I like the way Obama has this bipartisan group on the economy sharing their thoughts on the meeting

[bigtree]

. . . in public.

There's an on-the-spot feel to the meeting, and the mix of parties and ideologies has a leveling and accountable effect which is interesting . . .

On MSNBC now . . .

[pinto]

1. Me too. It's a nod to separation of powers, consensus, echoes some aspects of parlimentarianism,

and is public. Kudos.

[bigtree]

2. they should use one of the older legislative rooms

. . . and formalize this type of process. It is like a parliament.

[pinto]

6. Yeah, American style. I really like that he's had some public interest orgs

involved as well.

[bigtree]

12. right

. . . maybe the older rooms are too formal to accommodate those public interests on an equal level.

[Myrina]

8. ... so now if the Pugs go on the talk shows and whine ...

... about what the stimulus is or isn't, the WH can pull out the footage and say 'wtf didn't you mention it in the meeting'?


Checkmate. If Prez O will just start calling in all those chips.

[pinto]

3. And, on follow-up, Obama is pulling this off really well. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of

wrangling down the road, but he's setting a precedent that Senators get heard. None can say they were shut out. :kick:

[bigtree]

16. you get the sense that he's listening

. . . and he's asking for a comprehensive follow-up from the task forces.

He's got a great sense of leadership which is working for him right now.

[pinto]

21. I agree. Great move to tell them that his office will send a synopsis of each breakout group's

discussion to the members. It's on the record. And follow-up was reiterated by some of the participants.

[babylonsister]

4. I think it's remarkable. I don't ever recall seeing a president

sharing a meeting like this with the public.

[bigtree]

23. a public counseling session

. . . says a reporter.

Remarkable.

[Myrina]

5. But the Goddamned Republicans keep talking about

"private business" "partnership of public and private" bs which always means the rick folks continue to get the benefits and loopholes while the rest of us get screwed.


It truly is time for the ground beneath their feet to shift dammit. Time for a whole new ballgame.
I hope President Obama has the nads to bring it to 'em.

:mad:

[madokie]

7. it looks like he doing a pretty good job of reasuring us about his nads

being a very intelligent person he does not feel threatened by others. big difference from dick and w

[Myrina]

10. oh absolutely but there comes a point ...

... when he's going to have to remind them he's in the Big Office and they need to STFU and get in line.

I hope he can - and will - do it before its too late.

[azmouse]

13. I see the others looking to Obama for the leadership on this.

Many have acknowledged that Pres Obama is to be saluted for bringing them all together in a way that no one else could.

[pinto]

9. The means, in this case, may support the end results.

Think about it. If he were to call this summit then bash the participants, where would that benefit anyone?

They're having their say, in small focus groups. And as many have noted on camera, it's only the beginning. I like this a lot.

[BR_Parkway]

20. He's going around them to their constituents to build the pressure

from underneath them. I dont' think that they even realize what he's doing, much less how much he's shifting the ground beneath their feet.

He knows how to build that groundswell - look at Iowa and "inevitability"

[azmouse]

11. I can't even begin to imagine boosh doing anything like this.

Pres Obama can handle this summit in his sleep while this would just show up boosh for the idiot he was (and still is).

[pinto]

14. Barton's complaining about being excluded, while he participated in the event.

fer crying out loud.

Obama is rebutting him well.

[elleng]

17. Well shut him up!!!

.

[Parker CA]

18. Obama's response was awesome. And he just said, "I'm just a glutton for punishment..."

"I'm going to keep on talking to Eric Cantor, some day, sooner or later, uhhh, he's going to say, boy, Obama had a good idea. It's gonna happen. You watch. You watch."

The camera cut to Cantor slumping in his chair, like, oh shit, he's calling me out big time right now, and he began fiddling with his ring. HAHAHA. Obama is so good at putting the onus on these ass-hats to make the right move.

[elleng]

15. Its on CSpan now, too.

Responding to Carper, asking him to continue working the minority: I will, I'm just a glutton for punishment. ONE DAY, Eric Cantor will say I have an idea! (my words)

[pinto]

19. Excellent wrap up fom Obama in closing.

Responds to some media talk about moving from "the recovery package" to "fiscal responsibility" - says there is no conflict. One is short term, the other long term.

[bigtree]

22. extraordinary was the word an observer used to describe the event

. . . setting the stage for future action.

[pinto]

24. Cool beans. The guy did a good job.

I'm liking this.