You could tell President Obama’s State of the Union speech was shaped by public opinion polls.
That’s not necessarily bad, especially when it comes to a presidency that has been veering off track, and losing key political battles.
Obama began with an extensive discussion about the economy and federal spending. This reflects growing public animosity about high unemployment rates.
The fact so many Americans of modest means are struggling, while federally bailed out financial institutions are once again passing out big bonuses, has people riled up.
For a president who possesses the qualities of eloquence and the ability to inspire, Obama’s done a poor job in terms of explaining his emphasis on health care reform and where he is going with the economy.
At times, it’s as if he decided criticism and public opinion didn’t matter. Congressional Republicans routinely have attacked his policies with little in the way of effective response.
In many ways, last week’s State of the Union address was an attempt to counter the critics. Obama noted the U.S. economy was in the toilet when he took office, and the budget was long gushing red ink under a GOP president (which didn’t seem to bother congressional Republicans at the time).
He also cited the tax cuts Democrats passed last year, to counter ongoing Republican complaints.
But here is where Obama is caught between conflicting public views of government. Americans want Washington involved in stimulating the economy and helping to put people back to work. But they also object to soaring budget deficits.
Contrary to some claims, tax cuts don’t produce the growth necessary to reduce federal deficits. A long fiscal track record of debt stretching back to the Reagan administration proves that point.
The federal deficit does matter, and current levels are utterly unsustainable. With that in mind, Obama asked Congress to form one of those commissions Washington creates when the politicians lack the guts to do what is necessary.
This commission was to come up with a plan to eliminate the deficit and Congress would be obliged to accept the blueprint. Although a majority in the Senate voted for Obama’s request, it fell short of the 60 votes required for passage without a filibuster.
It seems that some Democratic senators worried the commission would cut programs, while some Republican senators feared it would boost tax rates. Instead, the Senate is prepared to do nothing but talk about the deficit, as it grows ever larger.
So Obama decided to use his executive power to establish the commission anyway. But Congress will have no obligation to follow its findings.
Meanwhile, certain Republicans are reportedly balking at participating in the bipartisan commission. They’ve decided their best plan of action in an election year is to oppose Obama at every turn, believing this is their ticket to big electoral gains in the fall.
Based on what’s happened in the past year, that may be a politically shrewd move. Yet it also could backfire if Obama and his Democratic allies get their acts together.
The same polls that show fading public support for the president reveal much greater animosity for congressional Republicans and their perceived intransigence. That view is ripe for political exploitation by a president who knows how to speak to the American people.
And as last year’s campaign showed, Obama has that part down pat.
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