The President makes sense. The presser showed the Pragmatist in the Room

[wowimthere]

President Obama asserted that Americans who have been hurt by Republican policies came first over the politics of the moment. Politics is a secondary matter and should be. He was being pragmatic in his press conference. Capitulation to Republicans - knowing that people would be hurt - is a good short term strategy especially if Republicans would hold middle class Americans hostage during the lame duck session. With more Republicans taking the field of battle next year there would have been no chance of getting what he wanted beyond the lame duck session. His job is to serve the American people first. That means getting what needs to be taken care of now, taken care of now. Unemployment insurance. Making sure middle class don't see their taxes go up.

We need to stop blaming the president so much and start putting the blame where it "naturally" belongs. Republicans - and I will say this LOUDLY - Independents helped to create Republican dominance in the house in 2010. They voted the bums we kicked out in 2006 and 2008 back in to do more dirty work. The president did not cause the economic meltdown. Republicans did. And they plan to do it again. We would be wise to start excoriating Republicans here and now so that we don't get a repeat of 2010 in 2012.

[dennis4868]

1. GREAT POST...

I agree with you 100% but too many here think Obama could have walked into the senate and by himself defeated a fillubuster for tax cuts for the middle class only....Obama is a realist and focuses on the long term not the politics of it today.

[ej510]

2. The presser tried to cover up his pro Wall Street ways.

[slay]

7. +1

n/t

[wowimthere]

9. did you forget what his main goal of his job was... politics aside? The middle class.

[Donnachaidh]

13. yeah, but that half a loaf he tossed at them doesn't compare to the 140 BILLION

he gave to his Wall Street buddies.

He *used* the middle class to cover his early Christmas gift to his corporate contributors.

[wowimthere]

24. How many presidents do you know that don't take care of themselves in the process. Would

you rather see another Republican in office or the one who gave us health care, Lilly Ledbetter equal pay for equal work and a whole range of other services for the American people?

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wowimthere]

30. You want something. I want something. Politically speaking. What we all want

benefits us in some way. It's just simply the truth. We would not be having this discussion if we didn't think we were getting something out of it. Presidents are human beings like you and I. You would like to see him fight more. I would too. But not at the expense of hungry Americans. Not a thing wrong with what I said.

[ibegurpard]

3. oh bullshit...he's been fighting FOR reaganesque policy for the past two years

[bos1]

14. LOL. really?

[woolldog]

4. well said. nt

[bushisanidiot]

5. You are EXACTLY right! [phone]

.

[bos1]

6. Big O made a great impromptu, ass-kicking speech at the end of presser

I urged everyone to check it out

[Lisa0825]

8. So few posts I feel like K&R-ing lately.... thank you. nt

[Bluerthanblue]

10. you got it-! time to lay the blame for why we can't be where we should

be squarely on the republicans shoulders.

K&R with gratitude.

:hi:

[CakeGrrl]

11. It's really sad that this is so obvious to me and a few others, but so many on DU

are beyond even acknowledging this.

All or nothing.

My way or the highway.

That's what this place has pretty much become.

[Dawgs]

16. Except the Democrats could have EASILY passed the public option.

No way you can blame it on the Republicans when the Democrats had more than enough votes.

[RichGirl]

23. I'm with you!

And I'm sick to death of the constant complainers. Constructive criticism and differing opinion is fine, debate is fine...but what goes on here is ridiculous. Sadly, so many democrats are "glass is half empty types". Discussion with them is a boring waste of time.

[Robbins]

12. Good points

Always good to see others trying to make sense and point out the real enemies are Republicans.The fact Is Independents helped put
Republicans back In control of the House.

We need to stop blaming Obama for everything and start preparing for the real fight against Romney or Palin In 2012.

[ej510]

17. Obama doesn't see the repukes as his enemies.

[Dawgs]

15. Interesting you mention excoriating Republicans when Obama got loudest yelling at progressives.

Maybe he should stop blaming the ones that are on his side. It might help us get behind him again.

[wowimthere]

22. You're not behind him? I understand how you feel but he had to make this deal...

He had to compromise to help hurting Americans and that may mean looking like the weaker guy. We had Bush for 8 years. A real cowboy and look where that got us. Two years into his presidency and he has gotten a lot done. History will be kind to him. He did things many presidents only dreamed of. Taking care of the unemployed and the middle class was his priority. I don't see how he could have gotten this relief any other way. Enlighten us if you think he could have gotten more?

[Dawgs]

29. Fuck no I'm not behind him. Not after he gave in to the rich - again.

And, he didn't HAVE TO COMPROMISE.

It's funny you mention Bush. Someone that passed some of the worst shit known to man with barely any majority at all. Why couldn't Obama pass the popular stuff with a super majority? Why did Democrats get there asses handed to them last month if everything he did was so great?

He could have gotten a public option easily - unless someone can show me where he didn't have the votes. He could have made the republicans actually filibuster. He could have fought for something.

[jefferson_dem]

18. Well said.

Thanks.

[Beetwasher]

19. Pragmatism And Compromise Are DIRTY DIRTY Words Here!!!

Might as well throw around racial epithets!

[Pisces]

20. Excellent post!!! We need to get behind the President and solve problems.

President Obama is governing. This is what it looks like, not a damn purity test.

[MaeScott]

21. K and R. nt

[kestrel91316]

25. Excellent point. I am slightly less unhappy since he spoke today.

[displacedvermoter]

28. Well he always does give a nice speech!

And I am glad it makes you feel better!

[frylock]

27. pragmatism and reality are the buzzwords of the day..

obviously a memo was sent out.

[Safetykitten]

31. To the Pragmaticron! Quick get the tranmorgraphier working!

[nichomachus]

32. Pfffft.

[Clio the Leo]

33. thank you nt