Obama must stress areas of economy that have improved

Last weekend did not bring any greater optimism over the state of the economy and its negative impact on President Obama’s prospects for re-election.

Not only is the jobs picture bleak but the stock market, which boomed during the first part of the year, has sputtered. The S&P 500 is almost as good a predictor of political outcomes as are unemployment numbers.

So all this brings back the question: What can Obama do now that a major argument of his campaign — a slowly improving economy — seems contradicted? One path is to do what Stephanie Cutter did so gamely on a Sunday talk show: Argue the facts. Point out that the economy is improving in areas where the president’s programs were enacted and lagging in others where they were not.

Indeed, there are interesting and very supportive facts for the president. The economic recovery in private-sector jobs is on par, or ahead of, prior economic recoveries. Where jobs are lagging are in the public sector, where local and state governments are having to cut back as the result of overexpanding in the boom and no longer having the cushion of the stimulus.

But however true these arguments, they are neither politically nor substantively sufficient. They read like an excuse, and campaigns are never won on those.

So what should the president do? I have suggested before something close to what Laura Tyson wrote about recently. The president should put forth a new version of a “grand bargain”: more government stimulus tied to serious long-term deficit reduction. As growth improves, deficit reduction kicks in.

Just as important as a comprehensive program is a new approach to campaigning. Obama is facing not only an economic crisis but also a confidence crisis. Even some of his supporters are beginning to doubt seriously whether he has the vision and drive necessary to restore the economy. Now would be a good time to prove them wrong.

Carter Eskew was the chief strategist for the Gore 2000 presidential campaign.