President Obama is calling for federal agencies to identify “high-impact, job-creating infrastructure projects” that can be undertaken without congressional approval. The Administration will streamline permits, waivers, and other paperwork to get projects underway as soon as possible.
I have no idea how many actual jobs could be created this way. Federal agencies can’t write themselves blank checks. The point here may be to point to create a contrast with the obstructionist Congress in the minds of voters.
I think the scheduling “conflict” between the President’s speech and the GOP debate is a neat bit of maneuvering on President Obama’s part. As Maggie Haberman writes,
Obama ultimately will still be able to cut off some of the free media oxygen of whatever narrative emerges from the debate by speaking to the nation the next day, which was almost certainly the goal of choosing the night of the face-off in the first place.
This little drama played out just as President Obama wanted it to play out. Yes, John Boehner also looks stronger to his base. The right-wing base cannot carry the 2012 election. They need the votes of the mushy, uncommitted middle to carry the election. The more the GOP looks intolerant and petty, the better for Obama.
IMO the discussion of this topic on last nights Last Word is worth watching.
Sep 1, 2011 
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