Looking at some data from Nate Silver, Paul Krugman concludes
What Obama has offered — and Republicans have refused to accept — is a deal in which less than 20 percent of the deficit reduction comes from new revenues. This puts him slightly to the right of the average Republican voter.
So we learn two things. First, Obama is extraordinarily eager to make concessions. Second, Republicans are incredibly unwilling to take yes for an answer — something for which progressives should be grateful.
Why exactly are we rejecting the Null Hypothesis that Obama is to the right of the average Republican voter on fiscal issues.
I can understand why both sides of the political spectrum would have an interest in painting Obama as a big lefty. What’s not as clear to me is why people believe their own propaganda.
Now, maybe lots of folks have an inside track that I am completely missing. However, there is nothing in Obama’s mannerisms, tone or statements that differentiate him from a green-eyeshade conservative.
One might be confused by the fact that he supports universal health care, progressive taxation and carbon reductions. Yet, doesn’t just about every other conservative leader in the industrialized world support these same things?
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Thursday ~ July 14th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
foosion
He is clearly governing as a moderate Republican, or at least what a moderate Republican was 10 years ago.
Thursday ~ July 14th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
rjs
we refer to him as the tea partier in the white house…
http://my.firedoglake.com/scarecrow/2011/07/02/earth-to-democrats-its-not-just-the-tea-gop-trying-to-tank-the-economy-obama-believes-their-argument/
Thursday ~ July 14th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
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Thursday ~ July 14th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Becky Hargrove
I have gained a certain amount of respect for Obama with these proceedings which I did not always have. At least he still believes in the validity of government when others seem content to just let everything fall apart. To be sure, people need to find solutions outside of the entitlements we have now. But no one seems to be serious about making the cultural adjustments necessary to create real entitlement alternatives, hence the game playing and political posturing.
Thursday ~ July 14th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Khal Mojo
Actually, I think Republicans in a way have been begging Obama to give them a break to save their skins against Tea Party pressure.
Thursday ~ July 14th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
JazzBumpa
Well stated, Karl. I have NEVER rejected the null hypothesis – in fact, I’ve been contending for a long time – and I think all the facts bear this out – that BHO is to the right of Clinton, and Clinton was to the right of Eisenhower.
I used to say Clinton was the Best Republican President since Roosevelt (Teddy, obviously) and people looked at me like I was crazy.
Cheers!
JzB
Friday ~ July 15th, 2011 at 9:40 am
Th
Manchurian Candidate from the University of Chicago has been my take.
Some presidential historian (don’t remember which one) said that Nixon was the last liberal president, Carter the last conservative president, Reagan a radical and the rest were corporate lackeys. Always thought that had some truth to it.
Friday ~ July 15th, 2011 at 10:46 am
IVV
Why anyone gives more than just a passing glance to the (D) or (R) after their name has made no sense to me for so long…
Tuesday ~ April 24th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
adelgazar
jon gabriel I ought to say, as a whole lot as I enjoyed reading what you had to say, I couldnt assist but lose interest following a even though. Its as should you had a great grasp on the topic matter.