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After Big Promises, Has Obama Gone Soft?

Prez seems quite willing to compromise—"even capitulate"

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 19, 2009 7:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – During the campaign, President Obama promised sweeping changes and a new way of doing things in Washington—but in the Oval Office, he’s been noticeably willing to compromise, write David Herszenhorn and Jackie Calmes in the New York Times. While he’s not dropping his chief concerns, “The thing we still don’t know about him is what he is willing to fight for,” says a Clinton Treasury official.

“It’s hard to think of a place where he’s taken a really hard position,” the former official says. That includes letting Congress “effectively kill” his plan to slice farm subsidies, concessions on veterans’ health costs and social security, and not pushing a renewal of a federal assault weapons ban, the Times notes. But citing a series of victories, aides say Obama’s not relenting—he’s being his usual “pragmatic” self.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

President Barack Obama smiles during a working session of the 5th Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Saturday April 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

President Barack Obama leaves after his address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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His early willingness to deal or fold has left commentators, and some loyal Democrats, wondering: where’s the fight? - David M. Herszenhorn and Jackie Calmes

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 9 comments

Doctor-Zaius

Apr 20, 2009 12:54 PM CDT

Damn straight, it took Bush 8 whole years to totally fuck up the country and he was an expert at fucking things up.

Doctor-Zaius

Apr 20, 2009 12:53 PM CDT

Amen.

oldgoat

Apr 20, 2009 8:09 AM CDT

I still believe we are better off with Obama than we would be with McCain. Obama has made some changes, some that I don't agree with, but given the alternative I think better. I think that he is trying to change the way the US is looked at by the world. Many countries didn't like or trust the US and now we will have to win it back. Like it or not we need other countries to work with us if we have a chance to bring things back around.

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After Big Promises, Has Obama Gone Soft?