Some thoughts on recent developments . . .
Elite persuasion and its limits
News reports suggest that President Biden got Speaker Mike Johnson to put a Ukraine aid bill on the floor of the House through good, old-fashioned persuasion: Biden and his team convinced Johnson it was the right thing to do by sharing intelligence with him. Biden didn’t berate Johnson in public. I suspect he flattered Johnson in private.
Knowing how to deal with Congress is a critical skill for any president, and Biden seems to be particularly good at it. Unfortunately, it is doubtful that many voters understand this. And being effective behind the scenes at negotiating and cajoling makes it difficult for Biden to take credit for legislation. To a considerable
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