PAUL KRUGMAN: The Substance Thing

[kevinmc]

Two presidential elections ago, the conventional wisdom said that George W. Bush was a likable, honest fellow. But those of us who actually analyzed what he was saying about policy came to a different conclusion — namely, that he was irresponsible and deeply dishonest. His numbers didn’t add up, and in his speeches he simply lied about the content of his own proposals.

In the fifth year of the disastrous war Mr. Bush started on false pretenses, it’s clear who was right. What a candidate says about policy, not the supposedly revealing personal anecdotes political reporters love to dwell on, is the best way to judge his or her character.

So what are the current presidential candidates saying about policy, and what does it tell us about them?

Well, none of the leading Republican candidates have said anything substantive about policy. Go through their speeches and campaign materials and you’ll see a lot of posturing, especially about how tough they are on terrorists — but nothing at all about what they actually plan to do.

In fact, I suspect that the real reason most of the Republicans are ducking a YouTube debate is that they’re afraid they would be asked questions about policy, rather than being invited to compare themselves to Ronald Reagan.........

http://freedemocracy.blogspot.com/2007/08/paul-krugman-substance-thing.html

[ninkasi]

1. Every one of Paul Krugman's editorials

have been right. I agree with him about Edwards, and that's the reason I support John Edwards. I believe he's the person best qualified to lead our country out of the neocon wasteland.

[Stargazer99]

3. Just watch, this administration will be working on him

With all those wonderful tools now in the hand of Bush watch the slaughter coming.

[Skittles]

6. Mr. Krugman is an American treasure

he is right on and he expresses himself so very well

[Orrex]

2. Krugman is amazing

I'm also gratified to see how much stronger he's become in tv appearances over the years. A little while back I used to dread seeing him on "commentary" programs, because invariably he was pitted against some Conservative demagogue who'd had a lot more experience on air, and Krugman often wound up looking outclassed even as his points were 100% correct. But, since then, Krugman's gotten better with every appearance, and his arguments have only become stronger.

Bravo, Mr. Krugman. Keep up your heroic work!

[ninkasi]

4. This just needs one more recommend...

Please, someone, kick this to greatest. :kick:

[EST]

5. Off to the greatest with you!

Krugman is a treasure.

[John Q. Citizen]

7. Krugman is right, as far as he goes. But he fails to mention Kucinich who has the

most detailed issues position papers of any of the candidates.

And he had them first.

He is correct that Hillary is extremely vague, and that Edwards has the most detailed health plan of the weirdly named top tier.

[jsamuel]

8. Notice that he calls out Edwards as leading in substance while Clinton is lacking

[Stuckinthebush]

9. Yes, I'm waiting for the Clinton folks to pounce on Krugman

I agree with him that we have an impressive field. I also agree with him that Clinton lacks policy substance which is one of the main reasons I don't like her candidacy. Let's hope she gets some substance soon because it seems that the MSM is pushing her and she will be our candidate whether we like it or not.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. God Damn! I tell you, there's an "Encounter of the Third Kind" thing going on

around here because Krugman is channeling things that just hit me in a big way this week. I observed the same things about the candidates and reached the same conclusions.

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. Republicans don't do policy - they do attitude. n/t

[Joe Chi Minh]

12. But you gotterd mit, you wouldn't mind having a beer with him.

[nradisic]

13. Amen! John is the man...

Edwards 2008

[dickbearton]

14. K&R.

[whistle]

15. Ahaaa, "he (Bush) was irresponsible and deeply dishonest"

...was a gross understatement of this charlatan. Shrub* has been a cheat, a liar and an enabler of the greatest financial looting that this country has ever known when all of the facts become known. Both Bush and Cheney should be impeached now and locked up for life. :wtf:

[Blackhatjack]

16. Krugman recognizes that Edwards is leading on the important issues....

... not only ideas, but proposals and plans for actually addressing the issues.

There is more to making universal healthcare happen than saying you are for it.
There is more to making a difference in the lives of those who work for a living, than just saying you are for them.
There is more to returning this government to the people than saying you will not be influenced by the lobbyists' campaign contributions you received.

In each case, Edwards is putting forth ideas that have substance and is not shying away from telling the truth about what it will cost and where he will get the money to make it happen.

Edwards should be in his element in the AFL-CIO Dem Pres Debate tonight. If anyone deserves their support it is Edwards. He has supported unions and the working class consistently. Looking forward to it ....

[Frisbee]

17. I agree...

I would expect (and hope) the numbers for the front-runners all get a bit closer after tomorrow night, with Edwards hopefully narrowing the gap.

[jhrobbins]

18. From your lips to God's ears...

[Blackhatjack]

19. There is plenty of time to close the gap, but building momentum is important...

Edwards is making all the right moves lately. You have to find a way for the MSM to have to cover you to be successful. Edwards is speaking out on key issues and speaking more forcefully in challenging the other candidates to address those issues.