Erskine to the Rescue
2010-02-17 - by
Can Erskine Bowles save America
I was about halfway through the book The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History With the President, by Taylor Branch, when I heard that President Obama will name Erskine and another Great Compromiser, former Senator Alan Simpson, to lead a national commission on the budget deficit.
You will remember that, in 1997, Bowles brokered a deal with Newt Gingrich and congressional Republicans that balanced the federal budget.
You will remember that, when George Bush 43 took office, the budget was running surpluses as far as the eye could see.
And you will remember, if President Obama is successful in reminding you, that Bush and the Republicans promptly wrecked the car and in just eight years gave us budget deficits that – all the smart people say – will wreck America
Even before I heard the news about Erskine, I was struck by the parallels in Branch’s book between Clinton ’s first term and Washington
Then, as now, congressional Republicans staunchly opposed anything and everything a Democratic President supported. “The hell with the country! We need to destroy this President!”
Then, as now, Republicans opposed serious deficit reduction – until their stubbornness reelected Clinton
(Question: Why do congressional Democrats compromise with Republican Presidents – tax cuts with Reagan, deficit reduction with Reagan and Daddy Bush, education and drug benefits with Baby Bush, etc. – even though Republicans refuse to reciprocate? Answer: Democrats are more responsible.)
Then, as now, a Democratic President struggled to pass health-care reform that was and is, in Clinton
Maybe now, as then, Bowles can navigate Washington
Erskine to the Rescue
2010-02-17/
Can Erskine Bowles save America
I was about halfway through the book The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History With the President, by Taylor Branch, when I heard that President Obama will name Erskine and another Great Compromiser, former Senator Alan Simpson, to lead a national commission on the budget deficit.
You will remember that, in 1997, Bowles brokered a deal with Newt Gingrich and congressional Republicans that balanced the federal budget.
You will remember that, when George Bush 43 took office, the budget was running surpluses as far as the eye could see.
And you will remember, if President Obama is successful in reminding you, that Bush and the Republicans promptly wrecked the car and in just eight years gave us budget deficits that – all the smart people say – will wreck America
Even before I heard the news about Erskine, I was struck by the parallels in Branch’s book between Clinton ’s first term and Washington
Then, as now, congressional Republicans staunchly opposed anything and everything a Democratic President supported. “The hell with the country! We need to destroy this President!”
Then, as now, Republicans opposed serious deficit reduction – until their stubbornness reelected Clinton
(Question: Why do congressional Democrats compromise with Republican Presidents – tax cuts with Reagan, deficit reduction with Reagan and Daddy Bush, education and drug benefits with Baby Bush, etc. – even though Republicans refuse to reciprocate? Answer: Democrats are more responsible.)
Then, as now, a Democratic President struggled to pass health-care reform that was and is, in Clinton
Maybe now, as then, Bowles can navigate Washington