Legal Commentary

Would FDR Have Been As Timid?

By Big Tent Democrat

Kevin Drum writes:

I think the thing that surprises me is that anyone ever thought [Obama would bring transformational change. . . .] His nickname was "No Drama Obama," and his temperament was plainly cautious, sober, and businesslike. This was all pretty obvious during the campaign [. . .] Personally, I wish Obama would articulate the liberal agenda more full-throatedly, and I wish he'd take a few more risks and push his own caucus a little harder. I've thought that ever since the 2008 campaign. But the fact that he hasn't hardly comes as a surprise. He's as liberal a president as we've had in 40 years, but he's no starry-eyed idealist. Why would anyone ever have thought differently?

The reason anyone would have thought so is by looking at history. Was FDR some "starry-eyed idealist?" Or did he see huge problems that required innovative and transformational change? When Obama entered office, the opportunity and the IMPERATIVE for big EFFECTIVE change was there. I thought him a better politician and statesman than he has turned out to be. He is run of the mill, a President who has taken the biggest Congressional majorities and electoral mandate in 40 years to do what a 43% President would be able to achieve. Is Obama a bad President? Of course not. But his Presidency so far has been a squandered opportunity. What is surprising is that any self professed progressive Democrat would not express disappointment about this missed historic opportunity.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on December 27, 2009 (boomark / email).