I'm sick and tired of ordinary people being fleeced," President Biden says regarding his proposal to

[wnylib]

26. I think that Obama was trying to prevent

further escalation of polarization. This is a position that leaders often take in times of crucial divisions. It's what Lincoln tried to do prior to the Civil War and Lincoln was one of Obama's most admired leaders. Obama was more successful at it than Lincoln, since violent insurrection did not happen until 4 years after Obama was out of office.

There were times when I wished that Obama had spoken and acted more boldly. But I also realized that he was sitting on a powder keg, especially after ACA was passed. RWers were hoping and looking for something, anything, that they could use to start an open rebellion. The timing was not right for bolder actions, and not possible when Dems did not have enough control of Congress. Walking a fine line to maintain some stability was difficult but essential.

OTOH, Biden took office after the pandemic, horrors of trumpism, and a violent insurrection exposed just how awful the RW is. Plus, he has both houses by slim margins, so Biden has to act fast to get the most done that he can. A quick, bold turnaround from the RW disaster is the best hope right now for bringing the nation back together under rational leadership. Defeating covid, restoring the economy, and improving people's lives is the surest way to gain support from the largest number of people. That's why Rs are scared enough to suppress the vote even more than before.

Obama and Biden have had to use different tactics for different times and national moods.

I am very pleased with Biden's boldness. I am also pleased with Obama's accomplishments while walking a hire wire without a net. He became a symbol for rationality and hope to sustain us through the former guy's insanity.