There is a winning streak, apparently

[ksmith]

...not that you'll hear about it from the MSM.

Obama's Unbelievable Winning Streak.

To be sure, the summer of 2010 could go down as the moment Obama doubled down on his dubious Afghan war strategy, bringing in David Petraeus and thus tipping the bureaucratic balance against a significant troop withdrawal next year. And it could go down as the moment when the oil spill and the recession lost him his majority in Congress. But even if Obama never manages another legislative victory, he’ll already have pulled off one of the most impressive opening acts in American political history. The question is why we’re paying so little attention.

The answer is that the media views policy through the lens of politics. Unless a policy victory brings political benefits—rising poll numbers, better prospects for the next elections—it is not treated as a big win. Thus, the Tea Party movement is considered an ominous sign for Obama, evidence that the country is turning against him. But the reason that the Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin crowd is so angry is that Obama has expanded the federal government’s relationship with the private sector in fundamental ways. In political terms, the Tea Party movement may be a sign of Obama’s weakened position, but in policy terms, it is a testament to his success.

UPDATE: Aaaaaaand the first anonymous strafe comment has been deleted. I attach my name to my opinions--it's pretty obvious what my views are by the links I post. If you can't be bothered to sign your name to your opinions, go post somewhere else.

Comments

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Within an hour. Their comment consisted of "opposition to Bush meant Bush did stuff right?" Which is a black/white argument for something that is shades of grey. And I know Grey Is Bad. Grey is compromise and sell-out and so many other weasel things.

Booman's response to the above article says many things I agree with, and wraps up with:

But, the administration doesn't actually have a problem getting their message out through the media. The biggest problem for the administration is that once again the left is feeding on itself, unhappy with anything, and unwilling to give credit where it is due. The Republicans are causing immense frustration, and that frustration is getting aimed back at the administration because they're the ones in charge and their the ones who have to make compromises on their promises to get anything done. It'd be nice if the Tea Partiers went away, or the Republicans developed schisms, or if the media were less biased. But it would also be nice if the left could ever overcome their habit of devouring their own. In the short-term, none of these things are going to happen though.

So, get ready for a beatdown in November. Still...each individual has the choice to be positive or negative, constructive or cynical. It's all up to you.

Society as a whole is resistant to sea change. Status quo has a conservative bias. Certain segments of society feel the fear mount as their demographics dwindle, and are lashing out. The Republicans have the luxury now of not having to be constructive. They just need to keep throwing up roadblocks and discouraging Democrats. The fact that they weren't constructive when they were in office seems to have gotten lost in the mess. And if any progressive, or any conservative, for that matter, thinks that two years of Speaker Boehner or four years of President Thune-or-whoever will bring this country back, or show those blasted corporatist Dems, or drive home whichever point one wishes to impale someone with, well, good luck with that reasoning. I don't buy it.

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

Yes.

But then again, I still think Obama is doing a good job overall even if there are some things he is doing I don't agreee with or like. The "feeding on itself" comment? so so so true. Alas.