http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/28/AR2010012803300.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
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From the text of the speech itself, it was difficult to discern an ideology -- not because of its moderation but because of its contradictions. The president took credit for the stimulus package, demanded another one -- and called for budget restraint. After a year of delaying other legislative priorities in his single-minded pursuit of health reform, Obama challenged Congress on fiscal reform and other matters: "How long should we wait?" Obama attributed the hated bank bailout to his predecessor -- then insisted it had saved the economy, which he chalked up to his own everlasting credit. There were policy proposals along the whole ideological rainbow: tax increases and tax cuts, new spending and a budget freeze, cap-and-trade and oil exploration.
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There was only one theme that united all these various arguments and attitudes -- the president's unshakable self-regard. He admits miscalculations, but he is never wrong. He changes his strategy, but not his mind. On health reform: "I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people." If only Obama had made a few more speeches, Americans would have been delivered from their misconceptions. Even Obama's apologies are unapologetic. He is like the job candidate discussing his flaws during an interview: "I have to admit, I work too hard. I'm too detail-oriented."
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