I hope he's not in it for Republican forbearance. That would be stupider than I generally suspect him of being.
Perhaps he wants to give the impression of shafting his base . . . wants the media to write stories about how he's running to the center?
I dunno, it's all pretty dispiriting.
As a longtime campaign worker, I'm about as pragmatic as it gets among liberals - and Obama's position on this issue has completely alienated me. If he votes for this bill, he has permanently forfeited any support I might give him. It's not only irresponsible, it's stupid - I just can't grasp how he actually gains anything from this.
southpaw: that's "base vs. center" thing is probably at the core of it. It's possible, though, that Obama might have made the same mistake Reid did in assuming that this wouldn't cause a stink. He might well back away from it.
But then again, he might not. I think nobody has sat him down and explained to him that he can't take his followers and supporters for granted. You see those big crowds day after day, and you start thinking that nothing you say or do could affect their love for you. You think you can get away with alienating them in order to appeal to other people.
And then you get a rather rude awakening.
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