Why I Think Obama Is A Poor Politician

Alan Simpson, former Senator and co-chair of the deficit commission, said that Social Security was "a milk cow with 310 million tits." When criticized, Simpson apologies for the tone. By the way, he's been a critic of Social Security for decades.

What Obama does: accept his apology. Which ticks off his base, will raise fears that Obama will go along with Social Security cuts, and limit Democrats' opportunity to use social security as an issue in the fall.

What I would have done: fire Simpson, vigorously defend Social Security, and claim that the budget will not be balanced on the backs of seniors who have been paying their social security taxes for decades. Have my allies in Congress introduce bills strengthening social security by lifting the cap on high incomes and dare the Republicans to vote against it.

Why the difference in approach? I like winning. Obama likes making David Broder happy.