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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 OPINION 
24

Swallow It, Liberals: Obama Needs to Compromise

Pragmatic president must reassure his supporters tonight, Tomasky writes

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(Newser) – "The summer has been a bummer for American liberals," writes Guardian America editor Michael Tomasky; after the heady optimism of President Obama's first 100 days, "reality has set in, and with force." Not only is conservative opposition "as Leninist as ever," but liberals have descended into a funk, unable to believe that their man is floundering. That's why Obama needs to go big during tonight's address—not only to save health reform, but to save his own supporters.

Obama's fans seem to have forgotten about the existence of Congress, which "by its very institutional nature likes to slow presidents down"—even George W. Bush couldn't get everything through. Obama will probably compromise on the public option, and a moderate bill will probably pass. Liberals need to rejoice in that, Tomasky insists, rather than "call it defeat and label Obama a weakling and a sellout."

Accompanied by members of Congress and medical professionals, President Barack Obama speaks on health care reform, Wednesday, July 15, 2009.
Accompanied by members of Congress and medical professionals, President Barack Obama speaks on health care reform, Wednesday, July 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
President Barack Obama participates in a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
President Barack Obama participates in a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)
President Barack Obama after meeting with members of Congress to discuss immigration, Thursday, June 25, 2009, in the State Dinning Room of the White House in Washington.
President Barack Obama after meeting with members of Congress to discuss immigration, Thursday, June 25, 2009, in the State Dinning Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
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It did seem, for a while, that the brand of attack politics that conservatives honed during the Clinton years might not take hold this time. That their blind hatred of Clinton was uniquely about Clinton. It turns out it's not. - Michael Tomasky

Any thought that Obama could wave a wand and make the economy better, or give a speech that would force Iran's mullahs to see reason, has been defenestrated definitively. -

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24 comments
VIEWING:
 
Toon
Sep 9, 09 8:52 AM CDT
The problem is that he started with a compromise. Perhaps he should abandon the compromise position and go with Medicare for all. If it's good enough for the author and all his countrymen then it's good enough for us too. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
Janniel
Sep 9, 09 9:23 AM CDT
This is exactly what should be done. Done and done. No defeat no surrender.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
osu1067
Sep 9, 09 9:38 AM CDT
I believe compromise is now necessary for Obama from a political standpoint. Going it alone could be as politically damaging as it was for the previous president.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Even-Steven
Sep 9, 09 2:34 PM CDT
OSU, love how you got voted down for thinking through what you wrote! I kind of agree with you. One thing, the dems have the votes and depending on what the blue balls do, it might just require some sort of compromise. At this point, I'd take a base hit or a double if we can't get a home run. It would be a hell of a lot more than Hillary and Bill did for us. Any progress is appreicated.
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
DJM420
Sep 9, 09 9:18 AM CDT
and since when have the dems in congress and/or the president NOT been compromising/willing to (hell, i think too much is being conceded already)...i point my finger at the do-nothing/prefer nothing changes repubs Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-2

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