Andrew Sullivan: The Grand Compromise

[dennis4868]

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/12/the-grand-compromise.html

So let's get this straight: at a moment when most acknowledge a fiscal crisis that requires sacrifice on both sides, such sacrifice means the GOP gets its budget-busting non-sunsetting of Bush's tax cuts, and the Dems get to extend unemployment insurance. The former is far more damaging than the latter to fiscal sanity, but both add to spending after an election in which the public allegedly stood up as one to demand fiscal restraint.

Here's why it makes sense for Obama. It certainly helps goose the economy for the next two years, which has got to help him win re-election; if done quickly, it can create room for the new START and repeal of DADT in this Congress; in the next Congress, Obama can focus on long-term debt reduction in the State of the Union, without being mau-maued on tax hikes.

I don't see this as surrender. I see this as Obama's cold-blooded pragmatism. Why is this still news?

Andrew Sullivan making sense again....I would suspect most DUers will disagree because they want Obama to FIGHT even if it means losing everything (e.g., unemployment insurance, etc...) because a leader is suppose to fight...WTF!

[closeupready]

1. Sullivan is a Republican. What more needs to be said.

n/t

[dennis4868]

15. Anyone who follows Mr. Sullivan knows that he...

is really no republican anymore....he hates them and thinks they are destroying our country....

[villager]

2. If there was any track record of him actually getting *anything substantial in return*

...for all his pre-emptive, make-nice compromising, it might be different.

Let's see how his "legislative agenda" actually fares after this latest cave to the GOP...

[BlueJac]

3. Total Bullshit......

[earthside]

4. Sometimes a leader ...

Yup.

Sometimes a "leader" is supposed to fight.

Otherwise, he is what? A "therapist"? A "moderator"? A "facilitator"?

I thought I voted for a "leader" in 2008.

Perhaps I was wrong.

[dennis4868]

13. And how exactly is he suppose to fight?

How does he stop a fillubuster that will ALWAYS happen....is he suppose to fight by putting a gun to the repubs head? Tell me what FIGHT means.....and please dont say use the bully pulpit....dem presidents dont enjoy that anymore....and even if they did the repubs don't give a shit what the people want....

[rfranklin]

5. The problem is that this continues the highway robbery of workers...

middle class and lower class while engorging the bank accounts of the top two percent. They have looted social security and are telling us that we have to shut up and take less. They have spent buckets of money on wars without end while neglecting to pay for them.

Obama will have no leverage to stop that process. And I suspect no real desire to do so.

And he will not be able to pass any of those things that you think he wants to pass.

So WTF to you. You are delusional.

[egoclothes]

6. Not pragmatism. Pres Obama got

snuckered by the repugs and is trying to make lemonade.

[jefferson_dem]

7. Totally sensible.

Thanks for posting.

[Enrique]

8. "certainly helps goose the economy for the next two years"?

really?

No. It will goose the economy for the three months the unemployment benefits are there, then the economy will be weighed down by the increased deficit from the massive tax cuts, and from the spending cuts that the GOP enacts when they take over.

[griffi94]

9. cool the bi-partisan shit's paying off

andrew sullivan likes it.

damn.

[Vinnie From Indy]

10. Laughably untrue!

The GOP has no intentions of giving Obama anything after he caves on tax cuts for the 1%'ers.

Bullies are never cowed by intellect or pleading.

[dennis4868]

12. Everything that I hear and read says you are wrong....

but let's wait and see what actually happens...Most are reporting of the passage of START, repeal of DADT, unemployment insurance in return for tax cuts for the rich...

[DrDan]

11. the ol' 3-dimensional chess game . . .

[Safetykitten]

14. Andrew Sullivan never made sense. A two-face suck up.

[jaxx]

16. Finally someone in the press comes to their senses.

"I don't see this as surrender. I see this as Obama's cold-blooded pragmatism. Why is this still news?"

It's news because the President isn't doing what the armchair brigade wants him to. In standing up for the unemployed the President gets ripped by the left one more time. Ya know, this time it doesn't matter what they say because he is 100% right in doing whatever it takes to keep Americans eating and paying bills. This is the President who will do what's right instead of what's popular. This is the why he was elected.

[dennis4868]

18. Could not have said that better myself....

I know someone who just lost their unemployment insurance and literally cannot buy food for his kids....do you think this person gives 2 flying fucks that Obama is not fighting against a tax cut for the rich? He needs to feed his family for christ sake and Obama is doing everything he can to help the guy....this is what a leader does god damn it.

[Phx_Dem]

17. K&R

[Dawson Leery]

19. Bareback Sully was in love with the idealogical Bush

When it comes to Democrats though, they must compromise or else.....
:thumbsdown: