Mic Check the Bully Pulpit

[babylonsister]

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2011/12/1/212211/866

Mic Check the Bully Pulpit

by BooMan
Thu Dec 1st, 2011 at 09:22:11 PM EST


The Senate held a vote tonight. The Republicans acted like assholes again. ... The president issued a statement in reaction.

Statement by the President

Tonight, Senate Republicans chose to raise taxes on nearly 160 million hardworking Americans because they refused to ask a few hundred thousand millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share. They voted against a bill that would have not only extended the $1,000 tax cut for a typical family, but expanded that tax cut to put an extra $1,500 in their pockets next year, and given nearly six million small business owners new incentives to expand and hire. That is unacceptable. It makes absolutely no sense to raise taxes on the middle class at a time when so many are still trying to get back on their feet.

Now is not the time to put the economy and the security of the middle class at risk. Now is the time to rebuild an economy where hard work and responsibility pay off, and everybody has a chance to succeed. Now is the time to put country before party and work together on behalf of the American people. And I will continue to urge Congress to stop playing politics with the security of millions of American families and small business owners and get this done.

Some people have been debating the worth and efficacy of the bully pulpit. I just mic checked the bully pulpit. Maybe you can mic check this to your social networks. Let people know that the Republicans are still looking out for the top one percent while everyone else gets to pay higher taxes.

And notice that the president adopted the Republicans' deceptive practice of calling the expiration of a tax cut a "tax raise." So, there's some Luntz for you.

[lunatica]

1. He can veto it.

So he's just saying this for the campaign

[JoePhilly]

2. What's he supposed to veto?? The bill failed to reach cloture.

The Republicans, per their normal behavior, blocked it.

There is nothing for Obama to veto.

[BklnDem75]

3. Auto response miscue?

I'm sure a negative response is being formulated as we speak.

[lunatica]

6. Negative response to what? Your negative comment?

Kettle meet pot.

[BklnDem75]

7. To your failure to comprehend the OP

The same recycled response is where the negativity started.

[lunatica]

9. I misread it

Which is obvious, but that doesn't make me stupid because that happens to almost everyone at some time or other.

But your kneejerk rejoinder doesn't make you superior either and that doesn't happen by mistake.

[TheWraith]

11. Critical talking point failure.

Couldn't use the old one about "he should just use the bully pulpit!1"

[Enrique]

4. is Booman saying Obama using Luntz-like spin is a GOOD thing?

it really looks like he is. :crazy:

[BlancheSplanchnik]

5. I think what matters is the INTENT behind it

in Luntz-world, spin is a useful tool to blur the sinister plans of power and $$$ grabbing rePUKES, to put citizens off the track, to scam and mislead us into hurting ourselves for their benefit.

Obama is using the tactic to shine light in dark places.

[TheWraith]

10. Ahh, THERE'S the new talking point!

So let's get this straight:

If he makes deals, it's "caving," "capitulation" and "giving in to hostage takers."

If he doesn't make deals, he's "doing nothing" and should "use the bully pulpit."

If he publicly calls out the Republicans, he's "using evil spin" and propaganda.

I wonder if Obama is allowed to get coffee without someone finding fault with him.

[ellisonz]

8. I'm hoping he makes them work on Christmas.

:)