Dumb Like Fox

This is in the nature of one of those topical things that I try to avoid, because they seem so dated later, but I can't help it.  I just think almost everyone is missing the boat on Obama and the budget compromise he reached.

As I understand, he got the debt ceiling raised until after the next election.  Congress has agreed to some kind of suicide pact where if sufficient additional reductions aren't agreed to, there will be huge cuts in programs that no one wants cut hugely. The Bush tax cuts and cuts in estate and gift tax  - cuts which, philosophically, he must hate - will be repealed on January 1, 2013 unless a bill (which he can veto) keeps this from happening.

I think it's brilliant.  The Republicans have now taken shared ownership of the economy.  If a compromise isn't reached by the end of the year, he will have a new chance - and about $1 billion in campaign funds - to make his case.  If the Republicans don't cave, they will be blamed for the economic Armageddon to follow.  And Obama can spend most of 2012 reminding voters who the bad guys are, and who is looking out for the guys on the souplines, as unemployment goes back into double figures.

It's Rooseveltian.  And we are in for a long, tough slog.  I only hope songwriting and music flourish the way they did in the 1930's.