Obama and Bush: Peering Into The Reflecting Glass

It’s been quite a while since I shared. My obligations to work and school took up most of my time and my brain. That’s all changed but I’ll get into that in another post.

I continue to feel that when the Democrats and Republicans in Washington look at each other these days, they should see a reflection of themselves in the previous administration. In many ways, it’s as if they ignored recent history and are therefore doomed to repeat it. There are probably numerous examples but here are some of the most obvious ones.

GW Bush took office shortly before the tragedy of September 11th, an emotional and financial disaster that will take decades to recover from.

Obama took office and shortly afterward expanded upon Bush’s bailouts of the mortgage, banking and auto sectors, an emotional and financial disaster that will take decades to recover from.

The questions surrounding the 2000 Florida vote recount was an ongoing controversy during the Bush Administration. To this day, there are some that say he should not have been elected while others say he simply played by the rules.

The questions surrounding the legitimacy of a Hawaii birth certificate is an ongoing controversy in the Obama Administration. To this day, there are some that say he should not have been elected while others say he (or rather, his family) simply played by the rules.

Bush’s signature goal was to privatize a portion of Social Security, an effort that was met with stiff opposition from Democrats, other progressives, many independents and even a few Republicans.

Obama’s signature goal is to socialize a portion of health care, an effort that, while passed, was met with stiff opposition from Republicans, other conservatives, many independents and even a few Democrats.

Those who opposed Bush’s war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan were painted as “unpatriotic” by his most strident supporters.

Those who opposed Obama’s universal health care plan were painted as “uncaring” by his most strident supporters.

Bush attempted to fill a Supreme Court vacancy by nominating Harriet Miers, a woman who had no judiciary experience.

Obama is attempting to fill a Supreme Court vacancy by nominating Elena Kagan, a woman who has no judiciary experience.

In response to an expletive that Bush declared about a reporter, Vice-President Dick Cheney agreed “big time”.

In response to the signing of the healthcare bill, Vice-President Joe Biden blurted out that it was a “big f****n’ deal”.

The reality of a Republican-controlled Administration and Congress (not to mention Court) spurred the mobilization of such political organizations as Move On as well as news sources such as the Huffington Post.

The reality of a Democratic-controlled Administration and Congress (and aging Court Justices) spurred the mobilization of such political organizations as the Tea Party movement and Freedom Works and news sources such as World Net Daily.

Despite losing the Presidential nomination, the loyal support that Howard Dean received was recognized as he was rewarded by being named the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Despite losing the Vice-Presidential election, the loyal support that Sarah Palin received was recognized as she has been rewarded by becoming the de facto “face” of the Tea Party movement.

Of course, we’ve previously covered the audacious declarations of both Kanye West and Glenn Beck, respectively.

And finally:

Bush was criticized, particularly by Democrats, for his slow response to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in the Gulf Coast. His response was that he trusted the states to do the right thing.

Obama was criticized, particularly by Republicans, for his slow response to the oil rig devastation in the Gulf Coast. His response was that he was trusting British Petroleum to do the right thing.

Now if we can just keep any potentially dangerous objects out of Joe Biden’s hands, it might tip the scales in Obama’s favor!

I Feel Your Pain

To those who are dismayed about the advent of a Democratic President presiding over a Democratic Senate and House, I have to say, in the words of Bill Clinton, I feel your pain.

In fact, I felt it for six years when President Bush held sway over not only a Republican legislative branch but also established a conservative majority in the Supreme Court.

It would be "easy" for me to say that conservatives had their moment in the sun and blew it... but instead, I'm actually nervous.

I'm nervous that the Democrats will see the history of 2001-2007 and doom themselves to repeat it.

As much I as I'd like to see a progressive agenda in the White House, I'm afraid that Barack Obama will overreach and demand that Congress move in lock step with him... just like George W. Bush.

I'm concerned that Joe Biden, using Dick Cheney as a template, will stretch the legal authority of the office of Vice-President even further. As fond as Joe is of Amtrak and other transit, will he have a "Secret Transportation Policy" conference a la Cheney's Energy meetings?

Will Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid invoke the uncompromising spirits of Dennis Hastert and Trent Lott, respectively?

Will the Democratic Senate and House demand "up and down" votes against which it will be the GOP members who will find themselves using a filibuster?

Only time will tell. I truly hope that Obama is successful in accomplishing the commonly agreed upon issues on his agenda so that 2010 doesn't bring a return of the a GOP Congressional majority... and the gridlock of the past two years.