Curious timing of Obama’s resignation

Yes, I am skeptical… of all politicians.  This one seems to reinforce my impression of a man who likes to vote ‘present’ rather than taking a stand on shaping legislation or backing/rejecting it.

Obama has indicated (and urged Bush to) support for Detroit’s bail out request.  Democrats in Congress are scrambling to put together something that will win enough votes to pass.  Had Obama continued in the Senate, he could have not only shown his leadership in crafting legislation and working with Republicans to win backing but also been available to cast his vote to improve Democratic chances to pass an Auto industry welfare, bailout, bill.

But that would put him in a position where he would have to account for his vote and take a side on this contentitious issue.

Rather than face that situation, he appears to have made the decision to resign right away, before any session of Congress gets in progress.  So the Democrats are now short one additional vote in the Senate making chances of passing the bill fairly remote.  On a matter that Democrats, including Obama, have stressed as a do-or-die moment for the industry.

He did not want to show Michigan (or the rest of the country) where he stood on this matter in a manner that could have improved the chances of this bill.  This now affords him the opportunity to verbally extend his sympathies to the auto workers while not having to be accountable for the potential failure of any bill that Congress passes during their lameduck session.

If my skeptical view is correct, I am happier for it; his political machinations, in this instance, may save us from another bailout that is completely ill-deserved.