The White House's case to voters on the economy

[jefferson_dem]

The White House's case to voters on the economy

So how will the White House make the case to individual voters that Obama's economic policies are working for them? How tough a sell is it?

President Obama met with an Ohio family at their kitchen table today to talk to them about the economy, and their situation is worth noting, because it provides a close up look at the answer to that question.

The White House just sent out some info on the family: They are Rhonda and Joe Weithman, Ohio natives who live with their two children in Columbus, which is smack in the middle of the Rust Belt I-70 corridor that will be a critical battleground in the midterm elections. Joe owns a small architecture firm that lost business during the recession. Here's the White House argument as to how Obama policies helped this family:

COBRA Subsidies from the Recovery Act: The Recovery Act established a 65 percent tax credit subsidy for COBRA health insurance benefits for involuntary unemployed workers. Rhonda benefited from these subsidies after she was laid off from her job. This tied her over until she went to work for her husband and was covered under his plan.

Investments in Local Infrastructure: Joe runs an architecture firm with five employees. He was able to keep two of their employees that otherwise would have been laid off due to work on a police station renovation that received infrastructure funding. Joe is hopeful that he will hire an additional employee as the economy continues to improve and additional projects, some of which could be funded by the Recovery Act, are secured.

Pre-existing Conditions: With the passage of health care reform, if the Weithman's shop for new insurance, their son will be able to get health care coverage despite his pre-existing condition. The new law includes new rules to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to children under the age of 19 due to a pre-existing condition.

What you're seeing here is a ground-level example of the White House case: Without us, things would be much worse for you today, and amid all your hardship, our policies have helped you in isolated, but palpable, ways. The larger context for this, of course, is that new AP poll this morning finding that approval of Obama's handling of the economy is at 41 percent, a new low.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/the_white_houses_case_to_voter.html

[zipplewrath]

1. Pay no attention to the bankers million dollar bonus

We helped you in "palpable ways". We made it easier for you to buy insurance that you can't really afford. We're giving you a tax credit on the income you're not earning. You only had to lay off 3 employees not five. The bankers? Um.... I think they're really struggling too, out on the Hamptons, in their second "summer" house. See, their bonuse came first, and from your tax dollars.

[denimgirly]

7. +1

And get ready to be flamed for speaking the truth. I just wish we had progressive democrats

[flpoljunkie]

2. Those things are great, but not sufficient. 'It's the economy stupid.'

The Democrats need to do something, and do it when they come back in September, or the mid-terms losses may be huge.

Robert Reich's idea to eliminate the payroll tax for the first $20,000 for two years and pay for it by lifting the ceiling on those who earn over $250,000 is a great one.

Democrats must also do more to help the foreclosure crisis. Heard one suggestion to drop those mortgage loans that are underwater to a rate to 4% and, of course, there's always cramdown, but, of course, the bank lobbyists would go into overdrive to fight cramdown.

Dems ignore the economic pain at their electoral peril. Make the Republicans vote against these things. People will see who is 'on their side' and who is not.

[dkf]

4. The massive refi program is being proposed by bond guru Bill Gross of PIMCO

He thinks we could bring in 50-60 billion by lowering the mortgage rate of people who are current with their freddie and fannie backed mortgages. If they are underwater fannie and freddie are on the hook anyway so no harm refinancing there. The biggest hit will be to bondholders who are getting a higher rate but will be paid back and cant get as good a yield.

So the treasury doesnt lose much except maybe an incentive bonus to refinance, people who can pay their mortgage will have more disposable income to spend and this will be benefit the middle class because the truly wealthy have Jumbo loans so they arent eligible.

[flpoljunkie]

5. Yes, that's it. Thanks much for the details.

[midnight]

3. I think that the tarp money being used to bail out foreign

banks is real hard to understand from families dealing with a jobless recovery. I hope they are able to get that money back for the unemployed and start a zero tolerance program for unemployment.

[Vincardog]

6. Things could have been a lot worse is a lousy motto. I don't believe it is a winner.

[flpoljunkie]

8. I agree. Ir's weak. Dems must do better.