I didn't watch
Obama's address to congress re health care and only know what I know about it from reading others criticism - and so was left with the impression that he essentially pressed the progressives' agenda and gave the
uber liberals what they wanted, more or less - certainly, listening to comments from liberal types
they seem to have the impression that that's what happened - but according to Brooks in today's Times that's not the case - he maintains that by committing to not adding to the deficit by as much as 'one dime' Obama is obliged to allow the
CBO to be the final judge of what can and cannot pass - which therefore means that whatever bill emerges will perforce be a compromise and not nearly as ambitious as the address to congress seemed to indicate it would be. I suppose so - I'm not sure though how it's to
Obama's advantage to disappoint the lefties - unless the plan is to either blame it on congress or enhance his credibility with moderates? - but would that mean they have no preferred outcome just so long as they look good no matter what the outcome is? Progressives seem to be carrying the day, they slide that way; moderates seem better positioned, slide over there. Dunno - but I agree with Brooks insomuch as that commitment re the deficit means something other than what it means - whether that's an embrace of the left [List, O brethren, taxing the rich will preserve deficit neutrality], a move to the middle [you see guys, I ain't no commie], or an act of cunning ambiguity possibly rooted in cowardice, not sure...
update: Mankiw is also confused by what Obama is or isn't saying re deficit neutrality and concludes the president is being less than honest:
At first, it sounds like the President is threatening to veto the bills being considered in Congress because, according to CBO, they will add significantly to deficits in the out years. If true, that would be a big story. But the provision he mentions in the next sentence seems to suggest he is just passing the buck.
Translation: "I promise to fix the problem. And if I do not fix the problem now, I will fix it later, or some future president will, after I am long gone. I promise he will. Absolutely, positively, I am committed to that future president fixing the problem. You can count on it. Would I lie to you?"
