Writing in the latest National Review, James Lileks questions the notion that the recent lame-duck congressional session marked a resurgence of Barack Obama’s political prowess. In other words, Lileks questions the “Miracle of the Reinvested Mojo,” a miracle that appeared to be confirmed by several unexpected victories:
Stunning Victory No. 1: He’d gotten the tax deal he never wanted and had long complained about with the prickly tone of a food critic forced to admit that the foie gras-stuffed veal is delicious though sodden with cruelty. He even admitted that raising taxes in a recession would be unwise, which was nice. It’s a bit like a medieval blood-letter admitting that the patient should occasionally take a break from being covered with leeches, if only to produce a fresh supply of humours and phlogiston, but any sort of recognition of something called “economics” is welcome, regardless of the necessity that produced it.
