Open Left

And Obama make the clear (4.00 / 2)

decision to spend capital fighting for it.

The NY Times got it right...

The Obama administration sat by last week as 12 Senate Democrats joined 39 Senate Republicans to block a vote on an amendment that would have allowed bankruptcy judges to modify troubled mortgages.

Senator Obama campaigned on the provision. And President Obama made its passage part of his antiforeclosure plan. It would have been a very useful prod to get lenders to rework bad loans rather than leaving the modification to a judge.

But when the time came to stand up to the banking lobbies and cajole yes votes from reluctant senators - the White House didn't. When the measure failed, there wasn't even a statement of regret.

He doesn't want to spend his approval ratings on the financial-foreclosure crisis. He might not have enough left when the falls rolls around.

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by: david mizner @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 19:55:52 PM CDT

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He doesn't fight (4.00 / 1)

He just doesn't. He says nice things, but when it comes time to put up, he shuts up. Where's the pressure to get Johnsen confirmed? Why is the FDA commissioner just now getting a hearing? Why was Sebelius confirmed only a week or so ago? Why is Specter being welcomed with open arms despite offering bupkes? It's not that he hasn't called for some good policies, but when it comes time to actually fight for things that aren't automatic, as SCHIP and Lily Ledbetter were, he does not fight. It's perplexing, infutiating and scary.

What is this man made of, that's not mostly of an intellectual, managerial and charismatic dimension, of which he's clearly a master? What has he fought for, and won?

This is just bizarre.

The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25)

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by: kovie @ Fri May 08, 2009 at 02:56:18 AM CDT

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