Look everyone, Obama *KNEW* the Republicans wouldn't work with him...

[scheming daemons]

...but first he had to PROVE THAT to the American people.


Most Americans want our parties to work together... they always have.


But Obama knows the nature of the Republicans (and Democrats too, for that matter)... and knows that the party out of power will only work with the party in power when there is no alternative.

The Republicans know that Obama's initiatives will pass with or without them - and their only hope of regaining power in '10 and '12 is to be on the opposite side and hope Obama fails. If Obama succeeds, then they're screwed whether or not the joined with him or not - they'll get none of the credit from the American people.

The Democrats should've learned this lesson in 2002. The American people were not going to credit them with being "strong on terra" just because they voted en masse for the Patriot Act.

So... Obama knew that he'd get zero Republican support... or actually, just the bare exact minimum he needed to pass his bill (the three Senators). If he needed 4 senators, he would've got them.

The Republicans do *NOT* want to block this stimulus... else... it will be *THEM* that the American people blame. And, it would give them nothing to run against in '10 if the economy remains bad.

They want to give the appearance of trying to block this stimulus.. but they don't want to actually succeed at it.

So rest assured... there will be enough votes in the Senate tonight.


Also know this.... Obama's maneuvering has made it clear to the American people the idea that no matter how hard he tries, the Republicans won't work with him.

Public polling the last few days shows this. 74-25 say that they approve of Obama conduct during the stimulus fight. 60-39% disapprove of the GOP's conduct during same.

Republicans played checkers...Obama played chess.

He can now push through his agenda with nearly *ZERO* Republican support, and the public will blame the GOP for the partisan battles that ensue.


You will see lots of the following in letters-to-the-editor and on neutral message boards:

"Obama tried working with the GOP, but they stabbed him in the back. I'm done with the GOP."



Obama's political capital actually INCREASED through this whole thing. And it will continue to do so.


Just watch.

[phantom power]

1. No, I think he actually expected some cooperation.

From here, I think there are two important questions.

1) what will he learn from this experience, and how fast
2) will he be able to whip the Dem caucus into a disciplined bloc, so that he can effectively maneuver around the obstructionist GOP?

[scheming daemons]

2. I disagree

We'll agree to disagree....


...but I know that Rahm didn't expect any cooperation. And I'm sure he discussed it with Obama.

[smoogatz]

8. Obama will always offer at least the appearance of compromise

while using the bully pulpit of the presidency to bash the living shit out of those who oppose him--that's how political negotiation is done, when it's done well. He comes out of it looking both statesmanlike and resolute. The Republicans clearly don't know how to respond, and I doubt they're smart enough to figure it out. I suspect that once he's been in office a few months the proffered olive branches will get smaller and smaller, and that's as it should be.

[ThomCat]

21. If he didn't expect any cooperation

why is he watering down the legislation to try to gain their support? He's killing aid to a lot of really vital programs, leaving a whole lot of people quite truly out in the cold to try to compromise with the republicans. Is that really the sign of someone who thinks the other side isn't going to meet him in the middle?

[Laelth]

36. He'll push for the rest of his package in other bills.

Obama needed to get something done fast. That doesn't mean he's given up on everything else he wants.

As FDR said, "If we can not do this one way, we will do it another, but do it we will."

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[VPStoltz]

39. He has to give them some of what they want via the three that will talk to him.

Otherwise they couldn't stop the bill from reaching the floor.
This filibuster thing is no longer serving its purpose.

[cilla4progress]

35. My thought is...

this was certainly one of his theories. He undoubtedly had several...in full consideration of his strategic genius during the compaign. As you say - chess..your move...

[Clio the Leo]

16. Posturing ...... it's all about the posturing. NT

[Still Sensible]

26. C'mon Guys, This Bill was Never Going To Be

Bipartisan because deep down there is simply a philosophical chasm between the parties that was not going to be bridged... but the President had to be true his campaign and make the attempt.

Could Obama have capitulated and made it more tax cuts than spending, yes, but even that probably wouldn't have received much republican support anyway. So, he gives a few crumbs, wins the PR battle and lives to find some common ground later.

I believe there will be issues down the road where the President's bipartisan initiative will pay off, but it will not be on issues such as this where his principles and those of the GOP are this far apart.

[CakeGrrl]

27. He's not naive. He knows who he's dealing with.

Any Republican cooperation would have been gravy, but he knows how these people operate too well to have counted on it.

So he does what he needs to do to build his public support: Every chance he gets, he expresses a wish that these initiatives pass with bipartisan support.

What was the theme of his Lincoln speech yesterday? "Union" - we need to accomplish things together as a nation.

He's hammering the theme home. All people are hearing from him is 'togetherness'.

So...when House Republicans don't offer up a single vote for the stimulus to promote job creation while their president (who also just had a Republican back out on him for a cabinet post) goes on the road telling the American people that we need to do things together to make ourselves a strong nation, who looks like they're not playing ball?

That isn't dumb luck.

[sandnsea]

3. Generally, I agree

I think he expected better in the House though, and certainly didn't expect the Blue Dogs to bolt on him. He is going to have to make a huge effort to educate some of these Congressional districts.

[mopinko]

11. does this mean that rahm is gonna put up primary challenges to blue dogs?

oh, happy day.

[sandnsea]

12. What would be the point?

It's the people in those districts who are voting for conservative policies. If the people change, the Congressman will change or else he/she won't get elected again.

Change Minds, Change Votes.

We have to have an active campaign in the Blue Dog districts to offset the misinformation they are getting, undoubtedly from right wing radio and their local papers.

[cherish44]

4. "I hope he fails"

That sums up these sore losers.

[smoogatz]

9. And Limbaugh said it in front of God and everybody.

The message is loud and clear: the Republicans only want power--they don't give a damn about the American people.

[Gman]

5. I'm glad you took the time to spell it out for people who don't understand

but this is exactly what is going on. Anyone that faults Obama for reaching out to Republicans must also assume that not only Obama, but everyone else he has around him including Reid and Pelosi are stupid. They may all be a lot of things but stupid is absolutely NOT one of them.

[midnight]

6. I love this line.

Republicans played checkers...Obama played chess.

[smoogatz]

7. He presented them with a very difficult choice: appease Limbaugh

and the base by being obstructionist jerks, or do what's best for the country and alienate the wingnut loyalists. By putting their 2010 reelection prospects before the good of the country, they may have made a smart choice short-term, but they've pretty much sealed the deal on even bigger Dem majorities in 2011. The ONLY way they win nationally, as a party, is if there's a full-fledged, 25% unemployment depression a la 1932--and even then voters may blame them for not making the stimulus big enough. If the Democrats continue to look serious about helping people and running an effective government, and if the Republicans keep demonstrating that their only agenda/idea is to piss off Democrats, in another ten years Oklahoma and Utah are going to be the only red states in the country. Works for me.

[firedupdem]

10. You're exactly right. He didn't fall off a damn apple truck. He knows

how slimy they are. He extends a hand, and they try to bite it. In the end, he will be able to say he tried to pull them on board to work for the people and they chose not too. Even repub governors are standing with the president because the people are in need. The repubs in washington are out of touch and don't care. He knows exactly what is going on. The GOP is screwing themselves, while Obama's poll numbers continue to rise.

[acmavm]

13. He told you that , did he?

[FrenchieCat]

15. It's called a political analysis.

some people do it well, others don't.
It appears that scheming daemons has done a good job, and unless you can come up with a counter analysis that also makes sense, your snarky comment is a time waster, and doesn't illuminate any points or facts being had in this thread.

[acmavm]

31. So you think if you post 'snark' it is worthwhile commentary? ONE: the intital

remark wasn't directed at you (but this one sure is). TWO: All you apologists who come here and channel Obama are a hoot. Analysis? Don't be such an ass. This person claimed to have the ability to explain his thought process. All with a tone of absolute 'authority', by golly.

I'll post what I want.

[damonm]

32. "I'll post what I want."

And when you grow up, we'll be happy to hear it.

[Chulanowa]

42. Apologists?

What, precisely, are they supposedly apologists for, acmavm?

Obama? He doesn't need apologists. He has two paths here. Either this yummy bill passes, or the Republicans block it. Either a good thing happens or someone else prevents it from happening. Either way, Obama owes no apologies and needs no one to please his case.

Or are you still hung up on the Primary, you know back when we had Birthers running around here calling Obama supporters "Obamatons" and "Apologists"?

[Phx_Dem]

14. I agree with everything except

maybe that the Republicans don't want to succeed at obstructing the stimulus bill. They're pretty good at cutting off their nose to spite their face and putting partisan party politics before country so I never trust them or expect them to do the right thing. Because they never do.

I definitely agree that Obama is not naive enough to think they'd just roll over and let him rub their bellies. He knows they're assholes, but he thinks over time he can ease the partisian gridlock in Washington, or at least try.

But I hope you're right and the bill passes both houses of Congress today. It had better!

[ginnyinWI]

17. Gov. Pawlenty was funny on Newshour last night

He's opposed to the stimulus bill, but willing to accept the money for his state--indeed has plans on just how to use it. But he's still opposed to it. His reasoning: Minnesota only gets back 73 cents on the dollar of its federal tax contributions, so they "deserve" to get more back. Fun to see him twist himself up into a pretzel shape in trying to remain credible.

I'm glad our Dem Gov. Doyle doesn't have to do that--he's been a whole-hearted Obama supporter from the get-go.

[Clio the Leo]

18. You are correct sir! NT

[ginnyinWI]

19. he's got great political skills.

I don't think he's going to be caught flat-footed.

He comes though all of this looking like an aisle-crosser and uniter. That it doesn't work out isn't counted against him.

[backscatter712]

20. President Obama is not naive.

He forced the Republicans into choosing between playing ball with him and looking like hyperpartisan batshit-insane douches.

They chose option two. Now Obama gets to beat them over the head for months straight with the clue-by-four of justice!

[damonm]

22. I've been saying that for some time.

The man cut his political teeth in CHICAGO, fer Gossakes!
You think he hasn't got a Plan, then you underestimate him at your peril.

[azmouse]

23. k&r

[sampsonblk]

24. That's ridiculous

Freeper logic.

[Mme. Defarge]

25. K&R!

[Joe Chi Minh]

28. In my more reflective moments I've thought that, as well. "Let them show their colours."

He has to know their primitive thought-processes all too well by now.

[Life Long Dem]

29. Obama needs to go on the attack!

I tell you! :rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl:

[PurityOfEssence]

30. Must EVERY misstep be proof that he's absolutely perfect?

For Christ's sake, this is ridiculous.

He's got a lot of talent. He's working hard. He's somewhere in the middle of the political spectrum, which almost makes him a communist in comparison to the neo-feudalists we've been enduring for so very long, BUT HE'S NOT PERFECT.

Trying to sell a load of bullshit like his sublime perfection just gives many of us reality-based types the willies. Join a fan club. Swoon over some rock star.

Every inexplicable event or setback isn't a planned and sophisticated maneuver that's falling into place with clockwork precision, and trying to sell that hogwash just makes the salesperson sound silly. It's actually BETTER if some stumbles occur and are well handled. Handling Feinstein's sniveling about not being consulted about Panetta was a GREAT move, and bought a lot of respect from extreme skeptics like me: both Obama and Biden called her personally and apologized for not having discussed it with her behind the scenes before springing it on everyone. This showed fire-fighting ability, respect, decorum, protocol, humility, and good old-fashioned hard work, and it was the result of a screw-up, not some super-genius act of Star Trek 3-d chess playing.

More than that, what one wants from a President isn't a tight-assed obsessive-compulsive perfectionist, what one wants is a crisis manager, a fixer and a pragmatist who's firmly rooted in reality. Obama's actually got a leg up on that last part, and that's very important in times like these. What's open to conjecture is what his core beliefs are and just what the limits are before things get thrown over the side for tactical advantage.

The perfection fantasists are simply tiresome. It's counterproductive: most people mistrust perfection anyway.

[EraOfResponsibility]

41. Yes, actually, it must. Get over it. n/t

[Hamlette]

33. I agree, I've been thinking the same thing all week

Obama wanted to show the parties are NOT the same. He extended his hand and the GOP did nothing but slap him. They made it about politics, not issues. Obama kept above the fray.

I think in the back of his mind he hoped for some republicans to break rank and he got what he needed.

He's a smart cookie.

[GeorgeGist]

34. Nonsense ...

is for losers.

[Sydnie]

37. Obama's attempt to bring the Republicans to the table is right out of his campaign speeches

"there is not a red America or a blue America, there is only the United States of America".

He was trying to achieve that vision, a vision many of us got goosebumps all over when we heard him say it in 2004 and again in 2008.

He is living what he believes. It's not his fault that they don't see what he does and drop the pretense of partisanship above country.

[The Hope Mobile]

38. I don't think dems often are stubborn just for the sake of being stubborn.

I think he took a calculated risk and knew that either way he'd come out looking better by appearing to be very bipartisan, whether they were complete jerks like this in the end they'd look like the asses they are . . . or if not, he'd win anyway. Appearing bipartisan was a win/win for him but I do think he was surprised by the degree of cutting off their noses to spite their faces. My impression is that he didn't think it would be this much of a battle . . . and clearly we (dems) don't have a track record of fighting strictly along party lines like they do. He obviously got frustrated over time but he'll still keep playing it this way and let them bury themselves. Just a guess.

[VPStoltz]

40. It is now well reported that this was all in the game plan to create a campaign theme.

The Republicans have no idea - never did. They know that it take maybe even a couple years for the effect of the bill to be felt as it was intended. The Republicans will be all over the place saying, "See it didn't work" and expect to get elected. You know they're all for "country first."
I wouldn't believe a Republican if one walked up to me an told me my own name.

[Kablooie]

43. Whether he expected cooperation or not, he showed that the GOP is the problem, not himself.

and I'm sure he will continue to show that.

It only helps his image if he remains open to reconciliation even if he never expects to get it.

He will show that he is not made of the same stuff as Bush and his gang.

[RBInMaine]

44. Damn Right Obama WON THE DAY here, BIGTIME !! 60% national support for the bill !!

He took the plan on the road, got 60% national support and smacked down the GOP BIGTIME !! He is smart. He is awesome ! I love this guy !! DEMS AND OBAMA WIN BIGTIME HERE ! GOP comes out damaged and looking like the extremist fascists that they are: out of step, out of tune, out of time, and OUT OF OFFICE !!