The Spider and the Fly? Obama Extends Yet Another Olive Branch to Republicans
I suppose the president is doing this as political cover for the eventual use of reconciliation. But I suspect he really thinks he's going to change the way things work in Congress -- either he's crazy, or a genius. Personally, I wish he'd give up trying to be the Great Mediator and just ram through his agenda - the same way George Bush did with much less public support:
President Obama moved to jump-start the stalled health-care debate Sunday, inviting Republicans in Congress to participate in a bipartisan, half-day televised summit on the subject this month.
The president made the offer in an interview with CBS News anchor Katie Couric hours before the network televised the Super Bowl.
Obama challenged Republicans, who have been largely unified in opposing his proposals, to bring their best ideas for how to cover more Americans and fix the health insurance system to the public discussion.
"I want to consult closely with our Republican colleagues," Obama said. "What I want to do is to ask them to put their ideas on the table. . . . I want to come back and have a large meeting, Republicans and Democrats, to go through, systematically, all the best ideas that are out there and move it forward."
The invitation to meet together on Feb. 25 -- and to do so live in front of the American public -- represents an effort by Obama to hit the reset button on the top domestic priority of his first year in office. It also reflects a recognition that he must have at least some Republican support if he hopes to see health-care reform pass.
[...] GOP leaders on Sunday said they welcomed the outreach but called it evidence that Obama knows he must start over if he wants to earn their support going forward.
I think he's calling them out. Make them bring their bullshit to the cameras and show the country they have no fu*king ideas. They'll throw up some catch words and he'll shoot them down for what they are. And if they do have any good ideas, let's hear them. Maybe the public will see what's going on with the republicans and figure out they are just playing for party rather than country.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Obama, Emanuel and the centrists democrats are more republican which like the blue dogs have been elected by way of the democrat party..
Just look at the policies of Bush in which Obama and Emanuel have keep and followed , while the legislation is for the benefit of these Global Empire monopolies.
A real democrat would have renegotiated the free trade bill to keep American jobs home and they would have made sure main street would have the money for jobs and screw these wall street crooks..
Wall street is play our government and citizens for all they can get and Obama & Emanuel are dancing to their tune..
None
How quick did the republicans start hating muslims? In the last eight years the republicans have done much worse damage to America then the people did on 911! That is a fact. We need to forget about these whacked out idiots and start fixing the things they fucked up! Like the economy, health care, the wars that need to be ended, and putting most of the bush cabal in prison, along with wallstreet, kstreet, and cstreet.
republicanism/conservatism is a mental illness!
that makes up for all the damage the repugs did, right?
these DLC asshats make me angrier than I am at repugs. so fucking condescending, indifferent and aloof, while they pretend to give a schitt.
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common sense matters as much as truth
and the tone of the conversation. "Start over"??? When did he stop reaching out to Republicans? Look, I'll keep watching C&L for signs of an intelligent or at least a fair conversation in the Village Media about Obama and the GOP but I'm not going to hold my breath.
Barack Obama: Change we can only imagine
They are taking us under. holding our breaths will not be an option.
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common sense matters as much as truth
There is not a snowballs chance in hell the rethuglicans take the bait. They will come up with some inane excuse as to why they choose "not to participate in this obvious photo-op."
I will gladly praise the right if they participate. But know that I will not hold my breath.
"Personally, I wish he'd give up trying to be the Great Mediator and just ram through his agenda - the same way George Bush did with much less public support."
By February, 2002, George Bush celebrated exactly two victories from Congress that were not related to the panic induced response to 9/11. One was No Child Left Behind, which had no institutional lobby opposition. The other were his tax cuts, which had no institutional lobby opposition.
"I mean Romney is the most conservative on illegal immigration and I don't think Ronald Reagan could get elected in California today."
Ann "Clipped" Coulter
Well yeah, if you ignore the response to 9/11 you can make it look like he didn't accomplish anything. Of course, there is no reason to do that in the first place. Obama has a crisis of his own that has induced panic; it would sure be nice if he used that to pass legislation that would prevent a similar crisis from happening again.
Obama will not do anything.
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common sense matters as much as truth
.
"I mean Romney is the most conservative on illegal immigration and I don't think Ronald Reagan could get elected in California today."
Ann "Clipped" Coulter
were as simple as getting Congressional authority to "stop" foreign terrorists.
"I mean Romney is the most conservative on illegal immigration and I don't think Ronald Reagan could get elected in California today."
Ann "Clipped" Coulter
Just a smokescreen to deflect attention away from the democrats getting anything done. They could change the senate rules and accomplish things but they choose not to do it. They expect everyone to believe their BS about how they tried but couldn't get things done and point to republicans.
Republicans are liars and simply cannot be trusted.
they all serve the same masters.
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common sense matters as much as truth
and then when this crazy country finishes blaming Obama and put's the same assholes in power that put us in this position you can kiss your country goodbye.
The Dems need to fight. Stop letting the GOP control the message.
Bush didn't have 60 votes.
I'm tired of the excuses.
Get it the fuck done.
Will someone please tell me why the democrats didn't have an up and down vote to end the health insurance industries 64-65 year old anti-trust exemption! Even if the vote failed it would at least put the cretins who love the health insurance exemption, under the microscope, or am I being silly?
I believe you will also eviscerate many state laws that actually protect the consumers from the rapists. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe in NY health insurers there is already a prohibition against denying coverage for pre-existing conditions or at least restricting their ability to do so. That's why I've been very leery of Congress repealing the exemption.
Everything's going just about according to plan: Congress is paralyzed, Prez Shamwow is ineffective, and the CorpoRats just won a huge victory against the people, making it possible for them to buy any office or regulator in the nation.
What's wrong with this picture? If you're a corpoRat tool like Prez Shamwow, nothing at at all...
this doesn't sound like an olive branch, it sounds like hes making republics get to WORK. Isn't the opposition suppose to write alternative bills? Like real possible ones? Opposition in many ways is to play "mock government" in areas they are in big disagreement. Not just say no but actually show voters how they would literally run the country if they were in power, and not a 1 sheet of paper with a 12 point bullet list. but a bill that actually looks like a bill that is purposed under a conservative government. republicans in america don't do this??
No way in hell will they make that mistake again. They would propose tax cuts and he would point out that didn't work and they would propose more tax cuts. Then he would point out that didn't work. And so on, and so on.
So he's publicly calling their bluff. Everyone knows he has asked them to do this and if they refuse, the public will see an example of what the republicans have been doing. Only minds as simple as the tea baggers' will miss the point.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
I strenuously disagree. No one will care. The MSM will spin it into one of the cajillion memory holes that exist around us.
The people of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage." J.K. Galbraith
When are we gonna call his bluff.
GWB had "less public sup[port". But he had a major propaganda engine behind him. That engine is now even stronger with the addition of GWB's "brain" Karl Rove.
It's incredible that that station can showcase war criminals as their "experts" and no one questions their past. And ironically they also lambaste Obama for the people he associated with in the past, yet IOKIYAR mentality when you point out the suspicious characters (Rove, North, Libby, Liddy, Rummy Cheney...) that populate the FNC cast and crew.
He's dumb. He thinks if he just calls everybody together and asks for a group hug he'll get one.
his bullshit is just not working.
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common sense matters as much as truth
Sisyphus is a better analogy.
... brought hope and change to the people, got chained to a rock where the GOP picks at his liver every day.
"Perhaps Sisyphus is a better analogy."
YES INDEED!!!!!
Obama is ether using this to cover up his own wants for no real reform and the deals he made with the insurance companies. Or Obama is really just plain delusional and believes if he tries enough the GOP will evenly welcome him with open arms in other words he's insane.
Bill Moyers: "Let's Face It, Two Political Parties; Equal Opportunity Hypocrites"
By Heather Saturday Feb 06, 2010 2:00pm
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common sense matters as much as truth
obama wants to reveal the obstructionists to the people. boehner waved around a thin notebook/binder claiming it had contained the (r) answers to the health care insurance crisis. that's b.s. the (r) don't want to work with obama/(d) lawmakers. they are preoccupied with getting elected in 2012. the (r) are also preoccupied with deceiving the vulnerable public.......they are smearing obama with the BUSH legacy. for me the (r) is overly concerned that a health care entitlement program will be accepted by all. during the recent bush yrs. deficit spending was fine now being "fiscally responsible" is the new chant. reveal the hypocrites obama.
1) you still need Republican support to pass anything, as long as the Republicans will filibuster in the Senate. you need 60 votes.
2) there is also political issues here. If you try and legitimately work with the Republicans and they keep saying NO, then they will look like the bad ones in the public's eye.
I agree. He's going to put a little sunlight on them and show their true colors. He'll be fair, but he will call them on their bullshit.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
The filibuster is obstructionism, plain and simple. It is also something that is difficult to sustain over a long time. (Strom Thurmond holds the record at just over 24 hours.)
Saying 'we need 60+ votes' is an excuse for not managing your own side of the house.
And how has Obama NOT tried working with Republicans? How long must he continue trying? I mean, if Congress were boarding a cruise ship for a week-long vacation, and the Republicans were all standing on the dock bitching about the menu, how long would you let them stand there and complain?
What do we need, a political shot clock?
In reerence to your first point:
Conservative southerners held up the Civil Rights Act for over fifty days in 1964, with most of the perpetrators belonging to the President's own party.
In reference to your last question:
Probably.
"I mean Romney is the most conservative on illegal immigration and I don't think Ronald Reagan could get elected in California today."
Ann "Clipped" Coulter
Bill Moyers: "Let's Face It, Two Political Parties; Equal Opportunity Hypocrites"
By Heather Saturday Feb 06, 2010 2:00pm
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/b...
There is no mystery anymore.
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common sense matters as much as truth
-- either he's crazy, or a genius.
Well the longer this spineless behavior goes on the sooner we'll have our answer
to fulfill his mission as a (R)eagan Democrat, i.e., DLC corporatist missionary.
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common sense matters as much as truth
branches that I think burning down the olive orchards are in order.
The one sane but ironic thing that Sarah Palin said during her little speech over the weekend was that bipartisanship should only be persued if the other side is willing to work with you.
UGH.
I've never seen change without a fire
The DLC would look like an ant hive that's just been kicked.
I know, I know . . but it's a Monday - a man can dream, can't he?
the (r) now chant smaller government and fiscal responsibility. i say that's very trendy of them. they went hog wild during the bush yrs. take a close look at the medicare d prescription program...huge and very expensive. just the opposite of their propaganda linguistics of today. i often go into a contrarian mindset when i listen to most (r)/(i) speak. i believe many don't understand being currently preoccupied with the "indivdualistic" philosophy vs. the "collective" is destroying this country.....economically and culturally. the (r) lust for the opportunities created by dirty capitalism strategies......a few winners and many losers is a cost that may not be fully realized for some time. of course many don't care about 10-20 yrs. from now. this health care insurance crisis is going to be much more of a problem in 10-20 yrs. but that will create opportunities for some at others expense.
This has ALWAYS been the guy's style. This is the guy who managed to muster bipartisan support for putting cameras in police interrogation rooms -- working with both sides, finding common ground, and ultimately coming up with a bill that the ACLU, the police unions and major law enforcement figures could all get behind.
Many people suspect this kind of approach is more doable on the state level -- things have gotten way more polarized in Washingon, D.C. But this approach is EXACTLY who the guy has ALWAYS been and what everyone should've expected when voting for him.
It's worked for him in the past... I just hope it works this time.
See:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/104/story/31759.html
he voted for all corporatist bills as a senator.
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common sense matters as much as truth
There's no deep mystery here. He's simply doing what he has done since his inauguration which is to blindly appease the GOP at the expense of the people who voted for him and the other Democratic candidates.
Obama is a weakling. He talks a good game about fighting for the people but he's been President Milquetoast when it comes to action.
Just watch, another needless, mind-boggling health care reform sellout is coming.
In the last eight years or more when have you seen a dem and a repug on the tv at the same time? Very few if any! They hve such an insane view on everything that if they have anyone that dissagrees they will be shown for the liars and criminals that they are! I don't think they will show, afterall they are cowards!
republicanism/conservatism is a mental illness!
Starting with his recent televised journey into the GOP, where he showed them to be fools. This is step 2. It is not an olive branch, but a simple game of "put up or shut up, and you're gonna do it in public". The GOP will do anything to prevent this from happening, because they know Obama can out debate them and is far more knowledgeable on the issues and details than they are. Further, he is great at making them expose their BS, then calling them on in such a way they can't spin away from it.
But, the GOP is screwed both ways. They have no ideas, because all their brainpower is put into "no" and lying, blocking, smearing, stalling, etc. The fact is, as anyone can tell you, the more time you put into reacting the less time you have to put into acting. Obama knows this, and has forced the GOP into a pattern of reacting, so they have no plan, nothing to offer, nada. Unless it gets them more money, of course. They can't dodge this and they can't bluster and lie - they have lied so much now, that they are expected to lie, so they have to do this the President's way. President Obama's next step will be to marginalize and emasculate the Repubs. And don't think he hasn't figured out a way to do this by now.
the "change" needed/wanted by some is not wanted by others. the red and blue CULTURE CLUB remains strong due to people's ignorance. the bush legacy is being successfully smeared onto the obama administration as well as "liberals". the we want obama to fail will continue inorder to maintain the two party dualism for 2012. they don't care about "we the people" but rather the opportunities to screw we the people.
Since Obama seems to actually want to hear all of the hollow republican ideas, does that mean that he's also willing to put public option back on the table as well?
but it is certainly inspired. The Republicans and various health care industry lobbyists have poisoned the well of public opinion with exquisitely crafted disinformation campaigns. That includes the idea that they have been excluded from injecting their wise plans for HCR into the debate all the while offering nothing. Now they have to put something on the table. If they don't Obama just has to keep inviting them, publicly, to put something on the table until it can't be ignored. A few well timed reminders of the nothing they accomplished on HCR during the Bush years wouldn't be amiss either. The Republicans will now have to choose between satisfying their teabagging base by turning right and losing more of the center or vice versa. I'm telling you this guy Obama does know how to play politics.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
for reconciliation? He may be doing it as cover for more concessions to Republican ideas in order to get Republican votes.
With a few minor changes to gain Progressive votes, the Democrats could pass the plan (which is almost entirely based in long standing Republican ideas) right now. But, the WH is adamantly opposed to dealing with Progressives.
The Presidents actions to date have shown that he is philosophically much more aligned with the Republicans than with his own base.
This "forum" is designed to give Republicans an opportunity to present and sell thier ideas to the public (with no opposing Progressive ideas presented), most likely in preparation for making even more concessions to Republicans to gain their votes and pass a plan without Progressive support. Will the Republicans continue to refuse to give Obama a win? Why would they when they can get everything they want plus kudos from the media for being "bi-partisan?"
I am horrified because I think you support the Senate bill which is not reform and pretty much amounts to everyone buying crappy insurance.
Now, if you mean by simple, as I do, like going to Medicare for everyone (in fact, I say single payer), but it must outlaw for profit medical insurance, then I completely agree, but I personally believe that Obama has dumped it in Congress' lap so that the goo won't touch him and then he can incredulously claim that it wasn't his fault.
I hate to sound like a winger, but so far Obama has been an Obamination, although as a full disclaimer I will not support the guy until he fires (and perhaps imprisons) Gates, Petraeus, Mullen and several (more than several) others, ends the wars, slashes the military budgets, prosecutes hundreds of bankers and CEOs, raises taxes a lot on the rich, and upsets the Roberts fraud court. I know it sounds radical, but if you think about what I said, it's really not that radical, more like moderate to centrist if you ask me. After all, we live in an allegedly right of center nation, whatever that means.
Democrats are pussies. They had a majority and you pissed it away to a fragmented minority that makes them dance to their tune. The Dems are committing political suicide instead of ramming home their agenda....like the were ELECTED TO DO. They still don't get it...
But it's just a stick and if he plays his cards right and keeps publicly offering it to them it will soon become apparent that it is the Republicans who have smeared the stick with shit.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
I've been hoping that the on going kiss of Repug ass has been a long and careful setting of the table for hard ball and reconciliation , it's the only thing that makes sense , either that or our President is an absolute fool and in complete denial .We shall see .
and the Repugs get to say I told you so. They will only work with this sham of a so called leader on military procurement. The Repugs have made a fool of him and us.
If you believe that he actually thinks they want to compromise. It's a setup for the GOP to step on their own ears yet again. And judging from Eric Cantor, they took the bait already.
They're not serious, and neither are you.
Fail.
He must be stupid talking to ...them. He must be compromising yet again.
I might believe that...if I were a f***ing simpleton.
this conference is going to change anything is just plain stupid. How many times has Obama "called them out" with an olive branch and and ended up getting screwed.
If I was a Republican I'd be ROTFLMFAS at the way their playing Obama like a fiddle... it's really getting sickening how they're making a fool out of him and he can't see it.
I can't vote for this guy again, at the very best I'll just stay home on election day... no matter how hard I'd hold my nose I could not vote for Palin.
I also hope that no one here supports Obama, who it seems quite clear he is trying to get the House to pass the atrocious Senate bill.
I really hope I'm wrong, but I think I even read on Daily Kos today two diaries urging passage of the Senate bill. I was, and still am, horrified, if anyone supports the Senate bill. I could offer my own simple solution (i.e. no for-profit health insurance aka as no health insurance) but first the Senate bill must go down.
"The Spider and the Fly? Obama Extends Yet Another Olive Branch to Republicans"
I hope to God that the Republicans throw Obama into the broiler, roast him medium well, carve him up on a platter, and make him the main entree for a lunch. I am so sick and tired of his Republicanism.
more than a few people here have never chaired a committee meeting of any sort. They usually feature at least one sourpuss who is always ready to torpedo anyone and everyone's ideas. The wrong tactic is to argue endlessly with such a person. The right way is to let them get all their angst out there and then put them on the spot. You invite them to put their solutions on the record. You won't ever persuade the Gloom Monster to your view but he will persuade others to yours.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
"either he's crazy, or a genius" , I agree . I'm not holding my breath for the latter but the jury is still out . We shall see .
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