Kasim Reed: Democrats shouldn’t ask Obama to fight ‘with one hand behind his back’
On NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, the decision by President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign to focus on Republican Mitt Romney’s Bain Capital past was again an issue.
But Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, unlike Newark, N.J., Cory Booker, made no apologies. In fact, he criticized Democrats – former President Bill Clinton implicit among them – who are demanding that Obama “fight with one hand tied behind his back.” Watch here:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Reed sent out advance notice of his appearance last night to fellow Democrats, with this closing message that indicates he may be about to take a larger role in state party doings:
”My goal is to represent your voice — Georgia Democrats — as we head toward victory in November together.”
Kerwin Swint, the political scientist over at Kennesaw State University, today posted his observations on Reed as an emerging national figure, but closes with this bit of criticism:
The Atlanta Airport has a 30-year plus history of sweetheart deals and so called “pay-to-play” contracting. Kasim Reed didn’t create that environment of course, but he is now knee-deep in it, with an opportunity to do something about it. But unlike his Newark, NJ counterpart Cory Booker, who instituted pay-to-play reform in his city, Reed hasn’t even tried to reform city procurement. He sees no need. And to hear him tell it, he sees no problems.
That’s a pretty big blind spot for an emerging national political player.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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100 comments Add your comment
td
June 3rd, 2012
10:48 pm
Hot Dog
June 3rd, 2012
10:35 pm
TD Go and do your research before you start running your mouth. I think you will find Joe’s record very interesting.
Joe is a neo con when it comes to protecting Israel and is a social and fiscal lib.
Centrist
June 3rd, 2012
10:51 pm
Campaigning and governing are sometimes diametrically opposed. Obama and his filibuster proof Senate/ Democratic House did NOT reverse the Bush policies they campaigned against in respect to closing Guantanamo Bay, having civil trials for terrorists, or letting tax rates expire.
I’d hope Republicans/ Romney would act the same way if they were in such a position – otherwise we’d have to worry about becoming a theocracy, women’s rights being stripped with a reversal of Roe v. Wade, and possibly other right wing desires. I don’t trust either party to have such domination and temptation to dictate.
td
June 3rd, 2012
10:52 pm
Slice of Atl
June 3rd, 2012
10:36 pm
He has been asked to come back several times because he is a good Obama hack and tows the party line. Nothing more.
REALITY CHECK
June 3rd, 2012
11:19 pm
Please do your homework & realize Mayor Reed is one of the best political leaders on the scene. If it wasn’t for his national leadership as well as improving city relations with the state & federal government, both political parties in GA would be suffering through a worse economic picture for the city & state on all levels…
» Kasim Reed: Democrats shouldn’t ask Obama to fight ‘with one hand behind his back’ Marvin Arrington Jr.
June 4th, 2012
12:22 am
[...] Article source: http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/06/03/kasim-reed-democrats-shouldnt-ask-oba... [...]
GET REAL
June 4th, 2012
1:48 am
Hey, td, you never responded to the apt criticism leveled at you for supporting Newt as the GOP nominee. You have such grand notions of your political acumen. Was supportiung Newt an example of your well thought out political research and knowledge? BTW, aren’t all the corrupt politicians in Gwinnett County Republicans? Another fine example of Republican leadership in Georgia’s, once fastest-growing county.
Weetamoe
June 4th, 2012
6:27 am
Well that’s the problem right there. Some democrats think Obama was elected to fight. No, that would be Evander. A person is elected president to lead-not with hands but with integrity and intelligence.
Kasim looked like a very small man as he tried to wax indignant on MTP.
Going Right
June 4th, 2012
7:35 am
From and earlier post that no one challenged: I was wondering…if bin Obama is going to prevail on November 6th (GOD FORBID!), who is he then going to blame for “inheriting a bad economy?” Alas, poor George Bush! He will be blamed for psoriasis, incontinence, tornadoes, Greece, Global Warming, and, of course, the economy that bin Obama has inherited from his brain-dead predecessor from 2008-2012 (Guess who that is?). I say, we should – for just a few days – claim that bin Obama is a Republican so that the mess he’s carrying over to the “Second Coming” can be blamed on those nasty, rich, white, WASP Republicans! Case solved. Uh, can we now get back to Solyndra?
dcb
June 4th, 2012
7:49 am
I was one that even as an “Independent” (former Republican) who was impressed with Reed. But the only thing I see him running right now is a race for a Washington slot …. and I think he rightfully calculates that the only way to gain that is by brown-nosing our President for a cabinet or staff position. Shame! He certainly has the charisma and originally, thought pattern to be a great mayor.
20/20
June 4th, 2012
7:50 am
Kris @ 937am”
June 3rd, 2012
9:37 pm
td…
(a)“Do you blame Bush for creating Katrina?”
(b)”Do you have any proof Bush did not create Katrina?”
To answer (a), Personally, not yet, however, (see “b”)…
When you post proof the Bush DID create Katrina, I will stand corrected and change my ideology.
The Truth
June 4th, 2012
8:10 am
David Gregory’s partisan, liberal, Democrat Party bias as Moderator of Meet the Press is an embarrassment, Tim Russert must be rolling in his grave. NBC and its affiliates, MSNBC, cnbc, don’t even make a slight attempt to hide their Democrat bias. All of which is fine, it’s their networks they can air as they please. However, no viewer should make the mistake of assuming NBC presents itself as “neutral”. How many stories, how many minutes, did they air regarding the largest lawsuit filed against the US Government by churches as they challenge Obamacare? None, zero, they have yet to report the suit brought by over 40 Catholic churches and charities. Same network which “altered” the Zimmerman 911 phone call to meet NBC’s racial slant and bias.
Kasim Reed is a crook who hides behind his race and clings to the Obama Admin to avoid FBI investigation. The Airport contract awards are an absolute farce, millions in contracts given to political supporters, family, friends while deserving birders were screwed. Sure Kasim is out supporting Obama, is anyone surprised!!! Atty Gen Eric Holder is playing the race card for Kasim looking the other way while the Reed Administration openly violates the law by rewarding his buds with airport contracts. Reed has no fear, he flaunts the system knowing nothing will happen, he’s black, he’s a Democrat, he’s shilling and carrying the water, i.e., lie after lie on behalf of Obama.
Disappointed
June 4th, 2012
8:23 am
Agreed with the people saying that Reed is a hack. He started office with a lot of good will from the people of Atlanta and cashed it out on airport contracts and special treatment for his family. Sloppy accounting, pet projects that are a waste of money, and the previously mentioned trips overseas. And now he is gunning for a promotion to D.C.
Lack of integrity, lack of ethics…..actually, he would fit in great in the Obama administration!
Double Zero Eight
June 4th, 2012
8:27 am
Analogy:
Reed’s philosophy appears to be,
as the saying goes:
“Why take a knife to a gun fight?’
Jackie
June 4th, 2012
8:30 am
When Obama enjoyed vast majorities in the congress, did he reach across the aisle to find solutions that worked or did he pursue the most liberal, the most partisan agenda, he could jam through the Congress?
It was the latter.
Obama has never been anything but a partisan. Pretending otherwise is silly.
honested
June 4th, 2012
8:31 am
Now it’s blame Mayor Reed for everything wrong in the world day.
If that is how you deal with your disappointment at the inevitable re-Election of the President, so be it.
As has been requested in earlier posts, let us take a look at the City and County Governments OTP with some ethics and criminal problems (in the case of Gwinnett, problems that present a new face every 6 months or so).
Show me how the ‘one party state’ is providing any better leadership and how the Citizens are receiving any more for their tax dollars.
honested
June 4th, 2012
8:32 am
jackie,
To suggest that President Obama has pursued the most ‘liberal, partisan agenda’ shows a lack of understanding about what a Liberal Partisan would do.
td
June 4th, 2012
8:45 am
honested
June 4th, 2012
8:31 am
Now it’s blame Mayor Reed for everything wrong in the world day.
If that is how you deal with your disappointment at the inevitable re-Election of the President, so be it.
Getting harder and harder to say with any type on “honesty” everyday.
Edward
June 4th, 2012
9:02 am
The delusions and outright blatant lies from people like td in these forums are simply amazing. They crow about morality while committing some of the most egregious fraud ever to be written. Disgusting. Truly disgusting.
zeke
June 4th, 2012
9:14 am
td, here is composition by party for congress, obama never controlled senate to avoid fillibuster per this chart, which in addition ben nelson voted with republicans many time. add LIEberman and a few blue dogs……obama never really in driving seat. i agree he should have tackled economy instead of heathcare(though health biggest cost driver for federal budget). surrounded by folks like summers and geithner, obama did not aggressively attack the depths of the recession and has lost credibility. however, repubs have zero cred on dealling with the deprecession they were major contributors to.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774721.html
Van Jones
June 4th, 2012
9:15 am
I think you last sentence should read: …emerging national political playa. Holla.
RAMZAD
June 4th, 2012
9:16 am
I generally consider Reed another Georgia politician without vision for his constituency, but this time he is right. Mitt Romney is a sleazy corporate raider, who admittedly does not care about poor people, who likes to fire people, who has Swiss bank accounts coming out of his ears, and whom his very own Party excoriated as a fake in the Repukelican primaries. There is not enough disinfectant at Johnson & Johnson to clean Mitt Romney up.
zeke
June 4th, 2012
9:21 am
who do you trust ….big business or big government? & why
WOW
June 4th, 2012
9:21 am
@ Centrist
“Reneged on a spending cut/ tax increase “Grand Bargain” agreement that Speaker Boehner stuck his neck out with Tea party Republicans”
This is such revisionist history I don’ t know where to start. It was the Republicans who walked away from the deal. Boehner never had the votes, becasue Cantor was working behind Boehner’s back to squash the deal the whole time. The Dems offered WAY more than there fair share but the right wingers wouldn’t agree to any revenue enhancements. To blame Obama for this falling apart is just crazy, this is all on Eric Cantor and that’s exactly the way he wanted it, he has said as much.
zeke
June 4th, 2012
9:25 am
the truth, on david gregory you have got to be kidding. this guy looks out for his pay master ge to guide him. if he is tough on conservatives it’s because he gave them an opening even an idiot could not avoid. apparently you don’t watch mtp consistently. gregory is also jewish which i think does influence his bias towards conservs and his homeland but that is just my opinion. i watched wallace and rattner discuss issues and chris was more than fair with him. i guess because ratner is a high finance guy and has been mildly critical of the bain bashing.
??????
June 4th, 2012
9:40 am
Since when is an Atlanta mayor important?
zeke
June 4th, 2012
9:54 am
http://538refugees.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/the-democratic-super-majority-myth/
maybe even conservs will admit to this
td
June 4th, 2012
10:03 am
zeke
June 4th, 2012
9:14 am
1: Blue dogs are democrats. So sorry if they frustrate the socialist in the party the same way the RINO’s frustrate the Republicans.
2: Joe voted with Dems 90% of the time
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/L000304/key-votes/
3: The other independent is Sanders of Vermont and he is a member of the socialist party.
4: Your link is incorrect because it is counting the guy from Mass. for the full two years when Kennedy was there for the first 18 months which gave the Dems a filibuster proof Senate. Note: Republicans have never had such a Senate when they were in power.
“obama never really in driving seat”
Obama was more in the drivers seat then Clinton, Carter, Both Bushes or Reagan. You just proved that Obama’s biggest weakness is that he is not a real leader and this should mean he does not deserve another term.
td
June 4th, 2012
10:07 am
WOW
June 4th, 2012
9:21 am
Where was Obama’s proposal in writing? He said he compromised but I never saw anything in writing. Why did Obama not put his proposal into the hands of Reid and get it passed in the Democratic controlled Senate? Obama could have sent his plan through the Senate and the Republicans their plan through the house and then compromise is made in the committees. This is how legislation is normally made. Why did not Obama take this route?
Ga Values
June 4th, 2012
10:21 am
dcb
June 4th, 2012
7:49 am
Reed won’t be running for Washington, he & his cronies are stealing too much at the airport. If the Belt/Wasteline passes think about how much he’ll steal. The simple facts Reed’s best bud is Deal because they are both crooks.
zeke
June 4th, 2012
10:26 am
“Total BS. Obama had two years of more control then any other President since FDR” per td.
think you are wrong, maybe a year but more like 6 mos. as the second artlicle i provided pretty well describes.
yes , i would like a stronger leader, but your assertion ignores the growing political divide in congress. in past things could get worked out, say ronnie and tip, even slick willie and the newster. now there is little chance of republican voting with dems. the country is slightly center right (large aged population more conservative and fearful, but will change in next decade or so), but not far right which unfortunately is the position taken now by your side of the aisle.
gm
June 4th, 2012
10:28 am
Finally some one in the Dem party that has guts, to tell these hypocrites dem like Clinton and Booker who are in bed with big Corporations like bing.
Well done Reed, to bad you live in a state with a bunch of backwoods idiots who rather vote agains their own agenda then to move Geogia forward.
td
June 4th, 2012
10:29 am
zeke
June 4th, 2012
10:26 am
“Total BS. Obama had two years of more control then any other President since FDR” per td.
think you are wrong, maybe a year but more like 6 mos. as the second artlicle i provided pretty well describes.
Even if you take Kennedy out of the mix, Obama still had more votes and more support for his agenda then any President since FDR. Those are facts my friend. Look at the website you provided and see the numbers.
zeke
June 4th, 2012
10:33 am
td. how many votes does it take to overcome fillibuster since i think you majored in pol sci
gm
June 4th, 2012
10:36 am
When will we see Willard and Bush togather? Bush had the nerve to go back to the white house any other country this man would be put in front of a firing squard for destroying this country.
Mayor Reed is correct the rep have memory a memory laps, Bush put us in two unfunded wars, 4500 Americans troops dead, 3500 Americans dead during 911 under his security, wall street collaps, banks collaps, auto collaps, housing collaps and these idiots have the nerve to say Obama has destroyed the country was a bunch of saps on the right.
WOW
June 4th, 2012
10:36 am
Actually you are wrong TD. These compromises have not been done like this lately. There has been an agreement with the Leadership before they are in writing (see the Debt ceiling deal, the tax cut extension, etc…) So to blame Obama becasue nothing was in writing is laughable. Also legislation normally begins in the Legislature so it would seem that something would start in the House, then go to the Senate, and then to Conference were it to be in writing. But again, Cantor sabatoged this deal and he has admitted it.
td
June 4th, 2012
10:39 am
zeke
June 4th, 2012
10:26 am
“yes , i would like a stronger leader, but your assertion ignores the growing political divide in congress. in past things could get worked out, say ronnie and tip, even slick willie and the newster. now there is little chance of republican voting with dems. the country is slightly center right (large aged population more conservative and fearful, but will change in next decade or so), but not far right which unfortunately is the position taken now by your side of the aisle.”
Go and read your history books my friend. The political divide in this country is no worse today the 100, 150 or 50 years ago. In the 1850’s Dems and Republicans were beating each other on the floor of the house and senate.
Regan and Tip had many battles but Regan went directly to the American people and when Dems started calling their Congressmen the Regan agenda started getting passed. Clinton and Newt battled hard and Clinton gave in when he decided to highjack the Republican agenda and move to the center to get re elected.
The difference is the American people do not agree with Obama’s agenda. They like him personally but do not like his policies (see the polls) and Obama refuses to move to the center.
td
June 4th, 2012
10:46 am
zeke
June 4th, 2012
10:33 am
td. how many votes does it take to overcome fillibuster since i think you majored in pol sci
Political Science not exactly. It takes 60 votes but budget issues only require 51 votes (see how Obamacare passed the Senate for an example). There is also again this issue of leadership. The Republicans have several RINO’s in the Senate that would vote for legislation that they feel was reasonable. They have done it many times in the past with the conservatives raising h3ll. Even McCain (an Obama personal friend) will not go along with his radical agenda.
Again this is a problem with leadership. Obama is not a leader.
td
June 4th, 2012
10:48 am
WOW
June 4th, 2012
10:36 am
Define lately? Since Obama has taken office? Since the Dems took back control of the legislature in 2006?
zeke
June 4th, 2012
10:50 am
slick willy moving to center with repeal of glass steagall yea that’s what we needed. td, as i said the country is center right (mostly scared older white folks of which i am one). their budgets are so tight because of both rep/dem policies since mid 1970s and repubs do good job of advertising, but truth is the policies of w&repubs turned proj surpluses into deficits, peace into war and prosperity into unemployement . i find it odd that most pundits and former legislators do say it is worse now than before including no molly coddler like alan simpson or your side. i am not historian but my last pass at the numbers in senate for filibuster suggests you are wrong on your 2 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/111th_United_States_Congress
Road Scholar
June 4th, 2012
10:54 am
td: Since you know so much, and you have a solution for everything, why aren’t you running for political office? We need leadership! Or are you concerned that it will limit your blog time? Insults?
WOW
June 4th, 2012
10:55 am
Define lately? Since Obama has taken office? Since the Dems took back control of the legislature in 2006?
As far as you want, the Clinton/Gingrich agreement to end the gov’t shutdown was worked out in similar fashion.
td
June 4th, 2012
11:02 am
Zeke,
You really place all the blame on the Republicans for the housing bubble burst? Before 2006 the unemployment rate is the US was below 5% and 5% is considered full employment.
The Bush administration went to the hosing committees and told them that the bubble was going to burst and they needed to do something to change the way loans were made. Below is the response from the Democratic chairman of the housing comm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW5qKYfqALE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPSDnGMzIdo
These are their own words. You have been mislead by a MSM that is in the pocket of the libs.
td
June 4th, 2012
11:04 am
Road Scholar
June 4th, 2012
10:54 am
Will you be my campaign manager if I run? How much money can you raise for my run and what office do you want me to run for?
Road Scholar
June 4th, 2012
11:06 am
I see Mayor Reed as a candidate to replace John Lewis, when he decides to bow out, or for US Senator…not a cabinet replacement. I’m at a loss as to someone in the Repub party in this state for the same positions.
Road Scholar
June 4th, 2012
11:09 am
td: I am neither qualified nor interested in that position. But that has never stopped a conservative from doing it. Go for it! Oh, and good job Brownie!
zeke
June 4th, 2012
11:09 am
well so much for w’s leadership then…..st ronnie went to the people why didn’t w. no i don’t blame repubs for all ills nor dems. but it is the extremes which cause the problems which suggests compromise though hard to accept is most often the best course. and msm is not in the pocket of libs anymore. they are driven by dollars and as you know the country right now is slightly center right. the rain has eased up so manana
zeke
June 4th, 2012
11:15 am
td, love those clips, especially the second one where it starts out and says fannie and freddie should have been more effectively regulated……heck i thought that’s what an administration was supposed to do, and by the way regulate effectively the capital market where subprimes orginated…and wall st well yes, it was on bush’s watch to a large extent (not soley) out the door.
TruthBe
June 4th, 2012
3:28 pm
Both Obama and Reed are Liars, Crooks, Racist, Muslims, Socialists, and Affirmative Action Idiots.
zeke
June 4th, 2012
5:37 pm
truthbe cleanup aisle 5!
shady
June 4th, 2012
7:31 pm
Mayor Reed. Outstanding Job Yesterday on MTP, you conducted yourself as a Stand Up True Blue God who knew the facts of the matter and how to represent your guy — President Barack Obama extrermely well. With style, grace and substance. So much so, that they the ohter clowns clearly were outmatched by someone who was a professional, and did not Kowtow the Rich and Powerful. Now as far blaming President Obama for flies it just goes to show you how infantile, and whiny his Opponents are representing the Repuker paprty. It is far to bad, and to sad, that the Repuker Party will not grow up and put forth historically Republican Ideas and debate them and engage in honest and fair give and take. Some ideas might have merit. Yet, they prefer to STONEWALL, ENGAGE in ANTEBELLUM BACKWARD, Race Baiting and tell their useless BASELESS LIES. Look at just a few Repuker ideas: Tax Cuts for the Rich, who turn around and pocket the money and won’t invest it into the Economy. Two: Abuse women interferring with their God given ability to control their own babies – saying life is so precious that all life is precious, and it is, but Refusing the services to sustain life out of the womb, Three: Refusing to educate all Americans – selling this Charter School crap, and denying the ability of local neigborhood schools to floursish and be successful by openly advocating taking the best and brightest(or the richest) only thereby suffocating local neighborhood schools of any homegrown talent. The two Georigans syndrome. And it goes on and on. Good Job Mayor Reed, you are truly an Up and Coming Leader who hopefully will seek Statewide Office real soon! Good Luck and thank you.