I agree, in part, with Mr. Obama's 'take' on his Tax Deal with Repubs

[JohnWxy]

In his press conference yesterday, Obama said that "this is the Public Option debate all over again." (not an exact quote). Then he went on to say Dems were angry at him for giving up the P.O. which would affect "a few million people" (this is based upon the CBO's estimate of how many people would have availed themselves of the public option, if it were available).

UH, well, hold on there Mr. O. The Public Option was to be there for those who couldn't afford expensive health insurance plans, but there-in was it's larger purpose.. to keep the insurers honest and motivate them to keep their administrative costs from getting out of hand (if people had a real option to overly expensive insurance plans, the insurance companies would have to do a better job of containing their costs). That would have affected everybody who buys health insurance. You wouldn't be trying to confuse us would you?

But I will agree with you in this sense. This tax deal you cut with the Republicans is like the Public Option deal all over again. Because again, you made it clear before any negotiating really got started that you were going to 'cave' on extending the tax cuts to the higher income groups. Just like with the public option you did your "preemptive compromise" ...again. There ain't much chance of getting what you want (did you want it?) if you tell your opponents you're not really gonna fight for what you claim to be for (or in this case, against: that is, extending tax cuts for those who aren't going to spend enough of it to be stimulative.).

Which begs another question. Do you see any value in fighting the Republicans for worthy (Democratic) objectives?...or are you really an independent dressed up as a Democrat? Do you still not get it? That that is why the turnout of Democrats in the mid-terms was like the tide going out. Because you don't seem to see the value in fighting for anything, many in our party just kinda wandered away. People aren't going to Fight the Fight when their leader doesn't seem too motivated to do the same. When you have Republicans fomenting for your destruction, a leader needs to be able to lead Democrats into battle. You don't do that by saying at the outset, "Well if I give you guys what you want, then can we all get along?"

I will also contend, that this approach will not get us where we need to be as a nation.

[Angry Dragon]

1. I have spent a lot of time thinking about why Obama

does what he does.

One thing I have never seen on here is that he is more focused on getting an agreement vs getting what he wants.
It seems it is more important to him to get something passed than fighting for what he says he believes in.
So he says to himself that he is going to get things settled. Having no idea what he is willing to give up,
the focus is all on the the agreement and not the process of negotiations.

[Vincardog]

3. AKA he has no CORE values

[JohnWxy]

4. A lot of people have been doing the same, Trying to figure him out. After the midterms I was

interested to see if he was going to see this finessing of everything, rather than fighting for what you think is really needed, just does not work. I wanted to see if he would figure out why so many Dems just kinda wandered off, when they were needed to vote. Would he figure out that people will only follow, and fight for/with, a leader, a fighter. I'm beginning to think we do not have a leader (nor a Democrat) here.

If Republicans were amenable to reasonable, rational argument and were actually accepting of progress and constructive action, his approach might be reasonable, workable, practical. But, the Republicans are motivated only by the immediate payoff. For that they are willing to see everything go down the tubes (I think they really don't think about what the ultimate consequences are of their actions). Obama apparently thinks they have beliefs. They do NOT. They have no philosophy, only tactics. Unfortunately they represent and are motivated only by the most abject qualities of human nature.

[Vincardog]

2. I will also contend, that NO approach will get us where we need to be as a nation as long as it

TINKERS at the edges and has as its' first priority that the economic parasites at the heart of the problem NOT be harmed.

[BobTheSubgenius]

5. Funny, I don't hear too many Republicans shouting

"Neville Chamberlain" any more.

That used to be a very popular meme with them, didn't it? Maybe it's some kind of strategery.