Every single public statement starts with "well, people are understandably angry and frustrated...but..."
Might as well say nothing. Apparently, they think the American public is stupid. But the media are buying it. See just two of the latest examples:
Steele condemns violence against members of Congress
Posted: March 25th, 2010 08:22 PM ET
From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby
Washington (CNN) – Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele released a statement late Thursday condemning acts of violence and threats against members of Congress who voted for health care reform.
Steele said that if angry voters channel their frustration, Democrats who "have abused their power and disenfranchised the American people" will suffer at the ballot box in November.
Read Steele's full statement after the jump:
Statement from Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele:
"Americans across the country are understandably angered and disappointed that Democrats put politics above the interest of their constituents and the economy. But resorting to violent measures is exactly the wrong way to send a message. Instead, if we want to change the way this country is being run, we need to call our elected officials, make smart arguments and most importantly organize ourselves for the November elections. What makes America great is that we have an opportunity to channel this anger, through the peaceful transfer of power, every two years. The un-American way that Democrats have abused their power and disenfranchised the American people should and will be met by the ultimate power – an electoral avalanche in November."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/25/steele-condemns-violence-against-members-of-congress/?fbid=B63NQ7tPGZw McCain calls for civility in health care debate
Posted: March 25th, 2010 08:20 PM ET
Washington (CNN) – Sen. John McCain called for a more civilized political discourse on Monday after members of Congress who voted for health care reform reported incidents of harassment and threats of violence.
"There is a lot of anger and passion out there," McCain said on CNN's "John King USA." "Let's change that into a spirted and healthy respectful campaign season between Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives. Let's really go at it, but let's do it with respect, that's the key to it."
McCain noted that he has held thousands of town hall meetings during his long political career. "The only thing I ask people to do is be respectful," he said.
The Arizona Senator wasn't so optimistic about the future of bipartisanship among legislators in Washington. The prospects for immigration reform or financial regulatory reform appear dim, he said, because Democrats have failed to reach across the aisle since President Obama took office.
"The problem is, in all due respect to bipartisanship, there has been none," he told King. "They have taken their 60 votes, when they had 60, and their majority in the House and they rammed thing through. Any semblance of bipartisanship was not used by the majority. I understand that, but that's not change in Washington, that's change for the worse."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/25/mccain-calls-for-civility-in-health-care-debate/?fbid=B63NQ7tPGZw