Calibrated Method May Be Behind Obama’s Not-Yet-Successful Outreach to Republicans

[firedupdem]

President Obama came to town pledging to douse petty squabbles and inaugurate a new era of bipartisanship. But after his first round of talks with congressional Republicans on the economic stimulus plan, some might ask if he’s showing too much love.

The new president has gone to great lengths to court the GOP by making an in-person appeal to the House Republican caucus on Capitol Hill, inviting Republican leaders to a White House cocktail reception and even hosting some lawmakers at a bipartisan Super Bowl party.

So far, the outreach hasn’t delivered a single vote.

snip

Though Obama’s entreaties help reinforce his image as authentic and honest, experts say he will ultimately be judged on results. And if his efforts to foster more civility and unity don’t bear fruit on the stimulus plan — which both parties, irrespective of their differences, understand they must pass to respond to the financial crisis — Obama can expect much more serious pushback selling a housing bill, another huge financial bailout package and other economic relief measures his administration is studying.

Obama’s team predicts the outreach will deliver long-term dividends, by slowly wiping away mutual suspicions and getting lawmakers focused on the urgency of the financial crisis, albeit in a casual setting.

“It’s not just being nice to be nice. It’s being nice to get something done that’s important for the American people,” press secretary Robert Gibbs said on Jan. 30. “I think he would likely tell you that if Congress and the President can work together across party lines, put aside differences, and get something good for the American people, then help would be on the way.”

Some political stategists and public opinion experts say Obama’s charm offensive actually cloaks a cagey, carrot-stick strategy that puts the onus on Republicans to act.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003022325&cpage=1

[Clio the Leo]

1. Makes sense to me. NT

[MadHound]

2. Or it could simply be a strategy that won't work and if Obama keeps it up

He's going to wind up giving away the farm for no good reason.

Clinton initially tried this bipartisan bullshit and got his ass handed to him, never fully recovering during his term. Obama has done the obligatory "try and play nice" schtick, it's time to simply roll over the opposition at this point and tell the 'Pugs to go to hell. Democrats have large majorities in both houses of Congress, along with the White House and the backing of a large majority of the American people. This gives them enough room to pass real progressive legislation, and they had better start soon.

My suggestion, strip out all the 'Pug sweeteners in the Senate version of the stimulus, and then strip them out in conference when the Senate passes the bill. That's the reward 'Pugs get for trying to be obstructionist assholes, and that money can be better put to use doing real stimulus work, like more infrastructure projects.

Sorry, but it's past time to play nice with the 'Pugs. Fuck 'em, just roll over them.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. PREACH!!! Fuck 'em all!!!

[ellacott]

6. This is why we keep losing

Yall go crazy because you got a little power and end up messing it up and losing the house in the next election.

They presented a bill filled with pork and played right into the Repubs hands. It's like they were scared they wouldn't get another chance so they filled up this bill with everything they were denied the last 8 yrs.

I'm surprised we were even able to elect a Dem for President. Chances are he will be a one term President because most of the whining he gets is from his own party.

[HughMoran]

8. "Y'all"???

Are you just here to criticize "us all"?

[ellacott]

10. No dear

Just all those who fit into the category I was talking about. If it doesn't apply to you don't worry about it.

[Solomon]

11. I agree with her Obama knows what he is doing. What's the

problem with offering the other side a role even if they turn it down? Did anybody here ever take a psychology course? He's killing the republican party and people here are complaining that he isn't doing something which can only energize and re-invigorate them.

You would think that after all the whining about how he wasn't fighting during the primaries, and then the election, and then after actually winning the presidency because of his tactics, that people would calm down. Nope. Everyday we have to pour through tons of posts about how he needs to say "fuck 'em".

I'm glad he's president and not the braniacs of DU.

[ellacott]

13. I'm so glad too

[blindpig]

4. He is reaching out to the leadership, not the voters..

Now, if he wanted to reach out to the majority of Republican voters all he'd need to do would be to push for single payer health care. He is a great communicator, yes? Medicare for all, it would be the end of the Republican Party.

But he won't.

[damonm]

5. "Calibrated Method"? DUH!

This is chess, and Obama's putting Garry Kasparov to shame. Every time he reaches out, the Rethugs MUST retreat into an unreasonable position or risk being seen as weak by their shrinking base.
He has them in a bind of their own making, where every move they make weakens them further with the larger electorate. If this continues, the Democrats will have a deathgrip on the Government for YEARS.
Or to be more musical about it, Obama's playing the GOP like Jimi Hendrix on a Fender Stratocaster.

[ellacott]

7. So true

It's sad that more people can't see this.

[FrenchieCat]

9. These are the same people that didn't think Obama could win.

When they are proven wrong in reference to what works and what doesn't,
they will have already moved on to something else they don't like
about our new President.

Fuck 'em!

[ellacott]

12. Yes, they will never be satisfied

[ieoeja]

14. Same as handling bullies.

The more you deal with them rationally, the worse they look. You will never win over the bully. You may never stop them (though they usually tire quickly if you refuse both flight and fight). But there is no question who ends up looking bad in the end.

So a few Republicans will either end up cooperating with Obama, or end up looking so bad they get voted out of office. A win for the good guys either way.