Paul Krugman (New York Times):
And on the principle of the thing, you could say that Democrats held their ground on the essentials — no cuts in benefits — while Republicans have just voted for a tax increase for the first time in decades. So why the bad taste in progressives’ mouths? It has less to do with where Obama ended up than with how he got there. He kept drawing lines in the sand, then erasing them and retreating to a new position. And his evident desire to have a deal before hitting the essentially innocuous fiscal cliff bodes very badly for the confrontation looming in a few weeks over the debt ceiling. If Obama stands his ground in that confrontation, this deal won’t look bad in retrospect. If he doesn’t, yesterday will be seen as the day he began throwing away his presidency and the hopes of everyone who supported him. MORE...
3 comments:
"He kept drawing lines in the sand, then erasing them and retreating to a new position."
Uh, sorry but as a graduate in Industrial Relations (not to mention a progressive myself), that to 'n fro is simply called "NEGOTIATION".
I mean, did you honestly think you were going to get EVERYTHING you wanted?
That's just plain silly. I've been watching it (admittedly from afar here in Vietnam) but still - all along one knew that it would be appel and parry (i.e. sand lines 'n erase, sand lines 'n erase), and it seems to me that quibbling now over "less to do with where Obama ended up than with how he got there." is a bit naive, nay childish.
thanks for responding! I think I agree with you, but I like to "air out" all the "progressive" back and forth. Krugman is very influential.
LOL Howie - you "think" you agree with me? How DARE you! You should know better than to even THINK about disagreeing w/ the TravelnLass. ;D
But seriously. I'm sure Msr. Krugman is a most learned lad (shoot, given his/my surname we might even be related), and g-knows I'm not worthy to second-guess a syndicated journalist for the NYT. I mean he does nicely point out the wee .1% difference, and generally gives an even-handed view.
I guess I'm just a tad touchy as so often my fellow progressives tend to endlessly bicker over most every/any outcome - to the detriment of true progressive - uh, PROGRESS.
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