E. J. Dionne: Barack Obama: Paradoxical Whig

[babylonsister]

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/barack_obama_paradoxical_whig_20110126/

Barack Obama: Paradoxical Whig

Posted on Jan 26, 2011

By E.J. Dionne, Jr.

Be ready for the paradoxical phase of Barack Obama’s presidency. Many things will not be exactly as they appear.

Paradox No. 1: Because over the next two years he can’t get sweeping, progressive legislation through the Republican-led House, Obama will be doing far more to make the core progressive case that energetic government is essential to prosperity, growth and equity.

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The era of no politicking is over. This speech laid out a rationale for the Obama presidency that stands a chance of enduring through Election Day 2012. The choice is between backward-looking Republicans who talk grumpily about government spending and “Obamacare,” and forward-looking Obama Democrats who would use government—carefully and efficiently, of course—to restore American leadership and a humming, innovative economy.

This Obama is all about balance. Notice that when he spoke of making regulation less intrusive, he actually defended rules protecting our food, water and air. His overarching case was also nuanced. “Our free enterprise system is what drives innovation,” he said. “But because it’s not always profitable for companies to invest in basic research, throughout our history, our government has provided cutting-edge scientists and inventors with the support that they need.”

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Even if he wanted to, Obama couldn’t beat a unified business community. His bet is that business people tend to be conservative but not ideological. By bringing some CEOs to his side, he can isolate the GOP as a doctrinaire party uninterested in practical things. It will be the trickiest alliance of his presidency, but perhaps also the shrewdest.

An Obama who roared straight ahead hit a political wall. This next Obama is using finesse and subtlety to get to the same place.