Even Small Steps Matter for Barack Obama and Partisan Washington on Stimulus Package
By Robert Schlesinger, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
Bonnie is rather dismissive of what she describes as the "veiled myth of post-partisanship" in the Obama years, based on the fact that no House Republicans voted for the stimulus package. "If Mr. Obama's definition of post-partisanship is a more cordial, less harsh atmosphere in which to discuss partisan disagreements, then certainly he's done better on that front than President Bush," Bonnie writes, going on to note that she expected post-partisanship to be bi-partisanship.
I think she's got it wrong—even tonal changes can be significant.
As I argue in my column (which you can read in our U.S. News Weekly), keeping lines of communication open can in and of itself be a worthwhile end. A more cordial, less harsh atmosphere in which to discuss partisan differences is a decent start.
Look: No one should be surprised that Republicans favor cutting taxes as the main way to help the economy; and no one should be surprised either that the Democrats think spending is a good way to stimulate the economy or that, having won the election a couple of months ago, they see no need to accommodate discredited GOP dogma.
But tone now can have an effect later, when there might be legislation with more available common ground.
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Tags: Barack Obama | economic stimulus
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Reader Comments
Conspiracy...or just Right?
If the Republicans didn't stand up against this "Obamanation" of a spending spree, they deserve to be rode out on the rails. GWB's real stimulus was to respond to attack and natural disaster. No one seems to realize we've had economic stimulus from the government for the past 8 years which prevented our economy from collapsing after 911. Remember that? These things had to be done at the time and are almost to a point that we can trim back on these expenses and start paying our debts as a nation. It is not a time to go on a "spending spree" when your credit is already maxed out. Do what is necessary...no more and no less. Save your Liberal "wish list" for another day Mr Obama.
Payback Time
Great! Now that Obama has got the power, it's time to pay back his supporters through pork spending. Acorn gets $1Billion, NASA nuts get $400 million. Rubbers for everyone...Geesh
Obama= Benevolent Socialist Dictator.
JUST BRILLIANT....
Bush tries spending billions in "stimulus" he's an idiot - Obama tries the same thing, only laden with feel-good, liberal pork and he's an economic guru..... Oh, but wait, I forgot, he's got his magic Obamawand. That clears that up.
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