Conservative Columnist
Despite my liberal leanings (I’m a Moderate - but my Conservative friends all think I’m a Liberal), I’ve developed a lot of respect for Peggy Noonan and her writing over the years. She has a well developed piece in the Wall Street Journal regarding Obama’s presidency and his perceived disconnect that has led to policy conflict. I’m not sure that I agree with her - I think that the previous administration was so slow to act that many things were put off and have seemed untimely as a result (nonetheless the reflect stages of recovery that we had to go through). But, I do think she’s articulated carefully and quite clearly the approach Conservatives should take int he next batch of elections if they want to win: separate Obama’s personality (overwhelmingly popular) from his policies (unpopular). The independent vote will always swing the election - in 2008 we looked like Democrats, in 2010 we may very well look like Republicans.
I think this comes primarily from economic policies. The President has been patient and collaborative, as a leader should be, but it’s enabled the liberal leadership in Congress to put forth some agenda’s that are more extreme that the independent vote will likely care for. The interesting observation in my opinion will be seeing whether a congressional swing back to the right in 2010 results in an executive shift in 2012. I hope not - I like Obama and I think he’s been a good President thus far. He’s also had a lot to deal with. But as Noonan says- it’s his now. So, he’ll have to own whatever happens from this point on, including the eventual outcomes of the elections of 2010 and 2012. And no matter how important the actual work is, democratic government is the outcome of elected office. You can’t shape policy of you are not in office.
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Well, if it talks like a duck and votes like a duck . . .