
A Powell Doctrine for the Economy and a Grand Bargain
As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office, he faces a nearly unparalleled economic challenge. Instead of inheriting projected budget surpluses as President George W. Bush did in 2001, Obama will inherit a projected deficit for 2009 approaching $1 trillion. On the other hand, Obama is also inheriting an economy that is badly in need of both massive stimulus and major long-term reforms in areas such as health care, climate change and education, writes Gene Sperling.