We need to not jump the shark on the "Freeze" idea that Obama will speak about

[zulchzulu]

We need to all calm down on this "freeze" idea.

It's not going to really do anything other than to appeal to Independents, fiscal-moderate Democrats and even moderate Republicans in the 2010 election cycle.

Additionally, those Democrats who will need something to tell their constituents that the "out-of-control spending" going on with the various stimulus/rescue programs in the 2010 election climate have something to point to as evidence something "will get done".

It's political kabuki theater to triangulate the Republicans who are whining that money is being "needlessly spent", even though the military industrial complex's insane funding will continue unscathed. We'll still be building hospitals and schools "over there" while we shut them down here. Yes, we'll still spend more on our military contracts and defense budget than all the other nations in the World combined. Just try to stop it without getting getting a nice, big target on your head.

Don't kid yourself. War is good for America. Setting up phony wars to beta-test new weapons (like the drones in Afghanistan) is something the war machine investors want to see. There is an endless set of new weapons projects to keep making and all you have to worry about is people complaining that you're killing some innocent, impoverished brown people as part of "collateral damage". Heck, they're usually religiously on the "wrong side" as well as are illiterate.

However, I digress.

So what can the Republican candidate in a tight race say to a Democrat in a debate regarding "crazy government spending" when the Democrat can stay "we are in the process of a government spending freeze" and "looking at wasteful spending"... game over, Republican candidate. The only other thing that Republican can then do is say the Democrat is against God, for gays and against guns. People yawn at that shit now. Crickets, muthufuckuh...

So let the "Freeze" be what it is... an Ace in the hole for tight races in 2010 for Democrats. Jumping the shark on this either proves you're a political Noob or feckless whiner.

[Jennicut]

1. Defense contracts....just look at CT. Lieberman loves defense contracts.

But this freeze is limited and is intended to cut wasteful and redundant programs.

[Clio the Leo]

2. thank you. NT

[ProSense]

3. Where are all the people who are always saying how good Republicans are at certain things?

Well, they just got a huge taste of their own medicine.

[Beetwasher]

8. Right, For Once We're Mimicking Republican Messaging Tactics

And now they complain because he's dishonest and using a gimmick.

You can't win for losing.

[tridim]

4. I agree, but it's kind of too late now.

The jump the shark moment has unfortunately already been recorded in Google's cache.

Just one more embarrassment for DU by the snap-judgment reactionaries.

[jgraz]

5. No, it does one other thing: it cedes the debate to the right wing. Again.

We have this alleged great communicator in the White House. Why does he have to play these political games? Can't he just come out and lead?

[Romulox]

6. And what harm could a little (more!) pandering to the right do?

:puke:

[stevenleser]

7. He framed this badly. He should have added that he also intends to reduce military spending by

ending the Iraq war completely in 2010 and closing Gitmo and doing everything he can to wind down Afghanistan.

[zulchzulu]

10. Actually...

Gitmo was supposed to close this month, but Obama ran into the usual suspects dragging their feet, but he made this statement November, 2009:

"We are on a path and a process where I would anticipate that Guantanamo will be closed next year," he said. "I'm not going to set an exact date because a lot of this is also going to depend on cooperation from Congress."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/18/AR2009111800571.html

As for Iraq and Afghanistan, both of those wars are on track to have either complete withdrawals or being close to withdrawal by 2011-12.

I wish both wars ended last week, but the fact that the President doesn't have monarchistic powers to decree his will has to be taken in account.

:hi:

[daa]

9. Not sure what you are thinking

"So what can the Republican candidate in a tight race say to a Democrat in a debate regarding "crazy government spending" when the Democrat can stay "we are in the process of a government spending freeze" and "looking at wasteful spending".."

“Given the choice between a Republican and someone who acts like a Republican, people will vote for the real Republican all the time” Harry S. Truman

[spoony]

11. Yes yes, we get it. Anyone with any criticism is a whiner and an idiot.

Do you ever post anything that doesn't boil down to that? Also, I think you ought to look up "jumping the shark." It doesn't mean what you seem to think it does.

[zulchzulu]

13. Ah yes...

Illustrate to me exactly what the Democrat says in a debate with a Republican and a frothing at the mouth audience when the Republican says "You Democrats are spending money way out of control... you Democrats don't care about spending tax dollars for (insert blah blah blah).

Why, if you're a dumb ass, you'd say that we need to spend money on all these programs so that it will get better. Granted, that's the right answer.

But this is politics.

What you'd say is that you agree with the President that we need to put a freeze on spending on programs that need to be investigated on and give the people the (insert blah blah blah....)

As I indicated, the freeze talk is basically untraceable and is political maneuvering for the 2010 races. And I will also reiterate that those who think it's a bad idea are political novices or just people who like to whine to hear their whining heard.

This is politics 101, ferchrisssakes. Leave your purity at the door.

[amborin]

12. "the freeze" "It's political kabuki theater" LOL! like "change" or "hope"

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

15. If a person starts out thinking lies are cool and admirable, why stop now?

The DU-wide spectacle of the President being defended by stating that he is some sort of a con artist is not pretty.

[amborin]

17. it's not pretty, but

most of this is coming from the DLC shills, i believe

they are unwittingly proving critics' point

do they even realize the hypocrisy of their statements?

[Phx_Dem]

14. Finally! Someone gets it.

Congratulations Zulchzulu, you win a PIE!

[Lord Helmet]

16. The shark-jumpers are getting their hate on before the SOTU.

Biden's economic adviser explained the proposal yesterday (not an across the board freeze, social programs will be boosted, etc.) but this gives people another 24 hours to make accusations and rail against Obama until the truth comes out.