The real time economics blog had a post last week previewing the G20. It had an interesting quote about Obama's views.
Mr. Obama talked of the need to “restore sustainable public finances,” but he pushed that off to the “medium term” — which means three to five years from now. There was no mention of starting by 2011, as the Europeans want.
Waiting for three years means not cutting back on stimulus until 2013 at the earliest. This is good for him because even a short term economic slowdown, no matter how necessary, can ruin a reelection campaign. This isn't to say that Obama doesn't truly believe that this path is best for the economy, but with the health care mandate not occurring until 2014 I am beginning to sense a pattern.