This is what I think Obama is up to.....(Rethugs in cabinet)...

[HardWorkingDem]

When it comes to political messages, it is always easier for the president to get his message out over the message of 535 congress people. A president's voice is always loudest and heard more.

So I think Obama is playing a game of chess with Republicans in Congress and the message being framed is he will be able to tell the American people he has tried and tried very hard to reach across the isle and can prove it by pointing out he has done it by including Republican cabinet members in very important cabinet positions (Defense, Commerce, Transportation).

With such an argument it will be clear Rethuglicans in Congress are doing nothing but obstruct and producing gridlock.


I think we can all agree that Obama and his people are some of the most political astute people around and that they are playing an incredible battle full of strategies and tactics that will not be revealed until later.

[FrenchieCat]

1. Patience is certainly the key here.......

because the Changes we were promised are not easy ones, apparently.

[leftstreet]

2. I wouldn't call it Chess. Twister maybe

Are they politically astute enough to stomp Hillary in the primary and gain the Presidency in 2008? Absolutely!

But this 'reach across the aisle' thing is pointless. Voters REJECTED Republicanism. Obama has more political capital than any other Prez in my lifetime.

He can do whatever the fuck he wants.

[Parker CA]

3. But rather than just cutting the line and letting them float out to sea, as would

be the result if he ignores them and does his own thing, by attempting to bring them on board and then having them refuse his gesture, they are going to be picking up the heaviest anvils on the dock and placing them in their boats and sinking them on their own.

Two weeks this has been going on. Seems much longer since Obama basically became the face of this nation on November 4th, but really, it has only been two weeks. Obama has lofty but very attainable goals, and he is an extremely grounded and pragmatic man. He is not the type to continue dumping resources or energy into something that is futile, his ego doesn't blindfold him in that manner. When and if Obama hits a wall with the pukes and realizes that his strategy needs refining, it will be very clear both in tone and in action.

Until he begins to change course, I have all the faith that he is proceeding for a very clearly defined reason while keeping in mind a very specific goal.

[leftstreet]

8. You'd have a point if Obama was floating something populist

For example, if he wanted to push for single payer healthcare, then yes, the Repubs would sink themselves for decades by objecting to it.

[RepublicanElephant]

6. not so easy, with a corporate media spreading lies and misinformation.

political junkies like us can find the truth online or other places, but the average american gets their news from the big three nightly newscasts. and the local news is sometimes even more slanted.

i won't even discuss right-wing radio.

[EraOfResponsibility]

11. Just because Obama CAN do whatever he wants doesn't mean he SHOULD

and besides, he shouldn't spend all that political capital in one place. He's got to ration it.

[CoffeeCat]

4. I think you're right...

...that Obama is trying to demonstrate that he is making an effort to work with Republicans.

With that said, the only way to end the partisan rancor--is to make it obsolete.

If Obama builds an effective, bipartisan coalition that gets things done and appeals to our better
angels, he puts the partisan hacks and the right-wing-hate radio assclowns out of business.

It's the only way to end this nonsense.

Act like a grown-up, show the world there is a better way--and soon all of this us-them malarkey will no more than a bad memory.

[redstate_democrat]

5. Please give me a break with this Chess v. Checkers thing

People say he is playing chess one minute to explain the unexplainable, and then turn around and say that Obama doesn't play typical political games and that we are now experiencing the new politics. It's one way or the other.

President Obama doesn't need to appoint Republicans to his cabinet to prove a point. Power should not be given to wingers just to prove a political point. Too many lives are at stake. The people voted for Obama overwhelmingly. He has over a 60% approval rating. He already has the majority of people on his side and these people already understand that the Republicans are losers. We don't need anymore convincing. We already know he's reached out to Republicans. At some point, we need to move on. He's not just reaching out for the sake of being able to say later that he tried. There's a way to do things like that and not give away anything. He's really giving up stuff.

[FrenchieCat]

10. President Obama said he would be placing Republicans in his cabinet.

It wasn't to prove a point. That was his plan. He is consistent on this.

Obama said he was going to change politics, and that is his aim, whether you agree with it or not,
that is what he campaigned on, and that is one of the issues that attracted many.

The President is making some chess moves, in order to be able to work in a different political climate. Chess doesn't equate to gamesmanship in the way that you are choosing to present it.

"At some point, we need to move on"...you state....as though you get to decide that two week or so is what he needs to change a culture that has been in existence for a long time.

He's not trying to make a political point; he is doing what comes naturally to him.

[LoZoccolo]

14. OK, how about solitaire?

The complainers are the people standing behind him going "PUT THE BLACK QUEEN ON THE RED KING."

[CoffeeCat]

7. I think you're right...

...that Obama is trying to demonstrate that he is making an effort to work with Republicans.

With that said, the only way to end the partisan rancor--is to make it obsolete.

If Obama builds an effective, bipartisan coalition that gets things done and appeals to our better
angels, he puts the partisan hacks and the right-wing-hate radio assclowns out of business.

It's the only way to end this nonsense.

Act like a grown-up, show the world there is a better way--and soon all of this us-them malarkey will no more than a bad memory.

[poverlay]

9. The man has never failed to pull some amazing rabbits out of his hat. I'm content to sit back and

watch the show.

[HardWorkingDem]

12. I agree and think....

deep within the inner circles it is in the works to build a true democratic majority that lasts for decades and with my original OP, I'm not trying to suggest that Obama and his people are doing this with the drive of cynical and typical politics, but instead in a way the brings about true change through good measures.


And with today's news that last night the Republican senators threw a monkey wrench into the stimulus package, I think it is going to be very easy for him to express to the American people that he has been reaching across the aisle to get things done in many ways and it is the Rethugs who are spitting in his hand.

[treestar]

13. He can say that he listened to their side

And then made up his mind.

They can't accuse him of ignoring them.

[demokatgurrl]

15. I think you are absolutely right with respect to his intent

and strategy. However, I am not totally comfortable that it will work with this crew of assholes. They are bound and determined to see him fail, and make their party look like the saviors/wise men/advocates for us folks, whatever. Witness what happened after the House stimulus vote. After they whined and postured and persuaded him to give in on a few things, what did they say? "Fuck you, Obama and Dems".

This is one issue where he could have afforded to "spend some political capital", to quote Bush after he LOST the 2000 election. The stimulus is popular, we voted for it.

So, I hope this coddling strategy works, at least to shame the Repukes and drive a few out of office.

[HardWorkingDem]

16. 2010

I also think a lot of what they are doing deals with the mid-term elections and maybe more so than anything else. If the Dems do a decent job and are able to paint the Rethugs as refusing to be bipartisan, I think that will be the roadway to build larger majorities in Congress. Then, we will see some real change.

And really, I don't think a lot of it is an expectation of that they will really cooperate; it's more of the image of them not cooperating that will be helpful. Hell, remember, these are a bunch of white, whiny men who can feel the loss of power breathing down there necks.

[4lbs]

17. Read these four books, and then everything will become crystal clear.

"Dreams Of My Father" by Barack Obama

"The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama

"Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin

"The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days" by Jonathan Alter


EDIT: I recommend reading them in that listed order.

[HardWorkingDem]

21. Could you elaborate, please....

I'd really appreciate to read your hypothesis....

[oviedodem]

18. Wrong!

Here me out.

The White House lost the message on the economy in record time. Obama is getting SAVAGED on the airwaves, this administration is looking absolutely amateurish. It is a disgrace that the WH was not able to get Pelosi and company to put together a more sensible package. I blame Rahm for that AND all of Obama's senior staff for not getting the message to the public in a more coherent fashion. The crap with the nominees are even more pathetic.

Is it too much to ask for our new leaders to grow a pair.

Gibbs is a blabbering mess.

Geithner is in solitary.

Hell, the whole damn economic team is in solitary.

Folks, face facts the tax issue not withstanding, the WH has butchered this stimulus to all hell. I predict that there will be no stimulus package and companies will seriously shrink. Best of all: gas will go through the roof!!!

Our party is devoid of a spine and common political sense. It will be this countries downfall until they get one.

[HOLOS]

19. K&R nt

[liberalpragmatist]

20. I'm a pretty strong defender, but the Gregg nomination has me scratching my head

It's a pretty baffling move. Yes, Commerce doesn't do a whole lot. Yes, it makes it much easier to pick up the seat in 2010, so maybe on balance it'll be a net positive.

But seriously? Gregg isn't even a moderate Republican - he's an outright conservative. He doesn't agree with Obama on practically anything. And he won't even vote for the stimulus package!

I don't know what Obama was thinking with this one.

[CitizenPatriot]

22. I'd really like to hear the criticisms of the stimululs package

enumerated by those who are claiming it was a disaster.

In what way? Did you read the entire package and if so, what exactly do you object to and why?

From my limited grasp of what they put together, economic gurus have applauded it as a two tiered approach to shoring up the economy and creating jobs right away....as well as spending in areas that will impact our economy in a positive way in the future (std, birth control, art).

The fact that those ideas have been mocked on msm from coast to coast morning to night does not make them bad ideas. They are ideas which have not been explained...and I dare say may not be able to be explained well in a sound bite.

I am tired of the bullying tactics of the Republicans mocking Democrats for their ideas. This plan was a VERY well put together plan, hailed by experts from both sides of the aisle. The loudest voices objecting are Rush L and his crowd of fringists, every single House Republican, and a smattering of congressional dems. How many of these people understand the economy? And is that what their objections are based on? Or is it merely an opportunity for partisan attacks?

You hear NO blow back because no one understands how the 2 tiers work, and why the condoms were an important part of fiscal responsibility.

If there are problems with the package, it's online at Huff Po, anyone can read it and enumerate what you don't like and why and what experts agree with your opinion and what the solutions are and why. That is the only way to have a real debate about the matter. GO to the source.

It would behoove our media to start treating this as a complex matter, rather than one they can form an opinion on and dismiss because their limited mind can't understand the relationship between overpopulation, resources, and debt in the long run. It would be nice to have someone who didn't mock that and dismiss it, deliberately or out of ignorance suggest that it won't stimulate the economy right now.
Did you hear Elizabeth Hasselbeck nattering on about the green cars and how that didn't belong there? She thinks she's qualified to make an assessment? And the morons in the audience clapping? Really???? This is what it's come to.

I didn't elect joe the fucking plumber to deal with the economy. I don't care what a survivor contestant thinks about it. This is serious shit for serious minds.

I'm putting my money on the smart people in the room....bring on the elite. PLEASE.