Obama, find your center

Centrists of America, rejoice. After being out of whack for twoyears, the political system and the president have come back to themainstream.

For all of the drum-beating from both extremes during theelection season, the result has been a surprisingly sensible shiftto the center - a position advocated by neither of the groups thattend to drive so much of the nation's political conversation.

Now, having adopted a centrist outlook in his State of the Unionaddress, President Obama needs to fill it out with big ideas thatsolve our major problems rather than let us keep kicking the candown the road.

Obama also has to define a driving value for his brand ofcentrism. The fundamental principle of centrism in the 1990s wasthat people would neither be left to fend for themselves norguaranteed equality of outcome - they would be given the tools theyneeded to achieve the American dream if they worked hard. Thiscentral value can and should drive a lot more policies that peopleneed and that work to resolve some of today's problems.

The biggest issue facing the government is the $1.5 trilliondeficit. No one has been able to find a real centrist solution sincethe Clinton budget deal; we have ping-ponged from too much spendingto too much tax-cutting to both. Here, Obama has to aim for nothingless than a balanced budget in five years. The only way is to reacha compromise on Social Security, Medicare and defense spending,along with some cuts in current spending that the president wouldrather avoid. But the budget outlook is so far out of whack thatthis problem can no longer be tackled with step-by-step actions.

Next, the president should consider personal income tax reformthat mirrors his proposals on corporate reform. One idea would be tolower all rates by looking at all types of income more or lessequally. Currently, capital formation is favored far above labor,which builds in massive disincentives for hiring workers. Equalizingdifferent forms of income is one way to tilt the scales back toencouraging work as much as investing, as long as overall income taxrates were lowered. This would be radical, bold and as big asanything Ronald Reagan did to spark the economy.

Third, the president needs to cut a deal on immigration reformthat settles, once and for all, the status of undocumentedresidents. As with the budget, this issue is out of control, due toa legislative stalemate and empty posturing from both extremes. Foryears the country has drifted aimlessly with growing numbers ofimmigrants and uncertain enforcement. Obama mentioned immigrationlast week, but he has to get serious and mount an all-out effort tomake this a reality.

Fourth, he needs to crack open educational reform so thatinnovation in education is promoted rather than suppressed. GettingAmericans to make some changes demands more than funding standards.It requires a cultural shift that this president will need to getout and promote as President John F. Kennedy did with athletics. Healso has to start recognizing the growing problem of collegedropouts.

Fifth, he needs to create a 21st-century personal empowermentbill. This would give Americans some expanded rights to the privacyof their own information and against rampant misinformation online,ensure fair access to the Internet and help protect their childrenfrom being taken advantage of in the Internet world.

For too long, people have equated centrism with seemingly smallitems such as school uniforms. But with centrist policies PresidentBill Clinton helped create 24 million jobs, balanced the budget andreformed welfare. Each of those programs, from NAFTA on, was a majorfight for major legislation. Not one was easy, but they prepared thecountry for the 21st century.

Many of today's biggest problems seem impossible. The budget,taxes, immigration and unclear rules for the Internet have alllanguished for a decade because of a failure to find solutions in apartisan and gridlocked world. And yet, in a flash, the presidentaccomplished a tax deal and repeal of the ban on gays serving openlyin the military. By giving Republicans enough of what they want butalso using the veto threat, Obama can add his moderates togetherwith the Republicans to get deal after deal done - especially onitems that have broad public approval.

With the change in government and change in outlook, thepresident has to realize that centrism is not just a practicalelectoral strategy but, successfully executed, can also be a path togreat things and a great presidency. It doesn't take big governmentto do big things for America.

The writer is chief executive of the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller. He was a pollster and adviser to Bill Clinton from 1995to 2000.