A Dragon in Sheep’s Clothing

Interesting tidbits from UK “Financial Times” articles in the last two weeks:
(note: you can read three articles before the site asks you to register)

Obama is choosing to be weak
Last week the House of Representatives passed the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill to curb carbon emissions, a measure that, if enacted, would touch every part of the US economy. Both House and Senate have drafted far-reaching healthcare bills, with stunning price tags. …The problem is that the bills emerging from Congress are bad and Mr Obama does not seem to mind.

Deficit Disorder
With federal finances deteriorating by the month, Barack Obama has to hold down spending while rolling out ambitious social programmes – or the public mood may change,

President Obama needs to lead
Barack Obama remains popular with US voters. His approval rating has slipped only a little, and stands at roughly 60 per cent. But independent voters – the key to Mr Obama’s success – seem to have growing doubts. And poll after poll shows that the president’s policies are less liked than he is.

Doubts grow over US public health option
Liberal hopes of a public element to US healthcare reform came under strain on Monday as a key aide to Barack Obama offered only qualified support and a more modest bipartisan proposal gained ground.