There are indications that the early summer may be a rough time for President Obama. Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker seems to have a better than even chance of surviving his recall election, and the Supreme Court is set to decide on the constitutionality of at least part of Obamacare. But Mr. Obama may yet benefit from these setbacks.
The Wisconsin recall created some controversy due to the Democratic National Committee’s reluctance to contribute funds to the union effort to unseat Walker. Union leaders have expressed dismay that in this, their last-ditch stand against fiscally responsible state government, the president has been a no-show. People on both sides of the debate see the Wisconsin recall as an early indicator for the November election.
However, setbacks in June could be just what Obama needs. Businesses have postponed investment due to the socialist policies and unpredictable regulatory edicts of the current administration, resulting in a widespread economic slowdown. However, some can’t wait till November to expand, modernize and hire. Those most impatient may be looking for a signal of a change in the political wind. A Walker victory in Wisconsin or a Supreme Court decision that invalidates Obamacare might be enough to encourage some businesses immediately to invest in their own futures.
Such investment would have a positive effect on the economy. Not as much as a Romney win in November, but enough to nudge employment, investment and stock indices in the right direction. The economy would show signs of improvement and, judging from Obama’s past behavior, the president would take full credit for the “recovery.” In view of the last jobs report, there is precious little else he'd want to take credit for.
The economic uptick that would result in a Walker win and an Obamacare loss, though contrary to all that Obama believes and supports, would provide the president with economic numbers he can brag about. Just as in the successful killing of Osama bin Laden, Obama would benefit from policies he never supported.
If Walker prevails in Wisconsin and wisdom rules in the Supreme Court, responsible Americans should rejoice, because the drivers of the private sector will be reassured that our nation’s economic policy will once again embrace sanity. But when the benefits of these events become evident, the first one in line to take credit will be the president.
