President Obama Told Me to Stop ‘Demeaning’ Him, says Rep. Conyers

[Karmadillo]

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/12/08-0

President Barack Obama recently called Rep. John Conyers Jr. to express his frustrations with the Judiciary Committee chairman's criticism.

Obama's decision to challenge Conyers highlights a sensitivity to criticism the president has taken on the left. Conyers's critical remarks, many of which have been reported on the liberal-leaning Huffington Post, appear to have irritated the president, known for his calm demeanor. (File image)In an interview with The Hill, Conyers said his opinions of Obama's policies on healthcare reform and the war in Afghanistan have not sat well with the president.

According to the lawmaker, the president picked up the phone several weeks ago to find out why Conyers was "demeaning" him.

Obama's decision to challenge Conyers highlights a sensitivity to criticism the president has taken on the left. Conyers's critical remarks, many of which have been reported on the liberal-leaning Huffington Post, appear to have irritated the president, known for his calm demeanor.

Conyers, the second-longest-serving member of the House, said, " called me and told me that he heard that I was demeaning him and I had to explain to him that it wasn't anything personal, it was an honest difference on the issues. And he said, ‘Well, let's talk about it.'"

Sitting in the Judiciary Committee's conference room two days after Obama delivered his speech on Afghanistan, the 23-term lawmaker said he wasn't in the mood to "chat."

Obama's move to send in 30,000 troops to Afghanistan by the summer of 2010 has clearly disappointed Conyers.

He said he intends to press his case in writing soon.

more...

[no_hypocrisy]

1. One could also interpret that entreaty as "Attack the issue, not me personally".

[ecstatic]

2. Sharing a private conversation? Really classy

And if Conyers was really serious about getting his point across to Obama and not just in personal attack mode, he would have taken the opportunity to sit down with Obama and discuss the issues instead of running to the press.

[Cant trust em]

7. That's how I read this.

Conyers needs to keep a lid on it.

[Skidmore]

3. For all the big talk that Conyers did before the election, he

sure has become a timid mouse at confronting the issues he was so strident on. Why is Rove still walking the street?

[pscot]

4. You might want to ask our Attorney General

that question. And while you have him on the line, find out what the deal is with the Siegelman persecution.

[berni_mccoy]

6. Yep, he had his glory days when he kept threatening to Impeach Bush...

but then he never did. He promised to hold Congressional hearings... nothing from that either.

But hey, if he wins re-election points by attacking the Pres... well, there you go.

[jgraz]

9. Good thing we've got a President who will finally go after those criminals

Oh wait...

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

12. ......

:rofl:

[berni_mccoy]

5. Conyers, there was a day when I respected you. When I had you as my avatar.

What happened to you?

[Kahuna]

8. Sounds like a he has a bit of, Jesse-Jackson-itis. Or, IOW...

He's jealous of the Prez.

[newtothegame]

10. Yeah, Conyers needs to shut up and live with it. We have a "historical president." n/t

[emulatorloo]

11. C'mon people - I'd rather have a Pres that CALLS CONYERS than one who SPITS IN HIS FACE

Commondreams spins EVERYTHING SO NEGATIVELY.

It is a good thing that Obama called Conyers to discuss things.

Bush did nothing but spit in Conyers' face.

[TexasObserver]

13. I hope Conyers told him to clean up his act, if he wants to be praised.

If the president doesn't learn which side his bread is buttered, he is in for a long, unpleasant 3 more years of alienating his base while kissing the ass of Republicans who will never do anything but gut his plans.

[Neecy]

14. The Enemy of the Day threads here....

Are about as predictable as the sunrise.

Enemy of the Day=anyone who isn't willing to throw their progressive beliefs overboard due to hero worship

[Bluebear]

16. :nodding:

[Angry Dragon]

15. What catches my eye

is that this person has been in office for close to 46 years...... he is to blame for the mess this country is in. I think he really fails to see that. Time for term limits to limit the power these people can acquire.