In my column today I argue that as President Obama’s agenda gets derailed by deficits and a series of missteps, pragmatic liberals are going back to the old way of doing things — take what you can, when you can.
The gay right movement’s decision to stampede Obama into a politically damaging stance on benefits for domestic partners that does little to help the president with his base and risks a national backlash is one piece of evidence.
“At the outset, liberals accepted Obama’s implicit bargain that if they would play along and not spook Mr. and Mrs. America, he would have the power and the opportunity to make all their dreams come true later on.
As health care seems to be failing fast, cap and trade has been consigned to subcommittee limbo, and the stimulus package continues to bomb, practical liberals may increasingly decide to get theirs while they can.”
Over at Politico, Jonathan Martin has another example of what happens to Obamaian promises when they come into contact with reality.
Because of the administration’s rules on events where lobbyists can give money, the president’s fundraiser at the Mandarin Oriental will be followed by a breakfast on Friday where lobbyists can pick up a croissant and drop off a check for the Democrats’ congressional campaign group.
“‘Please note that the Friday Issues Conference is NOT subject to lobbyist restrictions, though the event is intended for personal contributions only,’ a finance official from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee wrote in an e-mail sent to lobbyists Tuesday and obtained by POLITICO, bolding the entire sentence to underscore the clarification. ‘The Issues Conference is separate from the DSCC/DCCC events with President Obama.'”
Obviously the White House is complicit in attending an event that is just the warmup for the regular lobbyist shakedown, but it’s also a sign that Democrats are not interested in taking risks to make Obama look good.
