Last night on the Daily Show - I think I heard Obama come out and say that

[hedgehog]

the republicans in Congress have been blocking progress. Is that the first time he's been that blunt? Is he starting to say that in his stump speeches? I think Biden sent up a trial balloon at his debate when he said something about they need to get out of the way.

[RATM]

1. It's about time

I don't know why they haven't been saying this all along.

[amborin]

13. +1

[high density]

2. Yeah he finally brought it up

I don't know why they haven't been pounding this drum for ages... Rmoney keeps telling us how Obama has failed when in fact Republicans have blocked just about everything he tried to do.

[NightOwwl]

3. Is there some kind of gentleman's agreement we aren't privy to?

Like how calling someone a liar used to be off limits until people like Romney/Ryan said things that were too outrageous to ignore.

Republicans have stated over and over they will undermine Obama at every turn in order to sabotage his presidency. They are blatant about putting politics over what's best for this country.

I don't get why Obama isn't repeating this over and over.

[ejbr]

4. He's brought it up before

even in the first debate when Rmoney was bragging about bipartisanship in MA when he was Gov. Obama said: You should tell those Dems to teach the Republicans in Congress about cooperation. However, he never says it as forcefully as he should. Even on the Daily Show, it was a luke warm jab. He needs to talk about it like he talks about Romnesia. IMHO.

[Booster]

5. I don't know why ALL Dems don't bring it up daily; Lord knows, I have on a daily basis on FB. Repugs

have said it on national tv so what's the big deal. They brag about it so it's fair game. You would think that every Dem that is running for one o the seats would include it in every speech they give to boost their own chance of winning. I just don't get it.

[ailsagirl]

6. He's brought it up

but perhaps if he says it too bluntly, the repukes will claim he's "whining"

I'm sure Biden has brought it up.

But it would be nice to hear it said much more often

[hedgehog]

7. Exactly - I think Obama had to wait until other people said it before he did -

otherwise the focus would shift from the Republican blockade to a discussion of Obama whining. I think he had to hold back on the first debate and have people demand he come out swinging. Otherwise he would have been criticized as being un-presidential and the angry black man and everything in between!

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. Bingo ...

Black people, often, have to play by a different set of rules in public discourse ... I order to be heard, sometimes someone else, someone of stature/authority must say it first. We can hint at it, imply it; but can't just come out and say it.

[ailsagirl]

11. I didn't realize that

That makes me sad. I assumed it was because the President is not a bragger and that he is naturally modest about his achievements-- another reason I admire him so much. I can't stand someone standing there saying how great they are-- you know, like Nitt?? Very unflattering and people often turn off their ears.

[whttevrr]

12. {:o(

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. Funny ...

I saw that appearance and President Obama's appearance on Letterman, and went to bed thinking ... Stewart and Letterman give tougher interviews of President Obama than anyone on fox does any gopper.

[Z_California]

10. The President always accepts responsibility

And he doesn't want to be perceived as making excuses or passing the buck, even if (as in this case) it's more than valid.

[Cha]

14. I've heard it before.. a lot

of times on the campaign trail. Thanks for highlighting that he said it AGAIN, hedgehog.

[Lucinda]

15. They use it, but it has to be done carefully.

It would be very easy to it against him...spinning it as his being unable to get people working together.

[theKed]

16. I would like to think

in some ways that he's pacing it out. There's other reasons - not coming off whiny, racial double standards, as mentioned - but perhaps he's been planning to use it for the last debate all along (and people have been hinting to prime the audience). Presented properly that close to election day, it could smash the party and all incumbent downticket races for the republicans. Wishful thinking? Probably.