Obama to GOP: I’m done negotiating with myself - Ezra Klein

[Bill USA]

This I find to be a very welcome change. I have expressed my frustration before with Obama's penchant for opening discussions with an 'offer' which is a reasonable position TO AGREE UPON. But you don't OPEN with that position if that's where you would like to end up. It seems the President has evolved with regard to how he deals with Republicans (I can only hope so)....

note Klein's words: [font size="3"]"Previously, Obama’s pattern had been to offer plans that roughly tracked where he thought the compromise should end up."[/font]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/11/29/obama-to-gop-i-wont-negotiate-with-myself/

...Republicans are frustrated at the new Obama they’re facing: The Obama who refuses to negotiate with himself.

That’s what you’re really seeing in this “proposal.” Previously, Obama’s pattern had been to offer plans that roughly tracked where he thought the compromise should end up. The White House’s belief was that by being solicitous in their policy proposals, they would win goodwill on the other side, and even if they didn’t, the media would side with them, realizing they’d sought compromise and been rebuffed. They don’t believe that anymore.

Perhaps the key lesson the White House took from the last couple of years is this: Don’t negotiate with yourself. If Republicans want to cut Medicare, let them propose the cuts. If they want to raise revenue through tax reform, let them identify the deductions. If they want deeper cuts in discretionary spending, let them settle on a number. And, above all, if they don’t like the White House’s preferred policies, let them propose their own. That way, if the White House eventually does give in and agree to some of their demands, Republicans will feel like they got one over on the president. A compromise isn’t measured by what you offer, it’s measured by what the other side feels they made you concede.

The GOP is right: This isn’t a serious proposal. But it’s not evidence that Obama isn’t serious. He’s very serious about not negotiating with himself, and his opening bid proves it. Now that they’ve leaked his initial offer, the next question is obvious: What’s their offer?(more)

I regard this development as wonderful news, but it must be recognized that given how President Obama operated in the first four years, it's not going to be easy to get Republicans to accept the new Obama. (here's hoping they do).

[yurbud]

1. I can't believe it took four years to figure out what anybody who bought a car knows

or to notice how pre-compromise came at the price of losing the trust of those who voted for you and making us doubt you share our priorities.