Axelrod warns Democrats against obstructionism under Trump

[Calista241]

Source: Chicago Tribune

President Barack Obama's longtime political strategist David Axelrod took an oratorical stroll down White House memory lane Monday in a Chicago speech the day before the president's farewell address at McCormick Place.

The veteran Democratic operative also used the opportunity to offer his analysis of the incoming administration of Republican President-elect Donald Trump and the lack of bipartisan cooperation in Washington.

In a question-and-answer session following a City Club of Chicago address, Axelrod said Trump's lack of true political philosophy has created a vacuum that congressional Republicans appear poised to fill by pushing their top issues.

"I think that what Republicans have figured out is that there are not a lot of philosophical things that this new president cares about," Axelrod said as some in the audience laughed. "He's not sitting there mulling over his multiplicity of ideas about how to improve the country. So, they see in the absence of that to pass stuff they want to pass, a very deep tax cut, deregulation, the Obamacare repeal."


Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-david-axelrod-city-club-met-0110-20170109-story.html

[guillaumeb]

1. So Democrats should work with the GOP while the GOP refuses to work with

any Democratic Presidents? Appealing to their sense of shame?

Nice try David.

[LenaBaby61]

12. Nice try David.

I've never liked this buffoon.

[guillaumeb]

13. He was given far too much credit for Barack Obama winning.

And he gladly took all of that credit.

[LenaBaby61]

15. He was given far too much credit for Barack Obama winning.

Totally agree with you!

[lancelyons]

28. I can see his point.

We certainly want to come across to the country as willing partners to help advance the country in ways that fit our ideas of helping people (We the People).

We need to fight for our principles and point out all the GOP garbage along the way.

Resist on key principles like ACA. Take every opportunity to show how the GOP ways dont work.

[guillaumeb]

30. But the GOP sees compromise as "do it my way" no matter which party

has the Presidency. One party cannot be the only one compromising or it is not compromise. The GOP spent 8 years obstructing Obama. If only President Obama had pointed out that obstruction for the entire 8 years instead of searching, in vain, for moderate GOP allies.

[lancelyons]

37. The thing that is going to kill the GOP are their ideas

The thing that is going to kill the GOP are their ideas and sometimes blatant ethical misconduct. You already see the misconduct going on. But the real reason the Democrats will take power back in the next election is the fact that Republican ideas dont work.

[guillaumeb]

60. Welcome to DU, by the way, and I suggest you look at Kansas.

Supply side economics turned their budget surplus into a deficit, but Governor Brownback won re-election promising more of the same.

In Illinois, Governor Rauner is proposing the exact same supply side foolishness here, with the same promises of prosperity.

You CAN fool some of the people ALL of the time.

[SlimJimmy]

39. I take issue with a completely opposition approach. When Leader Schumer said ...

"The only way we're going to work with him is if he moves completely in our direction and abandons his Republican colleagues." (my emphasis added)

Does he really think this strategy is going to work? I'm all for holding the line, but think we need to compromise where it's possible, and fight where we have a hope of winning.

[guillaumeb]

61. I agree IF, a very big IF, that compromise does not involve

dismantling the New Deal safety net programs.

[SlimJimmy]

62. Agreed

[wordpix]

63. the repug "compromising" is certainly, be conservative or more conservative

[guillaumeb]

64. Agreed. One cannot comromise with the GOP.

Capitulation is not synonymous with compromise.

[elmac]

40. No way

the country doesn't give a crap about compromise, look at what party they voted for. Axeman is full of shit and Dems better fight sniffles and the fascist at every turn. That is what the people want.

[Cha]

54. Not just that.. there's no reason to work with them because

their agenda will hurt Americans and America.

the gop obstructed on issues that would have been great for the American people.

[blm]

2. Axelrod is only right 50% of the time. In 2002 he urged Dems to support Bush on Iraq War.

Fuck David Axelrod……50% of the time.

[blue cat]

34. Hehehe n/t

[leftynyc]

57. Fuck Axelrod

He did NOTHING to help Hillary during the campaign - all he did was go on TV, wring his hands and repeat the latest republican talking points against her.

[KittyWampus]

66. Maybe you should read what he actually wrote. Cause I know you didn't. You fell for

bulls*t divisive headline.

[blm]

73. Agree the headline is overwrought, but, I did read it and feel he went too far

in his remarks, which always gives them the opening the deceitful media uses to make the remarks more extreme.

In his position he should know better since his position as a party strategist requires he makes his political points specifically with media in mind.

[KG]

3. I lulz'd

and so the justifications for more political cowardice begin. they'll be tons of dry powder to be had next 4 years.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Mr.Axelrod please leave the Politcal Stage.

Sir your Advise cost us the Senate and the House of Representatives with your third way garbage.

[Mc Mike]

58. From "The Ghost Writer"? nt

[msongs]

5. says the guy who helped bring us 8 years of catering to republicans lol nt

[oberliner]

6. That's not the thrust of what he said at all

This headline leaves a lot to be desired.

[LisaM]

10. Thanks for the heads up.

I rail a lot against misleading headlines myself and I almost chimed in anyway!

[geek tragedy]

17. It's exactly what he said.

His argument is that if the Republicans can't govern effectively, they'll benefit politically.

[oberliner]

21. No it's not

He advised Democrats to fight Trump on principles but not to advocate for legislative gridlock.

[geek tragedy]

24. The alternative to gridlock is Republicans getting what they

want while appearing competent.

[oberliner]

25. Headline could have read: Axelrod Urges Democrats to Fight Trump on Principle

Or it could have focused on the criticism he levels against Trump and the Republicans.

[KittyWampus]

67. No, it isn't. That's not even CLOSE to what is in the article.

[geek tragedy]

69. adsf

"I have a concern that we're in this mad cycle of mutually assured destruction, and if our attitude is we're not going to do anything — even if it's meritorious because it might redound to the benefit of this president — I think that we are only going to increase the level of already very significant cynicism people have about whether the system can work," Axelrod said. "If that happens, it's actually Democrats who will suffer the most, because they actually believe in government."

If the system isn't working with Republicans in charge, people will vote to change the people in charge, not the system itself. This is a basic fact Republicans understand and people like Axelrod don't.

[geek tragedy]

7. Heads they win, tails we lose. Dumb advice. nt

[elleng]

8. 'The former Obama senior adviser also said "it's not love that binds a lot of Republican politicians

to Donald Trump," and noted that the president-elect's propensity to confront various businesses through his Twitter feed could rankle many free-market conservatives as his presidency develops.

Asked for his advice to Democrats in Washington, Axelrod cautioned against taking a similar obstructionist path that Republicans on Capitol Hill deployed during Obama's presidency. Further erosion of public faith in government, he said, will impact the philosophy of Democrats the most. So he advised Democrats to fight Trump on principles but not to advocate for legislative gridlock.

"I have a concern that we're in this mad cycle of mutually assured destruction, and if our attitude is we're not going to do anything — even if it's meritorious because it might redound to the benefit of this president — I think that we are only going to increase the level of already very significant cynicism people have about whether the system can work," Axelrod said. "If that happens, it's actually Democrats who will suffer the most, because they actually believe in government."

Speaking to reporters afterward, Axelrod also warned against efforts by Senate Republicans to rush through the confirmation of Trump's Cabinet picks without the traditional vetting to check for conflicts of interest and other potential problems. Such an approach, he said, "invites scandal."'

[TheBlackAdder]

9. Is this the Presidential Advisor telling Obama to appease Republicans, American good will win out?

[LenaBaby61]

11. Axelrod warns Democrats against obstructionism under Trump.

Go sit down in the corner Axelrod, PLEASE

Yes, Dems are dead and in hell for the unforeseeable future, but should Dems take out full page ads in advance saying that they're to BLAME for over 30 million people losing health care. Yes, FULL and complete blame when it's destroyed and gutted and never replaced under tRumputin & the GOP.

Yes, capitulate more than ever just like Axelrod wants Democrats to

IDIOT.

[JI7]

14. Axelrod is Overrated

I think many of us saw him and plouffe and some others as campaign genius types.

But it was mostly Obama's own rare personal appeal that accounts for his success.

[Cryptoad]

16. BS,,,,

I say we primary every Democrat that in not fighting them tooth and nail 247!

[n2doc]

18. If Republicans propose something sensible, then support it

The likelihood of that happening is about the same as me winning the powerball and mega millions lotteries (and I don't buy tickets). But still, if for some reason they propose something sane, go for it.

Otherwise mister Axelrod can go to hell.

[LenaBaby61]

48. If Republicans propose something sensible, then support it.

"Mister Axelrod can go to hell."

[TeamPooka]

19. David Axelrod is wrong.

[ancianita]

20. Fuck Axelrod. I'm saying there's judgment in the Obama team that's better than his.

[Phoenix61]

22. Maybe I misunderstood what he said

but what I got was don't fight just for the sake of fighting. Fight for your principles which is the same thing Bernie and Sanders have said. It doesn't seem fair but... I think it is the right thing to do. Democrats will be seen as reasonable and willing to work to get the job done. I don't think there will be much to work on with them but optics matter. Democrats are held to a different standard. Kinda like being a woman but different.

[TexasBushwhacker]

36. There is a big difference

between the GOP refusing to even hold a hearing on Merrick Garland and the Dems participating in a hearing for a Trump appointee but voting that person down. I think that's what Axelrod is talking about.

[KittyWampus]

68. You read it properly. Most DU'ers are reacting to the headline which mischaracterizes his intent.

Which just goes to prove that this many DU"res who like to feel they are so savvy fall for media spin that easily.

I've been here a long time and see it over and over and over.

Media publishes a bullish*t headline to divide Democrats and DU'ers fall for it without checking to see what was really written.

[Phoenix61]

71. Thanks

[herding cats]

72. You got right.

I was going to post something similar to what you just said, but won't now that I see it's been addressed.

He said:
"I have a concern that we're in this mad cycle of mutually assured destruction, and if our attitude is we're not going to do anything — even if it's meritorious because it might redound to the benefit of this president — I think that we are only going to increase the level of already very significant cynicism people have about whether the system can work," Axelrod said. "If that happens, it's actually Democrats who will suffer the most, because they actually believe in government."

Which means he would hate to see Democrats act like childish jerks, the way Republicans did under Obama, and block anything that might help the people just for the sake of not allowing there to be any successes in this coming administration. I agree, but I'm not sure there's going to be much cause for worry on at point considering what we've seen so far from this congress.

[JDC]

23. He likes to come across as a deep thinker

He's certainly not always right to be certain.

I will say that his podcast "The Axe Files" had Obama on last week and it is a great one on one conversation. Worth listening to.

[onecaliberal]

26. That is horseshit. SHE won by 3 million, that means HER policy is more popular.

NOTHING repigs want to do is good for America.

[SHRED]

27. Dear David

Please go somewhere far away and intercourse yourself.

[Warpy]

29. Aw, go fuck yourself with a cactus, Axelrod

It's not like you've ever been a friend of the US or its constitution or its people.

[Tatiana]

32. With respect.... Have several seats, Axelrod!

"I have a concern that we're in this mad cycle of mutually assured destruction, and if our attitude is we're not going to do anything — even if it's meritorious because it might redound to the benefit of this president — I think that we are only going to increase the level of already very significant cynicism people have about whether the system can work," Axelrod said. "If that happens, it's actually Democrats who will suffer the most, because they actually believe in government."

Totally disagree. The Republicans are the party in power. They have the executive and legislative branches, and may soon have the judicial as well. Any blowback reflects on them. They will own any anger on the part of the American people.

Any Democrat who actually believes in government should obstruct this right-wing agenda to the greatest extent possible.

This kind of thinking is what has us in the minority in the first place. We need fighters.

[Rollo]

33. Axelrod makes sense if...

his comments were meant to advise Democrats to give the GOP Congress and Trump all the rope they need to hang themselves.

Unfortunately too many American citizens would be irreparably harmed if we give the GOP carte blanche going forward.

There may be a middle way: filibuster when necessary to prevent wholesale roll back of social legislation, compromise where humanly possible, etc.

Despite the expected successful filibuster, the GOP will certainly try to throttle the ACA by denying it funding for programs that are not protected by law, such as extra assistance to lower income insureds for lower premiums, copays, and coinsurance. There may not be much the Dems can do to block those steps, although the outcry from those harmed by this end-run may win the Dems significant political points, esp from Trump supporters who suddenly find themselves paying a lot more for their health care because of Ryan's Crusade.

Medicare is also threatened, but as I read it, the GOP cannot damage it without repealing the ACA, and the Dems in the Senate can and should block that repeal with a filibuster. Otherwise millions of seniors will find their Medicare premiums, copays, and Part D expenses soaring, and they won't be pleased come 2018 or 2020.

Where the compromise can come? No clue here, as yet.

[bucolic_frolic]

35. After the 2008 Victory

Axelrod went mellow. Never did figure out what happened.

There is this:

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/September-2013/Obama-Axelrod/

[Alice11111]

38. Obstruct! Delay! Obstruct!

I liked Axlerod, but it's time to quit fighting WMDS w BB guns. Obama and Axlerod wanted Repubs to LIKE them. They wanted to be uniters, and everyone would get along. We all wanted that, until most of us could quickly see that they harder we tried, the more they, Repubs, took advantage of our desire to unite the country. They undermined and delegitimized Obama, and both Clintons. Kushner admitted today that DT himself never believed the birther thing. Most Repub elected officials who advocated birtherism or stood silent did not believe the ludicrous nonsense. They are liars, obstructionists, and they will stop at nothing to extinguish us, including using Russia. We can't play Pollyanna with these people.

[elmac]

41. Axelrod is full of shit

he needs to go extinct with the rest of the dinosaurs. The people voted for a party that has done nothing but obstruct so lets give more what the people want.

[Truth321]

42. Deep tax cuts. That's disgusting

[MFM008]

43. Shut up Axelrod

Shut up.

[ananda]

44. No! And hell no!

Axelrod is being an idiot here.

Obstructionism and resistance is absolutely
what is needed, delivered with a backbone
for a change.

[orangecrush]

45. RESIST

Resist or perish.

[SunSeeker]

46. No, Axelrod. Obstructing Shitler is the patriotic and ethical thing to do.

[YOHABLO]

47. You know enough with Axelrod's analysis .. let's go for it.

Anger is a great motivator folks. We just had another election stolen from us by the Republicans. Time to throw down.

[J_William_Ryan]

49. Nonsense.

Working to protect the ACA, SS, and Medicare is not 'obstructionism' - it's working in a manner reflecting the will of a majority of the American people.

[Vinca]

50. Sorry. What goes around comes around.

[vi5]

51. That approach has worked out so well for us....

Time to move on and get some people on our side of things who want to yell and scream and fight and not pretend it's the 80's when Tip and Ronnie would go out and get drinks together or whatever fucking nostalgic bullshit the current Democratic leadership and advisors believe.

Unfortunately every time we get someone like that it turns out to be an Anthony Weiner or an Alan Grayson. Which to be fair if they were Republicans would still be in positions of power and continue to get re-elected despite being scumbags.

Either way, more yelling and screaming and mocking and obstructing and less "meeting in the middle". We've gotten zero credit for trying to do that for the past 8 years so what the fuck are we going to lose by trying the other approach?

[Coventina]

52. Fuck.That.Noise.

That is all....

[Javaman]

53. and I give you the prime example of why the Democratic party has become a joke. nt

[INdemo]

56. If the Democrat Party really gave a shit

they would be screaming about how this election was stolen by the fuc*KG Republicans...This damn conspiracy just didn't happen on election day or two days before it had been in the planning for a very long time..The key to all of this is Why was nt the NRC hacked?
That crooked SOB Reince Priebus makes *Lee Atwater look like a Sunday school teacher.I believe Priebus was the mastermind behind this whole f*&KG scheme.

If this would have happen to the Republicans we would still be in a situation about determining how we go about new elections.


*Lee Atwater was the Senior camoaign adviser to Geo H.W Bush and Ronald Reagan and like dumb ass also RNC chairman

[INdemo]

55. Axelrod has always been like a puupy dog lead around by a leesh

He has never said anything important and on talk shows he always pats himself on the back "nice job there David"

[Blue_Tires]

59. Go to hell, David

[KittyWampus]

65. Almost this entire thread didn't even READ WHAT HE WROTE. They read the headline and spewed

proof of their shallowness and ignorance for all to see.

And a lot of said posters have large post counts.

Here's the two paragraphs the title refers to, and there was more in there on other topics.

DU'ers fall for the divide tactics the media throws out EVERY F*CKING Times.

Axelrod is saying not to be obstructionist simply for the sake of it. To be principled and only go along with things that have merit.



Asked for his advice to Democrats in Washington, Axelrod cautioned against taking a similar obstructionist path that Republicans on Capitol Hill deployed during Obama's presidency. Further erosion of public faith in government, he said, will impact the philosophy of Democrats the most. So he advised Democrats to fight Trump on principles but not to advocate for legislative gridlock.

"I have a concern that we're in this mad cycle of mutually assured destruction, and if our attitude is we're not going to do anything — even if it's meritorious because it might redound to the benefit of this president — I think that we are only going to increase the level of already very significant cynicism people have about whether the system can work," Axelrod said. "If that happens, it's actually Democrats who will suffer the most, because they actually believe in government."

[geek tragedy]

70. Democrats played ball with Bush on Medicare part D and No Child Left Behind.

Their reward was the Iraq war, and consecutive losses in 2002 and 2004.

Nothing will discourage Trump's supporters from voting faster than his failure to deliver change. Why would we want to help him get re-elected?

[alarimer]

74. Axelrod is the kind of Democratic operative we can do without.

No principles. No decency. I'm really sick of "professional Democrats", by which I mean the staffers and the think-tank pundits who have no actual experience in the real world, with their Ivy League degrees and cushy political jobs.

The Democrats should just sit back and give Trump enough rope to hang himself. The Democrats need to be careful here. Trump has proposed an infrastructure plan that sounds good on the surface, but is chock-full of corporate giveaways and privatization schemes, none of which the Democrats should go along with. And this will be true of everything he proposes. The Democrats need to avoid falling for any of it.