Michael Barone thinks Obama is all aura and no action:
Inspiration is one thing, persuasion another. He created the impression
on the campaign trail that he was familiar with major issues and
readily ticked off his positions on them. But he has not proved so good
at legislating.
Barone devotes the whole of his piece to explaining why this is. But hold on a minute: isn't it a little early to decide that Obama couldn't legislate his way into his own house? He hasn't failed any big tests yet. The vast and complex stimulus bill passed, and at warp speed. The climate change bill passed in the House and is awaiting its turn in the Senate. As for health care, it's still probable that a bill will pass and very possible that Obama will get, as Ambinder puts it, 85% of what he wants. The glee that conservative commentators are feeling over Obama's first serious difficulties is driving them to some rather rash conclusions.
Comments