by Harold Ford, Jr.
The White House should not lose focus. Last week's distractions involving contraception and religious liberty took the White House off message from addressing jobs and economic growth. The focus must be regained if the White House is to retain the recent momentum in the head-to-head poll matchups with the Republican front-runners. I recommend two things to hold the momentum.
First, embrace Simpson-Bowles or something really like it. The President's obvious vulnerability heading into the fall is two-fold – not enough jobs and too much spending. With the pressures in Europe as a backdrop and inspiration, forcing a national conversation – and hopefully a resolution – on cutting long-term spending and reforming the tax code on the President's terms will help the country understand the terms and stakes better. Furthermore, it will bolster the President's re-election fortunes and Congressional and Senate Democratic chances of winning seats. But, the debt reduction plan has to lead with enforceable long-term spending cuts to be credible before insisting on revenue increases. Then take this case directly to the American people and ask the country to urge a Congressional up or down vote on the President's plans. If the Republicans rebuff, the President has a campaign issue, and he denies the Republicans a significant attack against him in the fall. If Congress allows a vote, it will likely pass and the country – and the President – will win. In the end, it will be politically dangerous and hard for Republicans to deny the President an up or down vote on Simpson-Bowles before the election if the President pushes it aggressively. He should.
Second, the President should give a big and important speech on the Obama health care law soon. Lay out what is working, clarify the elements that are causing anxiety within the business community and outline specifically the parts of the bill that need to be changed. And then, change those parts. All of this should be done before the Supreme Court oral arguments occur in the spring.
Americans love a comeback story. We especially like when we are a part of, experience and benefit from the comeback. The President has 8 months or so to lead us up the comeback path.
Harold Ford, Jr. is a former Democratic congressman from Tennessee and a frequent contributor to the Meet The Press roundtable.
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Well said. Harold Ford, Jr. is clear headed and wise. I always appreciate his commentary and wish we saw more of him.
The two suggestions are a good test of whether the President is willing and able to say, "Yes I did!"
It will stir up new ideas.
I would value his opinion more, if he wasn't a democratic nit-wit. For him to continue to support this President, just because they are in the same party, shows that he is placing loyalty about the interest and needs of our country. I would love to hear a democrat who is still in office to actually admit that Obama is just not working out and admit that he is not a good President and should not be re-elected instead of the BS.
I respect Harold Ford's opinions and in general I am a backer of President Obama - although as to " Last week's distractions involving contraception and religious liberty took the White House off message" ---- It was the President that took the White House off message by intentionally making such a blatant attack against religious liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. His meager attempt to smooth this over by making minor changes to the administrative rule. I wouldn't expect him to be able to get back on message any time soon. Big blunder.
Look Jenn Cox...........you have severe problems............we have no problem with our president Obama...............we adore him and what he stands for..............he is for the American People, the middle class , the poor, and even the rich as long as there is equality, and fairness. He is very smart, and we are very proud of him................He is who we want to continue to run our Country. He will keep this country safe as he has accomplished many times already. And this countries economy is improving, no thanks to the tea party republicans who do nothing.
Would we feel safe with any tea party republican???>.........Absolutely NOT.
They can't find their own way off the TEA PARTY coo-coo train express....they are huge liars, and get confused when they lie about their lies. This is not any party I would want leading America.
I voted for Obama to prove I wasn't racist! This time I am voting for the Republican to prove I am not retarded!
Is it really necessary to use the hurtful "R" word?
Harold Ford Jr. is a great and respected man. He also has the same exact same NAME AS MY FATHER, who passed away at 86 years young in 2008.
And just for the last word..................President Obama will will be just fine. Not to worry and I would trust him with my life.
Harold...you truly feel the American people are going to believe he led us to recovery in 8 short months...HA HA HA!! LOL..you are joking right.
No, of course not. I do not believe the President has let us to a recovery in 8 months. On the contrary, I think its taken 3 years to get where we are and will take a further 4 years to fully recover from the greatst economic diaster to hit this country since 1929. I'd love to say "ha ha ha" but of course the subject is too serious to do a little face rubbing. Instead, Bobby, I think you explained the GOP position rather well. You have no answers. You hostage take on every issue. You are quickly losing issues to comment on including the rising price of gas. I do not blame the President for the rising cost of gas. I blame you. I believe we have to suffer the short term to replace reliance on oil. You, on the other hand, want absolutely no change in the status quo across the board. I look forward to 2012. Do you? If so, why? I have no faith in Mitt Romney,, Rick Santorum or Mr. Ryan or Mr. Gingrich.