Legal Commentary

What Makes Lindsey Graham Tick?

By Big Tent Democrat

mistermix at Balloon Juice takes issue with Atrios using the Lucy and the Football line regarding Lindsay Graham and the Obama Administration. Atrios is a snark machine so I think this is less of a question of whether Obama is being Charlie Brown than whether the Obama approach to political bargaining is the most effective one. mistermix writes:

[The Obama Administration] know[s] full well that they’re playing Charlie Brown to the Lucy du jour. Atrios is certainly smart enough to realize this. I’d like to hear his alternative to kissing Lindsey Graham’s a**, because I have no clue what other, better strategy is waiting in the wings.

I do not know if it would work, but it seems to me that a more confrontational approach may in fact be more effective. As booman writes:

It seems to me like the Democrats are finally starting to take the advice they've been getting from the left since Obama took office. No more interminable negotiating with the Party of Hell No. No more preemptive compromising. Starting to get tough on holds and filibusters and setting aside time to get some confirmations through. Which is all good, because they will never get financial, immigration, and climate reforms, a new Supreme Court nominee, the budget, and appropriations done unless they fly through their agenda. As it is, there aren't enough legislative days on the calendar to do all that and still get over five dozen outstanding nominees confirmed.

Relatedly, booman writes:

[Obama] hasn't adjusted. And I think he needs to. Trust in government is at an all-time low at a time when Obama is trying to get government to do really big things. He's needs to incorporate messaging that suits 2010, not 2008. I think the answer is more of a populist touch.

I agree. Will it work legislatively? Probably not. But a conciliatory approach has no chance whatsoever. Moreover, there is an election in November. Time to think about that as well.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 26, 2010 (boomark / email).