http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/white-house-defends-lopsi_n_793023.html
Our country's Chief Executive has been put to the test once again on another round of negotiations with the GOP, this time over the Bush tax cuts. The two parties ultimately compromised over the extension of the tax cuts in exchange for a 13-month extension of unemployment benefits. Those advocating for the unemployed seem happy about it but many other progressives are frustrated by the lack of spine exhibited by the Democratic leadership.
While I do feel that the extension of unemployment benefits is a victory for those who desperately need it, I'm not sure if the Obama administration really fought their hardest to get as much as they could out of that deal. It seems to me like they've been bullied once again into taking the short end of the stick. Today, I saw a poster of Obama with the caption "Yes we CAVE!" instead of "Yes we can." I've generally been supportive of the administration's efforts but in this case, I think the poster couldn't describe the situation more accurately.
What are your thoughts guys? Is Obama an effective negotiator or just another spineless politician?
Conchita Campos
I actually thought a lot about this - what seems to get lost in politics - once a president takes office he (hopefully one day or she) becomes privy to additional information that we the general public are not aware of. So, sometimes a president has to make some tougher or less popular choices - but that is also a slight tangent. To answer your specific question - Yes, it would be really great to not give in, but Obama also said that at this time he would rather see that we ensure an extension of unemployment benefits - this is not a zero sum game - so from a pragmatic POV I am glad that he was willing to pick his battles rather than potentially risk people having a stoppage of benefits. I suspect that Republican strategists knew that this would happen, but what I think the general public should start doing - consider the larger picture - Obama's administration is more informed on matters - they are keeping the big picture in mind. I am not mad about this, but I would have been furious to know that millions of people lost their unemployment benefits just because we wanted wealthy americans to give more - yes, I think wealthy americans should give more, BUT - they also drive the economy, so why fight that battle tooth and nail and hinder any further recovery? Let's encourage and incentivize them to create jobs instead.
ReplyDelete-Ken