we really won't know until he has the reins of power.

[cooolandrew]

2. The way it goes is you have spend money to make money. Great to see he is on that agenda.>

Wary of when he mentions cuts, should really be military cuts but as someone said on the radio a person has to handle the industrial military complex with care, just from a historical context.

[OHdem10]

3. In the end,, the GOP influence cannot be overlooked.

If you believe the country is center right, this is what you do.

[blm]

4. The play was scripted by ALL of them. Obama isn't playing the Dem senators, they're working

together to control the perception at this point knowing full well the position the GOPs will take.

You think this type of perception management has never been used before?

I think many of you are missing the REAL message Obama's put out this past week....

I posted this yesterday after reading the umpteenth post that obviously didn't 'get' it.....

>>>>>>
I think you are reading the wrong message - Obama comes out and states he prefers to read criticism

of his proposals rather than raves....Reid (clumsily) states that he won't be a rubber stamp.....Kerry (Obama's top senate ally) voices a slight disagreement with one aspect of Obama's tax cuts....Pelosi takes a position to repeal all tax cuts.

The message I'm reading is that Obama WANTS the public to see a completely different president that is GROWN UP enough to handle criticism and opposition FAIRLY. And, aside from Reid's awkwardness, he's pulling it off.

The owls aren't always as they seem.
>>>>>

[BeyondGeography]

5. Doesn't matter how I act...The NY Times is playing right along, too

Senate Allies Fault Obama on Stimulus

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/us/politics/09obama.html?hp

And, of course, our old politically tone deaf friend Paul Krugman as well:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/opinion/09krugman.html?ref=opinion

[blm]

7. So? You think Obama made the statement that he reads bad press instead of good press in a vacuum?

You may have missed my addition to the last post, so I'll repost it...
I wrote this reply yesterday to complaints about Dem criticism...

>>>>
I think you are reading the wrong message - Obama comes out and states he prefers to read criticism

of his proposals rather than raves....Reid (clumsily) states that he won't be a rubber stamp.....Kerry (Obama's top senate ally) voices a slight disagreement with one aspect of Obama's tax cuts....Pelosi takes a position to repeal all tax cuts.

The message I'm reading is that Obama WANTS the public to see a completely different president that is GROWN UP enough to handle criticism and opposition FAIRLY. And, aside from Reid's awkwardness, he's pulling it off.

The owls aren't always as they seem.
>>>>>

[BeyondGeography]

8. You have tried twice to make a coherent point

Care to try again?

[blm]

9. You're not seeing the obvious - Obama is establishing himself as a president who can handle DISSENT.

That is the perception coming out of this past week that should prevail.

I'm amazed that anyone who witnessed the campaign thinks any of the important policy actions would happen without SOME deliberate choreography.

You partially got it, but chose to run with the idea that Obama was treating Dem senators as reactionary tools right along with the GOPs, when it should be obvious they are working more closely.

[depakid]

6. It's responsible economists who are concerned

about both the reliance on tax cuts (pandering to Republicans and enabling their polices) and the fact that the numbers don't add up to enough of a stimulous to make up for the drop in consumer spending and business confidence.

Whether he'll be the adult in the room and ensure that the legislation is what it takes to get the job done remains to be seen.