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Originally posted by MelanerpesHe went on O'Reilly during the campaign. He must have sat with him for at least an hour, as I think O'Reilly aired 38 minutes of footage all told.
That idea of "fragmenting the GOP" is a good one. The GOP made it clear early on it was going to use the "let's all unite and hope he fails" strategy. What if Obama had started out his presidency by looking for things that Snowe would be willing to vote for? That could've been the kernel around which a truly bipartisan coalition could have been built.
and Rush's listeners. It would also be the sort of gutsy thing that real leaders do.
I remember watching that and, for the first time, really thinking that Obama is a smart fellow. I'd heard all the rhetoric about him only being good with teleprompter and whatnot and I wasn't sure what to believe on that front. But here he was going against another smart fellow who was clearly trying to break him. One on one. No "bs"ing. It was great television.
I thought he did very well. He held his own and, though O'Reilly made him squirm on the surge issue, I was impressed. Not enough to vote for him against McCain (whom I've always liked, dating back to the 2000 primary); but enough so that I'm at least confident that we have a President who's a smart fellow.
If we could have more of those... Obama against O'Reilly. Mitt Romney duking it out with Keith Olbermann... and if they'd change those debates to be more like what they did on the West Wing, think of how much more interesting politics would be.
Originally posted by zeeblebota spending freeze does not mean the govt will no longer spend money, it means they will not increase the amount of spending...huge difference, and a wise decision
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January 26, 2010, 9:01 am
Obama Liquidates Himself
A spending freeze? That’s the brilliant response of the Obama team to their first serious political setback?
It’s appalling on every level.
It’s bad economics, depressing demand when the economy is still suffering from mass unemployment. Jonathan Zasloff writes that Obama seems to h ...[text shortened]... defeated in 2008. A correspondent writes, “I feel like an idiot for supporting this guy.”
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Originally posted by sh76A resignation is a silly notion. Anyone power hungry enough to endure the road to Presidential glory will be led away kicking and screaming Nixon style.
A resignation would be a disaster for the country.
What Obama needs to do right now is:
1) Focus on jobs and making life easier for the middle class
2) Work in some common sense tax hikes and close silly loopholes and work towards balancing the budget
3) Drop healthcare reform; The US is not ready for it. If that's not plain as day now, it will neve g speeches to wholly liberal audiences. Whenever he does, he seems to say something stupid.
1) To focus on jobs means to focus on small businesses which historically have been the engine of employment.
2) Simply put, we need a flat tax and do away with the progressive tax. Unfortunatly, this would undermine all those in Washington who simply choose not to pay their taxes, as we have seen recently. As a result, I don't think it possible. It would also undermine basic priciples of the progressive movement which is a big no, no for Obama who is the master progressive.
3) Obama will be unable to simply drop reform because he is driven to do so. He must be forced to do so, which is what began to happen in MA.
4) Again, I believe Obama will be unable to do so. He is driven by this subject like he is health care. What needs to be done, however, is switch to natural gas which is abundant in the US. It is not only a national security issue to be energy independent, it would create jobs as well. Then we should look at long term solutions like nuclear power. Again, however, I think Obama incapable of these steps. The thought of turning to a carbon producing fuel is abhorrent, even though it is cleaner than any other burning fossil fuel and even though it is in abundance in the US. Also, the hard left continues to diss nuclear power as somehow worse that carbon emitting fossil fuels.
5) Spot on.
6) You mean stop surrounding himself with radicals like Van Jones? Again, I think Obama is unable to do so. It is simply who he is.
7) See #6. It isn't that he says stupid things around radicals, it is that he simply lowers his gaurd.
Originally posted by sh76The day any major Republican candidate for President goes on Olbermann or Rachael Maddow's show....
He went on O'Reilly during the campaign. He must have sat with him for at least an hour, as I think O'Reilly aired 38 minutes of footage all told.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luA0AMP51Gc
I remember watching that and, for the first time, really thinking that Obama is a smart fellow. I'd heard all the rhetoric about him only being good with teleprompter ...[text shortened]... hat they did on the West Wing, think of how much more interesting politics would be.
I will sing I'm a little tea cup on video and post it on youtube.
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Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperProbably true.
The day any major Republican candidate for President goes on Olbermann or Rachael Maddow's show....
I will sing I'm a little tea cup on video and post it on youtube.
With Maddow's and Olbermann's ratings what they are, there's probably no point.
Obama didn't go on O'Reilly because he wanted the intellectual exercise. He saw a chance to read a large audience... which he did.
When I run for President though, I'll go on Maddow just to make you sing. 😉
Originally posted by sh76You mean politicians go on shows to reach the audience? Get out of town! Ratings or not I doubt any would ever appear on them.
Probably true.
With Maddow's and Olbermann's ratings what they are, there's probably no point.
Obama didn't go on O'Reilly because he wanted the intellectual exercise. He saw a chance to read a large audience... which he did.
When I run for President though, I'll go on Maddow just to make you sing. 😉
But I am at least glad you don't fall for the idiotic mantra "Obama needs a teleprompter". I can (and have) post example after example of Obama speaking intelligently and articulately on a wide range of subjects - with no script.
It's just a way for the right to try to trivialize one of Obama's greatest strengths; his oratory skills.