President Obama is taking a big stance and drawing lines in the sand. His tax and deficit reduction plan calls for a 1.5 trillion dollar increase over 10 years in net tax revenues. Why come out with this plan when it stands no chance in passing Congress? Is this good strategy for the 2012 election?
President Obama knows that this plan stands no chance in Congress. He is coming out with the plan to show his vision to the American people. By doing so in such a vast contrast to what the Republicans want to do, he is making his plan an issue to run on in the 2012 election. This is a good idea, since it provides clear details for everyone to see. Knowing exactly what his proposals are, and being able to vote for or against them is helpful for everyone.
Coming out with the plan and having Congress rebuke it right away will also help President Obama. Obama may not have high approval numbers, but Congress has even lower approval numbers. The fact is, the American people want progress. Doing nothing gets us nowhere and the people know this. Gridlock in Washington is hampering the growth of the economy. With that said, coming out with a plan that stands no chance in Congress could backfire.
People are tired of the partisanship in Congress and want action. This plan is designed to never pass Congress and cause tense partisanship battles from now until November 2012. The people may see this as just another reason that Obama is doing a poor job. It’s a tough gambit and a big risk, but the fact is if Obama is to win reelection he is going to have to take big risks to do so.
Baring the GOP nominating someone that is too extreme, Obama has a tough uphill battle to climb in order to be reelected. With the economy in shambles and unemployment higher that it has been in decades, the chances of him being reelected are slim at best. I personally do not see how he can overcome the economic woes, especially with a Congress that will not give any of his ideas a fair shake. Sure, the economic situation isn’t all his fault, but when you’re President you take ownership whether it’s your policies that shaped the environment or not.
President Obama is doing what he can to show the American people what he would do going forward. This gives everyone a clear view of the differences between their two choices come November 2012. It’s good politics. I still don’t think it will be enough though to get him out of the hole he is in and push him to be reelected.
