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
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
11:58 am
“Of course the numbers are up, they only take polls in the inner-city areas where the welfare recipients are. Big deal.”
You keep pulling things out of your as…
JamVet
January 24th, 2013
11:58 am
A few other points about neocons – almost to a man, they cheered on the botched Bush invasions and occupations. Though virtually none of them served this country. Worse they shamelessly denigrate numerous highly decorated combat veterans and slobber all over that barely honorable Hero of the Texas ANG of theirs.
The most irrational of them also have a penchant for excusing completely the devastating role of the white collar criminal element in this country. Just ask 98 who is not in any way whatsoever responsible for the greatest American economic meltdown in nearly a hundred years.
(Hint, they hide behind that giant American flag at 10 Wall Street.)
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:58 am
Hey DannyX, I think Fred has some extra pills for you also.
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
January 24th, 2013
11:58 am
Fred: 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.
That ^^ is the kicker.
When you think about all the sacrifices people made for our country during WWII; and how they went without for the greater good of ALL of America the Conned should feel ASHAMED of the way they’re mewling and crying like babies deprived of their mother’s teat.
A lot of the conned here love to put down the “brown” folks, but when some of those rich “brown folks” like Will Smith, Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington, Sean Combs, et al. say, “Hey, if it helps America and every American in hard times out, I don’t MIND PAYING MORE TAXES” — compared to that whining, bloated golfer who can’t stand the thought of paying for the military to EAT as well as fight………….then you come to see who are the “real patriots” and who are only as patriotic as Benedict Arnold.
Fair weathered friends never want to hang around when it’s storming outside.
stands for decibels
January 24th, 2013
11:59 am
Do you honestly think the Democrats are viewed any better than Republicans now?
well since you asked–if you count “leaners,” according to Gallup, Dems enjoy a nine point edge in party affiliation:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx
as for how people view the parties overall it’s slightly narrower, eight points:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/24655/Party-Images.aspx
Not really taking much issue with your post, but the public does seem to think Dems are somewhat less crappy than GOPers.
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
11:59 am
We all know from the idiotic posts here that the Republicans Congress is meaningless
So, why waste your breath? Why so distracted by the meaningless pubs?
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:00 pm
@DannyX – Hey Danny, I have a French Army WWII rifle for sale, mint condition, never fired, dropped twice. I also have some beach from property in Arizona. Let me know.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
12:01 pm
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?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
That was particularly stupid. Also, just because someone doesn’t drink the Rush Koolaide and walk lock step with FOX doesn’t make them a ‘libs”. I’m an independent and as such HAVE no “party” much less a party of inclusion. I certainly am not a party of inclusion as I can’t stand dumbasses and don’t want to include them in ANYTHING. Hell I wish they would all self deport.
Have you anything else stupid to add before I go have lunch and then go fix a washer and dryer? I’d hate to leave you in a state of anticipation…….
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:01 pm
Soory, beach front property
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:01 pm
Sorry, man, I can’t type today
4 More...and you can not do a thing about it....see you Repubs in 2016...and expect "another" defeat....
January 24th, 2013
12:02 pm
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Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:02 pm
Fred, take your meds before attempting any repairs.
Dharma Bum
January 24th, 2013
12:02 pm
getalife, how are you any different than the “cons” you perpetually lambast? You come across as being just as delusional with your never-ending litany of silly ad-hominem attacks.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
12:03 pm
Voter
January 24th, 2013
11:58 am
Hey DannyX, I think Fred has some extra pills for you also.
+++++++++++++++++++++
As you can see we exhausted the limited ability “Voter” has for debate and conversation about 5 miles back……… now all he can do it repeat silly, juvenile taunts and stupid old jokes (french rifle).
That didn’t take much…………
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:03 pm
@4more – You need help. Great Black Hope?, yeah right!
stands for decibels
January 24th, 2013
12:04 pm
they only take polls in the inner-city areas where the welfare recipients are.
Are you the unskewed polls guy?
heh heh heh.
getalife
January 24th, 2013
12:04 pm
drama,
Just call em like I see em.
Got a problem with that?
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
12:05 pm
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SO now you have to resort to little taunts because your Foxbot lies have been blown all to hell.
Ironic coming from the king of taunts…
(foxbots, birthers, lunatics, dumber and, dumber)
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
12:06 pm
DDR @ 11:58: Amen. Especially the “Eva Longoria” mention……… she’s always worth a look
http://tinyurl.com/ax4lp5a
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
12:06 pm
Stevie Ray: “interesting that the second term of the last 2 presidents was the downfall…will the trend continue?) ”
Yes, my money’s on Yes, it will.
Clinton’s much ballyhooed surplus was complete overrated. Built on sand.
Robert Rubin-/Wall St.-driven neoliberal ideology at its early peak.
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
12:06 pm
“now all he can do it repeat silly, juvenile taunts and stupid old jokes (french rifle).”
Fred, yep, when I saw his last one I thought, here is a guy that has absolutely nothing to offer, and he just proved it.
the cat
January 24th, 2013
12:06 pm
Fred-you aren’t helping your cause any, whatever your cause may be as it changes from day to day…….
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:07 pm
@Fred – hey Fred, National Debt is at 16+ trillion. Spending is UP 6+ trillion in 4 years. Welfare is up, 47% now on welfare, Jobs are down. You know that liitle known bill passed by Pres. Obama? Called the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012″? It eliminated those on unemployment. Why do you think the job numbers suddenly look so good? IDIOT. Wake up and smell what you are shoveling!
jrhj
January 24th, 2013
12:07 pm
The problem is the Republicans are trying to continue to be Politicians instead of Representatives of their constituents! The whole problem with Washington is they are all Politicians, say you want to hear and do what they want to do and we keep re-electing the idiots, both dems and reps! I think we should systemetically vote every last one of them out and put term limits and eliminate free trips and gifts and see what we get!!
stands for decibels
January 24th, 2013
12:07 pm
By the way, that “party images” poll from gallup I’d linked, earlier?
Whenever you hear some on the right threaten to call for Obama’s impeachment, you might want to take a look at that chart and note where, on the timeline, the Republicans’ “favorable opinions” percentage hit its 21-year low, and consider just what was going on at that time.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
12:07 pm
I’ll take you 12:05 to mean you have nothing else to add DIA. I thought not.
Uh Huh....You Reap What You Sow
January 24th, 2013
12:08 pm
@Voter
January 24th, 2013
10:49 am
@Uh Huh….You Reap What You Sow – “The Tea Party is the most incorrigible, hate filled group of
people on the planet.”
yeah right, they want lower taxes, more jobs and less government! Wow, sounds just like our Founding Fathers.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Because they want lower taxes, more jobs and less government that
gives them the right to be mean spirited, hate filled and racist?
Tea Party Supporters are white. They’re older. And they’re angry.
More than one in three (36 percent) hails from the SOUTH, far more than any other region.
More than half — 58 percent — keep a gun in the household.
63 percent say they get the majority of their political and current events news on television from the Fox News Channel,
25 percent say the Tea Party movement reflects their beliefs, while 36 percent say it DOES NOT.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:08 pm
@DannyX – Hey Danny, National Debt is at 16+ trillion. Spending is UP 6+ trillion in 4 years. Welfare is up, 47% now on welfare, Jobs are down. You know that liitle known bill passed by Pres. Obama? Called the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012″? It eliminated those on unemployment. Explain please, we would like to listen.
barking frog
January 24th, 2013
12:08 pm
getalife 12:04
Drama Bum. Excellent.
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
January 24th, 2013
12:08 pm
Of course the numbers are up, they only take polls in the inner-city areas where the welfare recipients are.
You misunderstand. When they put those polls together they use REAL math. Not REPUBLICAN math.
Real math uses real numbers and equations.
Republican math uses magic.
Real math gives rational analysis of things/events so that adults and/or intelligent people can reasonably foretell what is going to happen, within 10% of error.
Republican math gives people pleasure. I Like to call it matherbation. It doesn’t do anything, it’s not realistic, but it does make republicans FEEL better.
So I understand your confusion — you can choose REAL math and come up with the truth, OR you can choose REPUBLICAN math and come up with pleasure.
Keep matherbating my friend. If it makes you feel better, just keep on matherbating.
stands for decibels
January 24th, 2013
12:08 pm
Voter, if you honestly believe that the national debt would be significantly less than 16 trillion after four years of a McCain/Palin administration, please have yourself institutionalized.
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
12:09 pm
the cat
January 24th, 2013
12:06 pm
Fred-you aren’t helping your cause any, whatever your cause may be as it changes from day to day…….
++++++++++++++++++
Truth. And it remains constant despite what you claim.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:09 pm
@Uh Huh – How do you know the demographics of those in the Tea Party? You are making assumptions
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:10 pm
@Fred – Go fix your machines.
HDB
January 24th, 2013
12:11 pm
….here’s another analysis of what the GOP WON’T do to change…………and it’s quite evident that it CAN’T!!
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/24/gop-attracting-minorities.html
getalife
January 24th, 2013
12:11 pm
“Drama Bum.”
Lets stop the drama cons and get back to facts do matter.
Deal?
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:11 pm
@Uh huh – ever hear of Herman Cain or Allen West? They are in the Tea Party
Dharma Bum
January 24th, 2013
12:12 pm
I don’t have a problem with what you are saying getalife… everyone has a right to express their opinion… But I think it might be good for you to realize that to some of the more reasonable disposition/mindset, you come across as being just as crazy as the “cons.”
Dems and Reps are both sitting in glass houses right now… should either side really be throwing rocks?
alex
January 24th, 2013
12:12 pm
The conservatives have a great opportunity to make the govt. do what many (not all) families already do, that is spend less than you take in and put some fiscal responsibility back in govt. If they cannot figure a way to do this they need to make way for another party to develop, I’m sure that we ALL would welcome fiscal responsibility and a discussion that includes tax chnages and entitelement changes. That should be the future of the next “opposition” party , that would be truly progressive , not liberal and not the current version of the republican party. I hope that happens, this country needs an effective voice in D.C. for all rational, fiscally intelligent citizens, it currently does not have that.
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
12:13 pm
Fred ™
January 24th, 2013
12:07 pm
I’ll take you 12:05 to mean you have nothing else to add DIA. I thought not
You don’t listen to reason anyway. And, just so you know, after recent personal experience with appliance repairmen, I hold them with extreme disdain!
getalife
January 24th, 2013
12:13 pm
Drama Bum,
Crazy like our cons?
Seriously?
How so?
stands for decibels
January 24th, 2013
12:14 pm
HDB, nice linkee…
Let’s start with African-Americans. Republicans, whatever they might say publicly, won’t actually try to win more black votes. Why? Because the positions the party would have to embrace to win black votes are abhorrent to the GOP base. Which, you may have noticed, is kind of racist. Now, people like me—pundits of the respectable class—aren’t supposed to talk that way. We’re supposed to cooperate in the fiction that the Republican Party is the party of Lincoln and underneath it all yearns to reawaken the great Jack Kemp tradition.
All that is a bunch of rot, I’m afraid, and the rank and file’s racism is just a plain fact. Ever read some of those Fox News website comment threads on race stories, like this rather fascinating thread when Whitney Houston died, or certain Obama articles? It’s like reading Bull Connor’s diary. No, this doesn’t mean every conservative is a racist. But it does mean that if you find yourself at a table with five conservatives and try to break the ice with a watermelon joke, you’re very likely to get somewhere between two and three laughs.
Pretty much nailed it.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:15 pm
@Uh Huh, “Because they want lower taxes, more jobs and less government that
gives them the right to be mean spirited, hate filled and racist”
Why do you think this? Being against gay marriage or abortion is not mean spirited, hate filled and racist.
Aquagirl
January 24th, 2013
12:15 pm
You misunderstand. When they put those polls together they use REAL math. Not REPUBLICAN math.
Until the election night of 2012, I thought Megyn Kelly had no purpose on this earth. How wrong I was.
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
12:15 pm
DebbieDoRight – Minister Of Propaganda
January 24th, 2013
12:08 pm
Of course the numbers are up, they only take polls in the inner-city areas where the welfare recipients are.
You misunderstand. When they put those polls together they use REAL math. Not REPUBLICAN math.
Real math uses real numbers and equations.
Republican math uses magic.
Kind of like the magic you libs use to come up with the imaginary “surplus” under Clinton? You last name is not Te’o by any chance is it?
Paul
January 24th, 2013
12:16 pm
rightwingextreme
“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! ”
Do you ever read or watch news or do you just write whatever pops into your head?
Or given your moniker, maybe it’s just that Jay’s thread has caused a reality crisis.
Just tryin’ to help you out -
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
12:16 pm
Here’s bipartisanship in action for you.
Yeah, that Democratic party is some “left” wing party. (Yeah, right.)
\Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell Reach Filibuster Reform Deal
WASHINGTON — Progressive senators working to dramatically alter Senate rules were defeated on Thursday, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and his counterpart, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), set to announce a series of compromise reforms on the Senate floor that fall far short of the demands. The language of the deal was obtained by HuffPost and can be read here and here.
The pressure from the liberal senators, led by Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley and backed by a major coalition of progressive groups, created the political space for Reid to cut the deal with McConnell, which includes changes to how the Senate operates but leaves a fundamental feature, the silent filibuster, in place.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/24/harry-reid-mitch-mcconnell-filibuster_n_2541356.html?utm_hp_ref=tw
Dharma Bum
January 24th, 2013
12:17 pm
getalife, you consistently make use of ad hominem attacks and name-calling.
It is all intended to provoke and does nothing to actually facilitate the compromise this country desperately needs.
I’m headed to lunch–later!
WAW
January 24th, 2013
12:17 pm
Not to worry, Hillary handed it to them yesterday. Glad to see Democrats calling their hand. First if Rand Paul, in his wildest dreams, were ever President does he actually think Hillary would work for him? Then Tea Party Johnson actually thought he could intimidate the woman who was and still is married to Bill Clinton. Finally, Sen Durbin leveled them with his 5 words. Enough of this “meet them half way” crap. Call them out! When the “American People” (their catch phrase – every one of them claim to speak for) see them making fools of themselves like they did yesterday, they are just beginning to reap what they have sown.
alex
January 24th, 2013
12:17 pm
@ Debbie, back to good old standby:RACE, you can do better, I’ve seen it…..
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
12:18 pm
“Dems and Reps are both sitting in glass houses right now… should either side really be throwing rocks?”
Give it a rest Dharma. This is a political blog. You only post here to scold other bloggers. Your Dharma handle is starting to sound like a sock puppet.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
January 24th, 2013
12:18 pm
Headline: “Which combat jobs for women?”
“The Defense Dept. must now decide whether to admit women to units such as Navy SEALs or Delta Force.”
Admit ? Admit ?
How about we “admit” women into the NFL ??
Wayne Nalder Bloxham
January 24th, 2013
12:18 pm
Nixon was the worst! Till Regan dropped the boom! Go back a few!
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:18 pm
@DownInAlbany – “Kind of like the magic you libs use to come up with the imaginary “surplus” under Clinton? You last name is not Te’o by any chance is it?”
Now that’s funny!
getalife
January 24th, 2013
12:20 pm
Drama Bum,
Is that all you got?
Compromise?
Too funny.
Thanks for the laugh.
Stevie Ray
January 24th, 2013
12:20 pm
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
11:49 am
There is nothing noteworthy about these poll results. If you go back to prior presidents polls at beginning of second term, you will find similar numbers…common sense wouldn’t you agree?
rightwingextreme
January 24th, 2013
12:20 pm
Paul
January 24th, 2013
12:16 pm
rightwingextreme
“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! ”
Do you ever read or watch news or do you just write whatever pops into your head?
Or given your moniker, maybe it’s just that Jay’s thread has caused a reality crisis.
Just tryin’ to help you out -
Paul….all i’m doing is mocking the left’s fantasy notion that more gun control will stop future crime.
Just tyring to help you out.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:21 pm
@WAW – Not to worry, Hillary handed it to them yesterday
You’re actually proud of what Hillary did yesterday? Wow, you have really hit bottom. The 4 men who died, asking for help, deserve better.
getalife
January 24th, 2013
12:21 pm
scout,
Yes, women now do your old job.
So?
Nduka
January 24th, 2013
12:21 pm
“The truth is that most of the party’s problems are of its own making.”
True that. When they crawled into bed with the evangelicals and the tea party wackos they painted themselves into a corner. That, plus the lingering memories of the toxic George W. Bush administration and his toxic Rubberstamp Congress…they’re doomed to years of irrelevance.
Thulsa Doom
January 24th, 2013
12:22 pm
the cat
January 24th, 2013
11:52 am
Thulsa-I already posted the proof. Did you miss it?
Sounds like just another LIE. I never saw anywhere where you posted any proof because it doesn’t exist. And because when I asked you to post it the other day you never posted your supposed proof on that particular thread. Dispense with the lying please.
getalife
January 24th, 2013
12:24 pm
“Dispense with the lying please.”
Do facts matter now doomy?
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:24 pm
And to join this fight. Women in combat, NO, they shouldn’t be. Not because they couldn’t do the job, they just shouldn’t. It’s a man thing, meaning, in my book, we protect the women. It may well come to women in combat one day because of need but we have plenty of men right now.
indigo
January 24th, 2013
12:24 pm
Voter – 11:55
Obama has had to pay huge amounts of interest to cover Bush’s two credit card wars and generous tax breaks to the rich.
Stevie Ray
January 24th, 2013
12:25 pm
Welcome to the Occupation
January 24th, 2013
12:06 pm
I’m unfortunately betting against it. They have sold their voters that no amount of debt or deficit is a worry. This arrogance is likely to be his downfall. Especially if he isn’t prudent and continues current spending trend. If we are north of 20 trillion and our new debt costs more or otherwise eats up a trended non-proportional share of spending growth, he will go down as worse fical manager in presidential history.
Thulsa Doom
January 24th, 2013
12:25 pm
12:02 cult of personality alert. Libs do love they cult of personality they do.
Goldie
January 24th, 2013
12:27 pm
Every day I thank God we have President Obama in the White House today!
Stevie Ray
January 24th, 2013
12:27 pm
WELCOME
Ever thought of changing your moniker to Welcome to the Jungle?
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:28 pm
@indigo – “Obama has had to pay huge amounts of interest to cover Bush’s two credit card wars and generous tax breaks to the rich.”
He has paid nothing. he could’ve stopped both wars and brought them home any time he wanted. He could’ve passed legislation or another executive order any time any wanted to stop the tax breaks. He does exactly what he wants, when he wants. He lied to us about Benghazi, he sent others to lie to us. He is what you deserve and one day you will see him for what he is. I hope.
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
12:29 pm
“There is nothing noteworthy about these poll results. If you go back to prior presidents polls at beginning of second term, you will find similar numbers…common sense wouldn’t you agree?”
Stevie, in this case I would disagree. Hillary Clinton is by far the most popular politician in the country right now, she appeals to a lot of different people. I think she has a clear advantage and will win, easily, if she runs.
JamVet
January 24th, 2013
12:30 pm
The messed up old men in the No Rights for Women Party need to talk with Tammy Duckworth.
Or better yet that slimeball deadbeat dad and never-served neocon, Joe Walsh, that lost to her in the November election.
Paul
January 24th, 2013
12:30 pm
rightwingextreme
Much thanks for the clarification!
0311
“Admit ? Admit ?
How about we “admit” women i”
Services (primarily Army and Marines) stalled reforming the process for senior field grade and general officer promotions so it was not dependent on fields were prohibited from serving in. They didn’t. So SecDef Panetta took care of it.
Plus, the service chiefs couldn’t answer ‘where’s the front line” that you want to exclude women from?
Perhaps you can answer that question, ’cause the 4-stars couldn’t.
stands for decibels
January 24th, 2013
12:31 pm
Yeah, that Democratic party is some “left” wing party. (Yeah, right.)
Yeah, color me shocked–Lucy pulled the football, again.
And for the record, I don’t blame Reid…
The arrangement between Reid and McConnell means that the majority leader will not resort to his controversial threat, known as the “nuclear option,” to change the rules via 51 votes on the first day of the congressional session. Reid may have been able to achieve greater reforms that way, but several members of his own party were uncomfortable with the precedent it would have set.
“Uncomfortable.”
I blame the vast assortment of pathetic, phony “Democrats” in our House of Lords who seem dead set on proving true Will Rogers’ famous assertion that a liberal is “a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.”
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:31 pm
@Goldie – “Every day I thank God we have President Obama in the White House today!”
I got news for you, having President Obama in the White House is NOT a blessing.
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
12:32 pm
After 4 years, many on here still blame Bush. Much of it is well deserved. I’ve been pretty snarky this morning, admittedly just stirring the pot at times. Seriously, though…a couple of questions:
When does this become Obama’s economy? I’m talking about the whole enchilada.
How much is enough taxes? What is the max amount (%) should anyone…l mean anyone be expected to pay? 30%, 40, 60%
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:32 pm
Lunch time. Later
indigo
January 24th, 2013
12:33 pm
Scout – 12:18
In this day and age of endless litigation, I’ve often wondered why the lawsuits have not been filed against the NFL for discriminating against short, slow people.
If corporations are forced, by law, to hire the handicapped, why aren’t sports teams required not to discriminate against those less athletically endowed?
Paul
January 24th, 2013
12:33 pm
make that
“and general officer promotions so it was not dependent on fields WOMEN were prohibited from serving in.
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
12:33 pm
“Libs do love they cult of personality they do.”
Hey, did you catch that Sarah Palin reality show on tv! Great stuff.
Speaking of cults, did you listen to Rush today? Oh, and how’s Grover doing these days?
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
January 24th, 2013
12:34 pm
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…
Please, pray tell, how is “BO” “arrogant”? What has he done to have earned that moniker? Breathe?
========
Godless: 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.
He “smoked” her as you put it, because Hillary SUPPORTED the war in Iraq, Obama didn’t. Her support cost her the nomination.
==========
Voter: 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.
Uh huh. Keep whistling past the graveyard; but whatever you do, don’t look behind you. There’s something coming, it’s called PAY BACK. Sorry.
=====
Fred: I think I found out where our old friend and regular poster, USMC went:
Fred, you are soooo bad!!! But I like that about you!
===
Paul
January 24th, 2013
12:34 pm
Voter
We’ve had women in combat for years.
Did you just wake up from a lonnnnnnng nap?
stands for decibels
January 24th, 2013
12:34 pm
It’s a man thing, meaning, in my book, we protect the women.
You’re ignorant of how the military works these days. Women go out on patrol. Women protect men all the time. Women needed this policy to change in order to have an equal shot of advancing through the ranks.
Hardly surprising you’d be opposed to that.
Class of '98
January 24th, 2013
12:35 pm
USinUK
You say that David Brooks is conservative because he once wrote for the WSJ? Using your logic, doesn’t that mean he is now a liberal because he writes for the New York Times?
Or are you delusional enough to think NYT is a moderate, middle-of-the-road newspaper? Please tell me this is not the case.
People who deny the NYT is a raging liberal paper are the same ones who say, “there’s no forest there, just a lot of trees.”
getalife
January 24th, 2013
12:35 pm
“Another State’s GOP Pushing Welfare Drug Testing”
Pee in a cup and call it freedom.
Dekalb Comments
January 24th, 2013
12:35 pm
Voter @ 12:22 “It’s a man thing, meaning, in my book, we protect the women” when referencing the decision to allow women in combat roles.
This is exactly what is driving women away from the party. The MAJORITY of women don’t feel the need to be “protected” by their men. That notion may have been true in the era of “Leave it to Beaver” but is certainly not true today.
Now we can discuss whether it is prudent to place women in immediate harm’s way but they have been doing that for decades now with women jet and helicopter pilots, etc. But to claim we shouldn’t allow women in combat roles because they need to be protected does not match with the views of most women (and likely most men).
getalife
January 24th, 2013
12:38 pm
The gop are trying to cheat by changing the electoral college.
It is all they have left.
Cheating and lying so they should disband.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 24th, 2013
12:39 pm
How about we “admit” women into the NFL
And the problem is? If they can compete, then let them in. With all your chest thumping, you may be suffering from shaken GOP syndrome.
Mick
January 24th, 2013
12:39 pm
voter
You’ve been eating what you’ve been shoveling yourself…this blame all the debt on obama is for the ignorant – welcome to your party!!!
Class of '98
January 24th, 2013
12:40 pm
The last Republican the New York Times endorsed for POTUS was Dwight Eisenhower. To those keeping track, it means they endorsed Walter Friggin Mondale in 1984.
David Brooks is “conservative” only by contrast to the rest of their staff. Similiar to how George Stephanopolous appears to be a strapping giant when surrounded by kindergartners.
Thulsa Doom
January 24th, 2013
12:41 pm
“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.”
Aquagirl,
Just to bring you up to speed the cat just made up some completely BS statement and wrote that I had “applauded” the Newtown massacre which is in and of itself is just plain crazy. I asked him to back up his completely BS assertion and to date he can’t- reason being its complete and total BS of course.
“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.”
Ha! Another MMA fan. I was real busy for a couple weeks and could only show up briefly on the night shift. And on one a them night shifts Sooth suggested that we put together a cage fight with me and TC against keep and kam.I told Sooth I don’t need no stinking partner or headgear and that keep and kam could wear headgear. Now being a liberal I know you like a good fight and all but if this fantasy cage match ever came to fruition your tag team of k and k would take a big L. But at least you would get to see that devastating knockout that MMA fans crave. Matter of fact you would see it twice. And how would it end? Quickly.
barking frog
January 24th, 2013
12:41 pm
DeKalb Comments
That notion may have been true in the era of “Leave it to Beaver” but is certainly not true today.
……………………………………………………………………………
Is not women in combat, truly, a return to Leave It to Beaver.
Stevie Ray
January 24th, 2013
12:41 pm
DannyX
January 24th, 2013
12:29 pm
Agreed on Hillary but the levels enjoyed by BO/Biden are consistent at this point and can only go down at those before them as the high pro re-election glow fades….as mentioned, if he ignores the economy and our P&L/balance sheet in favor of guns, gays, climate whatever…his problems will snowball as often is the case when outflows materially exceed inflows. I’d like to see him offer amnesty under controlled circumstances and empty any illegals from our prisons and dump them back where they came from…doubtful that will happen.
Guns leglislation, has been needed but will not result in any meaningful decrease in gun violence…certainly at unprotected gathering areas and definitely not schools. I think before any action is taken on climate change or whatever it is called, we should throw an equivalent amount of cash at those skeptics and let them scientifically challenge those who say the right things and get all the grants..
I worry his focus on these areas offers no real solutions….simply political theatre devoured by a less than informed general electorate.
stands for decibels
January 24th, 2013
12:41 pm
People who deny the NYT is a raging liberal paper are the same ones who
…have actually read it.
Voter
January 24th, 2013
12:41 pm
@Paul – I was just saying past, present or future, I personally don’t want women in combat. Like I said, not because they can’t, I just want them like they are, sweet, innocent, mothers, workers, teachers, etc. I love them and want to protect them.
Mr Right, the FOXBOT,not the JAYBUTT
January 24th, 2013
12:41 pm
Obama has had to pay huge amounts of interest to cover Bush’s two credit card wars and generous tax breaks to the rich.
Blame others as allways, getting kind of old!
DownInAlbany
January 24th, 2013
12:42 pm
Women in combat, gay marriage, hell we have a twice elected african american in the WH. My how times they do change. Remember, “Hope and CHANGE”?
Why not go to the popular vote for Prez elections? It would have swung things the other way a couple of times…to the dems and pubs.
stands for decibels
January 24th, 2013
12:42 pm
I personally don’t want women in combat. Like I said, not because they can’t, I just want them like they are, sweet, innocent, mothers, workers, teachers, etc. I love them and want to protect them.
But our young men, they can go out there and have the sh-t blown out of them. Gotcha.
Peadawg
January 24th, 2013
12:42 pm
“Pee in a cup and call it freedom.”
I gotta pee in a cup for my job. What’s the difference?
appleseed
January 24th, 2013
12:43 pm
My,My, don’t you know the Clinton surplus was the Newt surplus.Even 2yrs after Newt departed.Spin that old rotary.Now an Obamaphone be modern and up to date.Also so popular some include it in their title.
AmericaShrugged
January 24th, 2013
12:43 pm
Fred – I think some of the logic you are capable of has been pushed aside by your emotions toward all things Bush. Early on Bush was asked about the surplus disappearing and he said, ‘we had a recesson, we were attacked and we’re at war’. In hindsight invading Iraq looks like a pretty horrendous decision. However, you completely misstate the mission. The mission in the ME wasn’t to hunt down and kill bin Laden, Oh overtly they were hunting bin Laden and AQ and other terrorists. but the primary US pobjective in the ME is always to keep the oil flowing through the Straits of Hormuz. Iraq has lots of oil, Afghanistan does not. And whether or not that appeals to your ethics, the 2007 recession pales compared to what will happen if the oil stops flowing. Look for significant US involvement in Iran in the near future even with BO as the CinC,. for the same reason.
Bush failed to mention that in the face of all that he pushed for the largest tax decrease in history, mostly for the rich, and that he pushed through the mostly unnecessary Medicare (D), needing to buy a few votes after the narrow 2000 election win. I think those were his biggest sins.
I don’t think he singlehandedly destroyed the economy either. The housing bubble burst on his watch, and Dems and Reps contributed to the creaton of that bubble.
Lastly, when President Obama and the Democratic congress of 2009-2010 failed to pull out the troops and in fact surged 50,000 more into Afghanistan, it became his war. When they failed to reverse the Bush tax cuts and wouldn’t even let them expire automnatically, and instead bought votes with an additional 2% SS reduction in a system that was already heading toward insolvency, they become his tax cuts.