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Obama Apologizes To GOP For Being Mean

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:48:46 PM EST
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Ed Henry just said that it's true that President Obama apologized for failing to be bipartisan and promised to work harder to find common ground.

If it wasn't so tragic, it would be absolutely funny.

Speaking for me only

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    Obama Apologizes To GOP For Being Mean | 51 comments (51 topical)

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    head (5.00 / 5) (#1)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:51:13 PM EST
    desk

    you stole my comment! :/ (5.00 / 3) (#2)
    by nycstray on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:53:57 PM EST


    Parent
    The Facepalm President... (none / 0) (#46)
    by rhbrandon on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 08:08:00 PM EST
    (trademark)

    Parent
    Oh, for the love of God... (5.00 / 9) (#5)
    by Anne on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:09:21 PM EST
    If Obama doesn't know by now that the only "common ground" Republicans recognize is the patch they happen to be standing on, he's politically as dumb as a box of rocks.  

    If he does know that, the only conclusion I can reach is that he is so devoid of principle that he doesn't see the harm in their overall philosophy and positions.

    Is there anything he isn't willing to compromise on?  

    He has one value (5.00 / 4) (#21)
    by rennies on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:52:49 PM EST
    and only one value: to be re-elected. This con man has only his own self-interest as a goal. He isn't stupid or naive, simply totally unprincipled.

    Parent
    Yeah, and good luck to him on that account (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by shoephone on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 06:39:58 PM EST
    At this rate, he will have pi$$ed off every single liberal in the base of the party by 2012.

    I've never wanted a Democratic primary challenger so much in my 32 years of voting!

    Parent

    You and Tom Tomorrow (5.00 / 0) (#33)
    by The Maven on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:12:01 PM EST
    His current comic needs to be permanently embossed on the desks of everyone in the administration.

    Parent
    Better yet, (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by Zorba on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:56:05 PM EST
    Tattoo it in reverse on their foreheads, so they can re-read it every time they look in a mirror.

    Parent
    Republicans may not recognize... (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Romberry on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 07:13:12 PM EST
    ...common ground, but Obama does. He's standing on it. With them. He believes in conservative ideas and conservative economic lunacy and conservative smears of liberal icons. He keeps giving to them because he wants to be accepted by them because in his heart of hearts he is one of them.

    Like I said in response to BTD's "The Negotiator" post, Obama is not naive, dumb or incompetent. He knows what he is doing, and he is getting what he wants...except for the love of the GOP (which he wants most of all.)

    Parent

    Are you sure? (2.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Dec 01, 2010 at 09:47:44 AM EST
    He knows what he is doing, and he is getting what he wants...except for the love of the GOP (which he wants most of all.)

    I believe they love him beyond their wildest dreams. They get everything THEY want, and they get to blame it on the other party! He was their handpicked D candidate in 2008 for a very good reason.

    Parent

    ooh, ooh, me, me, me (none / 0) (#6)
    by NYShooter on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:14:13 PM EST
    deep into the chess match, all brows furrowed; what are they up to?

    There he goes! Kennie Hoyer moves out of the pack:

    Proposes freezing military pay. LOL. lol.

    Am I dead?

    Parent

    I am starting to agree with you (none / 0) (#7)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:20:54 PM EST
    that the only convictions I can see are to get elected.  and reelected.

    good luck with the second one.

    Parent

    Nope, Just funny (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by waldenpond on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:23:34 PM EST
    Just laugh out loud funny!

    I am so enjoying today... the Dems are so craven they are having a 'symbolic vote' on that major decades long tenant of liberal policy the progressive tax structure and then they will vote a tax cut for themselves and their gluttonous, 'give me it all or I'll burn it down' rich friends.

    AND!!!  so priceless :) the so-called DEMOCRATIC friggin' President APOLOGIZES for not being conservative ENOUGH to the people who friggin' despise him.  What a wimp.  Lovin' it.

    this morning on Joe (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:26:59 PM EST
    they had some no name congressman and they were talking about the tax cuts.  paraphrasing it went something like this

    Mica mouse:  what would you consider an acceptable compromise on tax cuts?

    no name: that would be an extension of all tax cuts at their current level.

    Pat (snickering): that would be a total capitulation on the part of the president.

    no name:  well, call it what you want thats what is going to happen.

    he is probably right.


    Parent

    What capitulation? (5.00 / 3) (#14)
    by waldenpond on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:32:12 PM EST
    Obama's a conservative.  He comes across as such a true blue hard-core conservative he doesn't even care that he can be portrayed as looking like a pussy.  It appears all Obama cares about is living a conservative ideology.  Tax cuts!

    Parent
    Starting in 2013 (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Yes2Truth on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:07:37 PM EST

    "It appears all Obama cares about is living a conservative ideology.  Tax cuts!"

    The Big question is:   will he start his own firm, or join one already in progress.

    That's right, I don't believe he'll run in 2012.

    Parent

    whatever you are smoking (none / 0) (#34)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:12:50 PM EST
    I would like to get some.
    he has shown me nothing in the last two years BUT the fact that running again is his only priority.

    Parent
    But seriously, (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by sj on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:51:29 PM EST
    Who does he think is going to vote for him?  That's not snark.  Federal employees are the latest under-the-bus-ers.  

    What traditional Democratic voting bloc has he not pi$$ed off? (Again, serious question).  I mean, I know his view is that we have nowhere else to go, but does he really not see the difference between support and apathy?

    And as long as he has a D after his name, does he really think he's going to pull a big enough number of Republicans to carry him over?

    Hasn't he figured out yet that a national election is not like a caucus or a primary which can be gamed "strategically", and that re-election is not an automatic thing?

    If he hasn't figured all this out, he has the laziest mind I've ever seen.  GWB wasn't the brightest bulb in the box but he is shrewd and he used what he had.

    So if re-election is his ultimate goal, I don't see any enlightened self-interest to get him there.

    So he's either effectively really stupid or his goal from the beginning was to facilitate the implementation of exactly these policies.

    And if the implementation of these policies was the goal (as I now believe), he doesn't need to stick around to complete it.  The GOP will gladly finish the job.  He will completely discredit the Democratic party and we will have 24 years of GOP policies (counting the next administration).

    And the Robber Barons are back in the saddle again.  Completely unfettered.  Unless the pitchforks really do come out.  I find this all more than a little frightening.

    Parent

    which is not to say he will win (none / 0) (#37)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:15:51 PM EST
    but he definitely will run.

    Parent
    Upon consideration (none / 0) (#39)
    by sj on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:52:57 PM EST
    Yes, I think he'll run.  He doesn't want to take the chance that a real Democrat would win.

    Parent
    Relax, relax... (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by KeysDan on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:25:40 PM EST
    the meeting was not that bad.  First of all, they agreed to meet again, and (b) Obama formed a Committee, to be comprised of a Democrat and a Republican from both the House and Senate, with the able resources of Secretary Geithner and OMB Chief Jacob Lew.

    And, if this is not enough assurance that the Democrats will negotiate the fate of the Bush tax cuts in our favor, Max Baucus will represent the Democrats.   We do not yet know the other members, but let's put in our wish list.  For the House: Steny Hoyer and Paul Ryan, and the Republican Senator Tom Coburn (Obama's favorite Republican). I would go for Lindsey Graham, but he is busy torpedoing DADT repeal.

    I saw that (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:30:10 PM EST
    but did not trust myself not to write profanities about it.

    Geithner?

    Parent

    There are some things that tell (5.00 / 5) (#22)
    by Anne on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:53:03 PM EST
    the real story, if you know what to look for; Geithner being in on this to speak to members of Congress is one of them.

    Profanities would not do justice to the inevitable injustice this signals, really.

    Pray for gridlock is all I can suggest.  Pray hard.

    Parent

    Max Baucus (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:44:21 PM EST
    oh my freakin god.

    Parent
    There's no snark tag on your (none / 0) (#17)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:38:49 PM EST
    comment - really?  Seriously?

    Parent
    Honestly. And that is (5.00 / 4) (#23)
    by KeysDan on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:07:49 PM EST
    where the honesty starts and stops in this mess.

    Parent
    Saw that today (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by CST on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:27:57 PM EST
    and then I saw this:

    "How about we start with this?" McConnell said. "No tax hikes on anybody. No tax hikes on anybody, period."

    Yet, it's always the DEMOCRATS who have are failing to be bipartisan.

    How can the GOP sit in such a mtg. (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:35:44 PM EST
    and keep straight faces?  

    Everybody is using botox these days. (5.00 / 7) (#16)
    by tigercourse on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:38:31 PM EST


    Parent
    Because they really believe it. (none / 0) (#18)
    by Buckeye on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:42:41 PM EST


    Parent
    If I was one of the Republicans (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:51:23 PM EST
    in that meeting, I'd have a hard time not snickering and saying something like, "Suckers" to the Democrats.

    Parent
    Two other (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by lentinel on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:07:52 PM EST
    not laughing matters:

    China is asking the US, Japan and South Korea for emergency talks with North Korea in an effort to diffuse the crisis.

    In true Bushian fashion, the US and its allies have refused - because, say they, that doing so would be a "reward" for NK's"provocative behavior". This is American diplomacy at its most stupid, imo. I'm not condoning what NK did, but we kill and bomb more people every single day.

    Way to keep the fires burning, boys.

    Second on my list of the not-so-funny is the Obama adoption of Bush's idiotic "missile shield" thing. The Russians have said that this could lead to another arms race. Obama just can't let it go.
    I suppose there's big bucks in it for someone.

    as far as NK (none / 0) (#25)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:11:23 PM EST
    China has been caught with there hands in Kims pants.

    that is why they are doing that.  


    Parent

    So what? (none / 0) (#41)
    by lentinel on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 06:00:02 PM EST
    I don't care about China's motive.

    And I wouldn't start comparing anyone with our penchant for pants insertion.

    Talking - getting all the protagonists in one room - is better than posturing and blustering and taking stands that commit armies to dangerous courses of action.

    Parent

    wow (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by tworivers on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:38:07 PM EST
    Obama doesn't get it at all.

    He needs to read this John Cole rant:

    With all due respect, what the hell are you idiots in the White House smoking? You incompetent boobs. THE REPUBLICANS WILL NOT WORK WITH YOU IN GOOD FAITH ON ANYTHING. Get it through your god damned heads. And they will screw you dim bulbs on tax cuts next, and then you all will throw up your hands and tell us no one could have predicted. The Republicans aren't the only one living in their own reality, as this White House clearly has constructed a new reality in which Republicans act in good faith. It's about as real as Narnia.
    JC is the one that doesn't get it (5.00 / 3) (#30)
    by waldenpond on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:55:00 PM EST
    For some reason, Cole persists in claiming Obama is a Dem.

    Parent
    If John Cole is mad (none / 0) (#49)
    by lilburro on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:14:24 PM EST
    at the President, then you know something's up.

    Parent
    Obama, get thee to the shrink (5.00 / 0) (#29)
    by Dadler on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:54:11 PM EST
    No President, conservative leanings or no, should be running around acting like the same little kid who got picked on forty years ago. Sad.

    I'm beyond laughing or crying (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by esmense on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 06:19:41 PM EST
    ...and really, is there anyone in the Democratic party (with a chance of getting the support of the Democratic leadership) who would be better than Obama? Of course not. He perfectly represents what the Democratic party has been on its way to becoming since Carter. (Who, in terms of economic policy, was arguably as conservative as Reagan).

    On the national level the party has been depending on union GOTV and taking union money while dismissing their interests, and the interests of the working class in general, since McGovern. They've been courting the votes of women while ignoring their issues since Bella Abzug was in Congress. And, frankly, when you look at how especially devastating the current Democratic President's economic policies are for minority communities, you have to accept that the party's gestures toward their faithful African American constituency are just as empty, symbolic and cynical as they are toward every other traditional Democratic constituency. Dems are the party of Wall Street just as much as the Republicans. They just tell different lies to different people for votes.

    This country doesn't have anyone in either party, or in any place of power in the media, business, financial or religious community that's ready and able to face up to reality and deal with the problems we face. Perhaps another generation will do better -- but not until things have first gotten much worse.

    And this guy went to law school (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Coral on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 06:27:28 PM EST
    He certainly couldn't hold his own vs. a half-decent litigator.

    Or first year law student (none / 0) (#50)
    by jbindc on Wed Dec 01, 2010 at 08:52:23 AM EST


    Parent
    Obama To GOP "Thank you sir! . . ." (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by john horse on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 08:19:23 PM EST
    When it comes to standing up to the Republicans, Obama's model for leadership apparently is the Kevin Bacon character from Animal House. "Thank you sir! May I have another?"

    Well, thank goodness Obama is a media darling... (5.00 / 3) (#48)
    by masslib on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 08:56:10 PM EST
    Otherwise, Democrats want start asking themselves just who in hell they elected.

    The president's ego (none / 0) (#3)
    by the capstan on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:57:53 PM EST
    is not quite as sturdy as was thought:  it's blown up with all that hot air, but it wavers in every breeze.

    I saw Ed Henry's report. (none / 0) (#4)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:04:07 PM EST
    I really, really think that posting the transcript would be worth it in this case.  I couldn't ever do it justice if I tried to describe what he said about today's meeting and the White House's position.   It was amazing, really.

    Well, looks like the Repubs were right and we (none / 0) (#11)
    by Buckeye on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:27:40 PM EST
    were wrong.  Looks like the reason the Repubs failed to support anything Reid, Pelosi, and Obama was doing over the last two years is for the exact reasons the Repubs said:  Obama's attitude was "won, you lost...you sit back watch us do everything ourselves with no input from you and then you better vote for whatever we shove down your throat or we will call you the Party of No."

    Don't believe me?  Well, my source for my opinion (apparently) is Barack Obama.

    You're being played, BTD. (none / 0) (#27)
    by observed on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:43:07 PM EST
    Obama is Reagan II.

    yeah (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:47:24 PM EST
    where are the Obama republicans?


    Parent
    They're negotiating with Obama (none / 0) (#35)
    by observed on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:13:06 PM EST
    on how much to cut SS

    Parent
    the Reagan democrats (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:15:25 PM EST
    actually voted for him.  do we believe that will happen?


    Parent
    Well, the Cat Food Commission (none / 0) (#32)
    by KeysDan on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:08:14 PM EST
    report is due not later than December 1, 2010, and it needs 14 votes out of the 18 members. Since this is probably going to be difficult, Obama should re-negotiate his Commission in the interest of bipartisanship: let Simpson's vote be weighted and the one or two progressive members be asked to drop out.

    Obama Apologizes To GOP For Being Mean | 51 comments (51 topical)

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