Krugman v. Obama

OK, so here's my theory on why Paul Krugman, who is of the general type to be drawn to an Obama-type figure (i.e., an academic who can imagine/idealize a politics that raises the level of debate and tries to get past ideology to get to real solutions), is so exercized about his candidacy and is engaged in a one-man show to undermine support for him among Times readers. (Here's the latest offering.) Actually, I can come up with two reasons. In increasing order of importance in his motivation:

1. Krugman has some legitimate gripes with Obama's policy positions, most notably his health care plan. Once his favored candidate (Edwards) went down, he saw it as his job to shake up the Dem race by continuing the fight to put true universal coverage on the table. The same can be said of trade deals, tax policy and others. He wants to keep up his role as a "thought leader" on the left and opposition is simply the best way to be perceived as a leader. This will be especially true if (when?) Obama becomes president. Krugman serves no role if he is always agreeing with the president, thus, he needs to set the stage for an oppositional arrangement now.

2. More than any other columnist or pundit, Krugman loves playing the role of an "I told you so" prognosticator. Consider: Other columnists, like Harold Meyerson and even the more conservative Andrew Sullivan, have taken the plunge in their support for Obama, knowing full well that he could very well flame out when he gets into office. I'm pretty sure they know that his soaring rhetoric and his grand vision may wind up as withered fruit in the face of GOP dirtiness and the cynicism that is our modern life. At the same time, precisely because our politics today has been so sullied and de-legitimized, they are willing to take a chance, they are willing to live on hope for a little while. Krugman, on the other hand, knowing the same thing sees an opportunity to be able to say "See, I knew that Obama was all hot air. He never fooled me." In fact, pending an Obama election, I foresee a Krugman column just about a year from now when he declares exactly so. (And then, I get to say "I told you so.")