Obama Shows Some Backbone

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “Obama Opposing Any Compromise on Bush Tax Cuts,” shows a new type of President, one who is finally emerging as a fighter for his Party’s values.

President Obama’s flat-out opposition to breaks for the wealthy, those earning more than $250,000 per year, and his refusal to take the middle road by extending all cuts for one or two years, signals Congressional Democrats that he will stand on principle and back up his colleagues on the Hill by doing what is right instead of what is expedient.

President Obama also proposed a package of cuts for small businesses, effectively outflanking Republicans, by daring them to oppose legislation they themselves had previously supported. As the President said in a speech yesterday, “If I said the sky was blue, the Republicans would say no.”

The President also proposed $50 billion in infrastructure improvements, money to be injected into the economy immediately to build roads, bridges, high-speed rail lines, etc. And popular tax credits for R&D and new equipment purchases would be provided for small businesses as well.

As is his wont, the President seems to wait until disaster is kicking at the door before going into overdrive and saving the day. We saw it with the controversy over Reverend Wright, the persistent primary challenge by Hillary Clinton, and now, hopefully, with the mid-term elections. Let’s just pray it’s not too late.