You can't filibuster a budget reconciliation bill. That Obama and the Democrats didn't pass one was political malpractice and a betrayal of their supporters of the highest order. It felt like the Democrats, especially Obama, were relieved to lose both houses. At least the onus was no longer on them to stand and deliver. Much easier to whimper in the corner.
Promising genuine change the governing like an Eisenhower Republican was the old bait and switch. Obama has had a history throughout his career of projecting a progressive image then serving the powerful when in office.
Obama is mostly about image, not substance. He wants to be seen as serious and high minded, but it's about what he wants to be seen as not what he wants to do. Note the passive voice. He doesn't want to grab the reins.
In 2009 when democrats had huge majorities in both houses, Obama could have gotten a budget reconciliation bill with a carbon tax, the public option and a Christmas stocking full of progressive priorities without any Republican votes. "But that's not bipartisan." For Republicans, bipartisanship is intimidating a few Democrats to support you. For Obama, bipartisanship is capitulation. the public option in budget reconciliation could have been the battering ram that could have open the gates to single-payer healthcare reform. But that's not the way the dainty Obama does things.
You can't filibuster a budget reconciliation bill. That Obama and the Democrats didn't pass one was political malpractice and a betrayal of their supporters of the highest order. It felt like the Democrats, especially Obama, were relieved to lose both houses. At least the onus was no longer on them to stand and deliver. Much easier to whimper in the corner.
Promising genuine change the governing like an Eisenhower Republican was the old bait and switch. Obama has had a history throughout his career of projecting a progressive image then serving the powerful when in office.
Obama is mostly about image, not substance. He wants to be seen as serious and high minded, but it's about what he wants to be seen as not what he wants to do. Note the passive voice. He doesn't want to grab the reins.
In 2009 when democrats had huge majorities in both houses, Obama could have gotten a budget reconciliation bill with a carbon tax, the public option and a Christmas stocking full of progressive priorities without any Republican votes. "But that's not bipartisan." For Republicans, bipartisanship is intimidating a few Democrats to support you. For Obama, bipartisanship is capitulation. the public option in budget reconciliation could have been the battering ram that could have open the gates to single-payer healthcare reform. But that's not the way the dainty Obama does things.