Barack Obama is not the source of GOP’s problems
House Speaker John Boehner is feeling besieged, and I can’t say I blame him. When Nancy Pelosi handed him the speaker’s gavel two years ago, shortly after the success of the 2010 mid-terms, the prospects for the Republican Party looked bright. Now, by Boehner’s own admission, it is fighting for survival against a president who this week used his inaugural address to lay out an aggressive policy agenda.
As Boehner put it in a speech Tuesday at the Ripon Society in Wisconsin, Republicans face “an environment that is going to be far more hostile than anything that I think we’ve seen for a long, long time.”
“And given what we heard … about the president’s vision for his second term, it’s pretty clear to me that he knows he can’t do any of that as long as the House is controlled by Republicans. So we’re expecting over the next 22 months to be the focus of this administration as they attempt to annihilate the Republican Party.
“And let me just tell you, I do believe that is their goal — to just shove us into the dustbin of history.”
There’s an odd tone of aggrievement in Boehner’s words, as if he can’t quite believe that Obama would actually dare to take advantage of Republican weakness, as if doing so were somehow unfair and unseemly. You hear that tone often from conservatives these days. (See Michael Gerson and Charles Krauthammer and David Brooks). It’s as if the universe has gone badly out of whack, and they can’t quite wrap their heads around it.
In fact, their dismay is almost poignant, coming after years of scorched-earth politics from Republicans who were determined to make Obama’s destruction their No. 1 goal.
House Speaker John Boehner, right, accepts the Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame’s Distinguished American Award last August..
In a sadly funny aside, Boehner told the Ripon Society about inviting his friend Lou Holtz, the conservative and eternally optimistic former football coach turned analyst, to Washington to give a motivational pep talk to Republican freshmen.
“And before he went over to talk to them, he came over to my office, and he was moaning and groaning. I said, ‘Lou, would you stop it? We’re Americans, we’ll figure this out!’ And I had to spend 15 minutes giving Lou Holtz a pep talk!”
The truth is, Obama lacks the ability or leverage to shove the Republican Party into the dustbin of history. He isn’t even the GOP’s primary enemy.
A political party is like a business or a football team or any other entity operating in a highly competitive field. It can, for a while, refuse to make small, month-to-month, year-to-year adaptations. But adaptation will be forced upon it nonetheless. If the internal culture is resistant to change, if those changes are not allowed to happen gradually, organically, then they will come all at once, in a veritable cascade.
That’s where the Grand Old Party stands today. Obama may serve as a convenient villain, but if Republicans focus on him as the cause of their woes, they focus on the wrong thing. The truth is that most of the party’s problems are of its own making.
If Obama is trying to marginalize you as extremist, stop proving him right. If minority voters and female voters look at you with suspicion, stop giving them confirmation of their fears. If young people perceive you as being as out of date as a rotary-dial phone, stop trying to re-create the 1950s.
Adapt.
Otherwise, the dustbin awaits ….
– Jay Bookman
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502 comments Add your comment
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
10:53 am
Voter
January 24th, 2013
10:48 am
@Fred – Where do folks come up with this stuff from?
Ok, Fred, tell us what has hussein obama done in four years? Raise the national debt? You disagree? Raise spending? You disagree? More people on welfare? You disagree?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
He has whipped your candidates and raised the level of your irrational hatered and impotent anger. Who is “Hussein Obama” anyway? I Know a Barack Obama. Or is it now all cool to call the President by his middle name? So the last President was “Walker Bush?” And his Daddy was Herbert Bush? I guess that would have made President Clinton “Jeff Clinton.”
Please tell me ONE THING in your little list that one couldn’t substitute the name ‘Walker Bush” in and the statement still be the same. When you can do that and ask a REAL question, we can have a REAL discussion. Until then, you best keep to Kyle’s and the limited thinkers over there, you are over your head here.
appleseed
January 24th, 2013
10:54 am
Rotary dial phone.A good compairson.Give them the finger,point the direction,listen to the spin,as they join the days of antiquity.
skipper
January 24th, 2013
10:54 am
A little (pun intended) comic relief here:
If Christie runs for the Republican nomination next time, and Candy Crowley is the moderator in one of the debates, who in the h#ll is gonna pay for the titanium re-enforced stage that will most certainly have to be built…………..
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 24th, 2013
10:55 am
Wait a minute. Catholic Hospital claims that fetuses are not people. Hmmmm. But the Catholic church and the US Conf of Catholic Bishops say “the church’s defense of life encompasses the unborn.” http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/catholic-hospital-argues-fetuses-aren
The problem of absolutism is that absolutes require you to be absolute even if you don’t like one of the outcomes. That is part of the root problem for the GOP.
Class of '98
January 24th, 2013
10:56 am
David Brooks is not a conservative. He writes for the New York Times, but he isn’t a raging, bed-wetting, bleeding-heart, open-borders, abortion-on-demand, kill-whitey liberal like the rest of their columnists, so people call him “conservative”.
He is very moderate, very middle of the road. He strikes me as the kind of guy that leans to the right, but still wants to be invited to the posh liberal Manhattan social events, so he waters down his view tremendously.
Only someone who thinks Barack Obama is anywhere near a “moderate” would ever consider Brooks to be conservative.
Far from it.
Jackie
January 24th, 2013
10:56 am
@Fred
Here is one interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling on the Florida election.
In your infinite legal wisdom, you may be able discern why the election was decided on one vote of a Supreme Court justice that stopped the Florida election recount.
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/supreme-court-case-study-bush-v-gore.html
Jackie
January 24th, 2013
10:57 am
@Fred
Interesting reading about the Ohio vote in Bush v. Kerry race.
http://harpers.org/archive/2005/08/none-dare-call-it-stolen/2/
Dawg Man
January 24th, 2013
10:58 am
We know Jay! Obama doesn’t cause problems, he solves them. Excuse me…I think I just threw up!
HDB
January 24th, 2013
10:58 am
rightwingextreme
January 24th, 2013
9:47 am
“Part of the problem with that strategy is what I call the “uncle tom” syndrome the left wing media and the dimlibs use against minorities, esp African Americans, who espouse any beliefs in opposition to them.
See Clarence Thomas, Herman Cain, etc.”
Part of the problem that CONSERVATIVES have is that the “UNCLE TOMS” that they use persist in using the lies that white conservatives use against minorities…and those same white conservatives pillory against any minority that does not reflect the racist paradigm of conservatism!
See Colin Powell, Michael Steele……
If you want to know more….here’s a point of reference….
http://www.blackcommentator.com/154/154_thindwa_black_conservatives.html
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:00 am
Voter
January 24th, 2013
10:52 am
@Fred – Greece? Really? You DO mean the same Greece that has had a 3rd world economy for the last 2500 years or so right?
Fred, you need help. We’re talking about the last 4 years. Please defend the numbers. 16+ trillion in debt, up 6 trillion in 4 years. Welfare is up, jobs are less, taxes are up. Please more defending.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So what does that have anything to do with Greece you silly little person?
Oh and please provide REAL numbers, not your FOXBOT cooked books ones. i want the number that do NOT include the two wars that Bush started and put on the credit card. I don’t want the numbers that include his little drug give away that he put on the Credit card. I DON’T want the numbers that include all the money he gave to the banks, insurance companies and Wall Street.
I want the job figures that DON’T include the total meltdown of the job market Bush caused NOR any numbers that include the last Congress of NO who’s failed goal was to make Obama a one term President while dragging our Country down to do so.
Get some real numbers there pal.
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
11:02 am
Steve: “The goal of any party is to represent the interests of the majority so much so that they get elected”
That’s assuming that said party is operating in a political system where political representation is functioning in a healthy manner, which is obviously anything but the case now, and that’s true not just for Republicans, but for Democrats too. Both parties have a serious and growing representation problem, make no mistake.
“The Republican party is not the enemy, we need a two party state to remain a healthy democracy”
On what do you base that assertion?
Why just 2 and not 5 or 6, say?
The US two-party system has largely acted as a straightjacket that eventually sucks off any oxygen to a real politics. The US political system is ultimately radically anti-political (see above point).
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:03 am
@Fred – Still waiting.
What has President Barack Obama done other than raise taxes, raise spending and the national debt? (Happy now?) Please tell us your numbers since you don’t believe anybody else’s.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:04 am
Yes Jackie, keep posting “proof” from left wing whacko sites to “prove” your conspiracy theories. you belong to a group that is the mirror image of the birthers. Aren’t you proud?
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:05 am
@Fred – Still waiting Fred.
Spending is UP, national Debt is UP, welfare is UP, Jobs are DOWN.
Waiting.
USinUK - just grateful not to be snowbound
January 24th, 2013
11:05 am
David Brooks is not a conservative.
oh, FFS … he was a writer for the WSJ and the Washington Times – if that doesn’t verify his conservo-bona-fides, I don’t know what does.
He wrote a book about conservative writers.
He describes himself as a conservative.
maybe the fact that you think he is a liberal says more about how far to the right you’ve gone.
Marty Huggins'
January 24th, 2013
11:06 am
Politics are always strange.
Funny things happen and the tides seem to shift without cause regularity or predictability.
Jay,
Didn’t you write a very similar article after the ‘08 elections, proclaiming the demise of the GOP only to have them post big wins less than 2 years later?
Nostradamus?
USinUK - just grateful not to be snowbound
January 24th, 2013
11:06 am
“Spending is UP, national Debt is UP, welfare is UP, Jobs are DOWN.”
um, wrong.
wrong.
working on it.
and most definitely wrong.
there.
godless heathen - owner of many things he does not need
January 24th, 2013
11:07 am
dummies.com?
I’d go there for information.
Saw where the Pentagon is recognizing that women are involved in combat roles, fine with me.
PMSing with an M-5. Suweet.
getalife
January 24th, 2013
11:07 am
Sounds like the speaker is a defeatist like the cons.
The gop could end today and I would not care because they deserve it.
Personal responsibility.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:08 am
@Fred – Come on Fred. You disagree with the FACTS? Show us your spending and debt numbers. How about the jobs and welfare numbers? All of the numbers posted are from the U.S. Government data bases. Show us the ones you look at?
southpaw
January 24th, 2013
11:09 am
“In 2016 the Tea Party will have to contend with the Black and Brown Movement.”
The Vent had a good observation a few weeks ago: “A movement leaves a big, stinky mess for someone else to clean up.”
Recon 0311 2533
January 24th, 2013
11:09 am
There has been a steady decline in labor workforce participation since Obama’s been in office. Through 012 the participation has averaged below 64%.
http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS11300000
Shannon
January 24th, 2013
11:09 am
And can I just get one big, huge AMEN?!!!
The GOP has absolutely no one to blame but themselves!
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:09 am
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:03 am
@Fred – Still waiting.
What has President Barack Obama done other than raise taxes, raise spending and the national debt? (Happy now?) Please tell us your numbers since you don’t believe anybody else’s.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What did President Bush do other than raise taxes, raise spending and the national debt? (Herbert)
What did President Bush do other than cut taxes, spend our surplus, start 2 wars, raise spending, tank the economy, and raise the national debt?
Still waiting………
See I can play stupid little “Are you still beating your wife” games too. My aren’t you clever.
Please name the LAST President who did not raise the debt ceiling, causing us more debt, and raise spending.
btull27
January 24th, 2013
11:10 am
The demise of the Republican Party as it currently sits would be disasterous for the Democratic Party. The article should be entitled, “Barack Obama is not the source of GOP’s problems, but rather the beneficiary.” Without them, he would not have been reelected. Whether you like Obama or not, his 1st 4 years were not effective and would not have garnered the support it had if not for an inept Republican Party. Say the Repuplican Party goes away and is rebuilt with true fiscally conservative views, but they accept more Libertarian views as it related to social issues? There goes the Democrat’s blueprint for elections. Abortion, religion, women and gay rights are now off the table. The “wingnuts”, “cons” or whatever other stupid little saying you have for them no longer control the party and sit like a lot of us where you don’t agree with them, but you completely disagree with Democrats. So be careful what you hope for because Democrats aren’t far behind.
Steve-USA (I don't have all the answer's, I don't even know all the questions)
January 24th, 2013
11:11 am
Barack Obama…..Please Jay…..President Obama…..show the proper respect.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:11 am
@Fred – Just another blind ignorant voter who believed the lies told by Barack Hussein Obama and his party. ” We’re ok, it’s Bush’s fault, jobs will increase if you elect me again, no new taxes”
Real Scootter
January 24th, 2013
11:11 am
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:04 am
Fred,are there any sites that are not left or right wing wacko sites? (serious question)
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:13 am
@USinUK – just grateful not to be snowbound -”um, wrong.
wrong.working on it.and most definitely wrong.there.”
Another blind voter.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:15 am
@Fred – Are you working? Get a paycheck? Tell me, did your net pay increase or decrease so far this year? Just curious. Seriously.
getalife
January 24th, 2013
11:15 am
I guess that is the gop’s way to fix their failed party.
ODS.
Yeah, that is the ticket.
Thulsa Doom
January 24th, 2013
11:17 am
Barack Obama is not the GOPs problem. More like he’s the nation’s problem.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:19 am
@Fred – “What did President Bush do other than cut taxes, spend our surplus, start 2 wars, raise spending, tank the economy, and raise the national debt?”
So blind, he started the war to find usama bin laden, you know the one who did the 9/11 terrorist hit? I believe Congress agreed also. He actually cut taxes. You have kids? Child Tax Credit? Ring a bell? The so called “fiscal cliff” was actually to stop the tax cuts he brought about. Get real Fred and get some real arguments here.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:20 am
@Thulsa Doom – Well said.
getalife
January 24th, 2013
11:21 am
Stay the course with those lies cons.
You are doing a great job.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:21 am
Real Scootter
January 24th, 2013
11:11 am
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:04 am
Fred,are there any sites that are not left or right wing wacko sites? (serious question)
+++++++++++++++++++++
Sure. But ANY site that is a birther site or one that says that Bush “stole” the election wouldn’t be among them.
Lynn
January 24th, 2013
11:22 am
I suggest anyone who doesn’t think the Repubs are in trouble step outside of the red states and outside of your non minority neighborhood. The US isn’t what it used to be. It’s called the browning of America. Now the Repubs have issues because they can’t control idiots who make statements about women, minorities and so- called entitlement programs ( SS, Military Retirement pay etc.) Most Americans are Conservative in Economics and Liberal with Social Issues. That is the new norm !
And to the guy who talked about Obama winning by 51% that is the popular vote. He won by a landslide with the Electoral College.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:24 am
Hey Fred, did you hear 300,000+ people showed up for the Inaugural Celebration in D.C.? Only 12 missed work!
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
11:25 am
btull27 11:10 : “The article should be entitled, “Barack Obama is not the source of GOP’s problems, but rather the beneficiary.” Without them, he would not have been reelected. Whether you like Obama or not, his 1st 4 years were not effective and would not have garnered the support it had if not for an inept Republican Party”
I pretty much agree with this, though not the way you think.
The reason it’s true is that Obama, who desperately desires a “grand bargain” that gets on with the dismantling of the social programs of the 20th C desired by his Wall St. backers in the name of fiscal prudence, actually needs and directly relies on the GOP as a cover for this un-progressive agenda. Without their cover, Obama would be exposed as the neoliberal ideologue that he is and would be very hard-pressed to maintain his support from the progressive base, warming to gay-friendly policies or not.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:25 am
Hey Fred, I suppose Hillary Clinton is up front and truthful and takes responsibility also? Just like her husband did.
the cat
January 24th, 2013
11:26 am
Thulsa-shot any kids today?
Fred-you need to go back to bed, you are out of control and lashing out at everyone today.
Stand on my own two
January 24th, 2013
11:26 am
Many, Many things come to mind with the downfall of thr republican party. First, George Bush Jr a.k.a Baby Bush how we as a country allowed such an illiterate ass run thisnation for 8 yrs is beyond me. After being in a surplus thanks to Clinton he manages to squander that. Not to mention his response to 9/11 and Huricane Katrina. So yhe throws us into over a decade long war that we have way more casualties than the terrorist do. So we finally are done with him and you expect the next man to be able to clean up 8 yrs of foolishness in 4 yrs. I think not!!! The republcans always back the wrong man. They baced the Tea party a bunch of extremist who wouldn’t know social equality if it slapped them in the face. Duh!!! Then Backing Robney… lol Romney who thinks our veterans, eldery, disabled and low income families don’t count . Since when is it American to be classist against our veterans who fight for our freedom, or elderly who built this country or disabled who can’t fend for themselves and even the single mother who may be divorced or whatever. Do her children not deserve food clothes and to live to be happy and comfortable…. shame on all of them for saying such… everyone has the right to basic comforts are we wild animals who live as such or living breathing caring loving people…. it is a sad day when people care more for their pets comforts more than their fellow man…also the republicans think rape is set in categories Forcible rape…. and what…. rape is rape no middle lines if it where their family they would be more sensitive to our REGULAR PEOPLE PROBLEMS but yet I digress
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
January 24th, 2013
11:27 am
Voter,
You’re a hoot…bless your pea pickin’ heart.
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
11:29 am
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:09 am
Obama promised to cut the deficit in half and fundamentally change DC. Is that the pubs fault too?
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:29 am
@Stand on my too – “After being in a surplus thanks to Clinton he manages to squander that.”
So tell us, where are the campaign promises of 2007-2008? less spending, less taxes, less government. Just another blind voter “pot calling the kettle black”
Aquagirl
January 24th, 2013
11:30 am
Thulsa-shot any kids today?
Wow, I always miss the good stuff when I take a vacation from this blog.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:31 am
@Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am…I think. – “Voter, You’re a hoot…bless your pea pickin’ heart.”
Thanks,
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
11:32 am
Voter: “The so called “fiscal cliff” was actually to stop the tax cuts he brought about”
Obama actually permanently enshrined the vast majority of the so-called “Bush” tax cuts into law. They’re Obama’s tax cuts now.
Steve-USA (I don't have all the answer's, I don't even know all the questions)
January 24th, 2013
11:32 am
Voter – “did you hear 300,000+ people showed up for the Inaugural Celebration in D.C.? Only 12 missed work!”
Funny.
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
11:32 am
Real Scootter
January 24th, 2013
11:11 am
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:04 am
Fred,are there any sites that are not left or right wing wacko sites? (serious question)
Excellent point. I have Fox News, CNN, HLN and MSNBC on my xm radio…channels 114-117, I believe. They are all, at times, stark raving lunatics. Pick your poison!
curious
January 24th, 2013
11:33 am
Looks like the DOD has finally realized all those “manly” conservatives aren’t going to step up to the plate.
Let the women fight their wars now. Hope Boortz, Hannity, Limbaugh, and their like are proud.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:34 am
@Fred – Hey here’s one Fred, let’s just take Hillary’s response to heart.
What difference, at this point, does it make?
What a leader. I suppose you will vote for her in 2016, right?
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
January 24th, 2013
11:35 am
Fred: Well you DO know that you colored folks need us white folks to tell you what to think. Especially you colored WIMMINS………………….
Very funny Fred! Very funny…….
===========
the Republican party is not the enemy, we need a two party state to remain a healthy democracy. Let’s not loose site of that.
We can have a 2 party system and NOT have the republicans as the other party. See WHIGS as a reference on that.
Two healthy parties
There you go…………the republican party is a lot of things, but healthy ain’t one of ‘em.
Ronald Reagan
January 24th, 2013
11:36 am
Barry H. might accomplish a little something in his eight year rein. In the mean time invest in bicycles, noodles & bologna!
Lynnie Gal
January 24th, 2013
11:36 am
We need to kick the GOP out of our state this next election. If Obama got 46.3 percent of the vote this last election, it’s not that far fetched. Just look what they’ve done in the last two years–1) passed draconian immigration laws which ran Hispanics out of GA so that our fruit and vegetables rotted on the vine and in fields, devastating farmers in South GA.(They couldn’t even get prisoners to pick fruit in the hot GA sun.) 2) defunded education and re-crowded classes in our public schools and reduced HOPE so that only elite students can qualify 3) turned down $33 Billion from the Federal government to cover the working poor/lower middle class on Medicaid, thus forcing millions in GA to go uninsured while other states will accept coverage for their people 4) fought ethics reform tooth and nail to keep corporate cash flowing into their pockets…and the list grows and grows. Let’s clean house in 2014!
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
11:37 am
Since Obama took office almost every single economic indicator is up
13 straight quarters of economic growth.
Consumer spending way up.
27 straight months of net job gains.
Foreclosures are way down.
Home prices up, from average of $175,000 to $189,000
Inflation is stable.
Stocks have almost doubled.
Industrial product up.
The economic disaster Bush left is no where in sight. The hysterical right has nothing.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:37 am
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:19 am
@Fred – “What did President Bush do other than cut taxes, spend our surplus, start 2 wars, raise spending, tank the economy, and raise the national debt?”
So blind, he started the war to find usama bin laden, you know the one who did the 9/11 terrorist hit? I believe Congress agreed also. He actually cut taxes. You have kids? Child Tax Credit? Ring a bell? The so called “fiscal cliff” was actually to stop the tax cuts he brought about. Get real Fred and get some real arguments here.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
He failed. He let Osama Bin Laden escape from Bora Bora. Osama Bin Laden was NEVER hiding in Iraq, why did we go there? YOU get real pal. This isn’t a talk radio FOXBOT person you are talking to, i have brains and think for myself, not what Rupert Murdoch or Rush want me to think like you do.
Good old Walker Bush’s tax cuts. He raised all kinds of spending, blazed through a budget surplus, and put us further into debt AND cut taxes? Do you ask to have your pay cut when you incur new expenses? Do you go out and buy a new car on credit (payments start in 8 years) and ask your boss then to cutr your salary? Do you?
As to your other silly question in another post? Of COURSE my net income is down. The payroll taxes increased 2% back to where they were before Bush and his idiotic “tax cuts.” But it gets better for us because you see you silly little man, we make more than the $113,000 or what ever the new “cutoff” point for payroll taxes is, we will have to pay a little more there as well.
And before you ask your next stupid question: Our net household income has increased over $100,000 a year since Obama took office.
But unlike you I AM a patriotic American. I KNOW we have to raise taxes and cut spending to get us out of the mess that we are in. I’m willing to sacrifice some as well.
I’m not a Republican freeloader who wants freebies and services but doesn’t want to pay taxes. I’m not a Republican scumbag who wants to double my portfolio by sending all the jobs to the slave labor in China and other dictatorships. I’m not a thieving Republican who wants to send all my money offshore rather than help other Americans.
You said it yourself in your posts so far today. You have no problem giving over a trillion dollars to Iraqi’s who hate us, but by God not one red cent to help out Americans affected by deregulation and sending jobs to China.
You need to wake up and smell the coffee “Voter.” Your head is getting wet but that’s not rain. Rain isn’t yellow and warm.
Thulsa Doom
January 24th, 2013
11:38 am
the cat
January 24th, 2013
11:26 am
Thulsa-shot any kids today?
the cat,
Stay classy.
Aquagirl,
If you consider the cat’s comment to be “good stuff” then that speaks volumes about you.
getalife
January 24th, 2013
11:39 am
Hillary gave them hell yesterday.
Absolutely loved it.
I hope she will run to give the gop hell everyday.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:39 am
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
11:29 am
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:09 am
Obama promised to cut the deficit in half and fundamentally change DC. Is that the pubs fault too?
+++++++++++++++++++++
No down in Albany, by voting no on every proposal he has offered the Republicans aren’t at fault for anything. We all know from the idiotic posts here that the Republicans Congress is meaningless since Obama is the “ruler” and can just eliminate anything he wants to by King’s decree……….
Just damn. The so called “arguments’ are getting dumberer and dumberer………
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:40 am
@Fred – Time for your meds. You’re going off the deep end.
the cat
January 24th, 2013
11:40 am
Thulsa-you are the classless one as evidenced by your posts. My conscious is clear, is yours?
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
January 24th, 2013
11:40 am
What a leader. I suppose you will vote for her in 2016, right?
You guys will LOOSE this one. The advance haterade on Clinton will backfire big time.
She is smart, cohesive, a PROVEN leader, who has had access to and confronted World issues in real time, she has the backing of OTHER world leaders and she won’t take your, (the conned) crap.
No matter what you tell your Stepford Wives, when they’re alone in that voting booth, they WILL vote for her; and the Conned WILL loose. Again.
The conned best bet is to just try and come up with a bright, proven leader who happens to be FEMALE to counter her.
Here’s a hint – It WON’T be a Sarah Palin.
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
11:41 am
“What a leader. I suppose you will vote for her in 2016, right?”
Hillary will win in a landslide if she runs in 2016.
Stevie Ray
January 24th, 2013
11:41 am
Stand on my own two
January 24th, 2013
11:26 am
Hmmmm. Comparing the surplus of Clinton to anything in fashion today is not a valid discussion point. If you were to ask Clinton, he would tell you that he benefitted greatly by the Dot.com revenues and employment.
I never liked him and always felt his second term (interesting that the second term of the last 2 presidents was the downfall…will the trend continue?) was representative of his moreso than anything else. I now believe he was a noteworthy president as he had the best leadership skills in terms of getting the parties to work together…
We have none of that leadership currently. Leaders don’t blame the circumstances and regardless of obstacles, they figure it out. Perhaps OBAMA can come down off his never-matched arrogance and actually develop some individual relationships instead of the converse which has defined him to wit. Leaders take responsibility..we need a turnaround guy capable of traditional leadership qualities..
His arrogance will be the downfall of his legacy….hope can buck the trend of embarassing second terms of the recent past. Not likely
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
11:42 am
Jay: “That’s where the Grand Old Party stands today. Obama may serve as a convenient villain, but if Republicans focus on him as the cause of their woes, they focus on the wrong thing. ”
Too often overlooked though is the fact that one of the main reasons that Obama is such a pesky obstacle to the GOP is that he agrees with them too much. They would be far more effective in some ways if they were truly dealing with a bold and powerful figure acting in the interests of the left, such as Roosevelt, even if they were less effective in concrete political terms.
What’s really killing them — and in this respect there is ironically an element of truth in Boehner’s statement — is that Obama essentially agrees with them 75% on economic policy issues, and on more besides, but is merely using them as a cover to let much of that agenda be pushed through, presumably over his protests, though it’s what he would want anyway.
There is no greater boon to Obama politically speaking than the fact that he is able to push through his reactionary neoliberal agenda without having to ultimately pay the political price for it. All he has to do is warm on a couple of pet liberal issues towards the end of his first term — immigration and gay issues — and then start his second one with some nicely progressive-sounding words, and his liberal base is falling over itself to praise him. It’s really quite a win-win situation for him.
godless heathen - owner of many things he does not need
January 24th, 2013
11:43 am
Let the women fight their wars now.
It’s what the women want. Are you getting your info from dummies.com also?
td
January 24th, 2013
11:43 am
We shall see in the next 6 months or so if the Republican party will be on a decline or rise based on the public’s reaction to the radical left Obama agenda.
Will the American people accept the Feinstrein gun control package she is putting
together?
Will the American voter accept the amnesty bill that will be rolled out without strict penalties and closing the boarders?
Will the American voter accept cap and trade?
Will the American voter accept national gay marriage rights?
The answer to those questions will be very telling to the fate of the Republican party.
If I was advising the Republican party and speaker Boehner I would tell the President that we will be more then happy to look at any legislation that you can get passed by the Senate. In the meantime, we will be working on our priority of getting a budget out and appropriation bills out under regular order. I would advise the Senate Republicans to not filibuster any of the Obama agenda and get the Senate Dems on the record as to what they actually support.
Stand on my own two
January 24th, 2013
11:43 am
@Voter I am gathering you haven’t been watching the news or reading lately how difficult it was just for the president to get the a**holes… I mean Rebulicans… LOL to agree on the terms best for the nation… you see I understand why they didn’t want to tax MR MILLIONAIRE and MR BILLIONAIRE is because if they are not one they are lining ther pockets to keep ther taxes down… Oh Voter we are not all witless bumbling idiots that are stuck in 1950 where woman lived in the kitchen and had no rights for her body or well being..the black and brown man had no rights except to shuck and jive for whitey
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:44 am
the cat
January 24th, 2013
11:26 am
Thulsa-shot any kids today?
Fred-you need to go back to bed, you are out of control and lashing out at everyone today.
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“Lashing out?” LOL If you call educating the idiots ‘lashing out” then I guess………..
Wait, don’t tell me, you are either a birther or the Leftist equivalent one of those ‘George Bush stole the election” lunatics too?
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:44 am
Hey Fred, before you take your meds, I’ve got a French Army WWII rifle for sale, mint condition, never fired, dropped twice.
Owl
January 24th, 2013
11:45 am
Lifted from “Patton”, a reminder.
For over a thousand years, Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph – a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and strange animals from the conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children, robed in white, stood with him in the chariot, or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown, and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting.
Thulsa Doom
January 24th, 2013
11:46 am
the cat
January 24th, 2013
11:40 am
Thulsa-you are the classless one as evidenced by your posts. My conscious is clear, is yours?
the cat,
Naw. Classless is when you tell an outright L I E by making an accusation that I “applauded” the Newtown massacre and then failing to provide evidence of your ridiculous claim. I still got a $1000 check ready for the charity of your choice once you can show this fictional blog post where I “applauded” the Newtown massacre. Money talks. Bullsheet walks. And I’m still waiting on your proof.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:46 am
@Debbie do Right – It’s spelled lose not loose. We lose a election or we have a loose shoe lace.
Stevie Ray
January 24th, 2013
11:47 am
DebbieDoRight – Minister Of Propaganda
January 24th, 2013
11:40 am
Its’ up to BO and his cronies during this second term whether any DEM gets to throne. As mentioned BO’s arrogance may be his achilles heel…
At present, I like the fat guy..have no idea how electible he is but he is the first in my lifetime who speaks the truth no matter who’s feathers he ruffles. I don’t see him pandering to any particular money spout…
A split ticket would be fun. It may actually begin debates and formulate policy from the WH that trickles down as at the get go as compromise worthy..
godless heathen - owner of many things he does not need
January 24th, 2013
11:47 am
No matter what you tell your Stepford Wives, when they’re alone in that voting booth, they WILL vote for her; and the Conned WILL loose. Again.
Is that why Obama smoked her on 2008? Hillary has a lot of baggage ( a whole set of Samsonite in addition to Bill). She’s going to have to beat Clueless Joe, first.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:48 am
Really? Hillary in a landslide in 2016? That will only show how far this Country has sunk. She is a liar and the worse leader I’ve ever seen. She let those who work for her die, while covering her butt by saying we didn’t have the budget, or oh yeah, I love this one, ” I never saw those cables requesting more security” What a dope.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:48 am
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:40 am
@Fred – Time for your meds. You’re going off the deep end.
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SO now you have to resort to little taunts because your Foxbot lies have been blown all to hell.
I understand. It’s usual for your type to flee when faced with actual facts and stuff…………
THIS is why the Republican party has become meaningless. The ceded control to talk radio and FOX. Hate, anger, and fear, aren’t enough to win against an educated population. Especially when the dummies start believing their own lies…………..
Don’t shoot anyone today please.
Thulsa Doom
January 24th, 2013
11:48 am
Fred and I don’t agree on much. About the only thing we probably do agree on is that one poster in particular is quite the lunatic.
Dharma Bum
January 24th, 2013
11:49 am
Mr. Bookman, the more you demonize the right, the more apparent it becomes that the left is just as culpable and ridiculous. Do you honestly think the Democrats are viewed any better than Republicans now? BOTH sides repeatedly demonstrate that they are completely inept in regards to leadership and compromise.
It’s like we have two plates of crap:
1) Republicans are just sitting there in the sun for days on end and stinking to high heaven
2) Democrats are the same pile of crap… but they have plastic wrap covering themselves to at least mask the smell
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
11:49 am
VP Biden’s approval rating is up to 59%. Sec of State Clinton is at 65%.
How are Republican politicians doing? Republican Party approval?
Ronald Reagan
January 24th, 2013
11:49 am
Glad to see the Hildabeast eaten alive yesterday. Squirm, squirm, lie & then cry! Conservatives 1 Liberals 0
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:49 am
I think I found out where our old friend and regular poster, USMC went:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/fatal-crash-follows-string-of-hit-and-runs/nT5dq/
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
11:50 am
Lynnie Gal
January 24th, 2013
11:36 am
We need to kick the GOP out of our state this next election. If Obama got 46.3 percent of the vote this last election, it’s not that far fetched. Just look what they’ve done in the last two years–1) passed draconian immigration laws which ran Hispanics out of GA so that our fruit and vegetables rotted on the vine and in fields, devastating farmers in South GA.(They couldn’t even get prisoners to pick fruit in the hot GA sun.) I guess illegals should just be able to come and go as they please? Not paying taxes, over running our emergency rooms, collecting welfare from a system they didn’t pay into?
2) defunded education and re-crowded classes in our public schools and reduced HOPE so that only elite students can qualify A 3.0 GPA is “elite.?”
3) turned down $33 Billion from the Federal government to cover the working poor/lower middle class on Medicaid, thus forcing millions in GA to go uninsured while other states will accept coverage for their people Where was the money to fund this boondoggle going to come from after the first couple of years? Uninsured does not equal no healthcare.
4) fought ethics reform tooth and nail to keep corporate cash flowing into their pockets…and the list grows and grows. This one I agree with.Let’s clean house in 2014!
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:50 am
@Fred – I tried talking numbers with you, but you refused to accept them. I tried talking points with you but you refused to accept them. It’s like talking to my ex-wife when she tells me the sky isn’t blue. I tried but now you need to take your meds. You don’t make sense.
JamVet
January 24th, 2013
11:50 am
One of the many huge problems for the flailing neocons is that they are not really FOR anything.
The most fanatical of them are merely AGAINST pretty much everything and everyone.
That list includes liberals, progressives, green, moderates, their ultimate enemy Uncle Sam/the American gubment, Negroes (magic or otherwise), homosexuals, the poor and infirm, women’s rights, foreigners, the scientific community, the environment, all beliefs and religions save Christianity, the English language and on and on and on.
These are NOT the characteristics of American conservatism and these pro-invasion, pro-occupation, corporate slaves/neocons are NOT conservatives. Not by any stretch of the imagination.
Conservatives would have fought to retain we the people’s sovereignty, not just sell it off to the highest Wall Street bidder.
These imploding Republicans are hard core reactionaries. (Opposed to all change and progress and a desire to go back to the previous state or status quo ante.)
To hell with them.
Their beating will continue until their morale improves…
the cat
January 24th, 2013
11:52 am
Thulsa-I already posted the proof. Did you miss it?
Send the check to Planned Parenthood, make sure it will not bounce.
Mick
January 24th, 2013
11:52 am
voter
Try this on for size-
The Deficit Has Grown Mostly Because Of The Recession, The deficit has ballooned not because of specific spending measures, but because of the recession. The deficit more than doubled between 2008 and 2009, as the economy was in free fall, since laid-off workers paid less in taxes and needed more benefits. The deficit then shrank in 2010 and 2011.LikeDislike3310 Points
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
11:52 am
“Glad to see the Hildabeast eaten alive yesterday. Squirm, squirm, lie & then cry! Conservatives 1 Liberals 0″
That must be from unskewedscoreboard.com
Hillary’s approval rating will probably go from 65% to 70% after her testimony. Better get your “liberal media” whine tuned up.
rightwingextreme
January 24th, 2013
11:53 am
IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE…..SEN DIANE FRANKENSTIEN’S LONG AWAITED ATTEMPT AT GUN GRABBING IS FINALLY HERE.
Now, once we pass this law there won’t be anymore killings or shootings going on….cause all the bad guys gone turn in they guns! Just like Jay and all you dimlibs want!
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:53 am
@DannyX – “VP Biden’s approval rating is up to 59%. Sec of State Clinton is at 65%.
How are Republican politicians doing? Republican Party approval?”
Of course the numbers are up, they only take polls in the inner-city areas where the welfare recipients are. Big deal.
the cat
January 24th, 2013
11:54 am
Pssst-It’s you!
Thulsa Doom
January 24th, 2013
11:48 am
Fred and I don’t agree on much. About the only thing we probably do agree on is that one poster in particular is quite the lunatic.
Link Report this comment
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
11:54 am
“@Fred – I tried talking numbers with you, but you refused to accept them.”
You did nothing but pull things out of your as..
getalife
January 24th, 2013
11:55 am
That last cycle buried the gop.
Facts don’t matter and cons living in a make believe world was hilarious.
You don’t come back from that insanity for years.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:55 am
@Mick – “The Deficit Has Grown Mostly Because Of The Recession”
You’re funny. National Debt at 16+ trillion and growing. That’s up 6+ trillion, that means spending has increased 1.2+ trillion each year. Wake up and smell what you’re shoveling.
rightwingextreme
January 24th, 2013
11:56 am
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:37 am
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:19 am
@Fred – “What did President Bush do other than cut taxes, spend our surplus, start 2 wars, raise spending, tank the economy, and raise the national debt?”
So blind, he started the war to find usama bin laden, you know the one who did the 9/11 terrorist hit? I believe Congress agreed also. He actually cut taxes. You have kids? Child Tax Credit? Ring a bell? The so called “fiscal cliff” was actually to stop the tax cuts he brought about. Get real Fred and get some real arguments here.
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He failed. He let Osama Bin Laden escape from Bora Bora.
By that definition so did Clinton….The Sudan was ready to offer him up to Clinton but he said he couldn’t find a “legal” reason to accept their offer.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:57 am
@DannyX- Ok, then you explain. No President in History! has spent this much, not even Bush in 8 years. So, please explain it to us.
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
11:57 am
Fred: Bashing / blaming Bush makes you a “patriot” but, bashing / blaming Obama makes us “unpatriotic.” Oh, I see how that works. Thought you libs were the party of inclusion? Only if the theologies match up, huh?
Aquagirl
January 24th, 2013
11:57 am
Aquagirl,
If you consider the cat’s comment to be “good stuff” then that speaks volumes about you.
Aw, c’mon, I take breaks because it’s always the same ‘ol stuff here. If you shot some kid, now THAT’S something new.
And for the record, I don’t think you shot anyone let alone a kid but it sounds like I missed quite a dustup here. I have no idea if you’re the “bad guy” or not, or if there was an identifiable bad guy in the ruckus.
It’s the same as MMA, I don’t want to watch a 5 round decision with the usual feints and lockups. I wanna see those superman punches and spinning backfist knockouts.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
11:57 am
Ronald Reagan
January 24th, 2013
11:49 am
Glad to see the Hildabeast eaten alive yesterday. Squirm, squirm, lie & then cry! Conservatives 1 Liberals 0
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This guy was giving Rove the polls on election night that showed Romney “winning.”