Has DC Turned Into Hollywood? Obama’s Best Week in Office.

For much of this 21^st century, the goings-on in Washington haven’t been pretty. “Special Interests,” “Gridlock” and “Partisan Politics” are phrases that are used daily in the media. However, in the past week, this most political of cities has changed from opposition at all costs to behaving in a way the majority of voters would probably want. It is as if Frank Capra had taken over the running of the three branches of government. Capra, the 1930s and 40s director of films such as “Mr Smith Goes to Washington” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” was a lover of the human spirit, optimism and happy endings.

So, what happened last week? The Supreme Court in majority decisions ruled first that Obamacare stands. The challenge by the advantaged right to expose a tiny loophole in the legislation, which might have meant the removal of a tax break for the poorer in society, forcing them out of the benefits of the Act, failed. Now, this does not mean that the extremists of Republican persuasion will stop their challenges to a law they appear to hate, nor will it mean the administration of Obamacare will now go smoothly but SCOTUS has ensured that almost all American citizens can continue to avail themselves of healthcare insurance, at least for the time being.

The Court then ruled that states could not lawfully bar gay marriage. Personally, I don’t think this is the business of the federal government but I also do not think that a state has the right to bar marriage between two consenting adults, regardless of gender. So, I regard the ruling as appropriate, if not sound. I accept the religious right and others have a case but, at the end of the day, who is hurt by a marriage between persons of the same gender, especially if they have lived together openly? I see no lasting damage to society.

In recent times, there seems to have been a sea change in Congress. Readers of this blog know I have not been a fan of Harry Reid, the former majority leader of the Senate. For me, he was the abominable “no” man. He seems to have seen no point in legislation. If a bill was introduced which he didn’t like, he used his power to prevent it from coming to the floor of the Senate for a vote. He operated on bills which he perceived the President would not want. His mantra seemed to be, “no debate, no amendments, no vote.”

Partisanship in the Senate has been the order of the day since the Republicans won the Senate in the 2014 mid-terms but recently Mitch McConnell, the new majority leader, has shown a willingness to return to traditional ways. In the Senate, bills are now debated and voted on, especially if approved first by the House of Representatives.

This week the Trans-Pacific Partnership Bill will be placed before President Obama for approval. The Bill has no details of what trading terms will be sought. Heretofore, Mr. Obama has kept precise terms to himself, fearing opponents within his own party would object to freer trade, which will reduce union power. It is, however, an enabling bill, one which sets rules allowing the chief executive to negotiate with trading partners without having Congress on his back. Furthermore, the powers in the bill will survive the end of his presidency. Obama’s successor will enjoy the benefits too.

What has caused the change? One could argue for political common sense but this is a commodity that has been in short supply in DC for many a year. Possibly, it is just good luck for the administration but this is too simplistic.

My belief is that politics is the prime cause. The Democratic presidential nomination for 2016 is pretty well settled, according to most observers but the Republican field has some twenty hopefuls and there is no clear front runner. Republicans, generally, enjoy little popularity in the country, save for the base and the religious right, mainly because they are perceived to be a block to progress for anything but an extreme right wing agenda. It is the desire to enhance their electability that drives Senator McConnell and those with similar views to work with the White House to “get the job done.”

There are many issues that have yet to be worked on. The government has no clear policy or strategy on ISL, climate change and government deficits. If Congressional Republicans are seen to be working with the Obama administration in an effort to find acceptable solutions, this will help pave the way for the Republican nominee to have a serious run for the White House. The irony is they, the Republicans, are turning a “lame duck” President into one who might actually get things done.