President Obama and ‘Bipartisanship’

I’m still trying to figure out what he’s trying to prove with Gregg at Commerce. Other than the obvious cynical answer of “he’s trying to prove to big business that he’s still their guy”.

It would be interesting to see if he used “bipartisanship” at all during the debates. Seems to me like he did, but I’m too lazy to go look for myself..

Bob,”Bipartisanship”= Captiulate to every Republican whim, no matter how assinine.

For Obama its about treating people with dignity, no matter what party they are a member of. If he can successfully navigate this stimulus fight, I think treating people with dignity will have long term political benefits. The problem with the dignity approach is that the economy is in free-fall and the Rethugs are, as Bob puts it, scorpions! We may not have the luxury of giving a long-term plan of dignity the time it needs to bare political fruit.I agree with Travis on the Gregg thing, I don’t see the benefit…but perhaps it gives Obama a better chance of picking up another Dem Senator in NH in 2010? The fear is what damage is caused to the progressive cause in the immediate future for a benefit that may or may not pay off in 2 years?

You can correct me if I’m wrong, but I do believe I recall him saying something to the effect of “The partisan politics of the past are no longer acceptable.”

PoliticalPP, that’s not the same.Obama’s leading (or TRYING to lead) by example.A refreshing change from the previous administration’s ‘Do what a say, not what I do’ approach to governing, yes?

Fist debate – one mention of the word “bipartisan.”

Obama: And I’m glad that Senator McCain brought up the history, the bipartisan history of us engaging in direct diplomacy. Said in regards to McCain’s “meeting leaders without preconditions” talking point.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/26/debate.mississippi.transcript/

Second debate – “bipartisan” or “bipartisanship” said twice by McCain, once by Brokaw.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/07/presidential.debate.transcript/

Third debate – no mention of the words “bipartisan” or “bipartisanship.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/16/politics/2008debates/main4525254.shtml

Bipartisanship is a JOKE!The Republican jihad religious political beliefs of Reaganomics, of Voodoo economics, of tax cuts for the wealthy, of deregulation for corporations, of preemptive & endless war, of corporate water-carriers of hate talk radio & TV, of a philosophy that caters to the top 1% of the people, of a culture that uses religion to divide & judge, of a belief that government is the problem thus nurturing mind-numbing incompetence, these things & more have now come home to roost leaving us all & the entire world with a festering deadly rot that now threatens to destroy our way of life.Our biggest enemy is “within”! The facts are clear the Republican Party is a cancer eating away at the very heart & soul of America.The Republican Party are on a jihad quest much more deadly than bin Laden or any external threat!The Republican Party is a vestige, a lingering insane ghost from our own Civil War, another time when the enemy was within.The Republican Party has a suicidal impulse that must be addressed, acknowledged & overcome like any enemy that would threaten our safety & survival!The Republican Party can not be reasoned with they are jihad fanatics blinded by GREED & the desire for POWER at any cost.The Republican Party are the ancestors of people that fought & died for the right to “own” another human being!Dealing with the “consciousness” that the Republican Party represents – that truly is & will be the struggle of our time. Bin Laden was reacting to “that” consciousness, a Republican consciousness fueled by an endless quest for greed, power & EMPIRE!The enemy is within – the enemy is the Republican Party!

I have a theory about the media,the whole “bipartisan” aspect of the Obama Administration, and why we keep hearing about it.I worked in finance and accounting for over 18 years, and have a pretty good understanding of how the economy works. It seems to me, that many members of the media do not. So, they’ve latched on to the “bipartisan” aspect of things and whipped themselves up into some sort of “bipartisan” frenzy. It’s FUN! I could be wrong, but it seems to be a pattern.Wasn’t it Chuck Todd who asked Robert Gibbs, “If President Obama doesn’t get ANY Republican votes on the stimulus package, will he veto it?” WTF, right?Chris Matthews was a mess yesterday on the first segment of Hardball with Pat Buchanan and Harold Ford, Jr. screeching about how President Obama has NOT specifically explained how this will create jobs. Ugh. It was difficult to watch all that hysteria. I wondered why Matthews had not read Krugman’s book about depression economics yet, but then I realized that it would make for really boring tee vee if there was a panel member who could really explain how the economy and stimulus spending work.The economy is actually very boring, so we’ll keep hearing about the “bipartisan” BS in the media. They seem to “get” that….

exoevolution:geez, take a pill. The enemy is youself

I think the words that the President preferred were “I’m not ideological.” People interpretted that as meaning “I’m bipartisan” but it did not. It meant “I’m all about getting the job done with the best minds and best ideas available.” And that’s how he’s governed thus far. The Geithner/Daschle picks are all about who he thought were best for the job – and how much he was willing to overlook to get them on board. Susan Powers is back, despite her temporary exile, Larry Summers has an advisory role, and I suspect lots of people not placed because of politics will be placed somehow, despite politics, if Obama really believes they are the best thinkers available. The “I won” info that leaked out of the private meeting also reflected the “non-ideological” vs “bipartisan” framework. Obama is pushing a progressive agenda – and isn’t going to not do that – the voters picked Democrats this year – preferred his ideas over McCain’s. BUT – that said, if republicans have a good idea, then great! He’ll use it.QT

something funny just happened (watching C Span). Graham was just on screaming, literally, about being bipartisan and making a big show like he usually does. Boxer and Durbin wouldn’t have it and said “Did the Senator ever theatrically wave one of the bills George Bush sent to the Senate around?” Hilarious.Oh yeah, and Chuck Todd this morning told Joe that Middle America probably notices when Obama appoints Republicans but does not give two shits or pay attention to vote breakdowns, and Joe threw a “When I was in Congress” hissy.

Lindsey Graham? Oh dear god, that’s my senator. I’m embarrassed, and hanging my head in shame.I really tried during his election–I rounded up a bunch of Republicans (that’s all I can find down here) to vote against that man, but I wasn’t very successful.At least, he has SOME entertainment value…

you know at least initially, exoevolution’s comment seems to be nothing more than typical over-the-top hyperbole. And then this story comes out this morning that a Texas Rep thinks the GOP needs a Taliban-like “resurgency.” But not literally, of course. Of course not.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/05/gop-rep-we-need-might-an_n_164227.html

Lindsey Graham is a big ol’ sack o’ crap! It amazes me that anyone can take him the slightest bit seriously.It was good to hear the president speaking at the DOE talk about the recovery. He repeated his subtle attack on doing things the Republican way–tax breaks for all, nothing for anyone, cynicism and attacks and not much more. My favorite phrase was “…the tyranny of oil…” and I really enjoyed his remarks about continuing to have the same old arguments while Americans suffer. Exactly. Republicans keep making the same attacks they’ve been making since forever and they have nothing but proof against them to back it up. It’s beyond belief.

@ exoevolution*** APPLAUSE ***Some people have faulty Identify Friend or Foe devices. Yours appears to work properly.

And Graham just said that Obama is “trying to scare people”….someone get this man an Oscar. I haven’t seen such a riveting performance since he almost cried on MTP after Obama decided not to accept public financing.

Our mainstream BBQ media should be ashamed of themselves. Our economy is dangling on a thread, and they are imposing fake balance and advocating the ideas of the last eight years failed policies.Unbelievable–the MSM sat by idly when Bush (with less of a mandate) rammed through every piece of his radical agenda that GOT US IN THIS MESS (with the exception of soc security). Now, they are all of a sudden a fake balance watch dog to the detriment of the country–yet again. I guess it is fun for the BBQ media–after all they are all wealthy and have jobs, and can probably wait it out.

Why am I starting to feel like we still lost to the Republicans.I thought winning this election was supposed to give me at least 4 years of smiles.

Erin, I apologize for Lindsey Graham. Lol, an Oscar…I’m glad I missed it.This is the main reason I dislike and have no respect for Senator Graham: His ridiculous stance on Veterans issues. It’s just inexcusable to me–Republican or Democrat. He really NEEDS to get the boot…http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/22/graham-reward/

Why is it that working with repubs is akin to choosing to get stabbed in the face instead of in the back?