The reality of presidential politics is that it helps to have an enemy. With Democrats controlling the White House and Congress, they shoulder responsibility for the country’s troubles. No amount of venting about George W. Bush or the filibuster rule has convinced the public otherwise. But if Republicans capture Congress, Mr. Obama will finally have a foil heading toward his own re-election battle in 2012.
“The best possible result for Obama politically is for the Republicans to gain control of both houses,” said Douglas E. Schoen, a Democratic pollster and strategist who helped President Bill Clinton recover from his own midterm Congressional defeat in 1994 to win re-election two years later. “That’s what Obama should want.”
Ahh yes, here it comes, the Golden Clintonian Path, as espoused by our old friend Doug Schoen again. Steve M. reminds us that painting the GOP as the enemy did nothing for Obama in the first two years.
Attacks on the Bush presidency, and warnings that Republican successes in the midterms will bring us Bush 2.0, actually make it harder for the public to understand what's going on. Attacking Bush reinforces the impression that Republicans had power then; warning of a possible upcoming era of neo-Bushism suggests that Republicans could misuse power in the future. All of this makes it hard for voters who aren't politics wonks to grasp the fact that Republicans, using the filibuster and relentless party discipline, have a hell of a lot of power right now, and are abusing it.
Steve is correct. But what Peter Baker's real job here happens to be is playing the Centrist Dalek card.
Mr. Clinton employed a triangulation strategy after Mr. Gingrich’s Republicans took control, trying to play off both his own party as well as the empowered opposition. He declared the era of big government over and cut deals with Mr. Gingrich on welfare reform, while positioning himself as a bulwark against Republican excesses during the budget battle that led to the partial shutdown of the federal government.
“The Republican victory in 1994 saved the Clinton presidency,” said Mr. Gillon, “because it freed him from the liberal wing of his party and allowed him to be more nimble and flexible, which he’s brilliant at. And it forced the Republicans to develop a governing philosophy. A campaign slogan may get you through Election Day but it doesn’t help you solve these very difficult problems.”
THE OBAMA WILL TRIANGULAAAAATE! or he will be blamed for all problems. Assuming the Republicans will even attempt to work with Obama is asinine. They will want 100% of what they want, if Obama doesn't sign it into law they will impeach him. It really is that simple. And as usual, for "Obama to win" he must lurch far to the right as he can...and still get impeached for it by the Republicans.
The Teabaggers will demand it.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment