This column by Parry is a little dated, but the wisdom it displays explains a lot regarding why Barack is so hesitant, and why this may be connected to media trends that started during Reagan.
“If you watch the pundits on cable news or read the big-name newspaper columnists, you will find a general consensus that the national Republicans are returning to their core principles in their near-unanimous opposition to President Barack Obamas stimulus bill and other proposals.”
Republicans are taken at their word when they claim to be motivated by ideological consistency in opposing Obamas ‘big government’ solutions to Americas economic troubles, not by a political desire to strangle Obamas presidency in the cradle.”
“Despite this Washington ‘conventional wisdom,’ there is a growing sense across the United States that the Republicans are lying about their motivations, that their real reason for trying to obstruct Obama is not principle but political opportunism, that they want the President to fail so they can succeed at the polls.”