[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by molson

"I am absolutely confident that we can get what is the equivalent of the grand bargain that essentially I've been offering to the Republicans for a very long time, which is $2.50 worth of cuts for every dollar in spending, and work to reduce the costs of our health care programs," Obama said. (The White House quickly clarified that he meant $2.50 of spending cuts for every dollar in new tax revenue.)"

OK, so now he's been on the job for 4 years, he understands the challenges of pushing his policies through the legislature. But here, he's not just stating what he'd LIKE to do, he's actually stating that it's going to happen. (which I think he was doing 4 years ago too with his various promises, but this time he has the experience of knowing exactly how difficult it is.)

When he phrases it like this and then it doesn't happen, is it really just the fault of the other party? Maybe its just semantics but it seems like an important distinction. If he has the clout/charisma/photos of naked senators, whatever, to actually accomplish something like this - than that's a real selling point as a candidate. And that's definitely what it appears he's claiming (as I think, he was also claiming 4 years ago). If he's really just saying he'd like to do this, and would, as long as Republicans agree with everything and go along with it, then what makes him different than any message board poster? In that instance, why are his hypothetical but unrealistic policy desires a selling point for a presidential candidate?

The conditions are very different this time. All the Bush tax cuts will expire come Jan 1. That leaves the GOP agreeing to tax increases for the rich or tax increases for everyone.