So apparently it’s about good politics, not good policy:

Conversations with an array of White House aides, allies and advisers make clear that Obama sees the massive size of his agenda as a political advantage, not a vulnerability. The decision to move big and quickly with a $3.6 trillion budget that tries to tackle not just an ailing economy but energy, education and health care was a deliberate strategy — one that Obama believes leaves Washington’s deck stacked decisively in his favor, no matter the final fate of his proposals.