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The Obama Watch
The Velocity of Hope
President Obama's first 100 days in office are likely to be judged in different ways by different people, but there's one measure by which he's been objectively successful -- the speed at which he has advanced his liberal agenda.
The young president has certainly had his share of stumbles along the way, including: the bungled nominations of Judd Gregg and Bill Richardson to be Commerce Secretary; the tax problems of Tim Geithner and Tom Daschle (the latter costing Obama his original point man on health care); and the AIG bonus controversy.
But these events were all short-lived and in the meantime, Obama has kept his mind focused on his larger goal of using government to fundamentally remake the American economy.
Obama came into office at a moment of economic peril with a substantial Democratic majority in both chambers of Congress, a friendly media, and the momentum from a successful presidential campaign. He has proceeded to enact his proposals at such a ferocious pace, that Republicans and conservative activists have had difficulty concentrating their message because of the sheer volume of initiatives that warrant opposing.
On February 17, less than a month after taking the oath of office, Obama was able to sign his $787 billion economic stimulus package. The following week, while Republicans were still pointing out all of the pork-barrel spending included in the economic plan, Obama had moved on to making the case for his $3.55 trillion budget and his vision to transform energy, education, and health care. Earlier this month the House and Senate essentially approved his budget blueprint, and are expected to vote on a revised version today.
Previously stalled legislation that had long been the subject of years contentious debate, such as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and S-CHIP, quickly became law without much fanfare once Obama took office.
Each day brings another headline of a new Obama intervention – a $275 billion housing plan, a renewed bank bailout, a decision to sack the chief executive of a private company, and, just this Monday, a pledge to have the federal government target how much of the nation's gross domestic product is devoted to scientific research and development spending.
While most new presidents are given leeway to implement at least some of their campaign proposals, Obama has been able to get more items passed, sooner, than most. By comparison, George W. Bush didn't sign his first tax cut until June 2001 and Ronald Reagan wasn't able to sign his signature tax cut plan until August 1981. In 1993, it took Al Gore's tie-breaking vote in the Senate, also in August, to pass Bill Clinton's economic plan and budget.
There should be little doubt that Obama's actions will catch up with him, eventually. It's easy to remain popular when you're handing out goodies if people don't think they'll have to pay for them. But his spending is projected to more than double our debt to $17.3 trillion over the next decade, or a staggering 82.4 percent of our economy. The money required to close that gap cannot come out of thin air -- not without triggering a massive inflation.
No political prognosticator or economist knows enough to say with any degree of accuracy when that day of reckoning will come. Americans may reach a realization in a matter of months, or it could take several years. The essential question is how much Obama can get done in the intermediate time period.
The good news for conservatives is that Obama hasn't yet succeeded in fundamentally changing America. His economic measures have set bad precedents, but most are at least theoretically reversible once the current crisis is over should a more conservative government take over at some point in the future.
However, if Obama succeeds in passing health care legislation later this year, America will be destined to resemble Europe, and there will be no turning back, no matter how fierce the public backlash over the inevitable explosion in deficits and implementation of rationing.
For all of his successes, Reagan couldn't make a dent in the main pillars of the welfare state and even consented to a payroll tax hike to subsidize a failing Social Security system. When Republicans swept into Congress in 1994, during the short period in which they actually tried to rein in government, they were able to pass modest welfare reform, but unable to touch Medicare.
Obama envisions himself as a transformational liberal leader, whose programs, like FDR's New Deal and LBJ's Great Society, live on long after he's gone. He's well on his way to achieving his goal, unless Republicans figure out some way to slow him down.
Philip Klein is The American Spectator's Washington correspondent.
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- Feeding the Beast
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SLG| 4.29.09 @ 7:03AM
That last sentence is a hoot. Almost.
Unless the Republicans... do what?
They have no one, the cupboard is bare, and all you guys talk about is Stem-cells, abortion and gay things.
Might be laughable if not so tragic...
As one (or, perhaps many) said before, "where's Barry Goldwater when we Really need him?!?"
Iaidodka| 4.29.09 @ 7:12AM
"The good news for conservatives is that Obama hasn't yet succeeded in fundamentally changing America."
Really? You sure? I submit that the election of BHO proves the country has fundamentally changed already. His socialist agenda and his approval ratings for that agenda say so, too.
Goodbye, USA. Hello, USSA.
All America has is hope & Dope| 4.29.09 @ 7:24AM
A Child of 23 Months old has just died from Swine Flu,in Texas and this Right Wing Rag, for Religious nutters are worring about, Republican Clap Trap rubbish.
It shows the mentality of these people who think money is more important than life.
It's a good Job that G. W Bush has left Office because if Katerina is anything to go by there will be Dead Bodies left un buried in the Streets of America, spreading even more diseases.
As SLG said, all the Republicans seem to worry about, is Homosexuals, Stem Cell, and Abortion.
It would br great if that is all that was going on in the world.
The failure to take stock of the economy, under the Republican Party, has Bankrupted the entire world. Their level of incompetent attitude has led to a downturn in the world.
People who failed, are duely voted out, regardless of Obamas way of approach, till the next Election. just live with it.
Deborah D| 4.29.09 @ 7:29AM
"For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction." That's the thought that gives me hope.
JP| 4.29.09 @ 7:36AM
SLG and other Liberals,
Pride Goeth Before the Fall. What we are seeing in many corners of our society is the beginning of a liberal hubris. Obama got what we wanted, not by virtue of political skill, but by the steamroller of three things:
1)Very large majorities in both houses of Congress. Obama's WH never attempted to shape any legislation. Instead, that shaping was outsourced to Pelosi and Reid. Very clever some might say, but in the end it will by the President who will have to shoulder the blame.
2)Utter contempt of all things Bush, and a large does of fear. Obama used contempt and fear to railroad through Congress both significant changes in our banking system, as well as massive borrowing. Again, large majorities in Congress made this easy.
3)A compliant MSM. It is without a doubt that the MSM is now nothing more than a party organ for the Democrats. Almost all major newspapers (what's left of them), the Big 3 TV networks, and thier online presence have ignored or at least shown almost a criminal lack of curiosity in how the President and his party conducts themselves.
The President and the Democrats now own the economy as well as foreign affairs. President Obama will at least attempt to continue blaming President Bush for somethings. But his drastic actions concerning industrial planning, the financial system, and his historic levels of borrowing make this difficult.
The Democrats should enjoy the moment. While they celebrate and congragulate themselves, hundreds of not thousands of small businesses that supply the auto industry will shut thier doors; the continued credit freeze will cut off liquidity to both Main St and Wall St, and will result in more downsizing. Near 0% interest rates is a time bomb ready to off (hyper-inflation), and we haven't even touched foreign affairs.
What should be a concern to many is that the President now is focusing on energy and health care. Not wating to see if we have bottomed out of the recession yet, he is ready to seriously tinker with 2 huge segments of our economy. It is ametuer hour in the Beltway. The Democrats are drunk with power. And there lies the seeds of a GOP comeback.
De-Pop is in full swing| 4.29.09 @ 7:47AM
Should'nt it be Good bye America, Hello Russia, China, and India, and Iran.
Some on high would say, I see a New World Order coming into view, quote from Bush Snr.
The question is what sort of World Order, is it Death and distruction, Diseases, Poverty, Mass Unemployment, world collapse? I wonder.
If it's the collapse of Satans Kingdom, he may well be right. If he is speaking about world wars, it's only a matter of time, because time is running out, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Unleashing Chemical and Biological Armed Viruses, on the world population, by American Army on it's own people thus infecting the worlds population, the Chem trails only the sensible few wondered why American Government would authorise asenic and various poisons on their own people in Chem Trails all across America. The Republicans would say it's not true, even with the evidence before them.
They think the Government is there to protect them. No you are here to protect yourself from the Government, the Government does not protect you the Government wants to get rid of you. Who pays the Government is not interested is the masses, they are here to control you to protect them to kill you.
These are no ordinary times| 4.29.09 @ 8:07AM
JP.
I agree with most of what yo have said, but this is no ordinary times. You will see things unfold before you, like a Horror film, only Hollywood could have produced.
America was Bankrupt long before Obama, and America has no prospects of paying off it's debts, and America will default.
China will buy up most of American factories for nothing pennies on the dollar. And Real Estate Land, and what ever else they can get for the debt America owes them.
With factories closing down, all across America, and the Commercial sector with empty factories Office space. whole Shopping Malls, Goast Towns all across America. Food becoming more costly, and Armies of POOR and displaced people.
For every penny America has spent killing people across this Globe they will wish they had that money today.
America only has hope, and a lot of homeless people, and a growing number of unemploid people, and debt. And now to add to the mix Swine flu.
Big J| 4.29.09 @ 8:42AM
Excellent point, JP. As for the others, not so much.
I would add #4 to your list:
4) A completely ignorant electorate all too willing to fall for "hope-n-change", not willing to take the time to figure out what that might mean. This is a direct result of a failed government-run education system.
Amateur hour in the White House, and punch-drunk Democrats. I only hope the damage that is being done is reversible.
SLG| 4.29.09 @ 8:45AM
The guy fancying himself as AllAmerica-Dope (above) and the other aforementioned dingdong, JP miss the boat - - and I am not a Liberal -- just a Libertarian type who detests the demented Democrats and wants to barf upon the ineptatude of the Republican panderers. Don't call me a Liberal (or a "progressive" either, please!) because I scoff at the "social" conservatism and weird priorities displayed by so many of the uber-right readership here - they seem about as derranged as the Marxists in office.......
And there's nowhere to turn. Zip. Nada.
The Libertarian PARTY had Bob Barr (more of a Republican than the Republican candidate)???
They're not an answer, at least in their present state.
Nope ----- we've lost.
Ellis Wyatt| 4.29.09 @ 9:43AM
What is interesting is that his popularity remains high in the polls, but his actions do not. That skepticism of his agenda so early will lead to much more political troubles down the road as inflation, higher taxes, and high interest rates set in and unemployment remains high as a result. The American public gives him the benefit of the doubt right now, but if the economy does not turn around substantially before the end of the year, which I can't imagine it will after the poor decisions he has already made, the public will turn on him as they realize their suspicions of his failed economic policies have come true. Any kind of terrorist attack would doom him also as he has taken ownership of the problem.
Someone said it earlier, pride goeth before the fall and Obama is destined for a big fall. There are plenty of procedural maneuvers to limit his most destructive policies like healthcare and cap and tax in the meantime.
JeffW| 4.29.09 @ 9:50AM
I see the trolls are out in force today. Pardon me, while a wipe a tear of laughter from my eye.
Come on Hope & Dope. You can do better than that. Your honestly going to try and pass of the 23 month old child that died under Obama's presidency as the Republicans fault? Even when Obama had failed to have a HHS until his 99th day? And then to go on and say Repbuplicans care more about money than life when it is Republicans that are against abortion and Democratic Liberals that are for it. Then you try to blame Katrina on a Republican president and not the Democratic mayor or Govenor who not only bungled the evacuation but took forever asking for Federal aid (it is a normal procedure). About the only thing you got right (and only partially) is the fisical collapse started under Bush. He was not a fisical conservative. But you forget to mention how the goverment branch that allocates how the countries money is spent had been run by liberal Democrats for 2 years. WOW, what a twisted world you live in.
L. Ross| 4.29.09 @ 11:05AM
SLG, I'm with you on this one, dude. We have a Republocrat party, where there isn't a warm cup of spit's worth of difference between the two. I suppose that is the price you pay for having ignorant masses of swing voters deciding every election. Every one has to pander to the lowest common denominator, people only casually interested in politics decide the fate of the free world. Screw universal sufferage. There should be some requirement beyond a heartbeat and an age limit to vote. Maybe a high school diploma would be a good place to start.
Barring that, I don't see any way out of our current two party quandry. If some third party comes up with a winning idea, it will be utterly co-opted by one of the other two. Co-opted, watered down, ruined. The party that had the good idea will be crushed. 'Cause that's the way the politicians in power like it.
kmichaels| 4.29.09 @ 12:14PM
To SLG and other libertarians. Libertarians are more than welcome into the Republican party. As a separate entity libertarians have no chance in hell of winning a national election. So instead of complaining, join and support the Republican party. Instead of complaining about the darkness, light a candle and join the party that does not despise America. Republicans can use some help and your complaining is totally useless, even to yourself.
This is the End| 4.29.09 @ 12:23PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXOd1F5BQ3Y&feature=related
What you people need to do is take a look and listen to this War Vet, hear what his take on what is going on is.
Obama is not in control of a single thing in America. Obama won the election, but the question is who is in charge of him?
SLG| 4.29.09 @ 1:25PM
Sorry, KMichaels -- no way. Not the Lesser-of-Evils, or the Evil of Lessers either. Why?
I'm reminded of House GOP Whip Roy Blunt warning former President Bush not to meddle with “earmarks,” lest he anger GOP House members who are responsible for 40% of the total earmarks. But wasn't this one of big the reasons the GOP lost in 2006 in the first place?
Former senator Chester Trent Lott caused a huge new aircraft carrier to be built -- one the Navy didn't even want. Can you say "pandering whores?"
While it may be true that the GOP has fewer Certifiable Maniacs than the demented ones on the left, Republicans tend to gnash their collective teeth in their pursuit to outlaw abortion, gay marriage; they're against decriminalizing victimless crimes; and for laws governing consensual sex between adults. Intrusions into areas where they don’t belong? Sodomy laws. Gambling. The lottery. Etc....
Seems that the “official” Republican brand (or “MO”) is an amalgam of "weenie," gutless, obsequious pandering pansies who want to be respected and liked simultaneously but will gladly settle for the latter… they’re fiscally incontinent too. Ask Ted Stevens. Federal Spending grew twice as fast under Dubya than under Bill Clinton, 65-percent of it unrelated to National Security! Spending on “education” (so-called) more than doubled since Bush moved in in 2001 – AND, in just 2001 alone, Dubya and the Republican congress spent $286-BILLION on 33 anti-poverty programs. By 2005, the amount had grown to $397-BILLION, a 39% increase, while inflation went up slightly...
So, it seems that Republicans seek votes by tacitly urging citizens to forget their faults because the Democrats are so much worse?
Nah -- not me.
jim rice| 4.29.09 @ 1:38PM
It would be a damn shame if Libertarians fell into the Republican ranks. Unless, of course, Ron Paul finally gets the respect he deserves and really makes the party stand for something other than so-called "values." What a joke the McCain/Palin ticket was!
At least the Libertarians have laudable social values. That is, you keep your opinions out of my life. The Republicans can take their Christian rhetoric and shove it. If they'd drop that mess, I'd be back to Republican in a heartbeat.
As for all the fear-mongering in the article? Someone should always be playing out the worst-case-scenario and be planning for it. PLANNING for it. All this article is doing is complaining and dredging up what-if scenarios. As someone above said, the fact that we now have the government that we have shows a shift in America. Obama isn't creating it. He is the result of it.
Instead of writing drivel like this, why not actually put forth some reasonable ideas about what to do next? Why not start thinking of ways to deal with reality (or your worst-case reality) instead of flitting away on doomsday scenarios with absolutely nothing constructive to say.
Iaidoka| 4.29.09 @ 1:47PM
"4) A completely ignorant electorate all too willing to fall for "hope-n-change", not willing to take the time to figure out what that might mean. This is a direct result of a failed government-run education system."
This is one of the reasons why I said that I believe the country has already fundamentally changed. The majority of the American people elected Hopey McChangeypants. So, either they wanted what he was offering, or they were too ignorant to know, and too uncaring to find out.
Well, we got what we voted for. Let's just hope that as a country we survive the change.
JP| 4.29.09 @ 3:33PM
Jim Rice,
"At least the Libertarians have laudable social values. That is, you keep your opinions out of my life. The Republicans can take their Christian rhetoric and shove it. If they'd drop that mess, I'd be back to Republican in a heartbeat. "
Jim,
No disrespect, but I think you suffer from misconceptions. Try to think hard for a moment of the years 2001 to 2007, and try to name one major piece of legislation that the GOP passed or , at least put a great deal of its political capital on the line.
Can you name one law that benefited exclusively the so-called Christian right? (hearing the crickets chirp).
Can you name any laws, motions or legislation that involved a convergence of the GOP Middle (or Left) and the Democrats? I do:
1)No Child Left Behind
2)2004 Medicare Perscription Drug Benefit
3)About every budget written from 2002-2006.
4)Sarbanes Oxley
5)The Gang of 14 Senate Compromise on Judical Filibustering
6)The continuation of the Law of Seas Treaty
7)The Senate Vote to appoint Fitzgerald special prosecutor to investigate Plamegate
8)Trent Lott's willingness to power-share with Tom Daschle
9) McCain/Feingold Election Laws
10) The staffing of the 9/11 Commision
I could go on....
The point is, the GOP is nothing like the bastion of the Far Right which liberal libertarians paint it to be- especially in the Senate. For 5 years, moderates and liberals in the GOP Senate pretty much steered the agenda. They could count President Bush as one of thier own. Former President Bush, despite what MoveOn and Koz make him out to, was a moderate to liberal president. Even as govenor he pretty much governed from the middle. For Moderates, the years 2001-2006 were a Golden Age. The Christian Right and other conservatives bit thier lip and voted for he GOP anyway (something to do with a war going on, and the alternative). The year 2004 saw a record turnout for Bush and the Republicans -they were namely from the despised Right.
To fix what ails the party, one must first diagnose the problem. The problem wasn't that the GOP was too religious. You guys sound as if the 2nd coming of Cromwell was at hand. What must be faced is the fact that Moderate to Liberal Republicans are the biggest victims of the 2006-2008 election cycles. Even in liberal states like Orgeon and Minnisota, the electorate is going for the Democrats. It wasn't the Christian Right that caused defeats in Oregon, Virginia, and Minnisota.
So, if the GOP follows your advice (and the advice of Brooks and Frum), we should scour the earth for more Specters, Lowell Weickers, and Lincoln Chaffees. Good luck with that.
If the religous and libertarian conservatives left the party (as you suggest), the GOP would go the way of the Whigs.
michael.tomlinson| 4.29.09 @ 4:39PM
BO is well on his way to being a transformational character as he transforms the US from a prosperous nation with a people enjoying the best lifestyle in the world to a nation suffering from perpetually high unemployment, skyrocketing utility rates, crushing Federal taxes, burdensome debt and declining health care.
The good news so far seems to be that many of the blue states are getting the audacious change they wanted with increasing unemployment and shrinking job markets.
As for JP's characterization of W as a moderate-liberal President he/she would be well served to compare Reagan's real record to Bush's record. The reality is that Bush built on Reagan's moderate record and took it to the right.
Michele San Pietro| 4.29.09 @ 4:48PM
Obama has been simply pitiful so far.
SLG| 4.29.09 @ 4:57PM
I don't pretend to speak for JimRice, JP, but I think his point may have been that there's a very vocal faction of the Christians and "social" conservatives scare him with their priorities.
I'm aware that some regular Libertarian contributors of the past have disappeared from these pages, tired of being called murderers by the extreme pro-life (anti-choice) types - gay things and stemcells too. They look upon that stuff as being more important than our borders, national defense, spending and government growth, plus a bunch of other very important topics. The Christian right doesn't tolerate any disagreement or they revert to what the Democrats do so often, call names. That gets tiring, hence, I think that may be what JimRice may have been suggesting -- maybe a few others too, myself included.
Pingback| 4.29.09 @ 5:28PM
if you could put Klein in a bottle | conservativeintelligencer.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Iaidoka| 4.29.09 @ 5:45PM
SLG has it right from my perspective as an avowed Libertarian.
I don't care what religion you are or what you believe. As far as I'm concerned, that's your right and your business, not mine. But DO NOT try to push your beliefs on me. And don't call me a baby killer just because I dont' think abortion is the top priority.
Alan Brooks| 4.29.09 @ 8:37PM
Libertarians are Rightists, in no way conservatives; if we followed your advice the morality would... well, never mind;
you ought to be able to learn the hard way-- if you're tough enough.
Rob| 4.29.09 @ 8:46PM
Time to revisit the Tenth Amendment, which conflicts with a super-sized federal government.
Alan Brooks| 4.29.09 @ 9:32PM
BTW, the troll (not trolls) is Daphne Kenward.
Don't you all recognize her style?
LanceBoyle| 4.29.09 @ 10:23PM
Pretty much as suggested by iaidoka & SLG, or so it seems -- the judgmental pronouncements of one Mr. Brooks. Intolerance personified, that oft heard sanctimony that drives Libertarians away and ticks-off any number of nonaligned. You've pretty much proven the point Alan. Thanks. For nothing.
Pingback| 4.30.09 @ 12:31AM
The Velocity of Hope links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Gangleri| 4.30.09 @ 1:06AM
Blah blah, 80% of people like him (and by extension his party) blah blah Repubs are a regional party (they are, of losers) You guys lost so hard it hurts to make fun of you but I'll try.
I'll let you go this week.
Alan Brooks| 4.30.09 @ 1:09AM
Politics hurt my ass real bad. : (
Alan Brooks| 4.30.09 @ 1:09AM
Politics hurt my ass real bad. : (
Alan Brooks| 4.30.09 @ 1:21AM
Politics make my ass bleed. :(
Alan Brooks| 4.30.09 @ 1:22AM
Politics make my ass bleed. :(
Yikes Alan| 4.30.09 @ 1:23AM
Alan, go to the doctor, this isnt worth it!
Yikes Alan| 4.30.09 @ 1:23AM
Alan, go to the doctor, this isnt worth it!
George Bush| 4.30.09 @ 1:24AM
It is worth it, (Alan likes it)
Rand| 4.30.09 @ 1:40AM
The 10th amendment only conflicts with the size of Federal to the extent that the powers the Federal Government is assuming is not prescribed by the Constitution. That's pretty ambiguous. The Constitution allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce, which, since 1976 and the completion of the trans-continental is pretty much everything industry. They are also charged with promoting science and the arts, borrow money, and establishing and regulating that money .With the neccessary and proper clause it's pretty substantial. Keep in mind the founders set up a national bank, imposed national tarriffs, and national taxes. Add the 14th amendment to the mix, and the role Federal governments is expanded dramatically.
Pingback| 4.30.09 @ 6:03AM
Greatest Hits: Apr. 30, 2009 | Whatever Is Right links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Iaidoka| 4.30.09 @ 7:17AM
No never mind, Alan. Please tell us what "the morality would ....." if Libertarians advice were followed.
But better to answer first: whose morality, Alan? Yours? Mine?
It may surprise you learn, Alan, that I am in favor of overturning Roe v Wade. Not because I believe abortion should be outlawed but because I believe it is clearly outside of the constitutionally defined authority of the federal government. This decision belongs with the states.
Robert Rosencrans| 4.30.09 @ 12:41PM
If you are for big government and against individual freedom, Obama has been a success. If you're for individual freedom and against big government, Janet Napolitano wants you.
America is Bankrupt & Dead Now| 4.30.09 @ 7:06PM
This Swine flu, is spreadding so fast, it frightens me to death, I heard today 78 people has died in New York. Well I shall not be leaving my home till this has subsided. I have my provisions!
I heard that the Police and Army will eventually have authority to shoot Americans on the street on sight, if they do not follow orders.
Wedding Dresses| 9.10.09 @ 1:13AM
This handbag is so unique,Wedding Dresses
Designer Wedding Gowns
and I never see it’s sold in the stores, where did you get this one please?