Krugman: New New Deal needs to be squeaky clean, pork-free

[Doctor_J]

F.D.R. built an emotional bond with working Americans, which helped carry his administration through the inevitable setbacks and failures that beset its attempts to fix the economy.

So what are the lessons for the Obama team?

First, the administration of the economic recovery plan has to be squeaky clean. Purely economic considerations might suggest cutting a few corners in the interest of getting stimulus moving quickly, but the politics of the situation dictates great care in how money is spent. And enforcement is crucial: inspectors general have to be strong and independent, and whistle-blowers have to be rewarded, not punished as they were in the Bush years.

Second, the plan has to be really, truly pork-free. Vice President-elect Joseph Biden recently promised that the plan “will not become a Christmas tree”; the new administration needs to deliver on that promise.

Finally, the Obama administration and Democrats in general need to do everything they can to build an F.D.R.-like bond with the public. Never mind Mr. Obama’s current high standing in the polls based on public hopes that he’ll succeed. He needs a solid base of support that will remain even when things aren’t going well.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/opinion/26krugman.html?_r=1

[Captain Hilts]

1. He should have mentioned "Honest" Harold Ickes, who as PWA Admin was so tight about money...

that it did not provide the stimulus anticipated by the Administration.

In the 'everything that's old is new again' category, he was the guy that went to Hyde Park on behalf of the DNC to talk Eleanor Roosevelt into running for the senate from NYS in '48.

[denem]

2. Odd that Krugman criticises "attempted coronation of Caroline Kennedy"

given his love for a Senator from New York, on a dynastic trajectory, a year before, who was expected to support RFJ jr. for the position she would vacate.

BTW, women seem to attract the "coronation" epithet more than men, I notice. Hillary got 18 million votes, but the talk here was 'coronating the queen (of peace)'.

[Eric J in MN]

3. It's bogus to say that if a Senator wants money spent on roads...

...in his state, that's "pork," but if the executive branch decides to spend money on roads in that state, that's fine.

Joe Biden's anti-earmark position and reference to Christmas trees are obnoxious.

[Submariner]

5. Let the Senators submit a wish list of road and infrastructure

to the Obama Team and our DOT can prioritize what projects get done first. If we let the Senator's do it on their own, we get the pork jobs like the bridge to nowhere that muddy up the process. By submitting a wish list the process can avoid this earmark crap that no one likes.

[n2doc]

4. His final comment about Obama's beach house rental is also dumb

Where is the President elect supposed to stay? In a Holiday Inn Express? There are significant security issues to start with, and if he is paying for it out of his own pocket I don't see what difference it makes

Krugman's hero FDR didn't exactly live or stay in a hovel, either....

[Eric J in MN]

6. Yes, Americans know that the president of the US has a different financial situation than they do.

I couldn't care less if Obama stayed someplace luxurious while vacationing in Hawaii.

[Uzybone]

7. Apart from the last paragraphs, another great column.

Talking about the "coronation of Caroline" and Obama renting a luxury resort home is beneath Krugman. I expect to hear that type of tripe from Pat Buchanan, Mika, Morning Joe and the cable bobble heads. Is Obama supposed to go to a bed and breakfast to show he understands these are tough times. I do not understand why people expect rich people to act as if they are not rich.

Regarding coronating Caroline, anyone Patterson chooses will be "coronated". The voters will get to choose in 2 years, all this talk is just fluff.

Apart from that though, Krugman hits it again. The GOP and the media will manufacture controversies and scandals every week. We have to be strong enough to give our President support.