The LAST REASONABLE MAN standing in Washington DC??

[polichick]

Thom Hartmann says that Obama is trying to portray himself that way.

But, he asks, is this good for the country - or even for Obama?

[jaxx]

1. Why would he ask that?

Is Hartmann rabble rousing?

[polichick]

2. Thom says that he thinks it's the wrong strategy to portray the prez that way...

He says that he learned from screenwriting that "the hero of a story is only as good as the bad guy is bad" - that's why Bush had to turn his enemies into monsters. But during the first two years of his admin. Obama has had a Dem House and Senate, so where's the bad guy? He hasn't demonized the Republicans; there's no bad guy. (At least so far.)

[jaxx]

3. This isn't the movies.

Reality.

[polichick]

4. True enough, but if that's the strategy - portraying the prez that way - the WH...

...is writing a narrative, just like in the movies.

[jaxx]

7. The President can portray himself.

I think people saw that today, unscripted. He's not some character out of a screen writers mind.

[polichick]

8. Obama is never unscripted. Anyway, Thom goes on to say that...

...a WH statement points out that if Republicans refuse to govern, things will change and they will pay.

So I guess he's playing the last reasonable man FOR NOW.

[jaxx]

9. Oh the drama.

[polichick]

10. Well, politics is theater. nt

[elizm]

17. Good grief...Maybe Hartman should run for Prez if he knows so much. nt

[creon]

5. he is reasonable

That is the problem.
He is reasonable, logical and pragmatic. Washington - the political class - is, most certainly, none of those things.

Many in the country are that way; perhaps, they may understand that you do not change the world in five minutes.

Unfortunately, Obama has to deal with a political class that is the prisoner of its's passions. And, unable to think logically.

And, 40 to 60% of the eligible voters do not vote and do not care what happens. Which is sadder than what is going on with this political class we have.

[polichick]

6. Where do principles come in, principles that lead to good policy? nt

[creon]

15. politics

Politics is a blood sport
war by other means

They do not.

[FrenchieCat]

11. Thom Hartmann is not President.......

so he can talk a lot....which is what he does.

[polichick]

12. Right - it's what we all do here too :)

[FrenchieCat]

13. Actually some of us do more than talk........

so I would say that you are speaking for yourself.

[polichick]

14. Thom Hartmann does more than talk too...

Though that didn't keep you from your usual snarkiness.

[FrenchieCat]

16. Just emulating your approach......

that you have taken for the past two years.

[polichick]

18. Right - I probably worked a hell of a lot more than you did to elect this prez. nt