This morning there was a report in the New York Times that advisors to President Obama were divided over a plan "to place a new moratorium on some regulations that affect the economy, excluding health care and financial rules":
[President Obama] is frustrated — particularly at Republicans on Capitol Hill, but also at some of his own aides, according to people who have spoken to him recently — that he has been unable to rise above the morass of Washington and recapture the spirit that helped him win election.
The frustration has led to internal divisions among some advisers over the scope of his economic address to a joint session of Congress on Thursday night. The president intends to offer at least some progressive proposals to help regain a fighting posture that he has not had since the health care debate, but a provision is also being discussed to place a new moratorium on some regulations that affect the economy, excluding health care and financial rules. The proposals are likely to infuriate an already unhappy Democratic base.
“He’s erred on the side of trying to reason with unreasonable people, which seems to be the wrong strategy,” said Andy Stern, the former president of the Service Employees International Union, who has advised the White House and is a senior fellow at Georgetown University. “There is not a clear understanding in most people’s minds of what is his philosophy. In Republicans there is a clear understanding.”
New York Times
The moratorium idea was quickly shot down by the White House:
White House spokesman Clark Stevens emails [to Greg Sargent]:
Those reports are false. The Administration has a strong record of implementing smart, sensible steps that protect consumers, public health, and the environment. While the President has made clear that we must continue to ensure that new regulations are based on common sense, and implemented in ways that do not impede our economic recovery, he has also made clear that he will not accept the false choice of either having prosperity or clean air, clean water, and safe food. Americans deserve both, and we will continue to take steps that provide those protections, while fostering economic growth.
WaPo, The Plum Line: White House: No moratorium on regulations
Good. I hope Friday's decision on ozone is the last like that one.
Early indications about the President speech are moderately hopeful to me. $300 B for jobs (at least as spun) is good. We know the Rs will not pass this, so it is more a campaign document than not. It's not all I want and the tax cut provisions don't warm my heart, but populism about tax cuts is at least something. Tax workers less and rich people more. The key is rich people more.
This was good. Maybe it is the beginning of the rejection of the centrist way.
[President Obama] is frustrated — particularly at Republicans on Capitol Hill, but also at some of his own aides, according to people who have spoken to him recently — that he has been unable to rise above the morass of Washington and recapture the spirit that helped him win election.
I hope that is true.
The centrist way, the defict cutting, compromising with Republican way has not been working. To win re-election and to turn this country around requires a new road. I hope the Pesident's speech is a new beginning.