Obama: ‘If Paul Krugman has a good idea…then we’re going to do it.’

[Thrill]

Ok lets see Krugman answer the call?

Today in his press conference, a reporter questioned Obama about Krugman’s criticisms. Obama said that he is open to the economist’s ideas: “If Paul Krugman has a good idea, in terms of how to spend money efficiently and effectively to jump-start the economy, then we’re going to do it.”

[bluestateguy]

1. Sounds like a job offer

nt

[alwysdrunk]

24. He already turned it down

Said he didn't have the temperament for it. I think he does advise the team though, or at the least his opinions are known.

[babylonsister]

2. Krugman's already been advising Obama ...

http://www.americansforprosperity.org/122308-liberal-ny-times-columnist-paul-krugman-advising-obama

[mucifer]

3. I'm suprised Obama said that after Krugman's recent articles that are critical of

Obama's policies. However, I did hear Krugman in an interview with Bill Press say that he has the ear of the Obama people. He also said that Obama's former Clinton economic advisers know that they did a lot of things wrong and have learned from it, but don't expect them to say this publicly. It was a VERY interesting interview.

[phleshdef]

6. Why? Thats exactly the kind of thing Obama has always said he would do?

Its becoming more and more apparent that people either weren't listening to him during his campaign or just didn't take him seriously.

He welcomes constructive criticism. Its a vital part of his character.

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. his seeking Krugmans advice

just increases my faith in him . I hope Krugman answers the call.

Some of his appointments are in the "wait and see" file

[jgraz]

5. It all comes down to what his definition of "good" is.

I'm not sure it's the same definition that Krugman is using.

[hileeopnyn8d]

7. good answer

That man will not be backed into a corner. Reporter looking for red meat is basically told to "chew on this".

I like to play a little game with myself called "how would Bush have answered that question?", it amuses and makes me hopeful. win-win

[Bolo Boffin]

8. This is an interesting statement.

On the one hand, it shows that Obama is listening to Krugman, and that's all well and good.

But look at what it means here. If Obama were taking him seriously on this point, would Krugman feel the need to flank the Obama plan with his open criticisms? No, Krugman's trying to build public support for his plan to shore up what he's saying. In other words, what Krugman is proposing is NOT a good idea to Obama's thinking.

I'm already irritated by Obama's offer to have $300 billion in tax cuts to "get Republicans on board." Maybe the tax cuts will help the economy, although Krugman doesn't think so. But to have it expressly billed as "getting the Republicans on board" gives the Republicans not only $300 billion in potentially stupid tax cuts, but reinforcement of the notion that only Republicans lower taxes. It validates their "drown government in a bathtub" message. No wonder McConnell is graciously acknowledging this P.R. bonanza. They're probably already writing copy for 2010 campaign ads.

Some sharp journalist (there are some of those around, aren't there?) should ask Obama what he thinks is bad about Krugman's proposal, because that is what he is saying right now without offering specifics.

[Uzybone]

10. Krugman doesn't have a public proposal.

All he has said so far is that its not big enough and that too of much of it is in tax cuts . A proposal would need more details. Krugman is just doing his job right now, which is to write op-eds. He hasn't floated a real detailed policy proposal yet.

[Bolo Boffin]

14. He's basing his opposition on this:

http://www.princeton.edu/~pkrugman/optimalg.pdf (pdf)

In that rough and dense paper, Krugman sketches out the notion that government spending has to increase when monetary policy is at zero -- increase until full employment is reached. Tax cuts are not going to help that, especially if businesses can't sell the products that the newly hired and tax-credit-gaining employees are making.

Nice little dig at Krugman, though -- discounting him as someone who just writes op-eds.

[Uzybone]

16. Ignore the percieved dig

I didn't mean it as such. I love Paul Krugman, he has always been a voice of sanity. That doesn't mean he has released a public proposal that Obama is supposed to react to. Obama can't draw up a $1 trillion stimulus plan based on Op-ed pieces or on a 5 page paper that has no details on the actual issues.

[Bolo Boffin]

19. I'm not saying he gets every detail from Krugman.

But one of Krugman's main objections is the tax breaks for corporations, he gives his reasoning behind it, and for Obama to shrug it off by saying "when Krugman has a good idea, we'll do it" is rather politically stated for him.

[HughMoran]

23. I think the way Obama is responding is very clever

I think you agree with Krugman on that one issue and want to use that to criticise Obama. I think Obama disagrees with you and Krugman on some of his suggestions and it's his right to. Krugman is not his only advisor!

[Bolo Boffin]

30. Now who's got a little shrine going?

I'm a Democrat. I voted for Obama three times here in Texas (primary, caucus, general). I earned the right to criticize him! :)

ETA: Although you'll probably respond before I can add this, I'm adding it. I think Obama is being clever as well, too clever by half. Maybe this is just a little public nudge to get Krugman out of a tendency to sit on the sidelines and armchair quarterback. Fine. I've only read the comment. I didn't see Obama deliver it on video yet, and body language means a lot.

But I wish Obama had also said that if Krugman shows why something we're doing is a bad idea, we're going to stop doing it.

[HughMoran]

32. I got some twine going

I'm gonna hang myself if everyone doesn't fall into lockstep and agree with Obama 101% of the time!!!11!!22!!133!!one!!

:P to you too!

[HughMoran]

20. Good point

I think the poster above is a little to enamored with Krugman, who isn't the be all, end all of Economic thought (though fairly close I might ad).

[Bolo Boffin]

22. Yes, I just lit another stick of incense in my Krugman shrine

:eyes:

[HughMoran]

25. lol - was that necessary?

Look, you give some, you have to take some! I certainly didn't dis' Krugman, just pointed out that he's not necessarily correct about all of his assumptions.

[Bolo Boffin]

28. You give some, you take some!

What's the problem? ;)

[HughMoran]

31. You started it

Nah nah nah nah nah! :P

:rofl:

[phleshdef]

11. If taxes are lowered this year, in what reality can the Republicans take credit for it?

We have an enormous majority in both congress and the senate and we have a Democrat sitting in the White House.

Furthermore, this tax cut has been talked about the entire campaign. Why is it NOW that Democrats are complaining about it?

[Bolo Boffin]

17. Because Obama says it's to "get Republicans on board."

They can put Obama into the commercials saying this. That's how they take credit for it. Credit is being given to them for it. McConnell's already advancing the goalposts.

The only hint of this tax cut I can find at Obama's campaign website is this:

http://www.barackobama.com/taxes/

Cutting Corporate Tax Rates for Firms that Create Jobs in America. Barack Obama will repeal tax
breaks and loopholes that reward corporations that retain their earnings overseas, and will use those savings
to lower corporate tax rates for companies that expand or start operations in the United States.

There are no specific numbers there, and I would be grateful to anyone who could provide them. That, however, is a tax rate reduction, NOT a $3,000 credit per hired or retrained worker. It is also tied to eliminating tax breaks for companies who retain earnings overseas. Are you saying this $3,000 credit is tied to such a tax break elimination?

[AlinPA]

9. Today, Krugman says the stimulus proposal is too small. (NYT)

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/opinion/09krugman.html?_r=1

[Median Democrat]

18. Krugman Is Most Useful To Obama As A Counterweight To RW Commentators

I think the article you link is great for Obama, because it moves the discussion from whether it is too big, and $1.2 trillion deficit, to the issue of whether it is big enough.

If you do not have commentators like Krugman, the MSM would simply repeat GOP talking points about the deficit, socialism, and whether Obama is overstating the nature of economic problems. Krugman provides a necessary voice that I believe helps Obama, because it expands the parameters of the debate in the MSM.

[AlinPA]

33. Yes, Krugman's article can help.

[cottonseed]

12. That would entail real work. Like drafting an actual proposal.

Writing Op-eds critiquing all aspects of the proposal is much easier.

[Thrill]

21. I want to see him come up with something instead of just criticizing

I think thats Obama's challenge to him and Congress. He said it clearly today. Don't just talk "SHOW ME"

[applegrove]

13. No drama Obama holds no grudges. That is so cool in a politician.

krugman was very much a Hillary supporter during the primaries.

[HughMoran]

29. No, he's dissing Krugman by not agreeing with him 100%

:sarcasm:

I couldn't resist. Not pointed at you, I'm teasing a poster above :)

[monmouth]

15. I'm sort of translating this as a put up or shut up..LOL. Krugman wants

to criticize? Fine.... Give me your solutions.

[uponit7771]

26. Krugman said he didn't have the temperment for government, Krugman would be good for this country

...he sounds logical and doesn't have a lot of downside IMHO

[Political Heretic]

27. Krugman's Op-Ed today was dead on accurate.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/opinion/09krugman.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=print