Opinion Focus

Washington Post opinion columnist Eugene Robinson was online Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. ET to discuss his recent columns and the latest news.

Discussion Group: Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood

The transcript follows.

Archive: Eugene Robinson discussion transcripts

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Eugene Robinson: Hello, everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving in advance. I guess this will be a particularly spiritual Thanksgiving, since the material world -- the economy -- isn't much to be thankful for. The Post has a harrowing story on the Metro page today that shows how quickly families can fall out of the middle class. Today's column, for reference purposes only, is about this uncomfortable interregnum and how having two presidents is the same as having no president at all. We'll be dealing with this uncertainty until January 20, I'm afraid. What's everybody thinking about today?

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Rosslyn, Va.: Gene,

David Brooks wrote this over the weekend, I'm sure you saw it: " Jan. 20, 2009, will be a historic day. Barack Obama (Columbia, Harvard Law) will take the oath of office as his wife, Michelle (Princeton, Harvard Law), looks on proudly. Nearby, his foreign policy advisers will stand beaming, including perhaps Hillary Clinton (Wellesley, Yale Law), Jim Steinberg (Harvard, Yale Law) and Susan Rice (Stanford, Oxford D. Phil.).

The domestic policy team will be there, too, including Jason Furman (Harvard, Harvard Ph.D.), Austan Goolsbee (Yale, M.I.T. Ph.D.), Blair Levin (Yale, Yale Law), Peter Orszag (Princeton, London School of Economics Ph.D.) and, of course, the White House Counsel Greg Craig (Harvard, Yale Law)."

Having just finished Halberstam's epic "The Best and the Brightest" it makes me wonder, is anyone comparing the Obama transition to the Kennedy transition? Is anyone concerned that picking so many cabinet members from "the establishment" will result in similar consequences, with cabinet members manipulating/ignoring data to fit their theoretical doctrine much as they did in the early days in Vietnam? Might these worries apply not only to foreign policy but the economic crisis as well?

So far everyone is praising Obama's cabinet picks, is anyone else seeing this comparison?

Eugene Robinson: Wow, I hadn't made that connection. I guess I would posit that the "best and brightest" didn't get us into Vietnam because they were well educated, they got us into Vietnam because they were wrong -- about the problem that Indochina presented and about the solution. I'm on record as saying I'd much rather have smart people running the country than not-smart people. But you make a good point, which is that policy has to be grounded in something real, and those who lose touch with reality may be condemned to repeat the past. Maybe we should buy copies of Halberstam's great book for everyone in the cabinet.

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Boston: Mr. Robinson, first, let me just say that while I am a right-of-center voter, I always enjoy reading your thoughtful commentary on American politics, even if I oftentimes disagree with it.

Because you have been covering Washington for quite awhile, I was hoping you could provide some analysis about the Obama-Bush II transition when compared to the Bush II-Clinton transition of 2000-01, and the Clinton-Bush I transition of 1992-93. Many have said that this is the best partnership between an outgoing president and a president-elect since at least Ronald Reagan and Bush I. Your thoughts?

Eugene Robinson: Thanks. The transition between Bush I and Clinton was a wreck -- the Clinton team was ridiculously slow in making appointments, and suffered as a result. The transition from Clinton to Bush II went more smoothly. Bush II has done more than his predecessors to get the incoming team up to speed, and Obama is proceeding at a record clip in getting his White House together. This may indeed end up being the smoothest transition ever -- although the times are anything but smooth.

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Lovely Ties: Me and my boyfriend love when you appear you on Keith Olberman's show... not only are you usually spot-on in your commentary, but you have the BEST TIES on the tee-vee! Any particular designer you favor? (Or is that a trade secret?)

(P.S. Perhaps you can give Keith a pointer or two on his suits... they always look a might boxy... and sometimes even (gasp!) shiny... like something from a 20s-era musical)

Eugene Robinson: I beg my wife to please, please pick out my ties for me because she's great at it and I'm not. I think they're mostly Robert Talbot and Brooks Brothers. (And no, I don't get any freebies from anybody.)

I'll leave your second question to Mr. Olbermann and his tailor.

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Vienna, Va.: Do you believe that the 24-hour, never-ending news cycle and the Talking Heads (sorry!) have pushed us into the realm of unrealistic expectations?

Reasonable people in my office are now saying that they think that "President Obama" has 30 days to get the economic mess turned around; not even giving him FDR's 100 Days.

I have only one reason to think why they would even to begin to think like that: cable news/talk shows.

Eugene Robinson: Well, there's one other reason -- the white-knuckled urgency of the crisis, which won't wait for any traditional "first 100 days). But is it unrealistic to expect Obama or anybody to make everything better in 30 days, probably even 30 months? Totally. And is the overheated news cycle, its flames fanned by 24/7 cable news, helping to inflate expectations? Yep.

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Fairfax, Va.: Eugene, fantastic job your doing for the Post. Please keep up the good work!

We have seen some enormous failures the past few years with the Bush admin, namely Iraq, Katrina, the list goes on. Countless people, such as moderates like myself, have been turned off by the GOP's hubris and ideology. But has there been any greater failure than Bush's refusal to create any sort of legitimate and revolutionary alternative energy policy for the US?

I ask this, because I'm reading Tom Friedman's new book, 'Hot, Flat and Crowded'. The predictions are dire. If we don't radically overhaul the way we do energy, the country and planet are in for a nightmare.

Energy is at the nexus of so many problems we face, such as the economy, job growth, global warming, terrorism, and national security. Which is why it's stunning for me to see that our government absolutely refused to craft any energy policy over the last 8 years that would address these pressing issues. It's incredibly frustrating! What say you?

Thanks.

Eugene Robinson: George W. Bush: former oil man. Dick Cheney: former Halliburton chief. The current administration is steeped in petroleum and has been, frankly, contemptuous of alternative energy.

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Montague, Mich.: I am disappointed that U.S. citizens are not more receptive to helping out the Big Three Automakers during this recession.

We have been sending $89 billion at a time to a country that has a $50 surplus (Iraq). We give money to a country that wants us to leave, but we can't help our own American automakers?!?

Obviously, the automakers did not use their assets well, and frankly they were greedy in the perks that the top officials have taken. We are currently funding fat cats in Iraq; personally I would rather finance our own fat cats as their spending keeps the U.S. economy going.

If a bailout occurs, the top officials need to take a big pay cut. Then other employees may need to make concessions in pay. Also, the bailout needs to have some real strings attached in the form of making American vehicles more "green". Let's face it -- these cheap gas prices are temporary.

Thanks. Hopefully a few U.S. Senators and Reps will take a minute to think about these comments.

Eugene Robinson: I agree that it would be disastrous to let the Big Three just collapse, taking Michigan and other states with them. I think the incoming president and Congress are on the same page. But I've been impressed by the level of frustration I've heard from veteran Democratic lawmakers who've been having these "when will you get it?" conversations with auto executives for many years. And that they would come to town in their separate corporate jets -- with no business plan going forward -- was just amazing. The automakers need to be saved, but that will take new management and a new corporate culture. And the UAW needs to be at the witness table along with the company execs next time.

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Richmond, Va.: Wow! Obama seems to be doing everything right; that makes me happy because I was a supporter, so here is a puzzling question about the opposition: Why is the GOP keeping Sarah Palin in the spotlight (a PAC ad recently "thanked" her)? Obama's win proved that America is now a very large tent, but Sarah Palin appeals to a very small, one- or two-issue group, and yet the GOP sees a future for her. Can you explain what the thinking is to not rethink this approach?

Eugene Robinson: There are many in the GOP who wish Gov. Palin would go home to Alaska and get snowed in. There are others who think she's the future of the party. This is one of the many issues that Republicans will have to settle over the next few years.

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Rolla, Mo.: While everyone was having fun with Palin's turkey massacre clip, I wanted to shout out "This is how it's done, people! You want your turkey, open yours eyes and see where it comes from!" There, one vegetarian rant for the day.

Eugene Robinson: I'm not a vegetarian, but you speak the truth. Eating meat means killing animals. Seems to me that we meat-eaters should be willing to confront that fact.

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Richmond, Va.: "George W. Bush: former oil man. Dick Cheney: former Halliburton chief. The current administration is steeped in petroleum and has been, frankly, contemptuous of alternative energy."

As have the American people, judging by their purchase decisions (SUVs, McMansions in the exurbs, etc).

Democracies tend to not be very good at going against the voters' desires. Things may be different because the facts have changed, but the last President who was semi-serious about this (Carter) didn't do too well.

Eugene Robinson: You make a good point, but a lot of other democracies have been successful at discouraging oil consumption, largely through very high taxes on gasoline. Not exactly a popular campaign promise.

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Bristol, Conn.: Mr. Robinson, Christopher Hitchens wrote today that Hilliary Clinton is the wrong choice for Secretary of State. He points out that the many friends that the Clintons have made, in addition to their nature as being "me first", pose an unavoidable conflict of interest.

Mr. Hitchens is often knee-jerk reactionary and to be blunt, sort of a blowhard. But I agree with him on this subject; while Bill Clinton may be the most intelligent U.S. President of recent times, his/Hillary's narcissism is undeniable in my eyes.

Do you agree that their conflicts of interest and nature nullify their knowledge and potentially beneficial relationships abroad?

Eugene Robinson: I disagree. I believe Hillary Clinton could be an effective secretary of state -- maybe even a terrific secretary of state. And I know that with their experience in the White House, both Clintons know that the last thing the Secretary of State should ever want is "independence" from the president. What she would need is the president's trust -- otherwise, she would be marginalized.

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Bowie, Md.: RE: Sarah Palin.

The reason she is still being honored is that she did the job she was asked to do, namely be the pitbull. If you think that she can't learn and do better in the future then I think the Dems will be in a big surprise in 2012. I have heard her likened to G.W. Bush in that she has a certain charisma. I find that while ignorant of some issues she is not stupid. She wasn't utilized by McCain in the best way and was eventually scapegoated because it was expedient. I think that she can appeal to people if she plays her cards right.

I'm not one of her supporters and don't plan on being a supporter in the future, but I think the Dems would be ill-advised to (current Pres. word) misunderestimate her.

Eugene Robinson: I wrote the same in a column a couple of weeks ago. Dems should misunderestimate her at their peril.

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Seattle, Curry Chicken Buffet: I'm looking forward to eating at a local curry place on Thanksgiving, Gene, with a friend. Love your ties!

I think we have to remember that Thanksgiving was at a time when the pilgrims were literally starving, and was about basic kindness - as we toss aside the Party of Greed and move forward into a united country of Hope, Trust, Truth, and Justice for all, we should give thanks that our future is a lot brighter today than it was a couple of months ago.

Or is that too sappy?

Eugene Robinson: "Tis the season to be sappy. When I sit down with my family for dinner Thursday and say grace, I'll have plenty to be thankful for.

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Cleveland, Ohio: I am glad I was not the only one who had and eyebrow raised when James Baker III said what he said on Meet The Press.

My question is: if things are status quo from now until 20 January, and millions are thrown out of work, what can the federal or state government do? We have no more Fed Rates to cut, no tax revenue coming in.

Ohio just asked for another $50 billion to help with unemployment benefits. People are in panic mode. Where do you see it going?

Eugene Robinson: You're referring to Baker's proposal that Bush and Obama come out with some sort of joint economic rescue plan -- in effect, as I heard it, that Bush semi-abdicate.

You're right that the traditional levers of monetary policy won't do anything, since interest rates are already so low. So there's fiscal policy -- a stimulus from increased government spending. That's what Pres.-elect Obama and the incoming Congress intend to do.

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Richmond, Va.: "Eugene Robinson: I wrote the same in a column a couple of weeks ago. Dems should misunderestimate her at their peril. "

It depends on how well she can catapult the propaganda.

(Sorry, just had to use that line one more time).

Eugene Robinson: Thank you. My favorite Bushism of all time.

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Amesbury, Mass.: In your column today, you write about the problem of "two captains" at the helm of the ship of state of our country". Another way to put it is the awkward situation of "changing horses in midstream." The American voters' decision to change from a Republican to Democratic administration is going to cause all us to take a bath, I'm afraid, and for sure the ones who are going to be soaked are the rich!

Eugene Robinson: I'm in a pretty mellow, pre-Thanksgiving, nonpartisan mood today. But I have to point out that when the horse you're riding has already taken you off a cliff, not once but four or five times, then it's really time to try another horse. Remember that in pre-election polls, four out of five Americans said the country was heading in the wrong direction -- i.e., toward yet another cliff.

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Pittsburgh, Pa.: What a year, Gene! Did you ever think our beloved Wolverines would end up in such a mess? On the plus side for me, my 87 year-old stepmother got over her reservations about voting for an African American and cast her ballot for Mr. Obama. Family harmony will reign at Thanksgiving!! The odd thing is Tiger Woods may get some of the credit for her conversion. She doesn't know a sand wedge from a melon baller but she admires Tiger greatly for his dignity and gracefulness. As for the new administration, do you expect President Obama to ask Americans for shared sacrifice when it comes to getting back on track? How do you think the country will respond? Have a great Thanksgiving!

Eugene Robinson: I'm too depressed about the Wolverines to comment, except to note the question that my Dad (also a U of M guy) has been asking: Is the spread offense really a Big Ten offense?

I hope pres.-elect Obama asks for shared sacrifice, because I don't see any other way forward. You have a great Thanksgiving, too.

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Atlanta: Don't you think it is incredibly petty, partisan and cheap of you to sneer at Bush for attending the APEC summit and mock him for doing as all other leaders do and wear local clothing for the photo?

Eugene Robinson: Not at all. It's traditional, at the end of each APEC summit, for the leaders to all dress in some outrageous local garb. When we see Barack Obama in some sort of weird Balinese hat that makes him look like a Conehead, I'll be happy to make fun of him, too.

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Pittsburgh: Hello, Gene, I was wondering if you caught the hearings in which Paulson, Bernanke, and Sheila Bair testified? Ms. Bair, the head of the FDIC, outlined a simple, streamlined process for helping work out distressed mortgages and argued forcefully for getting some assistance to actual homeowners. Her point was that the root of the current crisis is the downward spiral in housing values and I heard yesterday that half of all homes sold in the US last month were foreclosures! Perhaps Ms. Bair ought to be running the bailout instead of Paulson-- what are your thoughts? Why don't we have more bureaucrats like her?

Eugene Robinson: In my opinion, people (including me) haven't paid enough attention to Sheila Bair's ideas about how to handle the crisis. She has argued from the beginning for more of a bottom-up approach -- and, at this point, top-down is looking pretty shaky, in that the crisis is still critical.

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Washington, D.C.: Hey Gene. Also enjoy your commentary. I swear you are often reading my mind. Your column today points out in a much more serious way what I noticed in a less serious way just yesterday. MSNBC's Keith Olbermann was talking about our President and an economic plan and then proceeded to roll tape on Obama's press conference. Olbermann did not say President-elect, so even I was confused when the video wasn't of Bush, our actual president. I am in no way a supporter of Bush, but respect the office. So I wonder if you can recall a time in our history where we paid this much attention to the incoming president that we forget the one who's actually in the office.

Eugene Robinson: It really is extraordinary. These are unusual circumstances -- a hair-on-fire economic crisis, a president who has lost credibility, and a president-elect who ran on hope and change. I gather there was similar anticipate after FDR was elected in 1932, but he remained relatively mum until he took office. Obama is holding presidential-style announcements and news conferences daily. I think his instinct in this is right -- a vacuum would make things worse.

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Minneapolis: Hi Eugene -- Great column today. There's something extremely maddening about seeing the current president, who acts as if he has not a care in the world, drifting around and waiting to repair to Crawford where he can enjoy his millions and trim the brush and not be held accountable for the destruction he's wrought over the last eight years. There, I feel better. I also get the feeling that Obama is distinctly forward looking, which is important. But there also seems to be some need (at least I feel it) for some action (what I don't know) to find some accountability for what's gone on. Will we have to be content with the knowledge that Bush will go down as absolutely on the bottom rung of presidents? Eugene, help me (and us) sort this one out.

Eugene Robinson: I do think that the new administration has a duty to investigate -- and report to the American people -- on what the Bush administration did with regard to torture, secret CIA prisons, electronic surveillance... I could go on an on, and I know that it's important to look forward, but I believe there's a moral obligation to find out what was done in our name.

My time is up for today, folks. Thanks so much for tuning in, and have a joyous and peaceful Thanksgiving. I'll see you again next week.

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