Krugman’s Progressive Mandate
Though he ventured a little closer to the center throughout the last 6 months, it’s fairly safe to say that Paul Krugman has re-entered his cozy, progressive cocoon:
Bear in mind, also, that this year’s presidential election was a clear referendum on political philosophies — and the progressive philosophy won.
…Mr. Obama ran on a platform of guaranteed health care and tax breaks for the middle class, paid for with higher taxes on the affluent. John McCain denounced his opponent as a socialist and a “redistributor,” but America voted for him anyway. That’s a real mandate.
As a Keynesian economist, Monsieur Krugman will appreciate a little deficit mathematics, vis-à-vis the popular vote: Barack Obama won 65 million votes. John McCain, 57 million — a 6.5% difference. And surely the GOP’s current intellectual deficit and Obama’s center-left campaign had nothing to do with the sea-change. Progressive mandate…right.
Bill wrote:
I still find it utterly amazing that this year’s voter turnout was nearly identical to 2004. The way this election was covered by the media, you’d have thought that people were materializing out of thin air to vote for Obama.
Posted on 08-Nov-08 at 12:07 am | Permalink
David Morton wrote:
I’m with you, especially given the size of rallies for both Obama and Palin. In regard to turnout, it was in the media’s self-interest to raise expectations. It boosts ratings, sells more newspapers, etc.
Posted on 08-Nov-08 at 8:13 am | Permalink