Analysis: Obama Scores Early Victory of Historic Proportions

[babylonsister]

Buried on page 9, but still undeniable. We have got ourselves a winner! :D

Obama Scores Early Victory of Historic Proportions

By Michael D. Shear and Alec MacGillis
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, February 14, 2009; Page A09


CHICAGO, Feb. 13 -- Twenty-four days into his presidency, Barack Obama recorded last night a legislative achievement of the sort that few of his predecessors achieved at any point in their tenure.

In size and scope, there is almost nothing in history to rival the economic stimulus legislation that Obama shepherded through Congress in just over three weeks. And the result -- produced largely without Republican participation -- was remarkably similar to the terms Obama's team outlined even before he was inaugurated: a package of tax cuts and spending totaling about $775 billion.

As Obama urged passage of the plan, he and his still-incomplete team demonstrated a single-mindedness that was familiar from the campaign trail. That intensity may have contributed to missteps in other areas, as the president's White House stumbled repeatedly in the vetting of his Cabinet and staff nominees. And high-minded promises of bipartisanship evaporated as Republicans accused the president and his Democratic allies in Congress of the same heavy-handed tactics that Obama, in his campaign, had often demanded be changed.

But even before the plan passed the Senate last night, the president's top advisers were crowing. "We've been in office, what, 2 1/2 , three weeks? We've passed the most major sweeping comprehensive legislation as relates to economic activity ever in a three-week period of time," White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said Thursday evening in the West Wing.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) credited Obama's leadership on the legislation yesterday, saying, "The American people know, and historians are judging, that this is one remarkable president."

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/13/AR2009021303475.html?hpid=topnews

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Thanks for that.

Amidst all the fighting about the details around here, it's nice to be reminded once in a while of what was actually accomplished here. I'm as guilty as anyone of really disliking some of the cuts and some of the Republican crap that leaked in, but ya really gotta sit back and say "Wow!" now and then.

[Kolesar]

2. Obama picked the right issue to prioritize - the economy

With a dose of climate protection.

[firedupdem]

3. He is doing an excellent job...Nobody with a functioning brain

can deny it. Rethugs will regret being the party of NO come 2010 and 2012.

[Peacetrain]

4. We knew it all along!!

:thumbsup:

[Cirque du So-What]

5. Now that Obama has shown 'bipartisanship' to be a sham

he's in prime position to forge ahead with his agenda - repukes be damned!

At least that's how I hope his administration proceeds from here. He's got the approval of the American people, he's got majorities in both houses of Congress, plus he's got the charisma to present his case and the technological savvy to accomplish it in such a way that leaves behind the conservatroids in a cloud of dust.

Once the Democrats (blue dogs, yellow dogs, Progressive Caucus, DLC) in Congress get a taste of victory for a change, here's hoping they'll find it to their liking.

[Kdillard]

6. Great :) It goes to show what can be accomplished when you have real leadership.

[goclark]

7. Let's hope this is a real Valentine for the American people!

:bounce:

Did Obama due this without Kennedy's vote?

Prayers are offered for the great warrior TK.

[Captain Hilts]

8. Yes and no. We gave up too much on the bill even before negotiations began.

It's still a good thing that it was passed. But, right now, the American public is to the left of our government and we have to seize this moment while we've got it.

[Life Long Dem]

9. Pelosi has a new attitude!

I guess 40 years of Republican control would do that!
:woohoo:

[usregimechange]

10. Now on to health care...

[Laelth]

11. A winner, indeed.

Setting aside his Supreme Court appointments, for which I will be forever grateful, there's nothing Bill Clinton did in eight whole years that rivals this. I am impressed and pleased.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[underpants]

12. As we all knew it would end up and we all knew the press would have no option but to report as such

and he TRIED to let the Republicans have some credit for.... :rofl: idiots all of them all of them that took him on on this

[Cha]

13. The repods are desperately

wanting it to fail but it's too big for their pea brains.