From Richard Fernandez at the Belmont Club:
In Obama’s world Romney owes him respect. But that begs the question; it is an argument of the form it “is true because a is true”. Why should anyone owe him respect? That is precisely what is not established. That is what the election is about. Niall Ferguson’s widely quoted article on Obama’s flagging campaign summarizes the problem in one sentence. The current election, Ferguson says, is not about 2008. It is about whether the winner of 2008 has done anything in the interim. “And the sad truth”, Ferguson concludes, “is that he has not.” Then he twists in the knife.
In his inaugural address, Obama promised “not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.” He promised to “build the roads and bridges, the electric grids, and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.” He promised to “restore science to its rightful place and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost.” And he promised to “transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.” Unfortunately the president’s scorecard on every single one of those bold pledges is pitiful.
Many voters may disagree with Ferguson’s answer; but there can be little doubt he is asking the right question. It takes various forms, but it is always the same one. Where’s the beef? Show me the money? Where are the jobs?
Comments