Romney's 'What if'

Via Chait, Klein asks Krugman if Romney, as president, would re-re-flip and support a Keynesian plan. Answers Krugman:

I think if a president Romney tried to do stuff that’s more or less Keynesian, Paul Ryan would cut him off at the knees. And beyond that, I don’t think he’s got the conviction. Someone said [as I recall, it was Douthat] his slogan should be "Vote Romney: He doesn’t mean any of it." But his party means it.

I tend to agree with Krugman's take on this. And I have no doubt that a president Romney would, on his first day in the Oval Office, weepily drop to the carpet, clasp his hands and beg--and I do mean beg--his congressional keepers thereupon assembled to please, please let him have a stimulus package, one much along the lines of the current president's last proposal. Otherwise Romney would, like a freshly elevated mob boss, smell the one-term fate he had just dished out to Obama.

As noted, Krugman believes that Romney would be denied. Chait disagrees: "I suspect [congressional Republicans would] find the advice of their Keynesian economists suddenly much more persuasive once again."

A few would, sure. But passage of such a proposal would probably come down to overwhelming Democratic support in both chambers. Putting American workers before their own political benefit, Democrats would agree to do what Republicans have refused to do--work with a president of the opposing party--and thereby ensure enough of an economic uptick for Republicans to grab all the credit in the next national elections.

But, let's not panic. Let's say our Oms. There won't be a president Romney. This entire meditation has been but momentary nightmare.

Comments

[TrickyD]

I agree with Krugman. Romney's party isn't nominating a potential leader. They are nominating a potential rubber stamp. And if he ever forgets that, they will be quick to remind him.