Obama’s Balance

An advisor to President Obama used a term recently that may be the theme – stated or not – of both his budget proposal Wednesday and his 2012 campaign: “a balanced approach.”

He will no doubt contrast that to Republican “extremism.”

And Republicans fell right into the trap. Rep. Paul Ryan’s dream budget gives Democrats the talking points they dream of: “abolishing” Medicare for seniors and huge tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.

Didn’t Republicans learn anything from watching Obama overreach on health care? Why make the same mistake?

The answer, of course, is hubris. They won in 2010, so they think they’ll win forever.

Instead, they’ve opened themselves to a classic case of political judo: Obama can turn his weakness – his cool, even distant persona – into a strength. And turn what they regard as their strength – confidence and certainty – into weakness.

He’ll position himself as the cool head surrounded by GOP hot-heads.

It worked in 2008. Why not again?
 
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Gary Pearce

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Obama’s Balance

An advisor to President Obama used a term recently that may be the theme – stated or not – of both his budget proposal Wednesday and his 2012 campaign: “a balanced approach.”

He will no doubt contrast that to Republican “extremism.”

And Republicans fell right into the trap. Rep. Paul Ryan’s dream budget gives Democrats the talking points they dream of: “abolishing” Medicare for seniors and huge tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.

Didn’t Republicans learn anything from watching Obama overreach on health care? Why make the same mistake?

The answer, of course, is hubris. They won in 2010, so they think they’ll win forever.

Instead, they’ve opened themselves to a classic case of political judo: Obama can turn his weakness – his cool, even distant persona – into a strength. And turn what they regard as their strength – confidence and certainty – into weakness.

He’ll position himself as the cool head surrounded by GOP hot-heads.

It worked in 2008. Why not again?
 
Avatar photo

Gary Pearce

Categories

Archives