"Never Let A Crisis Go To Waste"

There is a saying in politics attributed to Obama’s former Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel that says: “Never let a crisis go to waste.”  He explained that a crisis moment is also an opportunity to do something that you didn’t think that you could do.  Well if ever there were a crisis moment for the President’s re-election prospects it is occurring right now.

The recent economic reports coming out of Washington dealt a severe blow to the Obama Campaign.  The economy produced a miserable 69,000 net private sector jobs in May, the fewest in a year, and half what economist expected.  For the first time since last June the unemployment rate rose from 8.1% to 8.2%.  And the markets responded to the news with their worst day of the year.  The Dow dropped 275 points effectively wiping out all of the gains for 2012.  The only good news for Obama is that these results came out in May rather than in September or October.  If the economy continues to move in this negative direction…he’s toast.  

Naturally the Republicans responded with glee to the President’s misfortune.  House Whip Eric Cantor called the reports “pathetic.”  Mitt Romney declared that the country was “moving backward.”  He called the numbers “devastating news” and said that Obama’s policies and his handling of the economy had “been dealt a harsh indictment.”  “It is now clear to everyone,” Romney said, “that President Obama’s policies have failed to achieve their goals…”

The President responded to the news during a stump speech in Minnesota.  He called on congress to pass some of his job proposals.  And once again he tried to explain that our economy has been struggling “against a head wind brought on by the economic downturn in Europe.”

That response won’t cut it.  Nibbling around the edges of this problem won’t work.  The base may nod their heads in agreement like a bobble head on a dashboard.  But independent voters don’t want to hear excuses about the effects of the Eurozone or the economic bubble in China.  They want to know what their President is going to do to fix the problem.  And if all he seems to have are excuses instead of solutions…well maybe they’ll give the other guy a shot.

This is “crisis time” for Team Obama.  But as Rahm said, it is also an opportunity to do something they didn’t think you could do. He has an opportunity to right the ship.  We wrote yesterday about  strategy Obama should use to defend his record against criticism from the Romney Deathstar.  Here is the offensive strategy that the President should follow moving forward.

Obama needs to think big and bold.  He needs to think FDR/WPA big.  He needs to think Eisenhower/interstate highway system big.  He needs to think JFK/man on the moon big.  Obama needs to come out with a massive, comprehensive ten year jobs and infrastructure plan that includes repairing and modernizing roads, bridges, dams, light rail, airports, broad band and upgrading our electrical grid.  He needs to be specific about its components and in how we pay for it.  And he needs to be willing to compromise on heretofore liberal untouchables like reforming entitlements and tax cuts for the rich.  He needs to explain that this plan will not only put millions of Americans back to work, it will enable us to be more productive, more efficient and better able to compete in the global economy.  To the deficit hawks he needs to explain that according to the bi-partisan CBO, we can pay for it by borrowing $200 billion for the next ten years without driving ourselves into insolvency because this plan would immediately put 5 million people back to work with good paying jobs that will boost our economy.

He needs to DEMAND that congress pass this plan for the good of the country.

And to stress the importance of this proposal; he needs to deliver this message in a nationally televised address to the American people.

Will Congress agree to pass this proposal?  Perhaps not!  But their partisan stubbornness will not sit well with independent voters who will be impressed with his leadership and his willingness to compromise.

The Obama Campaign is facing a crisis...and so is the nation.  The President has an opportunity here to turn this crisis into something good for the country.  He can pass legislation that will reform our country and improve our lives immeasurably.

The President needs to lead...and he needs to think BIG.