Former Clinton adviser Lanny Davis was in the Wall Street Journal today explaining the way the Obama Administration's leftward lurch has disaffected the public, as vividly shown in Massachusetts. Later, on the Michael Medved Show, Davis explained the opportunity before the President to acknowledge the recent setbacks and reach out to Republicans in both houses of Congress and invite them to write a health care bill. He then would invite moderate Democrats to join them. The result would be a lot less than he has in front of Congress now, but unlike the present monster, it actually would pass, overwhelmingly, and would give Obama a legislative accomplishment. Our conservative Discovery colleague Michael Medved, interviewing the liberal Davis, agreed with his advice.
The advice proposes the statesmanlike thing to do, not the political one. Insisting on some bill based on the present efforts will do more to keep the left wing base mollified (they are close to coming unglued right now). Collaboration with the Republicans, on the other hand, is also risky, but could lead to recapture of the the vital independent voters.
A mirror image calculation applies to the GOP: at this point; no bill would seem to be the best politics going into the fall. But, though the political temptation would be hard to overcome, many Republicans would be pleased to offer a sound bill for the good of the country if the President would cooperate.
It is the President, in any case, who is the center of attention. The trouble for Obama is that one year after his near-coronation, his popularity is waning precisely because his policies and tactics are disapproved by the public. Even adoring media support doesn't adequately prop him up. Continuing on his present course means continuing to lose a mandate from the people, not only on health care, but on the economy, taxes, spending and--crucially--terrorism. Scott Brown handled this collection of issues brilliantly, seeing a common theme of reckless ideological liberalism.
But if Obama at long last did embrace his opposition rather than his philosophical bunkmates, he could rescue his Administration.
Politically, it merely is an interesting choice to observe and a rather gratifying one for those of us who have been wondering when the tide would turn (see previous blog post). But for the welfare of the country, it is a crucial and telling choice with consequences far beyond politics. Given the record so far, there is little reason to expect a serious policy turnaround by this White House.
