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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGoing the Distance--On and off the road with Barack Obama (David Remnick/New Yorker)
Last edited Sun Jan 19, 2014, 05:59 PM - Edit history (1)
(This is a retrospective piece on PBO's accomplishments in first term and what he hopes to accomplish in his second. Remnick travels with and interviews PBO and others in an 18 Page article leading up to the Inaugural Address. I thought it an interesting read describing Obama's careful and thoughtful decision making reflecting his pragmatic view of the world and the role of the US President in it. The article doesn't really question the policies that have resulted in none of the Wall Street Criminals doing any jail time. Nor the Bankers who got off with Golden Parachutes. But, it has a comforting view of his foreign policy which is far different from Bush/Cheney.But, I'm posting the snips from the article/interview mentioning Democrats on the "Progressive Left" which seem to verify why some of us on the Left have been so impatient with him.) I think many DU'ers would enjoy reading the whole article although there are not many new revelations, it's a little more insight into his philosophy of governance.)
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On and off the road with Barack Obama.
by David Remnick January 27, 2014
Johnsons Great Society will be fifty years old in 2014, but no Republican wants a repeat of that scale of government ambition. Obama acknowledges this, saying, The appetite for tax-and-transfer strategies, even among Democrats, much less among independents or Republicans, is probably somewhat limited, because people are seeing their incomes havent gone up, their wages havent gone up. Its natural for them to think any new taxes may be going to somebody else, Im not confident in terms of how its going to be spent, Id much rather hang on to what Ive got. He will try to do things like set up partnerships with selected cities and citizens groups, sign some executive orders, but a Marshall Plan for the inner city is not going to get through Congress anytime soon.
Indeed, Obama is quick to show a measure of sympathy with the Reagan-era conservative analysis of government. This is where sometimes progressives get frustrated with me, he said, because I actually think there was a legitimate critique of the welfare state getting bloated, and relying too much on command and control, top-down government programs to address it back in the seventies. Its also why its ironic when Im accused of being this raging socialist who wants to amass more and more power for their own government. . . . But I do think that some of the anti-government rhetoric, anti-tax rhetoric, anti-spending rhetoric that began before Reagan but fully flowered with the Reagan Presidency accelerated trends that were already existing, or at least robbed us of some tools to deal with the downsides of globalization and technology, and that with just some modest modification we could grow this economy faster and benefit more people and provide more opportunity.
After we did all that, there would still be poverty and there would still be some inequality and there would still be a lot of work to do for the forty-fifth through fiftieth Presidents, he went on, but Id like to give voice to an impression I think a lot of Americans have, which is its harder to make it now if you are just the average citizen whos willing to work hard and has good values, and wasnt born with huge advantages or having enjoyed extraordinary luckthat the ground is less secure under your feet.
In the White House, advisers are resigned by now to the idea that some liberal voters, dismayed by a range of issuesdrones, the N.S.A., the half measures of health care and financial reformhave turned away from Obama and to newer figures like Elizabeth Warren or Bill de Blasio. Well, look, we live in a very fast-moving culture, Obama said. And, by definition, the President of the United States is overexposed, and it is natural, after six, seven years of me being on the national stage, that people start wanting to see . . .
Other flavors?
Yes, he said. Is there somebody else out there who can give me that spark of inspiration or excitement? I dont spend too much time worrying about that. I think the things that are exciting people are the same things that excite me and excited me back then. I might have given fresh voice to them, but the values are essentially the same.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/01/27/140127fa_fact_remnick?currentPage=all
cali
(114,904 posts)KoKo
(84,711 posts)(I found this disturbing because it was the only program he could find that he thought was worthwhile that government had been able to do...and that he seems to still find Reagan such an admirable president)
---------Snip from Page 18---------
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)That Ronald Reagan's policies weren't 100% evil! Sounds like a guy who doesn't view the world through partisan lens and who doesn't ever have to run in an election ever again.
It is cracking me up watching the usual detractors glom onto this pathetic piece of writing.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)I would bet most of his framing about Obama's demeanor and tone during the interview are pure bullshit.
cali
(114,904 posts)all you're interested in is fawning slobbering adoration.
Disturbing. You.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)Interviews where the reader is led toward certain perceptions by the writer that are not objective at all.
This guy wants to paint Obama as testy and bothered about his presidency. H paints him as somehow weak and inconsistent because he chews nicotine gum.
Pretty shallow tripe.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)IMHO everyone on DU needs to read this. It gives you insight.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)1000words
(7,051 posts)No shirtless beach picture.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)It's quite a revealing article about our President.
He's leaving it "Up to Congress."
He has given up.
"It is what it is man" says Obama. And he's just the president, not like he has any power. Except to drone away and repeat the failed pruneface's religion of lower taxes on the rich means they can trickle down on all you peons easier.
He should just retire. But really, pardon bush first. That would show them.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)The president's opponents would be thrilled by such a petty hit piece.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)Those of you who are Charlie Rose Watchers know where to find the video.
What was fascinating is that Remnick doesn't mention Obama's influence of Reagan on his policies...but that is IN his ARTICEL at the LINK.
That PBO holds Reagan in his highest Esteem and not Lyndon Johnson is and was quite interesting. My Post above gives the Snips from the Article which Charlie Rose Ignored in his interview and Remnick didn't Push.
But, the interview was "Tortured" but interesting. If anyone wants to post it.