Winning is Good

There hasn’t been a scene like it since LBJ in 1965: Democratic congressional leaders beaming and clapping as a Democratic President signs a big expansion of the social safety net.
 
The question is whether today’s White House ceremony celebrating health-care reform was the last gasp of the Great Society – or a reprise of Happy Days Are Here Again.
 
But, for now, for Democrats, there’s nothing like a win.
 
The Democratic wet dream is that Republicans overplayed their hand. That Americans will embrace the reforms, recoil against the opponents’ vitriol and turn against sour, hard-faced Washington Republicans.
 
Inevitably, reform will get a bounce in the polls. Inevitably, the Republicans’ repeal mania will fade.
 
Then what?
 
Politically, the best move for Obama and Democrats now is against Wall Street: Take the financial-regulatory bill, turn Obama’s rhetorical gifts on full-blast again and blame Wall Street and big bankers for the economic mess.
 
Let Republicans defend that target!
 
That’s how Democrats might salvage their congressional majorities in November.
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Gary Pearce

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Winning is Good

There hasn’t been a scene like it since LBJ in 1965: Democratic congressional leaders beaming and clapping as a Democratic President signs a big expansion of the social safety net.
 
The question is whether today’s White House ceremony celebrating health-care reform was the last gasp of the Great Society – or a reprise of Happy Days Are Here Again.
 
But, for now, for Democrats, there’s nothing like a win.
 
The Democratic wet dream is that Republicans overplayed their hand. That Americans will embrace the reforms, recoil against the opponents’ vitriol and turn against sour, hard-faced Washington Republicans.
 
Inevitably, reform will get a bounce in the polls. Inevitably, the Republicans’ repeal mania will fade.
 
Then what?
 
Politically, the best move for Obama and Democrats now is against Wall Street: Take the financial-regulatory bill, turn Obama’s rhetorical gifts on full-blast again and blame Wall Street and big bankers for the economic mess.
 
Let Republicans defend that target!
 
That’s how Democrats might salvage their congressional majorities in November.
Avatar photo

Gary Pearce

Categories

Archives