Opportunities Not Taken

Here's a bit from Brad DeLong's latest blog entry that points out that the Republicans have been blocking any attempt to save the US economy. Notice what I have bolded in DeLong's material:

The thoughtful and intelligent Clive Crook writes:

Obama’s lonely quest for consensus: For all its flaws, the stimulus bill that Congress passed last week and President Barack Obama will sign on Tuesday is better than no bill, and better than further delay. Action is already months late, held up by the election and the protracted White House transition...

Action is already months late, but not because of the election and the White House transition. The deal of an immediate stimulus--60% spending, 40% tax cuts, all focused on bang-for-buck--was there to be made the first Wednesday in November, and was offered. The Republicans decided... to oppose it. Action is delayed, yes, but not delayed by the institutional calendar--delayed by the Republican Party.

Why the Republican Party has taken this line is not a question Crook investigates. As best as I can tell, there are three roughly equally important reasons:

Some Republicans agree that stimulus is a good idea but are scared of primary challenges from the right if they vote for it.

Some Republicans agree that stimulus is a good idea but remember that solid opposition to Clinton no matter what the issue was the path to electoral victory in 1994, and hope to repeat that.

Some Republicans think that stimulus is a bad idea--largely because they haven't figured out which of their experts are trying to teach them how the world works and which are trying to provide them with ideological air cover for positions taken for other reasons.

Crook doesn't run through these reasons--passing up a chance to educate his readership. And he demands the impossible of Barack Obama...