From US News and World Report via Yahoo:
President Obama has been shifting gears, and reversing some of his policies, at a remarkable rate. But so far, he hasn't paid much of a political price for it, a testament to his popularity and the willingness of Americans to give him a chance to get results.
The writer lists some of President Obama's flip-flops and then shares this gem.
Overall, however, Obama has been praised for his flexibility, not condemned for his flip-flops. One reason, pollsters say, is that he seems such a contrast to the still-unpopular Bush, who was the opposite--stubborn and set in his ways. "When presented with a tough problem where a change of course was called for, Bush just dug in. He felt that it was weakness to change his mind," says a senior Democratic strategist. He cites Bush's positions to limit stem cell research, oppose legislation expanding healthcare for children, enact partial privatization of Social Security, and pursue the Iraq war. In contrast, he says, "Obama is willing to change course if he feels it's needed. The American people will still support him if he is not seen as doing it for political reasons."
In addition, Obama gains respect from Americans because when he does change his mind or shift his emphasis, he takes pains to explain it to the country. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs adds that on the big issues, such as eventual withdrawal from Iraq, stimulating the economy, overhauling the healthcare system, and beefing up U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the president isn't reversing himself at all and "has done exactly what he said he would do in the campaign.
Hilarious. They get a democratic strategist to prop their theory that, dammit Bush was just stubborn and unwilling to alter his core values (what a horrible trait to begin with!), yet Obama is soooo flexible and willing to make changes in order to compromise.
ReplyDeleteNewsflash- democratic strategist praises democrat, keeps job.
Journalism is dead.