It was a good speech--good on the merits and good on the politics. His jobs proposal, bigger than the rumored $300 billion package, weighs in at $450 billion, a little more than half as big as the stimulus in 2009, but constructed in such a way that it's likely to generate nearly as many jobs.
Even more, he's seized the political high ground. The opposition has no jobs program, other than more tax cuts, which nobody but True Believers think will actually create any jobs. We've been waiting--and waiting--for the administration to weigh in.
Finally, it did. If the President is serious about throwing down the gauntlet and taking this jobs package into every part of the country, his odds of actually getting something done go up, as well as the odds on his re-election.
I would hold off on the hosannas until the Prez makes his intentions toward the protection of the social safety net a little clearer.
The speech was okay. I expect he is more worried about his job than ours, but if that's making him pay more attention then it's all to the good.
Posted by: Hypatia | September 10, 2011 at 12:01 AM
My understanding is that the supposed Medicare cuts are coming in a separate bill, to which I am unalterably opposed.
Posted by: John Petty | September 12, 2011 at 11:15 AM