Obama Calls Republicans 'Hostage-Takers,' and the Right Takes a Tantrum

[DearAbby]

In explaining his decision to give in to Republicans on an extension of the Bush tax cuts to the wealthy -- in exchange for maintaining middle-class tax breaks and the extension of unemployment insurance -- President Barack Obama took a jab (well, actually quite a few) at Republicans.

"I think it's tempting not to negotiate with hostage-takers -- unless the hostage gets harmed, in which case, I think people will question that strategy," Obama said. "In this case, the hostage was the American people, and I was not willing to see them get harmed.

Obama made his remarks at a press conference in the White House press room this afternoon. As soon as they were uttered, the right predictably took great umbrage. At HotAir, AllahPundit called Obama's remarks "snotty," while Michelle Malkin complained about the president's "gracelessness" and "petulance." Because, you know, Republicans and right-wing pundits are typically so gracious and not petulant when it comes to discussing America's first African-American president.

Malkin also took issue with the fact that Obama implied that House Minority Leader (and Speaker-to-be) John Boehner was a "bomb-thrower." Oh, yes, he did. And he named tax cuts for the wealthy as the Republicans' "Holy Grail."

More: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/382662/obama_calls_republicans_%27hostage-takers,%27_and_the_right_takes_a_tantrum/#paragraph3

Boo Friggin whoo

[TwilightGardener]

1. He kicked a few shins. Good stuff.

[BzaDem]

2. So why do people here keep claiming that Obama is more angry at the left than the right?

That's pretty strong language against the right.

[Angry Dragon]

3. He should call them what they are

Liars, frauds, self-centered maggots, scum of the earth....etc

[DearAbby]

5. And after calling them what they are...

It is not our policy, to make deals with terrorists, foreign or domestic.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

9. I said precisely the same thing in another thread

Of course, it didn't go over that well because everybody is focused on what he said about/to the left, but I think that, unfortunately, it's going to be a few days before saying anything contrary to the expressed opinion that Obama is (metaphorically speaking) "dead to us" now is going to be heard over the roar of the crowd. :shrug:

[gratuitous]

4. There's only one thing to do

Another round of tax cuts for the overrich.

[aquart]

6. Will they please hold their breath till they turn blue?

And keep holding it?

[Bluerthanblue]

7. i loved the holy grail reference.- If people were paying attention he dissed

the repubs good.

He DIDN'T diss the progressives though, despite all the moaning going on. He explained WHY what we AND HE really want just can't happen. Unfortunately people don't like hearing hard truths about the way things are.

He didn't call the progressives names- (unless you count "purists") he didn't mock anyone, he didn't attack anyones personality-
But there are all kinds of people doing that to him, and claiming that "They" are the Democratic party, and "They" would have been able to prevail, or would have gone down in flames trying. sounds kind of "purist" to me.

:shrug:

[RufusTFirefly]

8. Uh-oh! Better move a little further to the right. You know, just to mend fences. n/t