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“We won,” Obama said, and everyone heard him. I don’t think the Republicans quite believed him, but he meant it. He was going to compromise only so far.
So the Republicans picked up their baseball and went home.
Didn’t get them very far, did it? The Democrats had plenty of baseballs of their own, so the game went on. I’m hoping that they’ll make the rescue package even stronger and pass it no matter how hard the Republicans huff and puff.
Is the quest for bipartisanship worth the trouble?
Obama thinks so, but I’m not so sure. It’s good to sit down with folks and discuss the issues. Makes them feel included. But offering too much legislative good will up front, as Obama did with the tax cuts, isn’t such a good idea. I think you’re better off proposing a strongly progressive program and changing it after they object, making each modification look like a major concession, something that they can tell their constituents they wrung out of the President.
That’s the way FDR got his programs through: he asked for 50% more than he really wanted, then settled for his original hope-for result in the end. It’s an old bait-and-switch tactic, but it still works.
I don’t understand why Obama didn't use it.
Like Rachel says, “Could somebody talk me down?”
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1 comment:
FDR also told his people to "Make me do it! If you have an idea you think is a good one, I can't just 'do it.' I must be MADE to do it. So build support for it and then I can implement it and everyone wins." ...or, words to that effect.
In regard to the Repugnicans who are still married to ideology above all else; married to Rush Limbaugh's disgusting wish that Obama fails; and married to their attitude of "America-be-damned, but I'm not gonna compromise" ...eventually, they will be seen for what they really are: hard-headed fools and unpatriotic ones at that.
I believe Obama's bipartisan approach to determining policy is the best road. Talking with one's enemies - - whether domestic or foreign - - is still the best policy. I'm proud of the dignified and poignant way Obama has conducted himself so far and I think "staying the course" in regard to keeping an open door available to Republicans who may begin to "see the light," is a good policy.
Because I predict that as time goes on, more and more of the Repugnicans who continue to be vociferously anti-Obama will begin to seem totally out of step with America and, more importantly, more and more out of step with their own constituencies. The American people are sick and tired of the hate-mongering, counter-productive rhetoric and all-around childish attitudes that have marked the past eight years. It may not happen over night, but I predict that the American people in ALL Congressional districts and states will begin to offer feedback to the bozos who want to continue the divisiveness that has made us all so sick and tired.
And, we all need to support Obama via his grass roots organization and help by calling our congressmen and senators in support of his initiatives. Let conservative Democrats and Conservative Repugnicans KNOW that we are, indeed, ready for change and that we won't put them back in Washington, D.C. if they continue to fight dumb and dirty and childishly.
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