Obama tried too hard to work with Republicans
WASHINGTON — Amplified by the right-wing message machine, Republicans paint President Obama as an unyielding left-winger, an unreconstructed liberal who refuses to compromise. The president’s critics have turned the truth inside out: One of Obama’s greatest political weaknesses has been his stubborn — and unrequited — love for bipartisanship.
The president has made some of his biggest mistakes trying to woo a GOP opposition that has committed itself to frustrating him at every turn. If he had ignored recalcitrant Republicans, for example, his health care legislation might have become law without months of damaging political drama.
In an interview last week in his West Wing office, David Axelrod, one of Obama’s closest advisers, acknowledged that the administration had been surprised by the unified Republican resistance to the president’s agenda.
“Well, I think we miscalculated,” Axelrod said. “We had the idea that, particularly in a time of national crisis, there would be more of an inclination to work together.
“One of the bracing moments was when the president was on his way over . . to Capitol Hill to talk to the Republican House caucus about the Recovery Act. They issued a press release while he was on his way over to say that they were going to vote en masse against it. And that was a signal . . of things to come.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February 2009 without a single vote from a Republican in the House and the backing of just three in the Senate, even though nearly a third of it came in the form of tax cuts — usually a GOP tool for fixing anything. Most economists have credited the stimulus package with creating jobs and helping to end the recession, but Republicans continue to denounce it as boondoggle that blew a hole in the federal budget.
“I think the Republicans have been diabolically clever about how they’ve portrayed this,” Axelrod conceded. “They stood on the sidelines and made a decision that ‘we’re going to let him wrestle with this mess that we created. And then in two years we can try and hang him with it.’ “
After the stimulus, Obama and his Democratic allies tried to negotiate with GOP leaders on health insurance reform — a decision that gave critics time to mischaracterize the proposal and gin up opposition. Remember death panels? Government-funded abortions? Rationing?
Still, Obama kept going back with proposals meant to lure a few Republican votes for his agenda. That led to his disastrous announcement, just weeks before the Deepwater Horizon explosion, to expand off-shore drilling.
While Alexrod denied that the announcement amounted to a “quid pro quo,” Obama clearly believed that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and a couple of other GOP senators would, in exchange, support groundbreaking energy legislation that included a price on carbon emissions.
Obama didn’t get what he bargained for. The months-long environmental disaster dominated news coverage, obscured the president’s work on the economy and gave his critics more fodder to claim his administration is incompetent. And, since the accident forced the White House to tiptoe away from its eager embrace of off-shore drilling, it also provided Graham an excuse to back away from energy legislation.
A naïve expectation of bipartisan cooperation hasn’t been Obama’s only mistake. He waited until the last possible moment to try to inspire his base for the mid-term elections. Unlike Ronald Reagan, whose poll ratings were slightly lower than Obama’s just before the 1982 mid-term elections, Obama didn’t take every possible opportunity to pin the economic mess on his predecessor.
Nor did the president tamp down the huge expectations generated by his historic election. That has proved costly, as was clear during the president’s encounter with the “exhausted” Velma Hart, a supporter who questioned him during a recent town hall-style meeting.
“There’s no doubt that part of what we’ve encountered is the mismatch between very, very high expectations and the magnitude of the problems that we’ve been called upon to solve,” Alexrod said.
But the expected Republican gains in the coming mid-term elections may solve one of Obama’s problems: his misplaced faith in logic, persuasion and cooperation in the national interest. Tea-party-fueled anger has produced a wave of GOP candidates for whom the word “compromise” is akin to treason. There can be no miscalculation about their intentions.
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1,244 comments Add your comment
David Brickner
October 15th, 2010
11:42 pm
Where’s the flying saucer??…….what planet did this woman come from??
Rufus Choate
October 15th, 2010
11:45 pm
“But the expected Republican gains in the coming mid-term elections may solve one of Obama’s problems: his misplaced faith in logic, persuasion and cooperation in the national interest. ”
Okay but isn’t Barack Obama President of the United States and why hasn’t he used his misplaced faith in logic, persausion and cooperation” to persuade all of the American People to the correctness of his proposals?
Honest answer:
Because he is an unimaginative, illogical and unpersuasive leftist demagogue.
Mark Ross
October 15th, 2010
11:50 pm
Give me a break, saying obama tried hard to work with Republicans is like Obama/Biden saying the Stimulous worked even when using the silly “saved and created” crap. you think a Republican could say “saved or created” and get away with it? LOL, the left is goofy.
Aaron
October 15th, 2010
11:56 pm
Not sure I have read a more idiotic column. President Obama had huge majorities in the House and Senate and he even had a hard time convincing enough Democrats to support his policies (e.g. Obamacare). So he spent to much time appeasing the Republicans…but he had a hard time getting his own party to support him. Ms. Tucker…keep enjoying your happy place.
Toby Petzold
October 16th, 2010
12:00 am
Ms. Tucker, your analysis of the President’s behavior is not merely partisan, but meretricious. It isn’t possible for a sober-minded adult citizen to believe that Barack Obama has ever been anything but a programmatic Marxist who uses the rhetoric of moderation to fool liberal white Democrats and “independents” into owning the destruction of our way of life. Your credibility is suspect, as many others here have ably admonished you for.
Up in Michigan
October 16th, 2010
12:25 am
This is just delusional. Cynthia Tucker is clueless.
The talk of bipartisanship was a charade, left behind before Pres. Obama was sworn in. Obama didn’t try to work with Republicans at all, not on any issue, not in any way. He had a large House majority and filibuster-proof Senate and did the maximum amount of damage his Democrat colleagues could muster. The healthcare bill is a giant cake of rat poison with a frosting of “no lifetime limits” and “coverage for children through age 26″ on top. The legacy of Barack Obama is an incoherent program of worn-out progressive redustributionism, advancement of government at the expense of the private sector (those favored private enterprises whose products are deemed morally and environmentally kosher excepted), and arrogant rejection of any ideas that don’t fit his juvenile world view.
What’s more, “Republican obstructionism” is a myth. With a large House majority and 60 Senators, Obama didn’t need any Republicans. His compromises and sell-outs were intended to win Democrat votes exclusively. Republicans were closed out of negotiations completely, as though their ideas couldn’t possibly improve or moderate the Democrats’ reckless legislative overreach. Well, in two weeks, we’ll see how well the “permanent Democrat majority” worked out. But the work can’t stop there. Barack Obama needs to go. Congressional Republicans have a lot of work to do in regaining their credibility as good stewards of the budget, but Obama has proven himself unsuited to the job of president.
miketm9
October 16th, 2010
12:31 am
“Obama didn’t take every possible opportunity to pin the economic mess on his predecessor.” Rears more that lly? No modern era president has blamed his problems on others more than Obama. This piece belongs in the onion rather than the AJC.
Buford T. Justice
October 16th, 2010
12:57 am
Wow, Look I’m Cynthia Tucker, your daughter is not a part of my discussion. I have been in surgery since 20:00 hours this evening. Just saved a boy’s life downtown; you? Sorry for the CP in your family’s life; it’s time consuming and frustrating I know. I want these kids to have health care, no questions asked. If you are sick, I believe you should be able to get the treatment you need. As an American with affluence, I believe I have an obligation to help my fellow man. It should NOT be based on one’s ability to pay. Sitting in a pew twice a week and tithing does not a virtuous man make.
AMR 1960
October 16th, 2010
1:05 am
Yikes!
Ms. Tucker must have lost another drunken bet. Her 80proof posting here is evidence of her unhinged reality dysfunctional dispair…
C-Ya in November “Sweets”
Pkpost
October 16th, 2010
1:06 am
You are blitzed on crack if you think the President “tried” to work with Republicans. This from the same man who pranced around telling the GOP “I won” and that they should stop talking and get out of the way.
tj
October 16th, 2010
1:08 am
Enter your comments here
tj
October 16th, 2010
1:12 am
This is a joke, right?
Is this some bizarro world, where everything is backwards? Does the author write with tongue in cheek or has the Cynthia really fooled herself into some alternate reality where she thinks Obama actually intended to work with Rebuplicans?
Oh, I get it…if you shut up and get in line, then you are bipartisan. If you want to voice a different opinion, you are just not getting wiht the program.
Factually, this congress will go down as one of the most partisan and divisive in history, and the party running each chamber (insert name here) decides the rules of the game. They and Obama are anything but bipartisan.
Kathy from
October 16th, 2010
1:21 am
You are such an idiot that the Wall Street Journal singled you out for ridicule. Look in the mirror and wonder about that, you idiot.
BB
October 16th, 2010
1:36 am
Politico January 24, 2009
“President Obama listened to Republican gripes about his stimulus package during a meeting with congressional leaders Friday morning – but he also left no doubt about who’s in charge of these negotiations. “I won,” Obama noted matter-of-factly, according to sources familiar with the conversation.”
Trying real hard to work with Republicans…
voter
October 16th, 2010
1:39 am
Cynthia still does not realize it is the country that is against government spending not just republicans.
Coach Mark in Seattle
October 16th, 2010
1:39 am
“One of Obama’s greatest political weaknesses has been his stubborn — and unrequited — love for bipartisanship.”
I checked – it is not April 1st…does ANYONE on this planet believe that statement? Anyone…?
Paddy O
October 16th, 2010
1:40 am
Ms Tucker – this is blatant mis-information and propoganda, they tried to bribe a few liberal repubs to support their agenda, but they in no way earnestly worked with republicans. For you to print this should get you fired, but your boss and buddies are just more liberal propogandaists, so just keep on shoveling the manure.
Coach Mark in Seattle
October 16th, 2010
1:45 am
The comments about large – filibuster-proof – majorities is correct.
If the president’s policies were so virtuous and necessary why are some Democratic candidates distancing themselves from the president and his policies during this election?
chris simpson
October 16th, 2010
2:06 am
Cynthia,
You are a complete moron. Obama has not needed to and did not try to work with Republicans on anything. He has majorities in both houses so he decide to flip the Republicans and the American people the bird, and shove through his leftist agenda. Well now, he is going to receive his payback at the polls. That is the way it works Cynthia.
Kevtheatheist
October 16th, 2010
3:07 am
Cynthia, I guess you noticed by now that your story here went to AJC instead of the DailyKos.
AG
October 16th, 2010
3:15 am
Jesus is a democrat
Didshejustsaythat
October 16th, 2010
3:22 am
“Amplified by the right-wing message machine, Republicans paint President Obama as an unyielding left-winger, an unreconstructed liberal who refuses to compromise. The president’s critics have turned the truth inside out: One of Obama’s greatest political weaknesses has been his stubborn — and unrequited — love for bipartisanship.”
Love for bipartisanship…that’s rich. The more you Obama hacks say stuff like this, the harder dems are going to get their aSSess kicked in 17 days. Please don’t stop…I cant wait to watch John Boehner replace Nancy Pelosi as Speaker in January.
David
October 16th, 2010
4:01 am
What fantasy land do you live in? Obama, Pelosi and the rest are about as partisan as it gets.
Steve
October 16th, 2010
4:38 am
Cynthia has always been known as one of the most ignorant of ‘political journalists’ in the country. To spew this stupidity is just another clue as to her ignorance.
James
October 16th, 2010
4:54 am
Republican opposed the health care legislation on ideological grounds. The creation of a new entitlement is a progressive goal and wouldn’t elicit much support from conservatives. With respect to the stimulus bill, after a brief exchange President Obama pointedly reminded Republicans that he had won and they had lost. The Democrats were content to pass the 1000 page plus bill with no consideration or deliberation on a party line vote. And this stimulus bill has undoubtedly created jobs. After all, if you throw $800 billion at a problem you are bound to make some headway. The real question is just how effective was the legislation from a cost-benefit standpoint and how much increase in GDP resulted from accommodating monetary policy. Regardless, the unemployment numbers has gone from 7.4% to 9.6% during President Obama’s time in office and he will have pay a political price. The minority party in Congress is always oppositional. However, past Presidents with actual leadership skills like Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton have been able to pursue a legislative agenda that attracted bi-partisan support. The reality is that President Obama lacked any executive experience prior to coming to office and it shows. His supporters can blame his problems on truculent Republicans if it gives them comfort, but it’s a sad rationalization
jim
October 16th, 2010
4:56 am
i am glad the GOP has stood firm on obama’s policies to bankrupt the country,destroy the private sector and spend billions to bail out and save union jobs.like the majority of Americans,we don’t want to be like Europe with big government wasting taxpayers’ money.
RTW
October 16th, 2010
5:02 am
CT: Sometimes I think you just write this stuff and just sit back and laugh at the comments. Maybe not you, but I do. I respect that you have an opinion even though I usually don’t agree with you, but you keep plugging away. Kudos for a thick skin!
JJ Jam
October 16th, 2010
5:15 am
Working with the GOP? He only worked with the GOP when they saw things his way. Someone said he was a leader but he is only a leader of the Democratic Party, why couldn’t he be a leader for this nation. Time to clean house.
Gerry
October 16th, 2010
5:37 am
If you want to negotiate with another party you don’t give speeches calling them names the day before the meeting. President Obama’s problem is that he has poor, undeveloped leadership skills. He loves to lecture and fails to listen. His situation would improve if he read Leadership 101.
As for this column, the more you blame, the more you lose the middle. Leaders who blame others create distrust of the leader amongst the led. A columnist who pushes the blame angle actually increase that distrust of the leader. If you want to help this president, encourage him to stop blaming, don’t abet the practice.
psych495
October 16th, 2010
6:33 am
This must be what libs are forced to tell themselves so they can keep blaming the other party.
What a bunch of horse sh1te.
More and more members of his own administration and party are beginning to describe the President as a rigid idealogue who does not take opposing viewpoints seriously.His idea of working with the GOP is to correct their way of thinking and get them to realize his way is best.
It takes a serious amounf of myopia for anyone to write an article like this. The reverse argument would seem more plausible– the Republicans, small business owners, the middle-class and America in general will be more successful when we stop trying to cooperate with the latest socialist craze, and instead tell these SOBs to go to hell.
There is something seriously flawed about a movement that relies on tricking young people in order to have a power base.
Sparky Holden
October 16th, 2010
6:50 am
Is this a serious article? With a supermajority in the House and Senate Obama tried to woo Republicans to get his agenda passed? Do you know about the two chambers of Congress and their party breakdown? I thought this was a serious political article for a moment, it must be satire.
Jason
October 16th, 2010
7:07 am
Yeah, and our Founding Fathers made it difficult for King George to compromise on the Townshend acts. Throwing tea in the harbor really strains the bipartisan mood.
I don’t want to defend stalling tactics, but every big, bloated thing this congress passed should have been shot down anyway.
Danny Ross
October 16th, 2010
7:10 am
1) The Republicans do not share President Obama’s ideology or aims.There is no common ground. Where is there a possibility for co-operation?
2) President Obama wanted Republicans to share the blame when his huge expenditures did not help the nation’s financial problems, but merely rewarded his supporters. They did not fall for his trap, and the Democrats are about to get their political heads handed to them. MS Tucker’s anger is akin to that of a victim of Bernie Madoff complaining that a neighbor who did not invest with him and still had her wealth was a bad person. The Republicans still have some political capital (albeit not much, after 8 years of President Bush).
Don
October 16th, 2010
7:34 am
Great illustration of how a liberal mind works.
Demodolts shut out any input from Republicans on Health Care, Bailouts. Cynthia must have missed the “Health Care Summit” where Empty Suit told McCain “I won” and accused
Paul Ryan of using props when pointing to the actual 2200 page bill that democraps didn’t bother to read.
The facts point out that demodolts used their super majority to roll over any bipatisan effort of Republicans.
This is all going to change Nov. 2nd.
givemeabreak
October 16th, 2010
7:37 am
Obama is a classic narcissist. His only idea of compromise is “you come over to my side”.
He lied about leading from the center (though only a fool would have believed that as he had the most liberal voting record in congress), and he has the classic projection trait of blaming the other side for exactly what he himself is doing. Beyond a few meager attempts that were purely and only for show, he has never tried to work with the Republicans. Why would he have even tried with the majority in both houses. Ms. Tucker, you are either perpetuating the lies, are as grossly inept and incompetent as Obama himself, or both. Another possibility is that you’re defending him and attacking the other side purely from the standpoint of race, and that would make you a racist.
Jamie Westlake
October 16th, 2010
7:40 am
I’m assuming this was in the comics section, because it’s hilarious!
sam collins
October 16th, 2010
7:56 am
to the editors and publisher of the AJC; how can you have a moron like this writing for you? it reflects on your comon sense or lack of it. get real.
Nick N.
October 16th, 2010
7:56 am
Obama cannot be faulted for his persistence in pushing through his agenda. He just wasn’t honest to the public about what was meant by “change” and the down side of his stimulus, health care, immigration and energy policy. He never even needed Republicans to deceive the public. He could have done it with Democrats alone in both chambers(as he did with health care.) Now ironically he will see it all “change back.”
beaux
October 16th, 2010
8:04 am
Did the Prez try too hard to work with the R’s? . . . possibly. Did the R’s ( . . . and right of center opinionmakers) committ themselves to sabotaging his presidency from day one? ABSOLUTELY!!! . . . and by all evidence, with a high degree of success. At a time of economic crisis the R “leadership” has focused on winning the propaganda battle.
Brooks Anderson
October 16th, 2010
8:20 am
This woman actually gets paid to write this?
Mike
October 16th, 2010
8:33 am
If I had read this on April 1st I would understand. I thought Cynthia was writing this as a joke!
BlameGame
October 16th, 2010
9:06 am
Not sure where you get the Blame statistics. Searching Google, with (in quotes)
“Bush blames Clinton” returns:
About 92 results (0.13 seconds)
“Obama blames Bush” returns:
About 29,800 results (0.13 seconds)
Mark Thomann
October 16th, 2010
9:06 am
“Tea-party-fueled anger has produced a wave of GOP candidates for whom the word “compromise” is akin to treason. There can be no miscalculation about their intentions”.
I guess those of us who oppose this President’s left-wing policies have now graduated from blindly being called racists to traitors. Cynthia, on the morning of November 3rd, you can label us the MAJORITY!
Pluoticus
October 16th, 2010
11:30 am
This woman is delusional. Obama needed to blame Bush more? Are you kidding???
Current scorecard for Obama:
Fix Problem: 0
Blame Bush: 613