Krugman only writes 180 degrees opposite of the truth. If Krugman is ever correct about something, rest assured it was because he made an error.
Moreover, Krugman sees himself as sending signals to the White House. THE NYTimes believes that 0bama reads what they write. So from this perspective we can state that the NYTimes wants 0bama to “Fight.” That’s the left-wing mantra: fight. Anytime the Left sees itself as losing, they want to “fight.”
The reality, however, is that the NYTimes and the modern Left in general “rode the lightning” with 0bama in 2008. 0bama was an unknown (and the news media certainly wasn’t going to dig into his past).
Well, it turns out that 0bama feels differently on lots of issues than what his handlers had him saying during his Campaign. 0bama criticized Bush’s tax cuts, for example, then extended them once in Office.
0bama criticized Gitmo, then kept it open once in Office.
0bama criticized renditions, then kept doing them once in Office.
0bama criticized unilateral wars instead of “diplomacy first,” then bombed Libya instead of talking to Ghadafy.
0bama criticized the Patriot Act, then renewed it as President.
So Krugman and the Left are reaping a bit of what they sowed when they refused to look into 0bama’s background. They elected someone who was and is unknown...and he’s turning out to be a little different from their myth and hopes.
I kind of see things similarly.
Krugmann wanted Obama to be another Roosevelt, to put the employers in chains and at the same time blame them for the unemployment (as they do on MSNBC evening/progressives shows) and have government come to the rescue and be remembered the hero. My grandmother died (over 100) a Republican who still remembered Roosevelt a hero of the Great Depression.
But Krugman failed to understand that Roosevelt had the sole Microphone, AM radio's and hollywood. Obama’s has to contend with FNC, talk radio and internet (including FR). He could never get away with the scam Roosevelt did for over maybe 40-45 % of the country. That is why Democrats want to get poor uneducated illegals to vote, they will buy it.
Krugmann’s other mistake is much like many on talk radio last year. Obama is ultimately pragmatic and wants to be re-elected (much like Clinton did in 1995 and 1996.) So Obama is not going to make a grand 'marxist' stand that makes sure he is a one termer, if he did it would be too easy for us.
Thanks for the thoughtful discussion.