Question for YOU ..........

[Patrick]

As most of you know – I’m not one who get into many of the political discussion in this forum. Yeah I occasional attempt to inject whit and usually that is not very successful. Better left to the more politically knowledgeable minds ……. AND we have quite few here at hR.
And because I enjoy reading most of what you all have to say – I’d like to hear you opinion on something.
The first 30 - 60 days of office what will Obama be able to accomplish?
What will be easy, what will be hard, and what will not get done or blocked.

[Fathead]

I think the only thing he's guaranteed to accomplish is to piss off Republicans.

[akhhorus]

I think the only thing he's guaranteed to accomplish is to piss off Republicans.

It doesn't look like he'll even do that. The House GOP leadership was gushing and fawning over Obama after his private meeting with them, and the head of the Senate GOP is telling his flock not to oppose Obama on economic issues. The Stimulus package will get through fairly quickly. The elimination of Don't Ask, Don't Tell will meet with some resistance, but it should get through.

[RedskinsDave]

It doesn't look like he'll even do that. The House GOP leadership was gushing and fawning over Obama after his private meeting with them, and the head of the Senate GOP is telling his flock not to oppose Obama on economic issues. The Stimulus package will get through fairly quickly. The elimination of Don't Ask, Don't Tell will meet with some resistance, but it should get through.

I hope he's prepared to take the blame for what this will bring.

He's already backed off of a few campaign promises and that's gone mostly unnoticed so I don't know why any other misdoings would be reported. It'll be much like the Democratic Congress' epic failure to live up to their promises in the first 100 days.

[BurgundyNGold]

It doesn't look like he'll even do that. The House GOP leadership was gushing and fawning over Obama after his private meeting with them, and the head of the Senate GOP is telling his flock not to oppose Obama on economic issues. The Stimulus package will get through fairly quickly. The elimination of Don't Ask, Don't Tell will meet with some resistance, but it should get through.
I expect to see:

1) Additional TARP funds released (to financial firms and some non-financial firms)
2) A stimulus package
3) Closing of the GTMO prisons
4) Health care plans laid out (not enacted)
5) Infrastructure bank plans laid out (not enacted)
6) Some green industry policy initiatives, perhaps tied to the stimulus package.

As for the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, that could happen but I think Obama has bigger fish to fry. Worrying about gays in the military at this point seems a bit like arranging deck chairs on the Titanic right about now, lol.

[shally]

child care health bill---- that is a slam dunk

ordering the military to stop "dont ask/dont tell"

form panel to begin closure of Gitmo

stimulus package with some early "shovel ready" public works projects

naming of some kind of Recovery Czar to coordinate efforts

some kind of tax cut to give "relief" to the suffering middle class

[akhhorus]

child care health bill---- that is a slam dunk


It breezed through the House with 290 votes yesterday.

I expect to see:

1) Additional TARP funds released (to financial firms and some non-financial firms)
2) A stimulus package
3) Closing of the GTMO prisons
4) Health care plans laid out (not enacted)
5) Infrastructure bank plans laid out (not enacted)
6) Some green industry policy initiatives, perhaps tied to the stimulus package.

As for the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, that could happen but I think Obama has bigger fish to fry. Worrying about gays in the military at this point seems a bit like arranging deck chairs on the Titanic right about now, lol.

In the first 30-60 days, agreed. But #3 probably won't require any congressional action. And #5 and 6 are part of the Stim package I believe. #1 looks like it's primarly going to other economic sectors. DADT just isn't worth the fight now. Obama should just announce that the DoD will suspend any sexual orientation based dismissals for the time being, then make the formal change down the road.

[dj_stouty]

I personally think he will be able to get a good amount of stuff done his first three months. The republicans are surprisingly happy with some of his recent fiscal projects (as Akh already mentioned) and the dems don't want to rock the vote with their new Ambassador of Kwan.

Plus, GW has given him as much opportunity and authority to get things started early, which can only help in what he wants to accomplish.

But I have been hearing that he is already backing off some campaign promises. Not sure exactly which ones; but that is pretty much par for the course with any new President - regardless of party.

[akhhorus]

Here's a rough draft text of the stimulus package that, reportedly, the Dems have agreed to:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Unprecedented Accountability: A historic level of transparency, oversight and accountability will help guarantee taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and Americans can see results for their investment.

· In many instances funds are distributed through existing formulas to programs with proven track records and accountability measures already in place.

· How funds are spent, all announcements of contract and grant competitions and awards, and formula grant allocations must be posted on a special website created by the President. Program managers will also be listed so the public knows who to hold accountable.

· Public notification of funding must include a description of the investment funded, the purpose, the total cost and why the activity should be funded with recovery dollars. Governors, mayors or others making funding decisions must personally certify that the investment has been fully vetted and is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. This will also be placed on the recovery website.

· A Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board will be created to review management of recovery dollars and provide early warning of problems. The seven member board includes Inspectors General and Deputy Cabinet secretaries.

· The Government Accountability Office and the Inspectors General are provided additional funding and access for special review of recovery funding.

· Federal and state whistleblowers who report fraud and abuse are protected.

· There are no earmarks in this package.

This plan targets investments to key areas that will create and preserve good jobs at the same time as it is strengthening the ability of this economy to become more efficient and produce more opportunities for employment.

Clean, Efficient, American Energy: To put people back to work today and reduce our dependence on foreign oil tomorrow, we will strengthen efforts directed at doubling renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient.

· $32 billion to transform the nation's energy transmission, distribution, and production systems by allowing for a smarter and better grid and focusing investment in renewable technology.

· $16 billion to repair public housing and make key energy efficiency retrofits.

· $6 billion to weatherize modest-income homes.

Transform our Economy with Science and Technology: We need to put scientists to work looking for the next great discovery, creating jobs in cutting-edge-technologies, and making smart investments that will help businesses in every community succeed in a global economy. For every dollar invested in broadband the economy sees a ten-fold return on that investment.

· $10 billion for science facilities, research, and instrumentation.

· $6 billion to expand broadband internet access so businesses in rural and other underserved areas can link up to the global economy.

Modernize Roads, Bridges, Transit and Waterways: To build a 21st century economy, we must engage contractors across the nation to create jobs rebuilding our crumbling roads, and bridges, modernize public buildings, and put people to work cleaning our air, water and land.

· $30 billion for highway construction;

· $31 billion to modernize federal and other public infrastructure with investments that lead to long term energy cost savings;

· $19 billion for clean water, flood control, and environmental restoration investments;

· $10 billion for transit and rail to reduce traffic congestion and gas consumption.

Education for the 21st Century: To enable more children to learn in 21st century classrooms, labs, and libraries to help our kids compete with any worker in the world, this package provides:

· $41 billion to local school districts through Title I ($13 billion), IDEA ($13 billion), a new School Modernization and Repair Program ($14 billion), and the Education Technology program ($1 billion).

· $79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent cutbacks to key services, including $39 billion to local school districts and public colleges and universities distributed through existing state and federal formulas, $15 billion to states as bonus grants as a reward for meeting key performance measures, and $25 billion to states for other high priority needs such as public safety and other critical services, which may include education.

· $15.6 billion to increase the Pell grant by $500.

· $6 billion for higher education modernization.


Tax Cuts to Make Work Pay and Create Jobs: We will provide direct tax relief to 95 percent of American workers, and spur investment and job growth for American Businesses. [marked up by the Ways and Means Committee]

Lower Healthcare Costs: To save not only jobs, but money and lives, we will update and computerize our healthcare system to cut red tape, prevent medical mistakes, and help reduce healthcare costs by billions of dollars each year.

· $20 billion for health information technology to prevent medical mistakes, provide better care to patients and introduce cost-saving efficiencies.

· $4.1 billion to provide for preventative care and to evaluate the most effective healthcare treatments.

Help Workers Hurt by the Economy: High unemployment and rising costs have outpaced Americans' paychecks. We will help workers train and find jobs, and help struggling families make ends meet.

· $43 billion for increased unemployment benefits and job training.

· $39 billion to support those who lose their jobs by helping them to pay the cost of keeping their employer provided healthcare under COBRA and providing short-term options to be covered by Medicaid.

· $20 billion to increase the food stamp benefit by over 13% in order to help defray rising food costs.

Save Public Sector Jobs and Protect Vital Services: We will provide relief to states, so they can continue to employ teachers, firefighters and police officers and provide vital services without having to unnecessarily raise middle class taxes.

· $87 billion for a temporary increase in the Medicaid matching rate.

· $4 billion for state and local law enforcement funding.

DETAILED SUMMARY

CREATE JOBS WITH CLEAN, EFFICIENT, AMERICAN ENERGY

To put people back to work today and reduce our dependence on foreign oil tomorrow, we will make investments aimed at doubling renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient. America's energy shortcomings present a huge opportunity to put people to work in ways that will transform our economy.

· Reliable, Efficient Electricity Grid: $11 billion for research and development, pilot projects, and federal matching funds for the Smart Grid Investment Program to modernize the electricity grid making it more efficient, secure, and reliable and build new power lines to transmit clean, renewable energy from sources throughout the nation.

· Renewable Energy Loan Guarantees: $8 billion for loans for renewable energy power generation and transmission projects.

· GSA Federal Buildings: $6.7 billion for renovations and repairs to federal buildings including at least $6 billion focused on increasing energy efficiency and conservation. Projects are selected based on GSA's ready-to-go priority list.

· Local Government Energy Efficiency Block Grants: $6.9 billion to help state and local governments make investments that make them more energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions.

· Energy Efficiency Housing Retrofits: $2.5 billion for a new program to upgrade HUD sponsored low-income housing to increase energy efficiency, including new insulation, windows, and furnaces. Funds will be competitively awarded.

· Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research: $2 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities to foster energy independence, reduce carbon emissions, and cut utility bills. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis to universities, companies, and national laboratories.

· Advanced Battery Loans and Grants: $2 billion for the Advanced Battery Loan Guarantee and Grants Program, to support U.S. manufacturers of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems. America should lead the world in transforming the way automobiles are powered.

· Energy Efficiency Grants and Loans for Institutions: $1.5 billion for energy sustainability and efficiency grants and loans to help school districts, institutes of higher education, local governments, and municipal utilities implement projects that will make them more energy efficient.

· Home Weatherization: $6.2 billion to help low-income families reduce their energy costs by weatherizing their homes and make our country more energy efficient.

· Smart Appliances: $300 million to provide consumers with rebates for buying energy efficient Energy Star products to replace old appliances, which will lower energy bills.

· GSA Federal Fleet: $600 million to replace older vehicles owned by the federal government with alternative fuel automobiles that will save on fuel costs and reduce carbon emissions.

· Electric Transportation: $200 million for a new grant program to encourage electric vehicle technologies.

· Cleaning Fossil Energy: $2.4 billion for carbon capture and sequestration technology demonstration projects. This funding will provide valuable information necessary to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere from industrial facilities and fossil fuel power plants.

· Department of Defense Research: $350 million for research into using renewable energy to power weapons systems and military bases.

· Alternative Buses and Trucks: $400 million to help state and local governments purchase efficient alternative fuel vehicles to reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions.

· Industrial Energy Efficiency: $500 million for energy efficient manufacturing demonstration projects.

Diesel Emissions Reduction: $300 million for grants and loans to state and local governments for projects that reduce diesel emissions, benefiting public health and reducing global warming. This includes technologies to retrofit emission exhaust systems on school buses, replace engines and vehicles, and establish anti-idling programs. 70% of the funds go to competitive grants and 30% funds grants to states with approved programs. Last year EPA was able to fund only 27% of the applications received.

TRANSFORMING OUR ECONOMY WITH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

We need to put scientists to work looking for the next great discovery, creating jobs in cutting-edge technologies and making smart investments that will help businesses in every community succeed in a global economy.

Broadband to Give Every Community Access to the Global Economy
· Wireless and Broadband Grants: $6 billion for broadband and wireless services in underserved areas to strengthen the economy and provide business and job opportunities in every section of America with benefits to e-commerce, education, and healthcare. For every dollar invested in broadband the economy sees a ten-fold return on that investment.

Scientific Research

· National Science Foundation: $3 billion, including $2 billion for expanding employment opportunities in fundamental science and engineering to meet environmental challenges and to improve global economic competitiveness, $400 million to build major research facilities that perform cutting edge science, $300 million for major research equipment shared by institutions of higher education and other scientists, $200 million to repair and modernize science and engineering research facilities at the nation's institutions of higher education and other science labs, and $100 million is also included to improve instruction in science, math and engineering.

· National Institutes of Health Biomedical Research: $2 billion, including $1.5 billion for expanding good jobs in biomedical research to study diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer, and heart disease - NIH is currently able to fund less than 20% of approved applications - and $500 million to implement the repair and improvement strategic plan developed by the NIH for its campuses.

· University Research Facilities: $1.5 billion for NIH to renovate university research facilities and help them compete for biomedical research grants. The National Science Foundation estimates a maintenance backlog of $3.9 billion in biological science research space. Funds are awarded competitively.

· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: $462 million to enable CDC to complete its Buildings and Facilities Master Plan, as well as renovations and construction needs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

· Department of Energy: $1.9 billion for basic research into the physical sciences including high-energy physics, nuclear physics, and fusion energy sciences and improvements to DOE laboratories and scientific facilities. $400 million is for the Advanced Research Project Agency - Energy to support high-risk, high-payoff research into energy sources and energy efficiency.

· NASA: $600 million, including $400 million to put more scientists to work doing climate change research, including Earth science research recommended by the National Academies, satellite sensors that measure solar radiation critical to understanding climate change, and a thermal infrared sensor to the Landsat Continuing Mapper necessary for water management, particularly in the western states; $150 million for research, development, and demonstration to improve aviation safety and Next Generation air traffic control (NextGen); and $50 million to repair NASA centers damaged by hurricanes and floods last year.

· Biomedical Advanced Research and Development, Pandemic Flu, and Cyber Security: $900 million to prepare for a pandemic influenza, support advanced development of medical countermeasures for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, and for cyber security protections at HHS.

· National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Satellites and Sensors: $600 million for satellite development and acquisitions, including climate sensors and climate modeling.

· National Institute of Standards and Technology: $300 million for competitive construction grants for research science buildings at colleges, universities, and other research organizations and $100 million to coordinate research efforts of laboratories and national research facilities by setting interoperability standards for manufacturing.

· Agricultural Research Service: $209 million for agricultural research facilities across the country. ARS has a list of deferred maintenance work at facilities of roughly $315 million.

· U.S. Geological Survey: $200 million to repair and modernize U.S.G.S. science facilities and equipment, including improvements to laboratories, earthquake monitoring systems, and computing capacity.

Creating Small Business Opportunity

· Small Business Credit: $430 million for new direct lending and loan guarantee authorities to make loans more attractive to lenders and free up capital. The number of loans guaranteed under the SBA's 7(a) business loan program was down 57% in the first quarter of this year compared to last.

· Rural Business-Cooperative Service: $100 million for rural business grants and loans to guarantee $2 billion in loans for rural businesses at a time of unprecedented demand due to the credit crunch. Private sector lenders are increasingly turning to this program to help businesses get access to capital.

· Industrial Technology Services: $100 million, including $70 million for the Technology Innovation Program to accelerate research in potentially revolutionary technologies with high job growth potential, and $30 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships to help small and mid-size manufacturers compete globally by providing them with access to technology.

· Economic Development Assistance: $250 million to address long-term economic distress in urban industrial cores and rural areas distributed based on need and ability to create jobs and attract private investment. EDA leverages $10 in private investments for $1 in federal funds.

DTV Conversion Coupons: $650 million to continue the coupon program to enable American households to convert from analog television transmission to digital transmission.

MODERNIZE ROADS, BRIDGES, TRANSIT AND WATERWAYS

To build a 21st century economy, we must engage contractors across the nation to create jobs - rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, modernizing public buildings, and putting people to work cleaning our air, water, and land.

Highway Infrastructure: $30 billion for highway and bridge construction projects. It is estimated that states have over 5,100 projects totaling over $64 billion that could be awarded within 180 days. These projects create jobs in the short term while saving commuters time and money in the long term. In 2006, the Department of Transportation estimated $8.5 billion was needed to maintain current systems and $61.4 billion was needed to improve highways and bridges.

Transit: Public transportation saves Americans time and money, saving as much as 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline and reducing carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons each year.

· New Construction: $1 billion for Capital Investment Grants for new commuter rail or other light rail systems to increase public use of mass transit and to speed projects already in construction. The Federal Transit Administration has $2.4 billion in pre-approved projects.

· Upgrades and Repair: $2 billion to modernize existing transit systems, including renovations to stations, security systems, computers, equipment, structures, signals, and communications. Funds will be distributed through the existing formula. The repair backlog is nearly $50 billion.

· Transit Capital Assistance: $6 billion to purchase buses and equipment needed to increase public transportation and improve intermodal and transit facilities. The Department of Transportation estimates a $3.2 billion maintenance backlog and $9.2 billion in needed improvements. The American Public Transportation Association identified 787 ready-to-go transit projects totaling $15.5 billion. Funds will be distributed through the existing formulas.

Amtrak and Intercity Passenger Rail Construction Grants: $1.1 billion to improve the speed and capacity of intercity passenger rail service. The Department of Transportation's Inspector General estimates the North East Corridor alone has a backlog of over $10 billion

[Fathead]

· U.S. Geological Survey: $200 million to repair and modernize U.S.G.S. science facilities and equipment, including improvements to laboratories, earthquake monitoring systems, and computing capacity.


I can have job?

[CNYSkinFan]

i asm hearing that people are hearing he is backing off of campaign promises but I am not hearing what those promises are.....

In reality every politician backs off some campaign promises once they are elected. And this president got elected under a much different economic climate then when many of those prommises were made.

[fent]

i asm hearing that people are hearing he is backing off of campaign promises but I am not hearing what those promises are.....

In reality every politician backs off some campaign promises once they are elected. And this president got elected under a much different economic climate then when many of those prommises were made.

brokaw tried to get him to tell us what he'd cut back in October and he wouldn't divulge.

[CNYSkinFan]

brokaw tried to get him to tell us what he'd cut back in October and he wouldn't divulge.
but that is my point...there is alot of rancor over nothing and serious people understand that OF COURSE he is going to have to go back on pledges made over the summer and before the economic crisis...and since the crisis is ongoing of course more decisions will have to be made. He isn't even president yet and I am hearing people blaming him for everything from the recession to the israeli - pakistan issue.

He needs time to evaluate and govern. Start bitching in 6 months if nothing gets done and he decides to go clear brush on a racnh for months on end.

[Fathead]

lol



He isn't even in the office yet and one side says he's already breaking promises and people on the other side are already making excuses.



CHANGE!

[smoak]

my expectations couldn't be lower for all politicians. the one comment that made me choke on dinner was i heard he wrote a letter to his daughters telling them that they were the reason he ran ???? WTH? why do all politicians have to wake up an bask in phony.... biden's speach yesterday was such a fraud.

you know, i may hate W more than any politican ever, but he really evolved... at least i get the sense that he knows he isn't bright.

[BurgundyNGold]

I can have job?
It figures that you get something out of this stimulus deal but Keino gets totally shut down on his proposed one legged Asian hooker subsidies, lol.

[BurgundyNGold]

i asm hearing that people are hearing he is backing off of campaign promises but I am not hearing what those promises are.....

In reality every politician backs off some campaign promises once they are elected. And this president got elected under a much different economic climate then when many of those prommises were made.
Yeah, but a lot of folks voted for a guy who was supposedly going to end politics as usual. There's nothing more usual for politicians than making promises that they have no intention of keeping.

That said, the situations on the ground are not the same now as they were 6 months ago and moreso that the usual 6 month divergence between forecast and reality. Given the current economic climate, I find myself somewhat more prone to judge him based not so much on what he promised to do but rather on the consistency of his policies and decisions with the theme of his campaign promises.

[akhhorus]

Yeah, but a lot of folks voted for a guy who was supposedly going to end politics as usual. There's nothing more usual for politicians than making promises that they have no intention of keeping.

That said, the situations on the ground are not the same now as they were 6 months ago and moreso that the usual 6 month divergence between forecast and reality. Given the current economic climate, I find myself somewhat more prone to judge him based not so much on what he promised to do but rather on the consistency of his policies and decisions with the theme of his campaign promises.

Thats a fair criteria. I'm looking at two things immediately:
1-Will he hold firm to this "no earmarks" provision of the Stim package. If that holds, it means that the pork BS we're seen for 15 years might have met its match.
2-the first time Boehner and McConnell hold a presser in the White House driveway and trash Obama, if Obama ignores it and decides not to be petty over it(and Obama meets/is seen with either of the GOp leadership afterwards).

If he does both of those, imo, he's fulfilling his rhetoric about trying to change DC, because those two concepts(porking up bills and partisan trench warfare) are to blame for the Govt not addressing the problems they should have for years.

[akhhorus]

The 4th estate is tracking Obama's rhetoric versus reality in a handy blog:

Link (http://promises.nationaljournal.com/)

[dj_stouty]

The 4th estate is tracking Obama's rhetoric versus reality in a handy blog:

Link (http://promises.nationaljournal.com/)

3RedDudes.com?

[redskin_rich]

Obama will immediately accomplish a much higher Presidential approval rating.

[RedskinsDave]

Obama will immediately accomplish a much higher Presidential approval rating.

Isn't that like claiming you're less cross-eyed than Vinny? It's impossible not to.

[BurgundyNGold]

Thats a fair criteria. I'm looking at two things immediately:
1-Will he hold firm to this "no earmarks" provision of the Stim package. If that holds, it means that the pork BS we're seen for 15 years might have met its match.
2-the first time Boehner and McConnell hold a presser in the White House driveway and trash Obama, if Obama ignores it and decides not to be petty over it(and Obama meets/is seen with either of the GOp leadership afterwards).

If he does both of those, imo, he's fulfilling his rhetoric about trying to change DC, because those two concepts(porking up bills and partisan trench warfare) are to blame for the Govt not addressing the problems they should have for years.
Earmarks are a great place to start. It would be good to step on that bug before it gets too big. That said, earmarks are the lesser of two forms of pork allocation.

[akhhorus]

Earmarks are a great place to start. It would be good to step on that bug before it gets too big. That said, earmarks are the lesser of two forms of pork allocation.

Agreed, and at the end of the day, earmarks aren't that big an issue, but its the symbolism of it. If Obama succeeds at getting this massive stim package through without an earmark on it, it means he won't take the easy route to get votes on a bill and wants debate on the spending the govt does.

[Fathead]

If Obama stops the earmarks and what not, I will vote for him in four years in any case short of him raping children.

[RedskinsDave]

If Obama stops the earmarks and what not, I will vote for him in four years in any case short of him raping children.

That's a pretty bad reason to vote for him. If he has massive government expansion and oversight that turns America into a psuedo-socialist state will you still?

[Fathead]

Well, the pubs haven't bothered to be fiscally responsible in 8 years, so if someone at least attempts it, I'll vote that way.

[Lavar703]

Is it safe to say that Obama may very well be the most over-hyped human being to ever walk the planet?

[Fathead]

Only if he fails to live up to that hype.

[SkinsKY]

It depends on what you consider to be appropriate hype. I don't think he's the most over-hyped person. The fact that history lends this inauguration a significant amount of fanfare that Obama did not create, should not be held against him.

[fent]

i've got a question for you...what the heck is Rahm doing on the dais this morning?

http://www.drudgereport.com/ri1.jpg

[Lavar703]

Only if he fails to live up to that hype.

God couldnt live up to this hype

[Fathead]

Only time will tell.

[akhhorus]

God couldnt live up to this hype

Where were you in 2001 when Bush was being hyped up as Reagan with more compassion?

[Fathead]

Where were you in 2001 when Bush was being hyped up as Reagan with more compassion?



lol

[skinguy]

i've got a question for you...what the heck is Rahm doing on the dais this morning?

http://www.drudgereport.com/ri1.jpg
saying " hello " to hillary . . :thinker: