Finding His Inner Eastwood

David Ignatius
Post-Partisan

The Marine Corps’ 1st Division has a macho motto: “No Better Friend. No Worse Enemy.” President Barack Obama could use a little of that Clint Eastwood-style bravura now as he bargains with Republicans over the stimulus package and tries to establish momentum and credibility for his new administration.

Obama needs to make Washington politicians fear that if they cross him, they’ll pay a penalty. That’s the essence of political power -- the ability to help your friends and punish your enemies (or, to put it politely, those who obstruct your efforts to do the public’s business). All successful presidents have had this ability to inspire respect; most unsuccessful presidents have lacked it.

I have been a fan of Obama’s efforts to create a post-partisan politics that ends Washington’s business-as-usual. But I noted in a column last month: “It's an admirable strategy but also a high-risk one, since the ‘center,’ however attractive it may be in principle, is often a nebulous political never-never land…. it remains an open question whether the Republicans will do more than applaud politely when Obama asks for help.” As it turns out, the GOP isn’t even bothering to clap.

(More here.)