Get used to Obama’s swagger

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-get-used-to-obamas-swagger/2015/01/23/8efc3606-a304-11e4-b146-577832eafcb4_story.html

Get used to Obama’s swagger


President Barack Obama speaks to a capacity crowd at Boise State University during a visit to Boise, Idaho, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Idaho Statesman, Kyle Green) (Kyle Green/AP)
Dana Milbank



Here’s some practical advice to those who didn’t like President Obama’s swagger during his State of the Union address: Get used to it.

Economic indicators suggest he’s going to have even more to crow about in the months to come.

Obama taunted his Republican opponents on Tuesday night, reminding them in an off-the-cuff remark that he won both of his presidential runs and boasting about the suddenly booming economy: “At every step, we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitious; that we would crush jobs and explode deficits. Instead, we’ve seen the fastest economic growth in over a decade, our deficits cut by two-thirds, a stock market that has doubled, and health-care inflation at its lowest rate in 50 years. This is good news, people.”

His cocky, colloquial cadence was a bit much, but it’s hard to deny Obama a victory lap now that Americans are optimistic about the economy after six years of misery. This isn’t necessarily the result of his policies — but neither were the six years in the doldrums his fault. This president, like all presidents, gets the blame when the economy is weak and the credit when it is strong.

In that sense, people may not appreciate the extent to which Obama is likely to be ascendant in his final two years in office. It happened rather suddenly in the past couple of months, but the lame-duck path Obama was on now looks more like Ronald Reagan’s in 1987 and 1988. If the economy continues on its current trajectory, as most expect, he’ll leave office a popular president and leave the 2016 Democratic nominee with a relatively easy path to victory.

This is less a matter of conjecture than of statistics. A president’s approval rating closely tracks consumer confidence, and consumer confidence has begun to explode. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, mired in the 60s, 70s and 80s during Obama’s presidency, soared to 93.6 in December from 88.8 in November. It leaped again to 98.2 in January, its highest level in a decade.

snip//

Barring shocks and catastrophe, though, the rising confidence in the economy also bodes well for a win in 2016 by Hillary Clinton or another Democratic nominee. As a general rule, the party of the incumbent president will win an election if the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index is above 100. The index was at 92.6 in December, up from 44.9 in 2008 and 71.5 in 2012.

Barring the unforeseen, the index will soon rise above 100 and remain there for the rest of Obama’s term. His opponents may not think it fair, but the return of the American consumer’s long-suppressed optimism will keep a swagger in the presidential step.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I think this swagger is long overdue, and a very welcome sight!

Let's have more of that, OK?

I really want to see us Democrats keep the White House in 2016.

[Fred Sanders]

2. But he must be perfect and have no paradoxes to mention, or we go with the Birchers?

Not a solid argument- too often presented without attribution.

[NBachers]

3. Well, looks like repukes will need to roll up their sleeves and redouble their efforts to destroy

and betray the USA.

Maybe Putin can come and address both houses of Congress.

[3catwoman3]

4. Swagger away, Mr. President.

It looks good on him.

[rock]

5. To quote Bill Murray from SNL

"Well done, Lefty!"

[bluestateguy]

6. The overpaid, overrated Dana Milbank

I'm sure someday he'll say something original or profound.

But not yet.

[Android3.14]

7. I'd rather become accustomed to his progressive politics and accomplishments

Oh wait.

[Scurrilous]

8. K & R

[mountain grammy]

9. Bring on the swagger! I'll swagger right along with him!

Fuck the Republicans!

[Iliyah]

13. +1

[Cha]

10. No, it's not "long over due".. it is what it is. President Obama is who he is.. he doesn't jump or

dance to anyone's else's tune. His own drummer as it were.

Thanks babylonsistah.

[Atman]

11. Bring it ON, Mr. O. Nothin' left to lose

He never should have given a flying fuck about what they GOP had to say in the first place.

[George II]

12. Americans on BOTH sides of the "aisle" have just got to remember.....

....he was ELECTED President twice, by overwhelming majorities. He got more than 69 MILLION votes in 2008 and almost 67 million in 2012. Both were more votes than any other candidate received in history.

So like you say, get used to it - he is PRESIDENT and I hope he swaggers the crap out of his detractors.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Presidential Swagger

[sheshe2]

19. Damn that was fine! Thankks BRDS~

Here is another~

Barack Obama Swagger - 3ChicsPolitico

[rurallib]

15. Take that victory lap and help our next nominee off to a running start

Obama has endured what no other president ever has. He deserves not just to swagger, but to gloat.

[napkinz]

16. :)

[napkinz]

17. ...

[Skittles]

18. would have been nice from Day One

[sheshe2]

20. KnR!

Love his swagger always had it and always will!

Thanks bsis~

[Cha]

21. Yeah, the rw hate the President Swagger.. they don't like his Veto pen, either.

[Jester Messiah]

22. A bit overdue, IMHO.

Where has this guy been the last six years?