Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
I really, really hate to say this, but with his Friday op-ed in USA Today, Obama has managed to present a simple, persuasive argument that very successfully bolsters his new centrist guise. Persuasive because he uses the very same words we've all been using for months to denounce his spendthrift ways.
For years now, America has been spending more money than we take in. The result is that we have too much debt on our nation's credit card — debt that will ultimately weaken our economy, lead to higher interest rates for all Americans, and leave us unable to invest in things like education, or protect vital programs like Medicare.
Neither party is blameless for the decisions that led to this debt, but both parties have a responsibility to come together and solve the problem. That's what the American people expect of us. Every day, families are figuring out how to stretch their paychecks a little further, sacrifice what they can't afford, and budget only for what's truly important. It's time for Washington to do the same.
With one stroke of the keyboard, he (or, more likely, his ghostwriter) manages to completely disassociate himself from the problem and recast himself as spendthrift turned pinchpenny.
I want to take a number of steps right away, like extending tax relief for middle-class families and putting construction workers back on the job rebuilding our roads and highways.
But over the last few months, I've also said that I'm willing to cut historic amounts of spending in order to reduce our long-term deficits. I'm willing to cut spending on domestic programs to the lowest level in half a century. I'm willing to cut defense spending by hundreds of billions of dollars. I'm willing to take on the rising costs of health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid, so we can meet our obligations to an aging population.
Some of these cuts would eliminate wasteful spending, weapons we don't need, or fraud and abuse in our health care system. Still, some of the cuts would target worthwhile programs that do a lot of good for our country. They're cuts that some people in my own party aren't too happy about, and frankly, I wouldn't make them if we didn't have so much debt.
Buzzword: "balance." Subtext: class warfare.
That's why people in both parties have suggested that the best way to take on our deficit is with a more balanced approach. Yes, we should make serious spending cuts. But we should also ask the wealthiest individuals and biggest corporations to pay their fair share through fundamental tax reform. Before we stop funding clean energy research, we should ask oil companies and corporate jet owners to give up the tax breaks that other companies don't get. Before we ask college students to pay more, we should ask hedge fund managers to stop paying taxes at a lower rate than their secretaries. Before we ask seniors to pay more for Medicare, we should ask people like me to give up tax breaks they don't need and never asked for.
I don't think there's any disputing that this is really smooth rhetoric. The only outstanding question is whether the American people will buy it.
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Apr '11
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
Senate Tables Cut, Cap, and Balance
"In an unsurprisingly dirty trick to avoid the optics of making his Democratic caucus vote to filibuster a bill supported by two thirds of Americans and that includes a balanced budget amendment they previously supported, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called a vote this morning to simply table the House plan to raise the debt ceiling and cut spending in order to avoid a historic default.
The party line vote was 51 to 46 in favor of tabling.without any floor debate.
Unlike a motion for closure, which would have required a day of floor debate, Harry Reid managed to kill the bill without any television clips of Senators staking out their positions.
Since there is no other plan proposed by anyone, including Senate Democrats and Obama, this leaves the nation with no plan to deal with the debt ceiling.
Mark Knoller of CBS News tweets that having killed the bill, Harry Reid has decided that the Senate should take the weekend off:
http://legalinsurrection.com/2011/07/senate-dems-kill-cut-cap-balance-bill-leave-nation-with-no-plan/
Sep '10
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
If Republicans wanted to shrink the size of government, which most don’t, they would be arguing specifics, not big picture abstracts. Ie:
Over the past 2 years S.S. recipients received no COLA increase, and many private sector employees have had their paychecks reduced. Meanwhile Federal employees have seen the salaries go up by 12+%. We should reduce all Federal salaries over 100k by 10 % and under 100K by 5%. This would reduce the deficit by x amount of dollars. It’s only fair.
There are many other such arguments that I am sure the GOP is aware of. The problem is they really favor business as usual. If it weren’t for the Tea-Party none of this would be happening.
Sep '10
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
This is the same exact garbage he has been saying since he took office.
What did you find persuasive about this, Diane?
Mar '11
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
I think even David Brooks is no longer buying Mr Obama's smooth, baritone, rhetoric and the sharpness of his pants crease.
I find nothing simple, persuasive or centrist in his rhetoric, at all - but then I never did believe it.
Jul '11
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
Whoever writes for that teleprompter is a very smooth liar. Yes it will reinforce many to believe it is all the evil Republicans.
The only chance it goes ignored by some is due to the fact that all he does is talk talk talk all the time without any substance.
He's drawn the battle lines. Rich vs poor and since so many are suffering , the logical choice is to extract more from the rich. This disgusting (and wrong thinking) class warfare may well win him another term.
Nov '10
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
This only sounds reasonable if you ignore Obama's actions and words for the past 2 1/2 years. He has a record now. Although the mainstream media will do their level best to wipe that history clean and peddle the line that we're really fighting Eastasia now, I don't think it will work. As well, reality will bite back when the details of this thing are actually released. When fiction comes up against reality, bet on reality.
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
To clarify, I don't think the man is a sensible, reasonable man at all. How could I after following his words and deeds every day since he's taken office? But this part of the op-ed specifically comes across as sensible and reasonable, and I think I'd persuaded that it was the right way to go if I were someone who didn't follow politics so closely.
Apr '11
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
I think it's time for congressional GOP to come out and say the following, "we have now passed 2 specific plans to deal with the budgetary issues facing our country - the Ryan plan & cut, cap & balance. While we understand that there are people who may not agree with these plans, we feel that they are a good starting point for us in any negotiations with the POTUS and the Senate in addressing the debt ceiling issue. At this point, there is nothing left for us to do and we will now be in recess and will no longer be discussing this issue with the president and Senate until they have also presented a detailed plan that can be scored by the CBO and reviewed by the American people. It is time that those across the aisle come forward with their own plans so that negotiations can resume in good faith - the time for speeches and empty rhetoric is over".
Walk away from the podium and don't say anything to any reporter except "no comment until we have a plan to review"
Edited on Jul 22, 2011 at 10:39amMay '10
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
Mr. Hopey Changey exhausted his trust and goodwill with the voters in the last several months. They have learned that after you shake hands with the Anointed One, you had better count your fingers.
I suspect it will be No Sale with the public.
Dec '10
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
I wish someone would print out this article by Kevin Williamson and read it to Obama every hour on the hour until he gets it. Taxing the rich isn't going to get us there. My idea of a balanced approach would be to tax everyone so each person could feel the heavy weight of government. Perhaps then we would put a stop to its eternal expansion.
Jul '10
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
Smooth, very smooth. All the appropriate buzzwords: Tax the rich; shared sacrafice; high-speed rail and other infrastructure; waste, fraud and abuse; and investment in education.
Except, what role does the federal gov't play in education (ElHi) - other than employ too many people in DC (and other locations)? It's my understanding not a penny of federal money goes into the classroom. As for college, the more money poured into student loans, the higher the tuition.
And don't get me started on green energy and high-speed rail.
May '10
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
The only problem with Obama's rhetoric, and thus with your argument, Diane, is that it is just that-- rhetoric and buzzwords. My eyes glazed over trying to read that. I can't hear it. It registers as "buzz, buzz, buzz" to my brain.
I think and hope that the American people have also heard enough buzz from this President that it all starts to run together and become nondescript. I hope they tune out his words and instead look at his actions and the state of this economy. In fact, I'm pretty confident that is what they are doing more and more.
Of course, these buzzwords are great for his fan bees. They'll lap it up like honey.
Oct '10
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
Diane Ellis, Ed.
To clarify, I don't think the man is a sensible, reasonable man at all.
I agree with ctruppi. The Republicans should come out twice a day and say they have not yet received a written plan from President Obama or the Democrats, and you cannot negotiate with no opposing plan. Mr. President: what is your increased tax plan and who is affected by it?; what entitlement cuts are you proposing?; what items in your 2011-2012 spending plan are you willing to forgo? It may be slick rhetoric on Obama's part, but you counteract it by bringing up the points he conveniently omits. The White House press corps should be asking these questions, but with the exception of Jake Tapper, they aren't. Republicans should ask them instead on a daily basis.
Jul '10
Re: Obama Offers Up Smooth Rhetoric in Defense of the "Balanced Approach"
Al Kennedy
...
The White House press corps should be asking these questions, but with the exception of Jake Tapper, they aren't. Republicans should ask them instead on a daily basis.
Jake caught my eye during the Arizona shooting, Palin pile on when, on Twitter, he dismissed the whole attack-Palin wave as absolutely groundless in the face of the usual coordinated demands that he pile on. Since then, I listen to what he says,unlike most others at the major networks.