Will pay freeze strengthen Obama's hand?

[ProSense]

Will pay freeze strengthen Obama's hand?

By Greg Sargent

<...>

In remarks to reporters just now, Obama left little doubt that he views this move as a preemptive strike against Republicans in the war for the moral high ground over who really cares about the deficit. He called for the GOP to join him in "making sure that we're not dragged down on long term debt."

"This is a challenge that both parties have a responsibility to address: To get Federal spending under control, and bring down the deficits that have been growing for most of the last decade," Obama continued.

Even though the freeze is largely symbolic, Obama seems to think it's a way for him to say to Republicans: "I made a move to prove I'm serious about the deficit. Your move."

In purely political terms, this probably doesn't hurt. If the goal is to signal that he "gets the message" on spending that the voters supposedly sent on election day, as the Beltway consensus has it, this is a relatively easy way to signal that he's "listening." But it's hard to see how this increases leverage over the GOP in any meaningful sense.

Indeed, in a statement just now, Eric Cantor, the number two in the House GOP leadership, seized on the news as proof that Republicans, not Obama, are setting the governing agenda. Cantor said he was "encouraged" by Obama's proposal, noting that House Republicans had already "offered the very same spending-cut proposal on the floor of the House." Cantor continued:

"We are pleased that President Obama appears ready to join our efforts. As the recent election made clear, Americans are fed up with a government that spends too much, borrows too much and grows too much."

more

[katandmoon]

1. No.

[OKDem08]

13. this is cover I suspect

for the austerity measures to be rolled out by the cat food commission

[tabatha]

2. Yes.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. with fiscally responsible Democrats, I think so too.

[Union Scribe]

16. who are the fiscally "irresponsible" Democrats?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

17. welcome to DU

I ask you, how do you plan to finance everything in the nation's budget?

Do you think our elderly on fixed incomes should be asked to support public servants a raise?

Would you call that being fiscally responsible? Is it even ethical?

Minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. How are those on minimum wage supposed to feel justified in giving any public servant a raise? Are those on public salaries any more deserving than those in the private sector?

Don't we ALL deserve raise ... ?

[Union Scribe]

18. I'd cut the hell out of war spending.

That's the ethical thing to do. Not that it will ever happen. I just don't think that any Dem is really fiscally irresponsible because our priorities are far better than what the GOP spends money on: corporate welfare and empire-building.

Oh, and thank you for the welcome.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

20. too bad you or I are not in charge.

and too bad that that was not the choice given in this thread.

[Uzybone]

3. if he were in discussions with rational people, yes

but with todays GOP and its megaphone the media, no. It'll be glossed over very quickly.

[Cosmocat]

22. "Republicans force Obama's hand on federal wages"

as headline to AP article touting the republican victory in starting to tackle the deficit republicans created ... Except the last part, of course ...

[Crazy Dave]

4. With unions, true democrats and progressives no n/t

[Mass]

5. No. The GOP simply says: see, we were right. Let's continue as we want!\nt

[hlthe2b]

7. No... It shows he is still more interested in pandering to the RW...

than courageously setting the best course for policy and foolishly thinks he can preempt RW criticism by such pandering. Sadly, I think it is driving him closer and closer to a primary challenger (which I do not support, as it would ensure a loss of the WH).


The one thing that has shocked me since he took office, is his level of naivete'. It shows no sense of letting up, either.

[DJ13]

8. No

It appears as another cave in to the GOP and the idiocy of austerity sweeping the world.

[Autumn]

9. No, he looks weak and caves again. n/t

[LittleBlue]

10. No. He just acceded to a right wing demand without getting anything in return.

Why would wingnuts now give him anything? He's willing to give for free.

Do you suppose those who elect Republicans will now say, "Gee, he sees things our way. We should support him." How silly. To them, he's still a Muslim Marxist bent on making all Amurkans gay.

[HuckleB]

11. Nope.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

12. Maybe. We'll have to wait and see

I'm beginning to think that this deficit commission of his is part of the same concept, specifically getting out in front of the Repubs in terms of what they are likely to propose and when they inevitably keep up with their obstructionist routine he'll be in a better position to call them on their obstructionism and what he's done to meet them halfway. :shrug: Time will tell.

[polichick]

14. 'Course not - another ridiculous kiss-up to the right. nt

[FBaggins]

15. Certainly.

Depending on what "hand" we're talking about.

Either way, the move makes sense. If you know it's going to be forced on you and you're willing to make the cut... why wait? Take credit for it and move on.

[TheWebHead]

19. this is a huge political winner

it's in Obama's interest to pick a fight with federal workers and unions who have largely been insulated from the great recession even as debt and deficits explode. If Obama wants to win back the middle, he's going to have to have more "go fuck yourselves" moments with his most liberal base and the unions. It worked for Clinton after his midterm losses, Obama would be wise to follow Bill's path.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

21. indeed, I am afraid that I have to agree with this analysis. n/t

[Cosmocat]

23. It has to happen ...

I don't know about from a "political standpoint" but as you accurately noted, all government wages pretty much have been insulated from the great recession, and all levels, federal, state and local or school districts, there has to be a constriction that draws back those salaries to help budgets get back in line ...

[ProSense]

25. Don't agree.

The main thing he has to do is keep the GOP in check. Policies being pushed by self-described centrists have failed in the past, and that is not what the economy needs right now.

President Obama has made addressing the deficit one of his priorties, but his goal seems to be to do it with limited impact. Things like extending unemployment benefits, the middle-class tax cuts and other spending are also among his priorities.

[polichick]

28. Winning back the middle won't be enough if he loses his base...

And he's been pushing the base toward a primary challenge as it is.

[maxsolomon]

33. he doesn't need "win back the middle"

he already has it. democrats just need to fucking vote instead of sitting on their hands.

[CreekDog]

24. Not in Northern Virginia...and if VA goes red...which state is this move likely to turn blue?

i can't think of one.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProSense]

27. Yes, everything does

if you say so: All the bullshit attacks, the ridicule and the hypocrisy.

He's Super President Obama.

[CreekDog]

29. heck, you even seem to like the new logo

i really don't care about logos, but considering the logo is new --i would like to know what it stands for.

based on recent developments...it's got me wondering.

[S_E_Fudd]

30. Nope...just another Obama cave to the Republican agenda...nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

31. No. The Republicans STILL hate him!! Why he can't get this through his thick skull

is driving me insane!!

First, as a federal government employee myself, despite the claims to the contrary, a salary freeze amounts to very little in terms of reducing the deficit. Though I understand and agree with the freeze in general (even though I gain nothing), I think Obama was throwing a bone at the Republicans. It amounts to a token gesture, a gesture that will get him nothing in return.

Second, as we've witnessed so many times before vis-a-vis watered down bills, the Republicans will continue to set the bar higher. It won't be just government salaries. It will be reducing the workforce. Or, if it's not reducing the workforce, it will be demolishing entire agencies. If not that, they'll find something else.

The more this president gives in, the more wing nuttery the other side becomes.

I can't, for the life of me, understand why he continue to give in to their demands, and he gets nothing in return. It's a negative sum game for Obama. I'm sick to my stomach trying to figure out why he continues to fall for this. :banghead:

[bvar22]

32. Yes!!!!

Taking over $2 Billion Dollars/year out of the hands of Working Class people that will actually SPEND it is a wonderful idea in the middle of a recession!!!!

The Ownership Class will be very impressed!

[AlinPA]

34. Not all. They hate him and want him to fail, they won't work with him. nt

[Old Troop]

35. No, because he just gave the union the back of his hand.