Obama Braces For Agenda Slowdown

Politico: After A Lightning-Quick Start, Administration Now Expects Slower Pace That's Typical Of Congress

(The Politico)  This story was written by Mike Allen.

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President Barack Obama, after a lightning-quick start for his agenda on Capitol Hill, is bracing for a much slower pace and big changes in his proposals as early urgency and excitement give way to the more languid rhythms that are the norm for Congress.

Officials are most pessimistic about his energy and global warming plan, with many aides doubting he will win passage of a cap-and-trade emissions reduction system, which is strongly opposed by business and Republicans.

The White House is most optimistic for passage this year of his plans to overhaul the nation’s financial regulations, and aides also see a strong chance that a gradual version of his health care overhaul will get through Congress this fall.

Congressional and administration aides agree that none of his three biggest agenda items is likely to achieve final passage before this fall.

The officials said none of this is catching them by surprise: Obama knew Congress has limited bandwidth, and he simply wanted to get the wheels of government turning on every big issue this year. A big part of their communication strategy will now focus on highlighting incremental progress on the Obama agenda, to show people Washington is working again.

The White House’s handicapping for three centerpiece proposals: Financial-services reform has “a very good chance.” Health care “has a lot of momentum behind it.” And energy “got off to a great start” with the introduction last week of a model bill by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.).

That’s a best-case scenario. Obama aides admit they don’t yet know the answer to one of the big questions of his first year: Can Capitol Hill swallow an agenda of this cost and heft, at a time when the country is suffering a catastrophic economic slowdown?

“There’s no question: It’s a lot,” said one administration official. “But he’s made the point that you’ve got to at least try to do this - and do as much as you can, now - because it’s all interrelated and all helps the economy.”

The new pace is a big change. Obama had signed twice as many bills as his two most recent predecessors by the time he addressed Congress for the first time, with progress being greased by his huge popularity, the large Democratic majorities and the impetus of a crushing recession.

“I felt like we were at the hoop every day,” said a top White House official.

Now Congress will begin tackling his legislation with the usual glacial work of subcommittees and committees, trying to solve three supremely complex policy puzzles all at once.

The administration’s new realism is reflected in aides’ assessment of the budgets passed by the House and Senate, which did not specifically embrace some Obama priorities but left room to maneuver.

“It makes it possible to do things,” a West Wing official said. “It doesn’t mean we’ll get it. But we’re in the game.”

Administration officials are very anxious to continue showing progress, since Obama was elected to bring change. So they now plan to focus on incremental victories, calling attention to committee action on health care and energy so that the public can see the wheels of government turning -real change at a time when so many Americans are disillusioned by gridlock.

The White House also will trumpet smaller bills like a reform of the government procurement process.

Obama is likely to hold major signing ceremonies for more modest measures such as ones governing national service and tobacco. They’re not the whole enchilada. But the White House views them as an encouraging appetizer.

And House Democrats plan to mix in several measures to protect consumers, including limitations on pay-day lenders and more protections for credit cardholders.

Congressional officials sy the legislative grind will help “buy time” for the economy to recover, before the public loses patience with Obama.

“You need credibility with the public that we get it, and we do: It’s going to take some time,” one official said. “Even though we think that the stuff we have passed and put in place is going to work, it’s not going to work right away, and the jobs are not going to come back right away. That’s just the reality.”

Obama officials realize that reform of the nation’s regulation of banks and other financial institutions - the measure most certain to pass - isn’t a particularly sexy accomplishment.

But Democrats will style it as “looking out for the consumer and helping the little guy,” one aide said. “We have to put some rules in the road on these financial companies and try to help the middle class and the consumers.”

On health care, Obama aides are cheered by the plan in the House to have three committees produce one bill, a more streamlined process than was used under President Bill Clinton in 1993, when the process famously flamed out.

So here’s the administration’s dream timetable: By the August recess, House and Senate committees will have sent health care bills to the floor and Waxman’s House committee will have reported out a comprehensive energy bill.

Officials are just aiming for “substantial progress” on financial regulations.

“I don’t know if that gets off the House and Senate floor by August,” an aide said. “But it’ll be done this year. I just don’t know that everything can be done in those 13 [legislative work] weeks.”

One of Obama’s top aides projected the coolness that his boss was famous for on the campaign trail.

“I try not to get optimistic or pessimistic,” the official said. “I just try to look at it as: Are we making progress? And I just continually see progress.”

After a couple of death-defying months, “no-drama Obama” tackles the Capitol Hill slog.

[nolies74621]

No big deal. Respect does not violate protocol.
Dwelling negatively on such a gesture is petty and unhelpful.
Posted by DoubleHappiness88 at 12:42 AM : Apr 8, 2009

You have'nt a clue. In the Saudi Arabia someone that is equal to you does not bow. How do I know? I worked there for six months He succeeded again in telling the world they can use america as a door mat. What a fraud!

[bumpedoff1]

Yeah great job has spent more then any president in history in 78 days put American
debt at close to 11 trillion dollars by 2010 debt will be 16 trillion yep obamanation's
did his job good bankrupting America. and what about the fannie mae and freddie mac
bonuses I don't see the obamabots out for blood on that.

[babooph]

Massive lawsuits against the lobbyists -with their bottomless greed,bribing lives & cowardly sneakyness-massive judgments would by a great pleasure to the US faux democracy they pervert.

[budmag06]

After a long trip of condemning the country that made him president, bowing to the Saudi King, and "kissing up" to the troops he criticized, it's a return to the business of destroying the U.S. Taxes of all forms of energy that will destroy "Big Oil" and "Big Coal" and, destroy what little money the middle class has left.

[DoubleHappiness88]

No big deal. Respect does not violate protocol.
Dwelling negatively on such a gesture is petty and unhelpful.

[nolies74621]

this is a sad day in american history i feel sorry for all american cuz thier president the leader of free world bows a dictator criminal barbarrien king whom his royal family was behind the 911 attack and lost of 3000 innocent human being lives im from iran i have no doubt obamas next move is to kiss our dictator criminal leader's ass khamenie a man who is responsible for ordering over 7000 execution of political prisoners in iran i lost my respact for usa
Posted by persiangirl at 10:05 PM : Apr 7, 2009

You are so right. Obama showed his weakness as he did the entire visit. I have never been more disgusted in my entire life. BHO thinks he is in a popularity contest at the exspence of MY country that I fought for.

[nolies74621]

Obama bows to Saudi king
Greeting called 'most unbecoming for president of the United States'

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Posted: April 02, 2009
4:12 pm Eastern


By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily


President Obama greeted the king of Saudi Arabia with a full bow from the waist yesterday, a move one commentator described as a violation of protocol and not worthy of the office he holds.

"I am quite certain that this is not the protocol, and is most unbecoming a president of the United States," writes Clarice Feldman in an American Thinker commentary.

The situation developed as leaders of the world attending the G20 summit in London assembled for a photograph to mark the event.

In this first image, after the king extended his hand while Obama approached, Obama bends from the waist until his head is nearly at the monarch's waist:



OK! I saw the video and was shocked. How could the so called POTUS bow to a Monarch. I guess he wants oil. Any defense for the exhaulted messiahs' actions on this total lack of guts? He may as well have said to the world that America will BOW TO ANYONE and pretty much supplicated the US to the entire world. WEAK,WEAK,WEAK. So much for the intelligence and dignity factor. Now I have seen it all. Why is'nt CBS covering this?

[persiangirl]

this is a sad day in american history i feel sorry for all american cuz thier president the leader of free world bows a dictator criminal barbarrien king whom his royal family was behind the 911 attack and lost of 3000 innocent human being lives im from iran i have no doubt obamas next move is to kiss our dictator criminal leader's ass khamenie a man who is responsible for ordering over 7000 execution of political prisoners in iran i lost my respact for usa

[tincup356]

funny how congress will get back to a normal pace.......that will be back to do nothing and go after anyone for lying to them time......as if telling the truth means something to them...as they are the biggest liars in America,,,,,,,I guess they need to entertain lobbyists for a while to line up the next recipients of the Great American Sellout.......What they are doing to this country is criminal....it is called TREASON.

[democracy1]

And even then, free speech only for Americans whose opinions concur with yours?
Posted by taebok at 5:23 PM : Apr 7, 2009

Seems like liberals are the ones who love to censor the comments of others.
Posted by weedapeapl at 6:32 PM : Apr 7, 2009


Maybe we just don't abuse the "Rules Of Engagement" that we all agreed to when we signed onto this site the way that you do.

I thought that Repubs were the Party of "Personal Responsibility"?

Then take responsibility for what you agree to do and live up to it instead of whining that you're "censored" off for failing to live up to the ROE!

CBS doesn't OWE you a place for your comments if you fail to live up to the ROE.

[strangeworld]

Obama needs to fulfill his promise of governmental transparency by pushing for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the Bush administration for both torture and also the government's evesdropping on it's citizens. This information needs to come out and be reported on. I consider myself a big supporter of Obama, but his apparent nose-thumbing at those who value the US Constitution is where we part ways. As the old saying goes; "What's right is right"...unfortunately, because of his playing politics with transparency issues, he's wrong.

[opedanderson]

Obama is really smart. Get stuff through now, while his popularity---and the media---are solidly behind him.

Now things are going to slow down and ironically, the Obamas are getting their dog. He will need all the friends he can find!

[weedapeapl]

And even then, free speech only for Americans whose opinions concur with yours?
Posted by taebok at 5:23 PM : Apr 7, 2009

Seems like liberals are the ones who love to censor the comments of others.

[weedapeapl]

why can't I see the first page of posts?

[janefondu]

Barry O' to come back to an arrogant nation. Oh woe is me!!!!!

[weedapeapl]

Republiscum stayed eerily quiet as SHRUB was pissingaway 2 times that much in Iraq....
Posted by siz-six-seiz at 6:15 PM : Apr 7, 2009

Funding for Iraq was approved with bipartisan support of Congress.

Funding for Obama's bailout had only partisan approval.

Bush did not double the national debt in his first 2 months.

[Solarrays247]

Maybe now that Obama's agenda is slowing down....He could try and find the trillionsof dollars that nobody knows where it's at. How can you misplace trillions of dollars? Ask Nancy or Harry or Barney or Barry I mean Obama......someone please find the American taxpayers money that we borrowed from China that our Great Great Granchildren are going to have to pay back...Where the heck is it???
Posted by lili50441 at 5:33 PM : Apr 7, 2009

Hmmmm, let's start looking into Halliburton? Iraq?

[democracy1]

Maybe now that Obama's agenda is slowing down....He could try and find the trillionsof dollars that nobody knows where it's at. How can you misplace trillions of dollars? Ask Nancy or Harry or Barney or Barry I mean Obama......someone please find the American taxpayers money that we borrowed from China that our Great Great Granchildren are going to have to pay back...Where the heck is it???
Posted by lili50441 at 5:33 PM : Apr 7, 2009

Maybe we could start with the $9 billion that's been missing in Iraq since 2005.

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/30/iraq.audit/

[democracy1]

I vote for not allowing non-Americans even to post letters on CBS forums. Most non-Americans are either stupid, illiterate, ignorant, morons, or too da*mn liberal to even be allowed to speak. Get these freaks the he*ll out of here, I say.
Posted by richardj3901 at 5:12 PM : Apr 7, 2009

Why how very un-American of you.

Seriously, I hope you're kidding.

If not, I think you are amazingly pathetic to not understand the total irony of your post--that is, that you are so gung-ho for your country while you trash the very ideals of free speech that we stand for.

It makes YOU sound completely like a "stupid, illiterate, ignorant, moron".

If you want to stand up for America, then stand up for what America stands FOR!


I truly wish that Civics classes were a required part of the school curriculum like they were in my parents' day.

[Solarrays247]

I vote for not allowing non-Americans even to post letters on CBS forums. Most non-Americans are either stupid, illiterate, ignorant, morons, or too da*mn liberal to even be allowed to speak. Get these freaks the he*ll out of here, I say.
Posted by richardj3901 at 5:12 PM : Apr 7, 2009

Yes, of course. Why should we Americans behave in any manner that would remove the stigma of the "Ugly American," eh?