The Secretary of the Treasury, Tim Geithner, penned an op-ed in today's New York Times titled, Welcome to the Recovery.
Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman has a rebuttal on his blog. And, it begins with this video:
And, includes this analysis:
Here’s the reality: the stimulus was too small; we’re not seeing growth at a pace that will bring unemployment down rapidly, if at all; we clearly should be doing more; but obstructionism from Republicans is preventing action. And the administration knows all this perfectly well.It's not all good. Geithner does admit that in his op-ed. Americans aren't feeling happy these days.
So one way to play this politically would be to tell the truth, and try to place the onus on Republicans, accusing them of perpetuating high unemployment.
Instead, however, the administration has decided to engage in happy talk, saying that it’s all good.
If the recovery is here, that's great. It's overdue. But, if it's not (and it's not for millions of Americans), "happy talk" isn't going to convince people. Tough talk with GOPers who are blocking economic progress would work better. The American people want to know the President is on their side and will fight anyone who blocks progress.
