Barack Obama is going to be our next president. It is now
time to pray for better outcomes and better policies than many of
us expect. The best hope is that he will heed the general
movement of the past quarter century and not head left on
economics. You've got to believe there are some smart
Brookings types offering that kind of counsel.
On healthcare, I do think changes are on the way. The
premiums are just way higher than they were in 1992. More
people are ready to give in on this front. I think it will
happen. Again, hope for a plan with some serious policy
smarts to it rather than rank collectivization.
Abortion. This is my biggest concern. Will Obama
attempt to pass a Freedom of Choice Act that will invalidate
thirty years of incremental restrictions carefully built up at
the state level? I predict he will not. What he will
do is cement the fundamental holding of Roe/Casey for a few
generations with Supreme Court picks. Planned Parenthood
will settle for that.
The war? I'm no expert, but I have to believe we are
committed regardless of what Obama promised in the
campaign. Too much blood and treasure. Too much
chance of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
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Barack Obama