This "rebellion" stuff might help us let off some steam, but it's totally unproductive, and quite possibly counterproductive.
How has this become all about Obama? It's worth remembering that Obama asked Congressional Dems to pass middle class tax cuts before the election, but they balked because of nervousness about it within their own caucus. Those are the people, first and foremost, we should be pissed at. They are the ones who allowed Republicans to gain the upper hand in negotiations and force a crappy deal in order to salvage any hope for economic recovery.
This is about a lot more than whether Obama is "tough enough." This is more than political theatre. This is about doing as much as possible to help the economy. If all our other priorities are get anywhere, that must be the first and last priority between now and 2012.
While it may be true that Obama could have held out for a better deal, I do think he understands this, and that this is his prime motivation. We're all focused on the political debate, but while that's interesting and important in its way, what actually matters are the real world consequences. That's the essence of pragmatism, and that's what we voted for in 2008.
Look, the idea of giving tax breaks to millionaires when most American's are struggling to make end's meet is revolting. I totally get that and I don't like the way this went down any more than you all.
But let's be clear, there is but one standard by which Obama will be measured come 2012: the economy. If the economy doesn't recover, he's toast. So for Republicans it was a win-win situation. Either they get their tax cuts for their wealthy donors, or they kick the feet out from the economy before it can even begin to recover. Not only would taxes go up on struggling families, we would have seen no unemployment insurance extension or stimulus of any kind.
What we got wasn't great, but it was a lot better than nothing. As Ezra Klein noted:
What I think we can say is that it looks good to an administration with an eye on 2012. This deal gets as much money into the economy between now and then as seems politically possible -- in fact, maybe a bit more than seemed politically possible a few days ago.
Specifically
The tax cuts are only extended for two years, and they're paired with 13 months of unemployment insurance, an extension of a variety of tax credits passed in the stimulus, and a new payroll tax cut -- all of them deficit-financed.
In other words, stimulus. Stimulus to the economy is what we need more than anything else. It is the only thing that will help the economy, and the economy is the only thing that matters politically. Republicans were happy to deny such stimulus in order to prevent an economic recovery and doom Obama's reelection prospects. But the one thing they wanted even more than that was tax cuts for their wealthy patrons. So that was the price for more stimulus. Yes it's obscene, but we don't get anything in return for holding our breath and stomping our feet.
Is this compromise what the economy needs? No, not even close. Ezra again:
This isn't enough, and it's not well targeted. The deal amounts to the White House throwing some bad money after good. But the end result is between $200 and $300 billion more in tax breaks, tax credits and unemployment insurance than there would've been if not for this deal (I say $200-$300 billion because of the uncertainty over what would've been extended in the absence of this package). That's better than nothing -- or to be more specific, better than backsliding.
Most of the money just keeps programs that are currently in effect from expiring, so in some ways, it would be more accurate to say that this money is anti-contractionary rather than stimulative.
So it's nothing to gloat about. But it most definitely is better than nothing. At least it doesn't doom the economy, allowing for at least a chance things will improve. If things do get better Obama will be reelected. And that will have ramifications for the balance on the Supreme Court, to name just one thing. It will also mean Health Care reform will actually go into effect (and once it does, it will be here to stay). There are so many more reasons it's crucial Obama is reelected.
I understand why you're pissed. But I honestly believe our efforts would be much better spent electing "more and better Democrats," rather than blasting Obama. Yes, this is a Sisyphean task, but the consequences are brutally real for ordinary Americans. We have to keep them first and foremost in our minds and not allow our emotions to get the better of us.