Obama has executed versions of his three-step on terrorist surveillance and the Iraq War, and perhaps on Gitmo and interrogation (although the final disposition of those two is not clear). On congressional earmarks, Obama’s three-step was so obvious and clumsy he had to repeat Step 2 — making another promise to fight earmarks even as he accepted 8,500 of them in the omnibus spending bill.
Usually, Obama puts the emphasis on the second of his steps, to augment the difference with Bush. But in defending his economic policy recently after a reporter asked if it constituted socialism, Obama inadvertently highlighted the third step. He sought cover for his approach by pointing out that Bush had bailed out the banks and spent irresponsibly. Of course, that sounds awfully familiar.
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its a lot easier standing on the sidelines casting stones, isn’t that right barack?
gatorboy on March 13, 2009 at 12:14 PM
There is one thing I really dislike about National Review and it is evident here. That is, they (and I mean the editors) write from a perspective that is always a step or two removed from the issue as to make it (their perspective) largely irrelevant. That, and they write about too many topics/issues without the depth and wit that is just way too easily found elsewhere in the internet media they compete with.
Per the article above, okay, but why is National Review focusing on Obama’s use of Bush in his communication strategy? Especially since Bush has been out of office a few months already, and there are more pressing issues to write about.
What impact does it have?
BigD on March 13, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Don’t forget Signing Statements!
And excessive spending!
jgapinoy on March 13, 2009 at 12:22 PM
They just want to educate the masses that while Bush was evil and all he did was evil, Obama can do the exact same thing and it’s now good. Or something.
Guardian on March 13, 2009 at 12:23 PM
It’s the Hopenchange cha-cha, baby!!!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on March 13, 2009 at 12:26 PM
He’s TIRED!
carbon_footprint on March 13, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Obama looked at economic and job growth from five years ago, and must have decided the Bush-era growth was caused by government-overspending and happened in spite of the tax-cuts, not because of them. It’s like deciding that aircraft carriers float because they don’t weigh very much, so we’ll make them from wood next time and they’ll work even better.
RBMN on March 13, 2009 at 12:30 PM
This is kind of an “Oh look — a squirrel!” strategy for Obama’s core supporters on the left, who in a lot of cases don’t care if Barack’s doing the same thing as Bush, as long as he keeps denouncing Bush.
jon1979 on March 13, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Bush will go down as a huge historical figure, Obama will not if this trend continues, once its properly analyzed
jp on March 13, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Anyone notice that the Dems keep going back to “Bush did it first” theme to excuse everything they hated about Bush, but are now doing? I don’t have any kids, but I remember trying the “well, he (or she) did it first!” escuse with my mother, to no effect. She called it a childish arguement. I was a child, but I kept the lesson.
karl9000 on March 13, 2009 at 12:45 PM
And the “politics of personal destruction”, a la Axelgibbrove.
Abby Adams on March 13, 2009 at 12:56 PM
And lobbyists.
Abby Adams on March 13, 2009 at 12:58 PM
and hEsc funding.
Kai on March 13, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Weird. I thought Osama Obama was a socialist boy king America hater (who is naive) and Bush was a great president.
Proud Rino on March 13, 2009 at 1:52 PM
All the thrills of elevating the office with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt.
Kai on March 13, 2009 at 2:52 PM
The One: “Step right up, step right up… watch as I polish this here turd!”
*Applause from the Left as things are made all better*
little italy on March 13, 2009 at 5:00 PM