TPM: Obama the pragmatist

[Phx_Dem]

Obama the pragmatist is on full view in this presser. I say that without judgment. It's just that he's never been so crystal clear in setting out his view of compromise, centrism, and the role of politics. He dismisses the NYT editorial page (and the WSJ's) as not representative of the country.

The key line for me probably wasn't his dismissal of "sanctimonious" liberals but his contention that those who think he's caving now would have called Social Security and Medicare in their original more modest configurations to be betrayals when measured against "some abstract ideal."

[jaxx]

1. The President was awesome.

All they can do is sputter. He told it like it is....reality.

[Phx_Dem]

2. Agreed. n/t

[old mark]

3. Saw his PC - I have harangued him for months, but I think he is right on this one.

I hope it works well for those on UC, and I think he will have some good ideas on overall tax reform.

mark

[lamp_shade]

4. Clear as a bell he was. That's the guy I voted for and I'm so proud of his strength and courage.

[OregonBlue]

5. He made total sense. Some here may hate him but I think he is actually on the side of the

American people. Left and right.

[JuniperLea]

6. Awesome presser...

He needs to speak more often.

It's all about the big picture, folks. Too bad this instant society taps their collective foot whilst waiting for the microwave.

I'm impressed at what he's been able to accomplish while trudging uphill in mud with iron weights strapped to his back. Imagine what he could do with a little cooperation.

[Scurrilous]

7. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Phx_Dem]

8. More commentary from TPM . . .

"What we saw and what I think we'll see borne out by subsequent events is Obama revealing in a very public way the choice he has made between the two political personas he has simultaneously inhabited throughout his candidacy and his presidency. He has tried to be both pragmatist and progressive savior. And even when he stopped trying to be the savior after he was elected, he was at a certain level content to let supporters continue to project that persona on to him.

Today, he very clearly and loudly said: that savior persona is not me. I am the pragmatist. And you know what, I don't have a whole lot of patience for the idealists. I share their ideals, but I don't share their approach and I'm not going to get bogged down in recriminations over not living up to some abstract ideal.

I don't think this a change in the fundamental truth of who he is or of what his politics are, but with today's press conference the pretense that he might yet be someone else was finally dropped. Not only was he announcing that this is who I am, but he was also effectively declaring, I am not that other guy. (You can watch the key part of the presser here.)"

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/12/seminal_moment_1.php#more?ref=fpblg

This is the man I voted for. I didn't vote for some idealist who would rather fight about abstract ideas than actually get things done. This man gets shit done.

[Change Happens]

12. Well said, agreed 100%!

[babylonsister]

9. rec'd! nt

[BumRushDaShow]

10. K&R

Interesting analysis!

[Clio the Leo]

11. Like I say every time, that's what every Obama argument boils down to...

.... pragmatists v. ideologues.