Ted Strickland: Dems' Concessions On Debt Debate Are 'Very Troubling'

[Derechos]

WASHINGTON -- A resolution to raise the nation's debt ceiling may remain far off. But the long-term framing of the debate over spending and debt is becoming slightly clearer, and it's causing philosophical fissures among Democrats.

In an interview with The Huffington Post, former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D) aired his concern that the fiscal "belt-tightening" President Obama and many Democrats have pursued has effectively diminished the party's brand. Democrats, he argued, have "allowed the center of the political debate to be shifted so far to the right that we find ourselves debating on their territory and using Republican language."

"It's very troubling," he said.

Removed from office after a bruising re-election campaign, Strickland has largely avoided the political spotlight, choosing, instead, to help to build Democratic infrastructure in Ohio. But the debt ceiling debate has piqued his interest and drawn him back into the national conversation -- in large part, he said, because he's worried that his party is unnecessarily folding its superior hand.

Instead of conceding philosophical points to fiscal hawks, he said, the president should being using his bully pulpit to reframe the debate. Congressional Democrats, he added, should be forcing regular votes on "jobs bills" that would create an effective contrast between themselves and Republicans.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/14/ted-strickland-debt_n_899320.html

[polichick]

1. This is where the prez has made a huge mistake - adopting their narrative over and over...

I have to ask why he would do that when it's so bad for the country and the party.

[Enrique]

5. its a mistake to assume its a mistake

all of us know there are dems that are like this. Traditionally at DU we dont like these dems. For some reason a lot of people are in denial that Obama is one of them.

[polichick]

7. imo adopting their narrative because he agrees with it is a deal breaker...

Sometimes I think that's it and sometimes I think he is allergic to conflict and does it out of a need to make incremental change with as little conflict as possible.

[FiveGoodMen]

14. You know how six fake Dems ran in the WI recall primaries?

Thankfully, they all lost.

But in '08, a fake one made it through the presidential primaries.

[ChiciB1]

15. Some Of What You Say May Be True, However I Have Different & More

negative thoughts about this. I knew he wasn't much of a liberal, but I'm afraid I felt he was more moderate than he really is. I don't find him very moderate nor progressive very much.

Behind the game playing, floating ideas and then suddenly coming up with some sort of deal that makes him "appear" to have pulled off a coup, I find the details of any deal tend to come up short most of the time.

I only have to think of HCR and think of what was done behind closed doors to make me suspicious of what devil is in any of his deals.

Sorry, not the way I want to think but it's happened too many times. He seems to get a little, but gives up a lot more.

JMHO!

[NorthCarolina]

12. Ding, ding, ding...a winner. n/t

[msongs]

2. implementing the republican plan and concept - it's the new liberal lololol nt

[polichick]

8. Yeah, we'll show them by implementing their plan before they can!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. Wow, a Dem who gets it and isn't afraid to say it!

Democrats, he argued, have "allowed the center of the political debate to be shifted so far to the right that we find ourselves debating on their territory and using Republican language."

Bravo, Gov. Strickland, bravo! :applause:

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. He is right. It is troubling

The debate in Washington is about who is more open to making serious cuts in spending to lower the deficit. Obama is urging massive cuts, and in return is asking for the smallest percentage of revenue increases as part of a package of any President in modern history. Meanwhile millions of Americans are in accute crisis NOW. Jack Ryans extremist budgetis starting to look a little less crazy now that both political parties are considering making movements in his direction.

[sabrina 1]

6. "because he's worried that his party is unnecessarily folding its superior hand. "

He's not the only one!

[WillyT]

9. EXACTLY !!!

In an interview with The Huffington Post, former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D) aired his concern that the fiscal "belt-tightening" President Obama and many Democrats have pursued has effectively diminished the party's brand. Democrats, he argued, have "allowed the center of the political debate to be shifted so far to the right that we find ourselves debating on their territory and using Republican language."

Same link as OP.

:kick:

[girl gone mad]

10. He's right.

[Hubert Flottz]

11. He's right.

It Sucks Ted!

[Bluenorthwest]

13. He is correct

Troubling it is.

[cui bono]

16. That's for sure. The sad thing is I don't think Obama minds that.

The sadder thing is all the blind followers who cannot see it and are aiding and abetting this very shift to the right by defending EVERYTHING the Big O does.

[xchrom]

17. Recommend

[The Big Vetolski]

18. This makes me glad I voted for Strickland twice. Right now, polls...

in Ohio show that he would crush Kasich in a rematch. It is unlikely that will change by 2014. If Strickland wants to be governor again, the job is his.