Any thoughts on Obama's chat with the Dem caucus today?

[quiet.american]

Obama got in some terrific points, but overall, I though the energy level, both on the part of the senators and on Obama's part, was low.

Blanche Lincoln and Evan Bayh doing their version of "But what will we tell the children!" was frustrating beyond belief. Especially Lincoln's "how do we push back against our own party." WTF?

For some reason, Dem senators overall gave the impression of being cowed.

To tell you the truth, the whole thing seemed to be a monumental waste of time to me.

Obama can't fight the battles entirely on his own. Half the Dem backup is on a "what do we tell the children" roll (so to speak), while the other half seems to envy the hell out of him. Neither seems to be interested in trumping our party's successes -- just in becoming slack-jawed when their constituents look to them for answers about Dem policies.

The Democratic Party just prevented a global economic collapse. You'd think that would give the ConservaDems a clue as to where to start as far "what can we tell the people." Why did the president have to run down to his own party the list of its own accomplishments?! (And on that note, I hope Obama comes up with a way to do it in fewer, more gut-level words. I watched his town hall yesterday, too, and "the wonk" is starting to overtake him.)

I hate to say it, but I was underwhelmed with how our senators presented themselves. They can certainly do better and have much to be proud of.

[Cha]

1. I haven't seen it..

but, I hear the gop house was underwhelming too.

Too bad about the Dems. Did anyone give lincoln a good answer to her stupid question?

[quiet.american]

2. Obama's reply was along the lines of what Dems have accomplished --

-- and also, what Dems inherited from Bush.

[sandnsea]

3. Here's the text

Ugh. Evan Bayh regurgitated the tax and spend bullshit and ended with this drivel. I mean this could have been asked by the Republicans.

"So my question to you, Mr. President, is speaking to independents, conservative Democrats, moderate Republicans — people who know we have to do this — why should the Democratic Party be trusted? And are we willing to make some of the tough decisions to actually head this country in a better direction?"

http://obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=1202

[Cha]

4. Freakin' grandstander! With dems like these dinos..

who needs republicons?

Well, good..I'm sure this doesn't go unnoticed by any real Dem. bayh and lincoln, et al are playing to getting elected by brainwashed idionts.

[TheBigotBasher]

18. The GOP House meeting?

I hear the gop house was underwhelming too.

No that was far from underwhelming. Seriously that was historic tv. Not watched Obama and the Democratic Senators yet, I can only imagine the attitudes of Lincoln et al.

Reading on, with Dems like them there is little wonder that they managed to resurrect the once dead Republican Party.

The Republicans hate them. They can not get elected by Republicans. They were voted in to deliver health care and jobs. If they fail, those supporters who came out for them will stay at home. It is not a difficult thing to understand.

See foot. Shoot it.

[Born_A_Truman]

5. I missed it here on the left coast

Will see what clips are on Keith and Rachel tonight.

Barack should have brought his Smackdown!

[euphoria12leo]

11. I missed it too.

The whole thing will be on C-Span2 this evening at 7 CST. I did see the clip of Bayh voicing his concerns which he never thought
about before.

[madokie]

6. I think the whole senate

reptiles and dems both are running scared that we're going to finally find them out. How they've been screwing us all along. I got news for them many of us are on to them and have been for years now. Maybe it'll all come to a head now that we've got a real President

[Cha]

7. I think you may be on to something..

Especially those two faced dinos sucking up to brainwashed, hateradio mainliners.

[berni_mccoy]

8. I think Obama knocked their heads in a bit... and they deserved it.

[quiet.american]

10. No argument here. Dems should be proud, not cowed. nt

[quiet.american]

9. Listening to this again -- not as bad 2nd time around as my initial impression - link

Another DU'er was kind enough to post the link to the video in the Economy section:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AsM7bQ_JTU

[Born_A_Truman]

12. Keith just played the Bayh clip...

and I was watching Obama's face. He must have been thinking, "How did this jerk get on my VP short list?"

[TicketyBoo]

13. Note Lawrence O'Donnell's

take on things, though.

[Cha]

14. And, what did Lawrence O'Donnell take

away from Obama and the dinos?

[TicketyBoo]

15. He said that this

was orchestrated. It was set up so that Senators facing reelection (and primaries) this year got face-time by asking questions, and that they asked questions that would be asked of them by their constituents, and, furthermore, that Obama gave them great answers to use when asked those questions.

[Cha]

16. Thanks Tickety..

Somehow that makes me feel better.

[quiet.american]

17. I could buy this angle if it weren't for Blanche Lincoln asking how she could push back against Dems

I mean, seriously, what in the world? Anyway, glass half-full, glass half-empty.

[DFLforever]

19. She's been under serious attack from FDL and other left sites

especially on health care. I don't mean just verbal attack. They've been encouraging a particular Dem office holder down there to run against her.

Right or wrong on health care, etc. I can see why she's pissed. She's gone from a 30 pt lead in the polls to falling way behind the Repuke
challenger, largely due to the row over the Public Option.

I don't know what Rahm would call it but I say it's fucking stupid
We could end up with a Republican Senate because of these jerks.

[quiet.american]

20. Ah - that sheds some light. I know FDL is an icon of DU's, but they're worse than useless --

-- as far as I'm concerned. I've come to realize it's possible to be so far left that you might as well be far right, because the results generated are the same -- either nothing or something that's actually damaging to getting progressive/liberal causes accomplished.

A Blue Dog in the hand in the Senate is worth two loyal Bushies -- at the least.