Krugman: Obama's 527 attacks resemble his previous use of GOP talking points on Social Security

[Karmadillo]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/24/opinion/24krugman.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

<edit>

O.K., that’s politics. But now Mr. Obama has lashed out at Mr. Edwards because two 527s — independent groups that are allowed to support candidates, but are legally forbidden from coordinating directly with their campaigns — are running ads on his rival’s behalf. They are, Mr. Obama says, representative of the kind of “special interests” that “have too much influence in Washington.”

The thing, though, is that both of these 527s represent union groups — in the case of the larger group, local branches of the S.E.I.U. who consider Mr. Edwards the strongest candidate on health reform. So Mr. Obama’s attack raises a couple of questions.

First, does it make sense, in the current political and economic environment, for Democrats to lump unions in with corporate groups as examples of the special interests we need to stand up to?

Second, is Mr. Obama saying that if nominated, he’d be willing to run without support from labor 527s, which might be crucial to the Democrats? If not, how does he avoid having his own current words used against him by the Republican nominee?

Part of what happened here, I think, is that Mr. Obama, looking for a stick with which to beat an opponent who has lately acquired some momentum, either carelessly or cynically failed to think about how his rhetoric would affect the eventual ability of the Democratic nominee, whoever he or she is, to campaign effectively. In this sense, his latest gambit resembles his previous echoing of G.O.P. talking points on Social Security.

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[TwilightGardener]

1. More Krugman Obama-bashing. Yawn.

[ccpup]

3. so Obama won't use the Labor Groups

and all the support they can offer during the General Election? Not very bright of him, in my opinion. But, then again, it IS Obama we're talking about, so ...

[ThatPoetGuy]

4. Pleasant dreams, sleepyhead.

You're yawning, so I assume you're about to go to sleep. I hope you have pleasant, warm dreams on this December day: just go on dreaming that the sugarplum fairies are dancing, and go on dreaming that a chariot pulled by mice is about to take you to the fairytale palace, and go on dreaming that Krugman is the bad guy here.

[acmavm]

2. Okay all you Barrie supporters, here's where you hop on and tell us that

Krugman is nothing more than a republican shill.

[BeyondGeography]

5. And, in other news, the sun will set tonight and rise tomorrow morning

[cali]

6. oops, Krugman forgot to mention the close ties

between Edwards and the group running the ad. Love Paul Krugman, and don't begrudge him his preferences, but that's a significant point. And it's the point Obama's making.

[asdjrocky]

10. So he should suggest that somehow Edwards is breaking election laws? n/t

Thought you were smarter than that.

[cali]

11. no. there's no indication of that. He should mention that these ads

are fun by a group headed by someone who was high up in Edwards organization until a few months ago. But in the long run, it doesn't matter, as Iowans are well aware of that. And at this point, rocky, your judgment is so clouded by your partisanship, that your ethics are a bit wobbly- considering you just rec'd one of the worst pieces of slime that's been posted on DU.

[asdjrocky]

13. Flattered to know you're keeping such a close eye on me-

Thank you sweetie. And happy holidays to you.

[vssmith]

38. I'm like Rocky

My judgment is clouded by partisanship--perhaps yours is not, but I doubt it.

[JackORoses]

7. how can the NYT keep publishing this obvious shill?

Can he not tell a difference between thePrimaries and the GE?

Also, Obama never declared he wouldn't utilize 527s in the GE,
He only pointed out that Edwards had publically decried 527s while simultaneously being their beneficiary.
And that Edwards former campaign manager was running the 527.

This is slightly hypocritical to say the least.
Now Edwards is asking the 527 to stop after attention has been called to it.

[jkshaw]

9. I don't look upon Krugman ...

... as a Republican shill at all, but I do break with him on the Obama question. Krugman is always so down to earth in his columns, but he's dropping the very real personality factor for arcane economics and politics on this. Not one of the candidates can honestly talk about experience and a fool-proof platform, including health care. Any health care proposals, for instance, are going to be beaten into shape by congress. What will force something significant through in all parts of the democratic platform is a strong presence, a trustworthy presence, a forceful will to push new things through, whether they carry some whiff of Republican programs or not. And Obama has that presence.

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. He is right--moveon.org is a 527 and they represent the people

In Obama's attempt to win the presidency, he is selling out the people. The unions, the grassroots PEOPLE who want to make a change in this world.

[TeamJordan23]

14. Don't the Clintons hate MoveOn and the Grassroots? nm

[joeybee12]

15. Why would they? Move On started with the impeachment farce...

...so you have Bill and Hillary to thank for Move On. :evilgrin:

[BootinUp]

18. No, thats fantasy.

First off, Hillary and Bill are not one person, I think Hillary pays more attention to the grassroots than Bill. Neither of them hate those groups, pure fantasy.

[antiimperialist]

12. Krugman schooled Obama

Obama should have been more careful, because he sounded as if he had disdain for unions.

I highly recommend Krugman's piece.

[Tellurian]

16. K&R for Krugman...Thanks for posting!

[oasis]

31. kick and recommend.

again. :kick:

[Clanfear]

17. Krugman again???? Yawn...

His schtick is getting old.

[BootinUp]

19. His schtick is being right a lot of the time. nt

[Clanfear]

22. His shctick...

Is making simpleton arguments.

[BootinUp]

25. Like Hope?

Thats as simpleton as possible I think.

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

37. Me vote for hope! nt

[Jim Sagle]

20. HIs shtick is being a real Democrat instead of a stealth Republican like Obama.

[Clanfear]

21. Oh please.

That is a ridiculous comment.

Obama is simply pointing out the politics as usual going on with these ads, and Krugman is suggesting that Obama will need that very same politics as usual in the GE. He couldn't be more wrong. And it would go against the heart of Obama's campaign.

[Jim Sagle]

23. So union support is politics as usual? Hogwash!

[Clanfear]

24. No, I said the attacks against Obama

Were politics as usual. Surely you can see the difference.

[Jim Sagle]

26. No, the attacks BY Obama are politics as usual.

So is his stealth Republicanism. By the way, his Senate mentor is none other than Jagoff Joe Lieberman.

[Clanfear]

27. Getting desperate over there in Edwardsland I see?

I'm not going to stoop that level of ridiculosity. Have fun.

[Jim Sagle]

33. Edwards is surging in Iowa. He may well win.

The desperation is all yours - along with the triangulation. ESPECIALLY the triangulation.

[Lurking Dem]

28. Jim - let me guess....

you thought Dean was a liberal, huh?

[Jim Sagle]

34. He was liberal ENOUGH.

But basically he was a centrist - a REAL, POPULIST centrist. Not a damn thing wrong with that.

[Lucinda]

29. Thanks!

Bookmarking for when i come back later

[depakid]

30. Seems to me that Krugman smells a rat-

and, after these past several months, so do I.

Perhaps more accurately, what I see is akin to a personality cult. The man's magnetic and gives a rousing speech, and that seems to blind people from reading between the lines....

[balantz]

32. Just another example of why I fear Obama may not be sharp enough.

He fails in this instance to look ahead at the possible consequences of his words, and he hems and haws when asked questions about his voting record. I fear his firmness if he should be the one who is up against the Repugs.

[cyclezealot]

35. without 527's

I doubt I'd find a worthy place to send my money. The more I hear of O'Bama, the less I like him. Send donations to Move On , please. They will do something worthy with your cash.

[Kolesar]

39. The Democrats have a veteran to run against Senator McConnell in Kentucky...

...who could use some funding. You know, the holidays ARE the time for generous giving! :)

[cyclezealot]

40. seems I recall he is a worthy candidate.

what is his name again. McConnell might be running scared? But, generally speaking, often the Democrats; should you feel like fighting back, I donate to Move On.

[Kolesar]

42. Andrew Horne for US Senate

http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/258605.html

[cyclezealot]

44. what are the polls saying.

McConnell is not a shoe in?

[Kolesar]

45. Mitch McConnel is "Polling" at less than 50% in an electoral matchup

That's where former Ohio Senator DeWine was two years ago before Sherrod Brown "took him down" by a decisive 12 point margin in 2006.

Of course, Kentucky is not Ohio. The demographic is much more conservative. And coal is preeminent in that state and they are going to fund the republican. Then again, Horne does not *have to* win by 12 percent. He just has to have a message that works. Let's hope he is tough.

[Azathoth]

36. Obama must really have pissed in Krugman's cornflakes. Now he's *defending* 527s just to bash Obama

:eyes:

[JAbuchan08]

41. I support 527's which allow average people to pool their money and relay a message

of course, like any tactic it can be both used and abused. 527's also allow special interest groups to pour huge lump sums into independent campaigns a la the swift boaters. Republicans - being the hypocrites they are - act like it is the Democrats who abuse 527's to allow special interests to have a disproportionate effect on campaign messaging - when it is really they who do this.
It's quite sad to see Barack adopt Republican talking points on this issue.

[zulchzulu]

43. Krugman: For Forced Healthcare Insurance and against Campaign Finance Reform

Hey Krugman! Pick on Feingold while you're at it. He's against 527s. Then there's some guy named John Edwards, who is against 527s too:

“I do not support 527 groups. They are part of the law, but let me be clear: I am asking this group and others not to run the ads. I would encourage all the 527s to stay out of the political process.”

http://learfield.typepad.com/radioiowa/2007/12/obama-says-edwa.html

I fully expect Krugman to attack Edwards and Feingold for their opinion on 527s too. Right?

:sarcasm:

[cyclezealot]

46. is disrespect to O'Bama

our money goes to Dennis Kucinich or Move On.