|
 |
 |
|
Obama and the Budget: GOP's Rock and Hard Place
-
02/27/09 07:38 AM ET
As conservatives gather at the CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) meeting here in Washington this weekend, they are condemning President Obama's staggering budget and his goals of using government to reorder our entire economy, including the financial, healthcare and energy industries. It is appropriate criticism of a plan this ambitious, risky and expensive.
Obama's grand announcements come amid a debate over whether the conservative movement and the Republican Party can thrive again without growing their numbers and expanding their base. Some conservatives want to return to pure small-government principles, the ones abandoned by President George W. Bush, and hope the numbers grow from there. Others, advocating a bigger tent, are pushing for a more centrist approach. The two camps are in strong disagreement and unity doesn't appear close at hand.
Aware of Obama's current popularity and the support for his policies, congressional Republicans gave the president a warm reception during his speech Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress. National polls released the same day were sobering, with majorities supporting Obama and his bipartisan outreach, and concluding Republicans had opposed the stimulus package for political reasons.
Going forward, Obama will continue his campaign for bipartisanship even if he never picks up another Republican vote. The votes are irrelevant, after all, if the campaign wins over the public. As I wrote in my column this week, as Obama keeps on reaching out, Republicans could pay a steep price for universally rejecting his policies, should it appear they aren't offering enough ideas of their own.
Republicans don't have to abandon their principles in trying to work with Obama, sometimes, on some things, and should do a better job of selling their own solutions.
DO YOU THINK CONGRESS WILL PASS THIS ACTUAL BUDGET? Ask A.B. returns Monday, March 2. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you.
Obama's grand announcements come amid a debate over whether the conservative movement and the Republican Party can thrive again without growing their numbers and expanding their base. Some conservatives want to return to pure small-government principles, the ones abandoned by President George W. Bush, and hope the numbers grow from there. Others, advocating a bigger tent, are pushing for a more centrist approach. The two camps are in strong disagreement and unity doesn't appear close at hand.
Aware of Obama's current popularity and the support for his policies, congressional Republicans gave the president a warm reception during his speech Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress. National polls released the same day were sobering, with majorities supporting Obama and his bipartisan outreach, and concluding Republicans had opposed the stimulus package for political reasons.
Going forward, Obama will continue his campaign for bipartisanship even if he never picks up another Republican vote. The votes are irrelevant, after all, if the campaign wins over the public. As I wrote in my column this week, as Obama keeps on reaching out, Republicans could pay a steep price for universally rejecting his policies, should it appear they aren't offering enough ideas of their own.
Republicans don't have to abandon their principles in trying to work with Obama, sometimes, on some things, and should do a better job of selling their own solutions.
DO YOU THINK CONGRESS WILL PASS THIS ACTUAL BUDGET? Ask A.B. returns Monday, March 2. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you.
Most Viewed RSS Feed »
