Joe Conason: There Was No GOP ‘Victory’

[marmar]

from Truthdig:




There Was No GOP ‘Victory’

Posted on Feb 18, 2009
By Joe Conason


With President Obama’s signature affixed to the economic stimulus bill, his landmark victory can be put in proper political context. Regardless of that bill’s manifest imperfections and the messy legislative process, the new administration achieved a difficult objective on the tightest possible schedule. His Republican opponents congratulate themselves for remaining unified in defeat and whine about the president’s refusal to capitulate to them—but in fact it is they who have failed in the initial episode of a confrontation that will certainly continue for the coming four years.

It is impossible to understand what happened in Washington and the nation over the past few weeks without recognizing that the stimulus is historic in size and scope. Even if the spending plans ought to have been even larger, as many economists advocated, this $787 billion package represents an enormous departure from the conservative ideology (if not the actual fiscal practice) that has ruled American politics over the past three decades.

Overcoming the strong institutional bias against deficit spending on this scale is an accomplishment, even in the current climate of fear. The false notion that government should never spend more than it collects in revenue still exerts a powerful influence on the minds of voters—and was reinforced by misinformed media commentary throughout the debate over the stimulus.

Entering the Oval Office, Obama established a daunting and somewhat contradictory set of priorities for himself. He promised to remake the American economy even as he tried to revive it, with green jobs, better health care and improved schools. Economic conditions grew increasingly dire as he and his newly assembled team tried to create a plan to reverse the deflating spiral of dread and despair. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20090218_there_was_no_gop_victory/

[bluestateguy]

1. When you lose, claim a "symbolic" victory

We had a tendency to do that a lot on our side too, to be fair, between 2001-2006. One example that comes to mind was Paul Hackett's narrow loss to Jean Schmidt in the Southern Ohio special election. Yes, it was close, and yes it was a game effort in a very Republican district, but she won and he lost. She's the congresswoman and he is still a private citizen.

I'll take a real win--where we actually win the election, get more votes than the other guy, or get the bill enacted, etc.-- to a symbolic win any day.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. I don't know how you can compare Hackett's loss to what the Repukes are doing.

Apples and oranges, my friend. Apples and oranges. ;)

[babylonsister]

2. Amen! Rec'd. Go, Joe! nt