Abandon bipartisanship, all ye who enter here
During the presidential campaign, many Democratic activists, especially those in Hillary Clinton’s camp, thought Barack Obama was hopelessly naive to pledge to end the partisan wrangling that had come to characterize Washington politics. They believed that, if Obama were elected, he was setting himself up to be rolled by harshly partisan Republicans, who would reach across the aisle only with a shiv.
But Obama insisted on including Republicans in his administration, appointing them to posts major and minor. He may have named more appointees from the opposition party than any president in modern history. And he has kept his promise to try to earn GOP support for his legislation.
He compromised, for example, on the stimulus bill, reducing the amount of money for states and cities and increasing the size of the tax cuts. The stimulus bill amounted to the biggest two-year tax cut in U.S. history, according to The Wall Street Journal. What did Obama get for his trouble? Three Republican senators voted for the stimulus bill (and one of them is now a Democrat).
But, compared to their behavior on health care legislation, Republicans were downright conciliatory on the stimulus package. Their efforts to kill health care reform have been characterized by backstabbing and brazen lies.
Nothing demonstrates that better than conservatives’ decision to paint a widely accepted proposal — end-of-life counseling — as euthanasia. “Until last week this was basically a nonpartisan issue,” John Rother, executive vice president for policy at AARP, told the Associated Press. “People across the political spectrum recognize that far too often people’s wishes aren’t respected at the end of life and there is a lot of unnecessary suffering.”
According to a recent AP story, :”Rother and Jon Keyserling, a vice president at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, say there is little difference between the current proposal and past legislation that Republicans have supported.”
But Republicans are now behaving as if they’d rather spend a week accompanying Michael Moore on his latest documentary tour than support end-of-life counseling. Never mind that they’ve supported it in the past. Now, it’s radioactive.
So, if the opposition party isn’t going to negotiate in good faith, Obama ought to give up on getting bipartisan support. The GOP isn’t playing by the same rulebook.
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37 comments Add your comment
ASK WHY
August 17th, 2009
9:09 am
Why do think they’ve changed their minds? The people of the United States have showed their dismay… that’s why the GOP has changed their stance. Every politician does it. They should listen to us more often.
Bob
August 17th, 2009
9:25 am
Bipartisanship! Cynthia, your are the poster child for bipartisanship.
Turd Ferguson
August 17th, 2009
9:35 am
The conservatives are not interested in Socialism either so whats your point?
Wow
August 17th, 2009
9:53 am
Ram it down their throats! Republicans rammed through both of Bush’s tax cuts by way of reconciliation. They also added hundreds of their own amendments to the stimulus bill and then didn’t vote for it. I’m starting to believe Obama is a naive wimp. Do whats in the best interests of the people you voted for, or quit sending me emails when the midterms ramp up. And end-of-life counseling wasn’t socialism when Medicare Part D was passed. At least repubs know they have to make Obama fail, by any means necessary.
Hilary
August 17th, 2009
10:04 am
Democrats, eager to label themselves bipartisan, water-down legislation in hopes of getting a few Republican votes. When the vote comes up only one or two Republicans support the bill and the People end up financing a corporate give-away while the Democrats end up looking as partisan as ever. When Democrats compromise with Republicans, corporations win.
Jeff
August 17th, 2009
10:06 am
How do you define bipartisanship? I define it as both sides willing to compromise not just give in and sacrifice their own ideals. The conservative’s ideas about healthcare/health insurance reform have been resoundingly rejected. It appears that the conservatives have been trying to come up with some good ideas that should be incorporated into any healthcare bill, but they have been resoundingly rejected by the democrats and then they portrayed as the “party of no”. Perhaps the republicans will start to refer to the democrats as the “party of my way or the highway”.
jconservative
August 17th, 2009
10:15 am
Turd Ferguson August 17th, 2009 9:35 am
“The conservatives are not interested in Socialism either…”
I agree that “conservatives” are not interested in Socialism. BUT, Republicans are. That is the rub. Despite all the grandstanding by the Republican Party, this country still has two of the largest Socialist programs in the world – Social Security & Medicare/Medicaid. And 3 Republican presidents, Nixon, Reagan & Bush 43 contributed mightily to both of these Socialist programs. In fact, if not for Reagan, Social Security would probably be gone today.
Name a Republican who is introducing a bill to eliminate either or both of these Socialist programs. You cannot do so. As I continue to point out, talk is easy, actions are another matter.
I have been fighting this encroaching socialism since 1960. For 40 years we conservatives stopped the addition of any new entitlements to the US debt. But then you Republicans decided to elect a “Compassionate
Conservative” to the White House. (Note: compassionate conservative =
Liberal.) So what did Bush 43 do? Another entitlement! He rammed through a Republican controlled congress the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (added prescription drugs to Medicare/Medicade). To top that he didn’t even pretend to pay for it.
And all you Republicans voted to re-elect the guy! (If you, in fact, voted against Bush 43, I owe you an apology).
But based on your previous comments to the AJC blogs I would say you are a Republican. But you sir, are no Conservative.
Pip
August 17th, 2009
10:21 am
As all administrations, they pick the straws that are thrown on their Camels back. Obama planted and threw the fertilizer into the field, then brought in his own bailers. What other outcome can you expect?
Mac
August 17th, 2009
10:23 am
There is no government, only politics. Democrats and Republicans have decided the best way to keep party profits rising and winning elections is to automatically disagree with and demonize the other side.The result is no compromise and the whole country is shafted. Hey, but that’s OK, because it’s corporate warfare: Democrat Inc. vs. Republican Inc.
We’re doomed.
Davo
August 17th, 2009
10:33 am
“Abandon bipartisanship, all ye who enter here”
Good advise for anyone that reads this column. I knew this going in, as I’ve seen Tucker bleat her statist opinions on the Sunday ‘news shows’ with that other facist with a heat of gold Paul Krugman.
Don’t mind me though…I’m white and against UHC which makes me a racist in the eyes of the MSM…somehow.
Peadawg
August 17th, 2009
10:44 am
Hey Cynthia, where was all this bipartisan whining the past 8 years? Or is it just happening now b/c you have a democrat in office?
Hypocrite!
Peadawg
August 17th, 2009
10:46 am
Look up hypocrite and racist in the dictionary and Cynthia’s face is right beside them.
Jim morrison
August 17th, 2009
11:22 am
Yeah the great stimulus bill,
That did nothing for America just like all of the other Socialist Racist Ideas from the Obama Camp!
Barry is a joke!
Enough Said!
Dr. R
August 17th, 2009
11:49 am
CT, not to defend Repubs too heavily, since I have left their ranks my ownself, but I find it partisan on your part to lump all GOPers into one hopper. Just because Rush Limbaugh and the other cable TV and radio loudmouths, and a few extreme members of Congress, spread disinformation, that doesn’t mean the whole part is guilty of it. In fact, Sen. Isakson was quick to point out that the whole “death panel” argument was bogus. But you don’t give him or the more reasonable GOPers credit as long as Sarah Palin or Glenn Beck can stir up the nutjobs out there. Don’t paint with such a broad brush, that’s all I’m saying. If the president were decide to go it alone and not reach out to folks who disagree with him honestly and reasonably, he’ll find himself marginalized with the loony left, which remains a decided minority despite popular belief. Most Americans still are in the middle on most issues, and they want consensus. If he ignores that, he’ll be a one-term president. I think he’s smart enough to know that, which is why he’ll continue to reach across the aisle, even when that effort does not bear fruit.
Captain
August 17th, 2009
11:55 am
It’s only bipartisanship when REpublicans are called upon to agree with Democrats. While on the way to praising Obama for appointing Republicans to his Cabinet Cynthia, you conveniently overlook the presence of one Rahm Emanuel as Chief of Staff. The former ballet dancer is one of THE most partisans to ever hold the position. Threats, less than nice language, are the Rahmbo way. Then there is Kathleen Seibelius, the most radical to ever serve at HHS. Let’s not forget Eric Holder as Atty General. Here’s a guy so partisan he wants to investigate and prosecute Bush Admin members for interrogation procedures yet cannot see his way to prosecute the New Black Panther Party for its actions at Pennsylvania voting sites in the 2008 elections with complaints, witnesses and video. Hmmmmm, want to talk more about how wonderfully bipartisan Obama has been???
Chess
August 17th, 2009
11:57 am
At least this president welcomes open opinion on domestic issues. The GOP option is to change the rules and then ram it down your throat. And if you vote no – they tag you with a superficial label like unpatriotic and liberal. The GOP right was quiet for eight years and now all of a sudden the puppets speak. Keep listening to the conservative radio….dance puppets…dance
David Granger
August 17th, 2009
11:57 am
Cynthia, President Obama’s claimed attempt at bipartisanhip went out the window immediately when he named Rahm Emanuel his chief of staff. Emanuel makes Hillary Clinton look like Mother Theresa.
The Truth Hurts
August 17th, 2009
11:58 am
It is truely a shame the at this time our nations history that all we have is politicians and no patriots.
The Truth Hurts
August 17th, 2009
12:02 pm
Cynthia Tucker rah rahing for bipartinship…..WOW that is the pot calling the kettle…hmmmmmmmm ebony.
SARA
August 17th, 2009
12:08 pm
The word “Socialist” is used more now than ever and more and more by repubs!!! Noticing the way it is used and and always with racist tones and the mentality of the folks who is using it — is this a new “code word” for the repubs and other crazies replacing the dreaded “N” word? Everyone is talking about Socialism — have any of you lived in a Socialist society? I think not!!!! Is so, please share. All of you know that Healthcare needs to be reformed. I dare any of you to get sick and need a test or medication and your present insurance carrier says no to it. You will will wish for this reform!!! Just keep up the fuss — you know you are only doing it because your President’s name is OBAMA!!! Get over it!!!!
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator :-) You Whine :-(
August 17th, 2009
12:15 pm
This is the same person that thinks Republicans are “ultra right wing religious extremists and war mongers environment haters, blah, blah, blah.”
And after 8 years of the most rancorous hectoring, insane babbling and mindless sneering in history, now the lib wants “bipartisanship.”
Phhhhbbbbttttttttttt.
ken
August 17th, 2009
12:18 pm
Harry and Nancy, say no more.
Wow
August 17th, 2009
12:20 pm
To Captain and David Granger, you’re accounts of Rahm Emanuel would hold some sway if it wasn’t for the fact that Republicans of all stripes have said Emanuel is actually a good negotiator who tries to make win-win compromises for both sides. Don’t ask me, you’re beloved WSJ says so.
Get Real
August 17th, 2009
12:22 pm
I saw forget bipartisanship. To the victor go the spoils. Republicans weren’t interested in bipartisanship for anything. Trying to pander to them will be the dems downfall. They will compromise and still won’t get republican votes.
dave
August 17th, 2009
12:24 pm
Barack Obama did end the partisan wrangling – he just does what he wants and ignores any other view point. So how’s that working out for you Mr. President??
Dr. R
August 17th, 2009
12:24 pm
Sara, please don’t lump all conservatives together. Some of us merely disagree with the president’s ideas. which doesn’t make us all racist lunkheads (though many are). I happen to admire Mr. Obama personally, and I do acknowledge that he was duly elected by the people; he is my president and I do not wish him ill. However, the concerns about a slide into socialism are real. That’s not to say Obama or the Democrats in power are socialists, but there is concern that an incremental increase in the power of the federal government will lead us down that path. Many of us prefer not to copy the nationalistic approach of Western Europe; our nation was founded by Pilgrims and pioneers who sought to escape such intrusion by the state and forge their own way. This country was founded and made great by rugged individualism, not by ceding our freedoms one by one to the government. And if my insurance company were to deny a test or procedure I needed, which is possible, I would find a way to pay for it out of my own pocket. I don’t look to government, or my neighbor, or you, or anyone else to make life fair for me and ease my troubles. That’s the difference between us.
stands for decibels
August 17th, 2009
1:05 pm
This is the same person that thinks Republicans are “ultra right wing religious extremists and war mongers environment haters, blah, blah, blah.”
Poor Whiner. He’s waiting all these years to get a chance to comment on Cynthia’s blog, and now that he’s here, he can’t think of anything to say.
Don’t you have any ACTUAL QUOTES from Ms. Tucker, Whiner? Cat got your ctrl-C/ctrl-V keys?
ck hall
August 17th, 2009
1:13 pm
Same old far left whacko stuff..Has never worked and will not this time!
Obamacare is being torpedoed by his own party! The waterred down version may make it palatable to many? We’ll see–anyway you look at what will be finally voted on, it is a defeat for the far left! Some in America still have some common sense. By the way, sure am happy you took your road show to DC–They might enjoy your politics more than the deep South does?
nowhereman
August 17th, 2009
1:13 pm
I don’t get it. The Dems hold both houses of congress and the whitehouse. So why is there a need for bi-partisanship? Perhaps Ms. Tucker should aim her comments at to those who are actually putting up the obstacles; certain members of the Democratic party.
Dr. R
August 17th, 2009
1:20 pm
Well, I’m tired of all of you. No one is ever willing to listen to the other side and admit that they just might have valid ideas. Not all conservative ideas are good, not all liberal ideas are bad and vice versa. Most of the advancements we’ve made as a nation have borrowed from the best of each. But now we demonize the other side when we disagree, calling each other socialists, racists or Nazis, the worst insults we can come up with. We no longer can disagree agreeably without making it personal. We gain nothing through this but support the wishes of those who want this country to fail. We are hopelessly divided by ideology, by race, by all manners of demographics. Instead of seeing ourselves as one nation with myriad viewpoints, we see our side as being the “real America” and those who disagree with us as being unworthy of our flag and freedoms. So a pox on all of you. I get tired of trying to introduce a little reason only to be shouted down by the whackjobs on both sides. Everyone should park their little “feelings” once in awhile and use their @#$%ing brains for once. And if you shut up now and again and listened to what people had to say, you might learn something. But then you’d claim to have a headache and find someone else to blame. So chew each other to pieces, see if I care.
roland heath
August 17th, 2009
1:53 pm
would someone educate some of these people
that a fascist isn’t a socialist
they are two different critters
one is on the far right and the other
on the far left
nowhereman
August 17th, 2009
2:05 pm
Roland, please educate yourself. Google “nazi” and see what it stands for in German.
Dr. R
August 17th, 2009
2:31 pm
Nazis ARE socialists. The acronym in German stood for the National Socialist Party. Hitler’s central government ran every part of everyone’s lives. There were no independent media, no free markets. It was a totalitarian regime. They were at odds with the communists more for ultimate control than over ideological differences, though there were some. Either way, you’re talking about different wings of the same monster. Both are the enemies of freedom and democracy and both should be avoided at all costs. But just because someone is left or right of center in our current debate doesn’t mean they should be lumped into either camp. That’s just wrong.
Dr. R
August 17th, 2009
2:45 pm
And communists ARE fascists, at least those in charge of the Soviet Union, China, North Korea, et al. Tell me Kim Jong-Il incorporates the ideals of Marx, Lenin and Engels. Hell no. He’s a two-bit, power mad dictator like all the other chunkheads who came before. Whatever these bozos call themselves, they all came pouring out of the same pit from hell with the same notion of total government control and subjugation of the citizenry. The name-calling is just silly, and what childish minds resort to when they have no reason to offer.
Jim morrison
August 17th, 2009
4:03 pm
Never call Rebs racist when your own F Socialist Racist President along with Robert KKK Byrd is a Dem and are racists. The current associations of this president, Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, Rev Wright, Ayers, and the like. It was the Republican vote that allowed the 1964 Civil Rights Act to be passed, not the Racists Dems in office. So please, do not begin to lecture us on racists Republicans as there are good and bad from both sides.
Do not try to spin the Socialist agenda here which is clearly from the DEM side of the isle. These are the same morons who want you to take their new health care but not use it for their own! Sound weird?
Enough Said!
roland heath
August 17th, 2009
6:07 pm
many moons ago
i taught u.s. history and gov’t
believe me there is a difference
Peppa Sensei
August 17th, 2009
6:17 pm
Ms Tucker, I normally disagree with 100% of what you write in your rantings column. This article is no different. I would like to suggest that you return to high school and take some grammar refresher courses; particularly in the area of comma usage.