Dr. Maccoby participates in a Weekly Forum on Washington Post.com called "On Leadership". I am compiling all of his responses to the weekly questions here.
|
DATE: December 7, 2010 Did Obama 'blink' on tax cuts? In a high-stakes game of political chicken, President Obama appears to have bowed to Republican threats to block the extension of tax cuts to the middle class--and all other legislation--unless a similar tax cut for high-income households was also included. Is this realistic bipartisan compromise after a sobering election, or is it a sign of weak leadership? |
Playing from weakness
As President Obama stated in his press conference Tuesday, the job of the president is to do what he believes is best for the American people. Obama has never had the votes in Congress to get everything he wanted. What he has achieved in legislation for health care and regulation has angered his Republican opponents, and what he has failed to achieve has frustrated the left of his own party. His strength has been in the results he has won; his weakness has been in a failure to communicate his reasoning for accepting less than he has wanted.
He told the press that he believes his compromise on taxes will strengthen the economy, while the result of a protracted battle to raise taxes on the rich would damage millions of middle-class Americans. He promised to keep fighting for what he believes is right for the country. But he scolded the left, saying that by insisting on purist positions they would lose any chance for victories for the American people. To gain the support of the majority of the country for future battles, Obama needs to continue to explain his reasoning with the passion and conviction he expressed to the press and the Democratic left.
| TMG Home | PTWC | Articles | Books | Contact Info | Comments |
This web site is being maintained by Maria