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As a conservative, I too expected the new administration to strike a more liberal tone at the outset. I expected something like Michael Manley of Jamaica, another bi-racial leftist who raised taxes, borrowed heavily from the IMF, and wrangled with his wealthy countrymen - reminding them that a plane left for Florida every 60 minutes, should they choose to leave. Mr. Obama is not emulating Mr. Manley, at least so far.
Then again, why should he? I know a number of 55+ year old centrists who broke his way for two main reasons. One, this "needed to be done" (i.e., electing our first African American president). Two, we need to end the "new Vietnam." The success of the surge, the dampening of American casualties, and the three-year plan for departure seems to have done the trick there. Mr. Obama is quite savvy in catering to this centrist crowd with his Cabinet picks, and his policies: they, after all, hold the keys to any future re-election.
As for gratitude, I never saw that as Mr. Obama's strong suit. Most politicians stand on stages after primary victories being swarmed by supporters, and devote much time in their televised addresses to thank you's. Sarah Palin's parents are still personally responding to over 400 letters per day, according to the papers. Mr. Obama got $600 million in donations, but I haven't yet heard the first televised thank you from him (in fairness to him, I haven't always been listening, either). I don't see a lot of thank you's "in action," either, in terms of his appointments, but then again -- that is not unexpected, given his record.
Why should liberals be happy? They will undoubtedly get pro-Roe Supreme Court appointments. They will get a trillion dollars in new borrowing next year from China/Japan -- although that will bankrupt the country even further, and prevent national health care from happening, it will secure Mr. Obama politically (long term borrowing usually does, as an offset to hard times) and at least lay the groundwork for future liberal reforms. The daily zigs and zags will tilt left, not right, for a change, and there will surely be some new conservative bogeyman to demonize. (I surely hope so, unless every politician in America has now dropped the word "no" from his or her vocabulary).
People like me will not find much comfort in any of this, except for possible steadiness overseas under Gates/Petreus, which could count for a lot. And of course, we conservatives now have Sarah Palin, the greatest gift to our party since Reagen. Whatever liberals think of her shortcomings, they can't deny her strengths, or her appeal. I predict she will address those perceived weaknesses head-on, and emerge even stronger. Whether or not she ever becomes president, it will be a joy to watch our party in action, should she take a leadership role in the future. Defeat is tolerable, under circumstances such as this.
