"We need a tow, not a jump-start."

Obama referenced Mark Zandi in defending the stimulus component of the tax cut deal.

Krugman responds that we're in a process of deleveraging at his blog here and here.

I disagree with Krugman's criticisms of Obama, but Krugman could be right if the engine of the private sector doesn't get going. My view is that he's wrong to personalize the issues when it comes to Obama by saying stuff like Obama isn't a fighter. He isn't tough enough? The first black President? The man has no fear. Obama, Axelrod, and Plouffe took on the Clinton machine in the Democratic primary and dealt with their hard ball  tactics with "dirt off the shoulder."



It gets me down when he links to Digby or DeLong links to Jane Hamsher or Atrios.