MyDD :: Krugman Turns Lemonade into Lemons

Krugman Turns Lemonade into Lemons

by the mollusk, Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 11:06:18 AM EST

This week, Krugman's Monday Obama piece takes on a slightly different tone than his previous efforts. For months now, Krugman has devoted his Monday column to dissecting various policies espoused by Obama to assure us that Hillary Clinton was actually the better candidate. He garners great respect in Progressive circles and so his columns provided a rich, if not unbiased, perspective on the differences between the Democratic candidates.

Apparently seeing the writing on the wall, Krugman forgoes a discussion of policy this week and instead warns that if Obama does not win the election and become the next FDR, "the recriminations could tear the party apart."

Krugman, it seems has concluded that if his candidate (Clinton) does not get the nomination, there is a real danger that the whole party could collapse. Now if that is not an endorsement, I'm not sure what is. Unfortunately, it has the ring of "sour grapes" and perhaps a certain stage of grief. Nevertheless, it does suggest that Obama has won the nomination.

I have a great deal of respect for Krugman. He was often a lone voice of dissent in the early 21st Century. I very much looked forward to his weekly pillorying of the Bush Administration that you just couldn't find anywhere else. But in this nomination, he very early decided on Clinton and hasn't been able to say anything good about Obama since.

We all make choices, Krugman has made his and I don't blame him for that. Krugman has a large microphone and he uses it. Frankly, that's what made him a favorite of Progressives in the first place. But he has apparently given up inspecting Obama's policies and has decided to go with the written version of a 3am phone-call commercial.

The momentum behind Obama has been building and has become, I beleive, palpable. But this is the clearest sign to me that the nomination is over. Krugman's article is 50% "Obama can't deliver", 25% "we need another FDR", and 25% "I told you so". It is that final 25% that says it all.

Tags: Krugman, 2008, Obama (all tags)

Permalink :: 13 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Krugman Turns Lemonade into Lemons (none / 0)

Have you heard of Maureen Dowd? How about Frank Rich?

cry me a river of crocodile tears.

On the train thanks to HRC...

by BRockNYC on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 11:42:21 AM EST

Re: Krugman Turns Lemonade into Lemons (none / 0)

I make it a habit to ignore Maureen Dowd's columns. I like Frank Rich and I agree he has taken a sometimes unhelpful (but always entertaining) tone about this campaign.

I sometimes wonder if Krugman's Monday Obama columns are actually behind-the-scenes retorts to Rich's Sunday Clinton columns. Happy Hour must be no fun anymore at the Grey Lady.

by the mollusk on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 11:47:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Krugman Turns Lemonade into Lemons (none / 0)

I'll agree that Krugman's column today veered away decidedly from policy analysis to partisan advocacy (which isn't inherently bad or unique - witness Frank Rich) but which is something I'd always thought was slightly beneath Krugman given his elite academic background.

Still, it's sorta Obama's fault for having his campaign launch an attack on Krugman a few months ago. Never pick a fight with a man who buys ink (or electrons) by the barrel.

by blueflorida on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 12:03:27 PM EST

How come you folks never address the things said? (2.00 / 2)

What did he say?

He said that everyone expected that the Dems would make this election a referendum on GOP politics. A repudiation.

He said that Obama is a centrist among Democrats, not at all a progressive. And that Hillary Clinton is also more of a centrist Democrat.

He said that Obama has adopted many GOP talking points. He mentioned healthcare but I also think he should have mentioned Social Security.

He mentioned that this has distressed many mainstream Democrats, because they sound more like Republican positions. This is true.

He says that polls are deceiving, just as primaries can be - if they allow crossover voting.

He said that he thinks the GOP will tear Obama up if he becomes the nominee, that he wont be ready for it, that he does not have the stamina to handle it. That they have been building him up to knock him down, to aoid running against Hillary, who really does scare them.

He says that he doesn't have the track record to give one faith that he can WIN in November, that he was groomed for success in Chicao, AN OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRATIC CITY WHERE DEMS ALWAYS WIN.

He says that other people's accomplishments were taken credit for by Obama. That he has been deceptive.

He said the campaign should be run on ISSUES, not personality.

Universal healthcare IS a core Democratic value
Comprehensively cover 100%, not only the healthiest 80%

by architek on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 12:16:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How come you folks never address the things sa (none / 0)

To me, those sound like a decent summary of the various problems folks have raised with Obama on this site for months now. None of that seemed particularly novel to me. What seemed different was Krugman's "I told you so" tone which signaled to me that he believes this is a done deal.

Very briefly, I also think he misreads the point of Obama's campaign (he's certainly not alone). The bipartisanship Obama speaks about is not to say that Mitch McConnell will be asked to draft Obama's Healthcare plan. He's talking about reaching out to voters. The people who don't necessarily understand government policies and the ideologies behind them. The people that DO vote on personality. The people who DO feel left out of the process and perhaps sneered at by Democrats in the past. The strategy is to give those folks a good excuse to vote Democratic this year.

Also, I am one person. I'm not sure who the "those folks" are that you are referring to.

by the mollusk on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 12:30:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

People who avoid the issues.. (2.00 / 1)

Hillary may get wordy at times but she knows her stuff.

So does Krugman. When he brings important issues up, he deserves to have them addressed, and not simply shrugged off.

Universal healthcare IS a core Democratic value
Comprehensively cover 100%, not only the healthiest 80%

by architek on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 01:48:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: People who avoid the issues.. (none / 0)

Well, here's one:

"Everyone expected the 2008 election to be a repudiation of Republican policies."

It may be an electoral policy, but the Bush electoral strategy has been to divide people, fire up the base, and listen to no moderating voices. The Obama campaign is the polar opposite of that. It might dismay some activists who were hoping for more red meat, but personally I think it's a more effective strategy and one that will ultimately allow Progressive ideas to proliferate.

Look at it this way. Who's the greater electoral threat to the Democrats? A) Mike Huckabee - a socially conservative purist. Or B) John McCain, who seems to assuage the fears of some centrists and can hold negative opinions of certain parts of his party?

I think the answer is obvious. Why is it not the same for the Democrats?

by the mollusk on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 02:10:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I think he makes a number of good points (none / 0)

Its good to see so many people involved in the political process. I hope that nomatter how the election, or the various candidates, if elected, turn out, they will STAY INVOLVED.

Please, stay involved.

Express your opinions and IDEAS.

Keep talking.

Universal healthcare IS a core Democratic value
Comprehensively cover 100%, not only the healthiest 80%

by architek on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 12:04:09 PM EST

Re: I think he makes a number of good points (none / 0)

This is, to me, the primary reason to support Obama. He motivates so many people to become at least politically aware, and maybe politically active. An activist population, in my opinion, leads to more Progressive government. After all, activism itself is an acknowledgement that government is important and can be effective.

by the mollusk on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 12:14:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I was talking about Krugman (none / 0)

making good points in his column today

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/opinio n/03krugman.html

Universal healthcare IS a core Democratic value
Comprehensively cover 100%, not only the healthiest 80%

by architek on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 12:18:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I was talking about Krugman (none / 0)

Yeah, I honestly couldn't tell if you were referring to Krugman or not. But I still think my statement stands that Obama excites people and that engagement sets the stage for good governance.

by the mollusk on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 12:24:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Good.. (2.00 / 1)

I think hes whip smart and very much the diplomat between opposing forces.

But I don't think this is so much a time for diplomacy as a CLEAN SWEEP.

There are a lot of evil things under the rocks in Washington... we need some sun to shine in there.

I don't think Obama would even know where to look.

Universal healthcare IS a core Democratic value
Comprehensively cover 100%, not only the healthiest 80%

by architek on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 01:54:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Krugman Turns Lemonade into Lemons (2.00 / 2)

Apparently seeing the writing on the wall, Krugman forgoes a discussion of policy this week and instead warns that if Obama does not win the election and become the next FDR, "the recriminations could tear the party apart."

Yeah, because his overzealous, fanatical supporters will riot if they don't get their way.

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.

by sricki on Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 01:02:14 PM EST

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