I think the jury is still out as to whether he is truly a neo-liberal. Of course he doesn't challenge their framing - he didn't challenge Romney in the debates when he said "the Government can't create jobs" - but I suspect that may be merely tactical. He had other smaller fish to fry (and win on) without taking on the entire paradigm hat is conventional wisdom in the US and which includes most of the Democratic party at this point. In politics, as in community organising, you go for the battles you can win and pay for a draw on the battles you can't. No point in fighting on their turf.  Changing the conventional wisdom will take decades, and I suspect Obama is playing a good long as well as as a good short game.

Index of Frank's Diaries