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January 28, 2009
Next Time, Might Want to Try Compromise
Spending bill passes on party-line vote in the House despite the president's lobbying efforts. Gee, I wonder why...?
Obama vowed to change Washington and usher in a new post-partisan era. The the mood music and optics were pitch perfect as he trekked up to the Hill. Republicans praised his gesture, welcomed his sincere demeanour and appreciated his willingness to listen.I'm watching the special primetime "CBS News" special. Katie Couric just asked, with visible incredulity, if Republicans in the Senate would also vote "en masse" against the bill. CBS pointed out that the bill would spend money on Amtrak, health care and education while ignoring the fact that it also contains cash for the NEA, child-care and global-warming research.Problem was, he wanted only to listen and did not want to act on what Republicans said. When he was asked if he would re-structure the package to include more tax cuts, he reportedly responded: "Feel free to whack me over the head because I probably will not compromise on that part."
He apparently added: " I understand that and I will watch you on Fox News and feel bad about myself."
Perhaps next time, President Obama will realize bipartisanship requires more than simply 'listening' without taking meaningful action to meet the GOP in the middle. He may not need Republican support to pass legislation, but like the Guardian says, not having that support will make it harder to blame the GOP if those measures fail to improve the economy.
Posted by slublog at January 28, 2009 07:59 PM
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Comments
Awwww, wasn't that nice he said he would watch Fox and feel bad. (Yes, I'm laughing.)
Does he really feel like he NEEDS anything except his enlightening presence to grace the surroundings so that everyone will then bow to his every whim?
Posted by: Kath at January 29, 2009 11:38 AM