July 26, 2006
Advantage: Democrats
Larry Kudlow continues a theme that he discussed on his TV show yesterday. Think what you will about the details and policy behind Senator Clinton's "American Dream Initiative" unveiled in Denver (sorry I missed it, I had to work) it's good politics. Everyone on the panel agreed it is miles ahead of Nancy Pelosi's "thin gruel" and that it has some resonance. Even Larry likes the personal savings accounts.
Larry wonders where the GOP response is.
Right now it strikes me that the GOP is snoozing. Democrats are guzzling highly caffeinated Starbucks coffee, while the Republicans sip their decaf. Democrats are working 24/7, while the Republicans are taking mid-afternoon siestas. It reminds me a lot of 1994, but obviously in reverse.You can argue the policy wonk merits of Clinton’s speech, and even the Pelosi fiscal plan, but their political message is strong. “Clinton hits president on middle class” and “Not taking care of America” are the headlines in today’s lead NY Sun article. There is a good GOP response out there, both on the economy and national security, but I’m not hearing it.
The president is working hard, defending Israel, beefing up our troop structure to sweep Baghdad, and arguing the economic merits of his supply side tax cut plan, yet I don’t hear a peep from GOP congressional leadership.
Where are the responses to Clinton et al that might back up Bush? This concerns me. The GOP contents itself by squabbling over immigration. Well, I got news for you, that ain’t much of an election year plan.
I hear Clinton's plan as:
1. More taxes
2. More taxes
3. Roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans.
4. More taxes
But I am a partisan and my vote is not up for grabs. Many others will hear "Investment." (We're not taking your money, we're investing it!)
The panel agreed it was not so much a Presidential step forward for Senator Clinton as it was a more serious plan for Democrats in the midterms. "They don't have a plan" will be stricken from the GOP playbook -- well, on domestic policy.
On the same topic, ThreeSources friend Everyday Economist got an Instalanche for his stunning exegesis post on Kos vs. the Clintons and is the fastest growing WordPrress blog today. Don't everybody click over there at once -- I don't want to crash his servers.