"Today is the first day of the rest of my presidency. . ." Repeat as needed.

Ronald Reagan, in another "change" election, came into office committed to reducing marginal tax rates and slashing government programs. These were his signature issues, and everybody knew it. Although Reagan would compromise when necessary, he had no need to continually update his reasons for being president. He was free to start the Reagan Revolution.



Barack Obama--unlike his role model--is associated with no signature issues and doesn't want to be. He is positively radical in his commitment to nothing. Indeed, his recent frenzy of flip-flopping is designed to help position himself, not in the center of the political spectrum, but over it--above it--beyond it. He needs to be a continually moving target unburdened by any policy baggage. (Ideally, the very concept of an Obama "flip-flop" would become a non sequitur. He'll be all things to all people, and not in a negative way, but transcendently.)


President Obama's long-term political survival requires that be able to parachute into the middle of a fight between competing interests, find something to sign, and then move on to the next triumph of his Unity Administration. While the sociological benefits accruing to the country by virtue of electing an African-American president could be quite significant, Democrats seeking the implementation of progressive policies would be much happier with Hillary Clinton in the White House. Universal Health Care has the potential to become as fundamental to a revitalized New Deal as was Social Security before politicians like Barack Obama started bad-mouthing it. It's Clinton's signature issue, and she was clearly planning on kicking ass and taking names until she got it done. Obama? Not so much. Issues are so divisive.



If you like bipartisan mush--the only type of Wahington fare that David Broder can gum down--you'll love President Obama. Liberal malcontents who think they'll be able to pressure him are living in a dream world. He doesn't need them. And they won't even be able to blame the Clintons for their troubles anymore--though they're certain to give it the old college try.