Sunday, March 29, 2009

So quick to judge?

I saw a commentary the other day from a Republican strategist. He said that Obama will be a one term president and that the Democrats will lose many seats at the mid-term elections, and possibly even lose control of one or more house.

Say what?

When last I looked, Obama had been in office for about 60 days. That is 2 months of a 48 month term. And the Republicans are already calling his presidency a failure? They already predict major swings in congress?

The president has approval ratings in the 60s. In the last couple weeks there has actually been good news coming from the economic circles. I am curious what makes them think the country has turned on Obama.

I understand that they are the opposing party and therefore it is their place to disagree. I understand that they think the President is spending too much money that we do not have. I understand that they think the way out of this financial crisis is not what the President is doing. That is their right and I would expect any opposing party to do the same. I also think that as long as the debate remains at an philosophical level and does not devolve to petty bickering, then such disagreement is a healthy way reach a compromise on legislation.

But riddle me this.

What exactly would they do differently? It is fair to point out when you think a solution is wrong. But, you need to have a better solution readily available. If you say, "I don't think we should do this", then the next question you will be asked is, "Okay, then what should be do instead?" The problem right now is that the Republicans cannot answer that question. Their answer is to just keep doing what we have been doing. Because that worked out so well.

I am not saying that everything President has done is golden. I also have reservations about some of the things being pushed through Congress, but I am not going to dismiss them as failures before they even get off the ground.

If you ask me, I think it is the Republicans who have to be very careful of their comments and actions at this juncture. We are in a recession. By definition, it will end. When that happens, it will not matter if the President drops trou in the middle of the state of the union, he will have been the President during the economic recovery and will be re-elected. Meanwhile, the Republicans who opposed all of his plans and offered none of their own will be left on the sidelines fighting for their jobs.

To all Republicans. If you have a better solution, then I suggest you get with your peers and get the word out the American people. If all you are going to do is hope the President fails, and criticize his plans, and make unfounded predictions for the future, then you are doing your party a disservice and you are not being part of the solution.