Slumdogs Unite! By FRANK RICH

[Joanne98]

SOMEDAY historians may look back at Tom Daschle’s flameout as a minor one-car (and chauffeur) accident. But that will depend on whether or not it’s followed by a multi-vehicle pileup that still could come. Even as President Obama refreshingly took responsibility for having “screwed up,” it’s not clear that he fully understands the huge forces that hit his young administration last week.

The tsunami of populist rage coursing through America is bigger than Daschle’s overdue tax bill, bigger than John Thain’s trash can, bigger than any bailed-out C.E.O.’s bonus. It’s even bigger than the Obama phenomenon itself. It could maim the president’s best-laid plans and what remains of our economy if he doesn’t get in front of the mounting public anger.

Like nearly everyone else in Washington, Obama was blindsided by the savagery and speed of Daschle’s demise. Conventional wisdom had him surviving the storm. Such is the city’s culture that not a single Republican or Democratic senator called for his withdrawal until the morning of his exit. Membership in the exclusive Senate club, after all, has its privileges. Among Daschle’s more vocal defenders was Bob Dole, who had recruited him to Alston & Bird, the law and lobbying firm where Dole has served as “special counsel” when not otherwise cashing in on his own Senate years by serving as a pitchman for Pepsi and Viagra.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/opinion/08rich.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

[aikoaiko]

1. Maybe people in Frank Rich's circle care about Daschle

Most people, it seems to me, don't know who he is, what he has done, what position he was nominated for, or even he tax troubles.

[rpannier]

3. And that alone should disturb you

That people don't know who he is, what he has done, etc

[Political Heretic]

2. Two critical paragraphs:

Rich nails it here:

In reality, Daschle’s tax shortfall, an apparently honest mistake, was only a red flag for the larger syndrome that much of Washington still doesn’t get. It was the source, not the amount, of his unreported income that did him in. The car and driver advertised his post-Senate immersion in the greedy bipartisan culture of entitlement and crony capitalism that both helped create our economic meltdown (on Wall Street) and failed to police it (in Washington). Daschle might well have been the best choice to lead health-care reform. But his honorable public record wasinstantly vaporized by tales of his cozy, lucrative relationships with the very companies he’d have to adjudicate as health czar.

And he nails what I consider to be the biggest legitimate criticism of Obama since he took office:

Few articulate this ethical morass better than Obama, who has repeatedly vowed to “close the revolving door” between business and government and end our “two sets of standards, one for powerful people and one for ordinary folks.” But his tough new restrictions on lobbyists (already compromised by inexplicable exceptions) and porous plan for salary caps on bailed-out bankers are only a down payment on this promise, even if they are strictly enforced.

Not two days after Obama announces strict new standards on lobbyists, he waves those rules for his own nominees. That displeased me greatly.

[GodlessBiker]

4. Rich, as usual, nails it.

[Tansy_Gold]

6. Some of us nailed it months ago and were flamed for it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=7922946


It's nice that Mr. Rich, whom I have long admired, is speaking truth to power. But he's not alone and he's by far not the first.

The point is, the Obama Plan is likely not going to work. It's going to be a little more effective at putting some money into the economy than boooooosh's "rebate," but not much. Most of the benefit will be funneled right back into the hands of the already rich -- tax cuts only benefit those who make enough to pay taxes or have enough loopholes to get out of paying what they already owe -- and thus the consolidation of wealth and power will continue with no more hesitation than a tank going over a speed bump.

Obama, far from being "the magic Negro" is really being more of an Uncle Tom. Wants to be liked. Is playing nice with the white boys. Ain't rockin' de boat.

Fuck that noise.

And just remember . . . . .

[stray cat]

7. So you are against any stimulus plan and we might as well give up?

I don't think thats Rich's message

[GodlessBiker]

10. I don't think that's Rich's message either.

[Tansy_Gold]

11. That's hardly what I said and you know it.

What I wrote back in late November is exactly what's happened. I retract none of it.

As for the current plan:

The tax cuts aren't going to work (I *am* against most of them) and the rest of the stimulus is too little (I'm for the infrastructure spending, but as Krugman says, it's not enough).

The corporations that offshored jobs with impunity and with the encouragement of NAFTA and CAFTA and all the rest; the legislations that weakened the unions; and the revolving door cabinet members are RESPONSIBLE for the current economy. Unless and until those issues are addressed -- and Obama is addressing NONE of them -- things won't change. His dream of bipartisanship is assinine and ineffective. Worse, it's killing our economy (what's left of it) and it's killing us.

Frank Rich is right, but he's only focusing on part of the overall issue.

And hey, if I were ready to give up I sure as hell wouldn't be wasting my time posting this shit for people who are so far lost in their own dreams that they don't WANT to see reality.

Maroons.



TG

[acmavm]

5. AMEN!

<snip>

There are simply too many major players in the Obama team who are either alumni of the financial bubble’s insiders’ club or of the somnambulant governmental establishment that presided over the catastrophe.

<snip>

DAMN STRAIGHT!!

[Demeter]

8. WOW!

I hope Frank Rich and I never end up on opposite sides of an issue....I'm crossposting to Weekend Economists!

[BlueMTexpat]

9. Great post!

Rich is definitely one of the Good Guys!

Long may he write! :applause:

[DemReadingDU]

12. good reading, n/t

[Loge23]

13. No Happy Campers

Upon his return from Camp David (btw, are you all as sick as I am about even hearing about Camp David?), President Obama's best course of action, IMO, would be to take the strong offensive on his campaign agenda.
He can't be pleased by his performance thus far.
His appointments have been nightmares.
His attempt at bipartisonship has been an utter failure - and a betrayal of his own agenda (not to mention, many of his supporters).

If it is indeed time for "bold and decisive" action, then it is incumbant upon him to take the initiative - now.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

14. Frank Rich

ain't no slumdog. But he is breath-takingly eloquent. Love how he manages to weave into his writing his past background as a movie/theater critic. I'm also very happy he brought up the slammed doors in Paul Volker's face.

K&R

[yurbud]

15. the key sentence: credibility instantly vaporized by being in bed with those he'd regulate

Daschle might well have been the best choice to lead health-care reform. But his honorable public record was instantly vaporized by tales of his cozy, lucrative relationships with the very companies he’d have to adjudicate as health czar.