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
What the Tuck
October 15th, 2010
8:48 am
Cynthia, this is just laughable. Whenever you’re ready to yank your head out of the sand, let us know and we’ll help you get out of your little dream world and into the land called reality, where most Americans live.
Agree with granny
October 15th, 2010
8:49 am
Yes. Obama needs to learn how to lose gracefully. Good point granny!
Good Grief
October 15th, 2010
8:49 am
I’m still amazed at how some of you here seemingly desire more and more government. Do you really need someone to hold your hand at every waking moment?
Eric Pearson
October 15th, 2010
8:49 am
Actually, the first two posts by Bubbamae and Peabrain are correct. The R’s have one agenda and it’s obstruct Obama. If the President and the Senate would forget the idea of bi-partisanship and just do what they need to do, I think they could make some much needed progress. Even the obstructionist morons would benefit. Have a nice day, I love you too.
mystified
October 15th, 2010
8:50 am
This article made my day…..If she wasn’t so serious it’d be funny…I laughed anyway.
granny godzilla
October 15th, 2010
8:51 am
“Where are all of CT’s lap dogs?”
Having coffee, watchin’ readin’ and chucklin’.
Uncle Jimmy
October 15th, 2010
8:51 am
From day one Obama, Pelosi and Reid set out to TELL the US population what is good for them and they would have it whether they disagreed or not.
Now the US population is callin BS on that and TELLING Obama, Pelosi and Reid we dont want it, not gonna have it and gonna do something about it.
Obama and his admin should pay attention and try to learn from their miserable failings.
GOP = POWER HUNGRY
October 15th, 2010
8:52 am
I can’t wait until all of you fools vote in a bunch of Republicans and in 2012 a Republican president! Want to know why? Because they are going to SCREW UP anyways but you fools will give them 8 years and then everyone is going to FREAK OUT and vote in a bunch of Democrats again. Then in 2 years, people will FREAK OUT because they will think the Democrats are “screwing everything up” and the process will start all over again.
granny godzilla
October 15th, 2010
8:52 am
granny godzilla
October 15th, 2010
8:42 am
GOOD MORNING CYNTHIA!
Bet you recognized right away that my fan(atic) namejacked me here:
granny godzilla
October 15th, 2010
8:26 am
this is a reach even for CT
ANYWAY, I have to disagree with you on this. I think he worked just hard enough with the Republicans.
He is President of all Americans, not just the smart ones – so his continued attempts to show the GOP the way to good sense and reason will in the long run pay benefits.
Most of them won’t get it – can’t get it, but he should be admired for the attempt.
CJ
October 15th, 2010
8:52 am
Obama is a liar…he never even presumed to work with anyone but radical Muslims and racist race-baiters.
This nation WAS formed by God-fearing people. Note the last verse…
The Star Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key, 1814
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Pope UGA XXIII
October 15th, 2010
8:52 am
Obama Tried too hard to work with Republicans ????????????
BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only people he tried hard to work with were Marxists, like
you, apparently, who want to destroy the country.
Some of what you write is beyond offensive, but it always goes
well with people who vote for their living or others who feel that
people who work hard to earn a living need to give to the “guvmint”
who can use it to buy votes with giveaways and both parties are
quilty in this instance.
I’m sure Chavez is hiring – maybe you can move there and become
part of his statist propaganda machine.
Peadawg
October 15th, 2010
8:53 am
“Where are all of CT’s lap dogs?”
Even they are in shock of what Cynthia’s written….
Mike Hunt
October 15th, 2010
8:53 am
Once again, you have displayed one reason why the ajc readership is in decline. It must be a requirement at the ajc that the average IQ of it’s writers (and contributors) must be 100 but I am trying to figure out which one is bringing yours up.
granny godzilla
October 15th, 2010
8:53 am
reading comprehension emergency @ 8:49?
nope, just silly orneryness.
JDW
October 15th, 2010
8:53 am
“as I remember the Democrats were oh so helpful to George Bush when he was in office”
Actually they were in several cases…to their detriment…No Child Left Behind, Medicare Part D, Iraq etc… Repugs have shown no inclination to work on anything.
KNOW YOUR OWN HISTORY
October 15th, 2010
8:55 am
IN GOD WE TRUST WAS ADDED LATER YOU IDIOT!!
Tech Man
October 15th, 2010
8:55 am
“I think the Republicans have been diabolically clever about how they’ve portrayed this,”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Thoes diabolically clever Republicans.
stands for decibels
October 15th, 2010
8:55 am
his misplaced faith in logic
true, dat.
Gm
October 15th, 2010
8:55 am
Alatsea: No hate here just the truth”‘ When will you idiot conservatives get it, the President did not push health care down our throats, when will you people understand you do not represent all of America.
The Bush administration did nothing to address health care and you idiots said nothing, Bush lost 5 million jobs and you hypocrites said nothing, this is why you white conservatives are a joke around the world.
Thank you Mr. President for saving the USA from really going under a rock, to bad you were the wrong color and highly educated for the bigots that live here, they rather you be stupid and make America look bad the way Bush did.
Toilet flush blow back
October 15th, 2010
8:56 am
yeppers…all the doo doo from obamas shovel ready projects is now flying right back into his face. Not the GOPs face because they were smart enough to recognize the “pig n a poke” for what it was.
Obama didnt need the GOP due to his and the Congress majority. This mess is of a demoCRAPtic making and they alone stand alone and will suffer the consequences of their policies filled with hatred, alone.
DonnyD
October 15th, 2010
8:56 am
Thank you, Cynthia…. Your nonsense made me laugh so hard that it made my day… He tried too hard to work with the GOP? He didn’t work triple-time blaming President Bush???? Really, Cynthia… REALLY? God, that is funny stuff…. I just try not to think about the fact that people will actually lap it up.
Back Off
October 15th, 2010
8:56 am
He is President of all Americans, not just the smart ones – so his continued attempts to show the GOP the way to good sense and reason will in the long run pay benefits.
Granny, How long of a run is it!
Bet you recognized right away that my fan(atic) namejacked me here:
That is some funny shyt
Peadawg
October 15th, 2010
8:57 am
JDW, No Child Left Behind was one of the dumbest things ever. I wouldn’t be too proud of that one…..
Amazed
October 15th, 2010
8:57 am
Plain and simple you are an idiot.
This President never tried to work with Republicans. Maybe you have a problem with math, but when he arrived after the thief of the seat in Minnesota, Spector changing parties, the politically motivated conviction of Stevens and the loss of his seat (of course followed by the conviction being thrown out) the President had his super majority in the Senate.
The only people who fought him were some wise Democrats.
Hayne Crum
October 15th, 2010
8:58 am
President Obama tried hard to get the Republicans to do what he wanted. He never tried to tried to meet them half way. It was always join me in my way or use the highway. Any other view of what went on over the last two years is willful blindness. He frequently use nice conservative wording, but his policy remained steadfastly progressive. He has lived up to his voting record in the Senate as the most liberal Senator. He does have the courage of his convictions, which is why I like him, but would never vote for him.
Nice Guy
October 15th, 2010
8:58 am
Cynthia –
First of all, this piece sounds like you are waving your white flag, which is fine, but please, let’s have a look at a couple of your statements:
“support groundbreaking energy legislation that included a price on carbon emissions.”
Why didn’t you call this by name? You’re talking about Cap & Trade, correct? The reason you didn’t call it by name is because you know that bill would be disaster on our economy.
“a decision that gave critics time to mischaracterize the proposal and gin up opposition.”
Mischaracterize the health care legislation? The only thing I need to know is that the guvment was going to force the American citizen to carry health insurance, on top of expanding care to millions of American who would not already have it. Part of this proposal is fine with me, but don’t try to sell it to me on the basis that health care premiums were going to down (not up). But, that’s exactly what he did.
Last, but not least…
“Obama didn’t take every possible opportunity to pin the economic mess on his predecessor.”
Are you serious with this statement? Surely you are not. In my opinion, Obama and his Admin always blamed Bush, so much so that you would hear the likes of Brian Williams and Katie Couric saying that he needed to either take responsibility for what’s going on or find another excuse.
Keep It Real!
October 15th, 2010
8:58 am
@GG what majority of people are you referring too… Are you talking about (Tea Baggers) who represent about 10 percent of the nation?
I think the teachers, firefighters, and most public servants around the country would disagree with you due to the stimulus they still have a job.
Let’s see now parents with kids who have pre-existing conditions can get healthcare for their children I think they would disagree with you..
If I was the Democrats I would talk about how well the stimulus package has worked and quit running from what you voted for… You voted for the Stimulus package and healthcare package now go out and tell the folks how it is benefiting the country…
Josie
October 15th, 2010
8:58 am
************753 days and counting************
Alatsea
October 15th, 2010
8:58 am
Gm
October 15th, 2010
8:55 am
Your wrong! We own everything, so get over it.
Haters out in force
October 15th, 2010
8:58 am
“Alatsea: No hate here just the truth”
NO…you are hatin on the GOP. STOP THE HATE, HATE THE HATE!!
Scout
October 15th, 2010
8:58 am
Ms. Tucker:
Usually, I just debate the issue you present whether it’s important or not. However, this one is off the charts. Please don’t do inane stuff like this because I spit my coffee out.
This is like saying the Yankees are not cooperating with the Rangers or the Giants with the Phillies !
Obama is dangerous to this Republic. I would hope that Republicans would not even give him the time of day if he asked for it.
Barry Soetoro
October 15th, 2010
8:59 am
I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT PARTY
Gm is a Hateful little cuss
October 15th, 2010
9:00 am
Dumb, illiterate and hatin is no way to go thru life, son.
Paul
October 15th, 2010
9:00 am
CJ
“he never even presumed to work with anyone but radical Muslims”
By “work with” do you mean like those dozens of guys in Pakistan he’s killed with Predator and Reaper strikes?
JohnnyReb
October 15th, 2010
9:01 am
“Repugs have shown no inclination to work on anything.”
Why do Progressives think we should actually coooperate in their destruction of the the Country?
There has been too much compromise; that is one reason we are in the current mess. Change is indeed coming. Buckle your seatbelt.
granny godzilla
October 15th, 2010
9:01 am
please ignore anything i write cause i am a moron
MAC
October 15th, 2010
9:01 am
CT, You’ve gone from partisan to delusional. I actually feel sorry for you today.
Alatsea
October 15th, 2010
9:01 am
Haters out in force
Sorry I like to live a balanced life so I hate everybody
stands for decibels
October 15th, 2010
9:01 am
Actually they were in several cases…to their detriment…No Child Left Behind, Medicare Part D, Iraq etc…
More to the point, no prominent elected Democrat (certainly no Senator) said anything even remotely as nasty as DeMint’s infamous business about how healthcare reform would “break” Obama.
Six months into the man’s term. As if the President were some piece of freaking livestock.
Nor did, of course, Democrats line up and express fealty to an extremist radio talk show host whose stated desire, the day after the election, for the new Administration was “I hope he fails.”
Nothing even remotely like that came out of the D side as Bush took office. There were hurt feelings over the monstrosity that was Florida in 2000, but once Gore said “it’s time for me to go,” virtually every mainstream Democrat acceded to Gore’s wishes.
wade
October 15th, 2010
9:01 am
As usual Tucker lives in the leftist/Marxist bubble; fingers in her ears and palms over her eyes when it come to supporting another leftist/Marxists. One has to realize that it would not matter what Obama did; Tucker will lend her support.
Joe
October 15th, 2010
9:02 am
What a load of hogwash, nobody in Congress or the Administration comes out looking pretty in this mess!
stands for decibels
October 15th, 2010
9:02 am
Why do Progressives think we should actually coooperate in their destruction of the the Country?
Why do Conservatives believe that elected officials would willingly destroy the nation they live in?
JDW
October 15th, 2010
9:02 am
Hi Peadog…I agree on No Child Left Behind which I why my post noted that the support was to the Democrats detriment. In fact I think all three of my examples were big mistakes.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15th, 2010
9:02 am
Good morning all, quote of the day:
“Congress should not be permitted to secure and cast politically difficult votes on controversial legislation by deliberately calling something one thing, after which the defenders of that legislation take an “Alice-in-Wonderland” tack and argue in court that Congress really meant something else entirely, thereby circumventing the safeguard that exists to keep their broad power in check.”
mike
October 15th, 2010
9:02 am
Although the President’s background allowed him to be what he is today, it seemed he failed to learn one thing as he grew up. Those white folks mean him no good. Between the GOP and those so called tv journalists they have a problem basically with the way he looks. There is nothing else to attribute to it. It just took him being President to bring it out. If the GOP gets back in office, we will have to just wait and see how long it takes before they start screwing the people who voted them in. And it will happen just like before President Obama took office. Be careful you may get exactly what you desire.
Pete
October 15th, 2010
9:03 am
What planet do you live on?
JDW
October 15th, 2010
9:03 am
Opps which is why not which I why
The Carnivore
October 15th, 2010
9:03 am
Cynthia, the only intelligent thing you can do at this point is delete your article. It is so full of lies that you are basically trying to rewrite history. Even the liberals don’t believe anything you have written today. This looks more like the work of The Onion than the work of a real journalist.
Chris
October 15th, 2010
9:03 am
I think Cynthia drank too much of Harry Reid’s crazy juice.
Aubrey
October 15th, 2010
9:03 am
Ms Tucker is as delusional as the naive, ignorant and illiterate that voted for Barry S.E.I.U. ACORN Soetoro. What an embarrassment.