Hope or Hype?

Barack Obama is being billed as a different kind of politician who will rise above partisan politics.

What would you expect of such a politician? His background should show that he is willing to work with the other side. He should vote his own mind, regardless of party position. He should be willing to take stands that will anger the party. He might even gain the reputation of being a maverick.

This sounds a lot more like McCain than Obama. While McCain has an 80+% record of voting for conservative causes, his differences have been notable. Conservatives hate McCain-Feingold. His immigration bill included amnesty which most conservatives loath, and he was one of the bi-partisan group that vowed to keep the Republicans from invoking the "nuclear option" in amending Senate rules.

By contrast, Obama has a 97% rating for voting with the Democrats. On specific issues, he only departed from the Democratic majority to vote against President Bush such as the ratification for Justice Roberts. In the Illinois Senate he dodged unpopular positions by voting present instead of yes or no.

Now, it is possible for a president to pass his agenda without compromise. Reagan did this. Democrats hated his proposals for tax cuts and government cuts. Democratic leaders offered alternative bills but Reagan pushed his preferred versions through anyway, despite the House being controlled by Democrats.

But Reagan didn't rise above partisan politics. Democrats hated him with a passion unmatched until the current George Bush. Many pundits trace the current polarized parties to Reagan's influence.

Obama has been compared to Reagan (and not just as an insult). He suggested it himself only to be slapped down for it by Hillary.

Here is someone at Huffington who sees Obama as the next Reagan. I think that he is off-target. Reagan's appeal was not just that he was so telegenic. He came with a whole new philosophy. He preached cutting taxes and limiting government. Obama has not expressed any new direction in government. His policies are similar to Hillary's and come down to something for everyone with lots of new taxes to pay for it all.

Obama's candidacy owes more to Oprah than Reagan. With her help, he has turned his name into a brand (including the "O"). Where Oprah gives everyone a car, Obama gives everyone $4,000/year for college.