Has Obama found his Inner "Sun King"?

"Le etat...c'est moi" (Louis XIV)

As usual, I find that History, Caddyshack, and Seinfeld usually provide the most striking parallels to modern day news and politics. In this case, Macbeth's musings about life also seem to be most appropriate to describe the recent Congressional battles. Full of "Sound and Fury, signifying nothing." In the end, this bill was going to get passed. The Republican Party took a calculated risk, putting up the roadblocks, and rhetoric it did, but they knew in the end, blocking passage of a Jobs and Spending bill, in the middle of the economy going over a cliff, would ensure their position as the modern day "WHIG Party" for decades to come. The American electorate would never allow such actions to go unpunished in the next election round.

But the most obvious takeaway from yesterday was that the President awoke from an apparent hibernation, and discovered that the Democratic Party was indeed, him. No one else from his party was going to make an effective argument that this Stimulus bill was necessary for the country. And when left to their own devices, it is clear that the Democratic Party in the House and Senate is truly bereft of leadership, and was simply unable to deliver a clear message on the merits of a Stimulus Package.

So what was left was a small, weakened Minority Party, emboldened by a lack of coordination and leadership on the opposing team, to play bigger than they really were. As the past 10 days or so wore on, the Republican Party saw this as an opportunity to find their voice, and start to rebuild their brand.

Unfortunately, what they also found was that the country was watching, and their stories of how partisan the politics were, did not fit the fact pattern of Obama spending time on Capital Hill, negotiating the bill in good faith with both parties. The stories of no important tax measures was belied by the fact that over $200B in tax cuts were clearly laid out. The tales that Republican Congressmen and Senators were spinning were simply contradicted by the facts.

Don't believe me? How do you explain Lindsay Graham complaining that the President was "AWOL" on the Senate Debate, while President Obama was making a one-on-one visit to Republican Senator Susan Collins (ME) to discuss the Stimulus bill that SAME AFTERNOON? Apparently, he also visited with Olympia Snowe the same day. I guess there's another appropriate quote here, "Who are you gonna believe, me or your lyin' eyes?" The polls indicate that people are starting to believe their own eyes, for a change. Obama, and even Congressional Democrats enjoy popularity far and away above those of Congressional Republicans. The actions of both parties over the past couple of weeks are a clear indication of why.

Despite all of the complaining and whining, this bill was still passed by over 60% of Congress in both chambers. The fact that no Republicans (save 3) voted for the bill doesn't change the fact that, indeed, this bill passed both chambers by wide margins.

And so, Obama, not content just to have a narrow victory on this matter, set forth to make the point to Republican leadership. "I am the President. I have Majorities in both Houses. I will get my Legislative agenda passed. You can either bicker, and get NOTHING, or you can meet with me, and we can discuss some of your ideas, and build them in". He did it because someone had to. He did it because he is the President. He realized yesterday that, in his attempts to be President of the whole United States, he forgot that he was still a Democrat, and his party still needed leadership. His leadership.

One of the more interesting things that Obama himself may have learned yesterday, was just what a bully pulpit the Presidency is. When he speaks, people listen. And it is a far cry from being one of 100 Senators, going on Face the Nation, to make your case. Let's see if the new President can capitalize on his new found understanding of the lay of the land in Washington, and his place in it.