PrintWhen, almost exactly a year ago, President Obama introduced Joe Biden as the head of a new Middle Class Task Force, there was snickering in political circles about how the assignment smelled like makework--an elaborate effort by the Obamaites to keep the uncontrollable VP harmlessly occupied.
For the next 12 months, the task force largely vanished from view, its monthly meetings and other actitives drawing little public attention.
This week, Joe and his task force are back in the spotlight. As part of Obama's post-Massachusetts scramble to reassure Americans that he does in fact feel their pain, the president and vice president convened a meeting of the task force today, at which they previewed a few initiatives they're working on to aid middle class and working families. It is a theme to be echoed in Obama's State of the Union address on Wednesday.
Having Obama and Biden cuddle for the cameras is all well and good. But going foward I'll be interested to see if the VP is individually deployed to talk up how committed this administration is (and always has been!) to helping economically struggling Americans. Whatever his flaws, Biden has more of a common touch than Obama (not to mention most White House seniors aides) and can do that whole regular-guy, populist thing quite convincingly.
Then again, now would be a disastrous time for one of those legendary Biden gaffes.
COMMENTS (2)
You know, in addition to things to help the middle class, now would be a great time to keep some campaign promises regarding ethics and transparency that Obama made:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ethics/index_campaign.php
Make a "Contract with America" type of thing to be completed before the November elections, in addition to what Obama promised above (I know the camera in negotiations thing didn't work out but some of the other stuff is doable), we should add in some government reform. Specifically:
- Something to address the Supreme Court decision ... view full comment
You know, in addition to things to help the middle class, now would be a great time to keep some campaign promises regarding ethics and transparency that Obama made:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ethics/index_campaign.php
Make a "Contract with America" type of thing to be completed before the November elections, in addition to what Obama promised above (I know the camera in negotiations thing didn't work out but some of the other stuff is doable), we should add in some government reform. Specifically:
- Something to address the Supreme Court decision on corporate spending on campaigns. Perhaps requiring greater transparency (CEO has to endorse ad, etc), and limiting foreign corporations.
- Expansion of the House of Representatives (which is long overdue including one seat for the District of Columbia) and if legal, a requirement that all states choose a independent commission to draw Congressional Districts with the idea of promoting competition instead of "safe districts."
People are resisting the Democratic Agenda it seems because they don't trust the government. So why not address that issue first. It would simultaneously improve government, people's attitudes and might be the only thing that can change what otherwise looks like a disastrous coming election for Democrats.
The Democrats are not going to pass another significant stimulus, since the deficit terrorists are in the drivers seat, so unemployment is still going to be high in November. And I can guarantee Cap and Trade or anything else on the agenda isn't going to do much to help in the short term.
I've been thinking that the Supreme Court's decision in the campagin finance reform case could be a gift to the Dems if they are smart enough to exploit it -- look at who is defending it as a great triumph of free speech -- the Republicans in corporate pockets (and libertarians who don't seem to be very influential). I think solving the problem of corporate money is incredibly difficult unless and until there is widespread outrage (and I'm not holding my breath) but once we see the ads bought with corporate funds, it shouldn't be that hard to create a good ad: run some clips of Mitch McConnell and John Boehner saying what a great decision this was, coupled with some ads that were paid for ... view full comment
I've been thinking that the Supreme Court's decision in the campagin finance reform case could be a gift to the Dems if they are smart enough to exploit it -- look at who is defending it as a great triumph of free speech -- the Republicans in corporate pockets (and libertarians who don't seem to be very influential). I think solving the problem of corporate money is incredibly difficult unless and until there is widespread outrage (and I'm not holding my breath) but once we see the ads bought with corporate funds, it shouldn't be that hard to create a good ad: run some clips of Mitch McConnell and John Boehner saying what a great decision this was, coupled with some ads that were paid for by these corporate dollars, arguing against various "common man" ideas, like the bank tax, health care reform, etc.