President Admits He Screwed Up
Obama: 'I screwed up' in Daschle withdrawal.
Wow.
When was the last time you saw that?
I love the way things are going.
Wow.
When was the last time you saw that?
I love the way things are going.
posted by JimK at 9:26 PM
18 Comments:
Daschle took himself out of the running ONLY after Republicans made a big stink. Obama didn't have the common sense, on his own, to realize that the tax fraud by Daschle and Geithner is a big deal. He also didn't have the guts to pull their nominations.
So, Geithner gets nominated because Geithner didn't take himself out of the running. Daschle takes himself out of the running...and Obama steps in, trying to look humble, to take the credit!
I truly would have been impressed if Obama had pulled both of their nominations immediately. As the thing played out...it was just politics as usual.
"I love the way things are going."
You've must be a closet Republican.
Obama: 'I screwed up' in Daschle withdrawal.
Jim writes,
Wow.
When was the last time you saw that?
I love the way things are going.
LOL...honestly now, after nominating a tax cheat to head up Treasury, followed by two other tax cheats being nominated to senior positions, did he really have any other choice???
An interesting pattern is emerging...a tax for thee but not for me.
And then Pres. Obama, feeling the heat in the White House decides to step out to read to a group of children...oh, brother...things are coming apart early.
Opps, I forgot to add...yes, I love the way things are going too. Obama will find that it is far easier campaigning on "change" than making any real change actually take place.
Obama will find that it is far easier campaigning on "change" than making any real change actually take place.
Oh yes we can make real change, but there's Orin repeating the new GOP credo: No we can't!
Bush was supposed to "change" the tone in Washington and he sure did, he made it even more partisan than it was before. Under Bush/Cheney, the GOP shut Democrats out of every legislative process they could and drained the treasury for themselves and their campaign contributors. Talk about tax cheats! Don't forget the no-bid contract cheats, the oil company $4/gallon record profit cheats, the global warming science cheats; the list goes on and on.
It will take Herculean effort by Obama and his team to lead us out of the quagmire the Bush GOP has left us in. Thank goodness Obama is a quick study who prefers putting in long hours working at the White House to vacationing (Bush spent 879 days or 30% of his presidency at the ranch).
Obama's not even four weeks into his four year presidency and already the GOP is saying he'll fail and does everything in its power to ensure that he does. The GOP appears to be following their "real" leader who proudly proclaims:
I would be honored if the Drive-By Media headlined me all day long: "Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails." Somebody's gotta say it.
The entire world is in this economic mess together, and the sooner the GOP realizes that and begins to act like it, the better. Instead of playing their dangerous political games, the GOP should unclench their bitter fists and accept Obama's open hand and his offer to work together to repair the damage to our nation.
Yes we can!
"The entire world is in this economic mess together, and the sooner the GOP realizes that and begins to act like it, the better. Instead of playing their dangerous political games, the GOP should unclench their bitter fists and accept Obama's open hand and his offer to work together to repair the damage to our nation."
This is such a crass misrepresentation that a comment needs to be made.
The GOP does indeed know the gravity of the situation and is trying to help. The truth is that the economy can receive the appropriate stimulus at about half the amount being proposed and the country can't afford wasteful social experiments right now.
The truth is that observers and experts from every side of the political spectrum recognize that the Republicans have the better of the argument. Just going along is not in the best interest of our country at this point. Republicans are taking great risk opposing a popular President but they are acting in the best interest of our country.
Still, Obama seems to be recognizing his errors and trying to get things moving in the right direction. The whole issue, and it's been the issue since the election, is will Obama be able to control the excesses of Pelosi and Reid? They knew him before he was Mr Wonderful so they lack respect for him.
Follow your leader, Bea, and stop attacking those who are trying to help.
"Closet Republican."
What's that? Is it like a closeted Republican? I know a lot of those.
rrjr
Previously I wrote,
Obama will find that it is far easier campaigning on "change" than making any real change actually take place.
Oh yes we can make real change, but there's Orin repeating the new GOP credo: No we can't!
Is that the GOP credo? Sorry, but I didn't get that memo...
Bush was supposed to "change" the tone in Washington and he sure did, he made it even more partisan than it was before.
Actually the climate was already sufficiently toxic and partisan due to the Republican/conservative attacks on then President Clinton's character (or, should I say lack thereof) and the backlash that became institutionalized best in the group MoveOn.Org (which never has taken it's own advice to "move on").
Now, had Clinton done what was best for the country (even Sen. Robert Byrd admitted that he deserved impeachment and conviction, though he voted against because Clinton was popular and the economy was sizzling) and resigned, Al Gore would have been in a much better position to have beaten Bush. But no, Clinton, the narcissist that he is, would beat this "rap" even if it cost his political party the next Presidential election. In this regard, Democrats have only themselves to blame.
Under Bush/Cheney, the GOP shut Democrats out of every legislative process they could and drained the treasury for themselves and their campaign contributors. Talk about tax cheats! Don't forget the no-bid contract cheats, the oil company $4/gallon record profit cheats, the global warming science cheats; the list goes on and on.
Please...where Republicans could work with Democrats they did, such as in the No Child Left Behind Act, and other such public policy initiatives. I fully expect that the majority party will be in primary control of the public policy initiatives that come out of Washington, D.C. Republicans ought to stop whinning...
It will take Herculean effort by Obama and his team to lead us out of the quagmire the Bush GOP has left us in.
Oh, like the home mortgage meltdown? That is an example of a bi-partisan quagmire...Clinton started it for political reasons, and Bush continued it because his corporate backers were rolling in the money...why would anyone want to reign in such a "gravy train"?
Thank goodness Obama is a quick study who prefers putting in long hours working at the White House to vacationing (Bush spent 879 days or 30% of his presidency at the ranch).
President Obama better be careful or he will become another Jimmy Carter, himself a bright guy that never saw the big picture, except for making peace between Egypt and Israel.
Look, the Presidency of the United States means that the person elected President is always on the clock...even and especially when they are not physically present in the White House.
Obama's not even four weeks into his four year presidency and already the GOP is saying he'll fail and does everything in its power to ensure that he does.
And what did Reid, Pelosi and Company do while Bush was President? LOL...ever heard of turn about as fair play? Please, take responsibility, especially when you expect it of others.
The GOP appears to be following their "real" leader who proudly proclaims:
I would be honored if the Drive-By Media headlined me all day long: "Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails." Somebody's gotta say it.
Sorry, I do not know what radio station airs Limbaugh here locally as I only listen to NPR (KUNC, 91.5 FM).
The entire world is in this economic mess together, and the sooner the GOP realizes that and begins to act like it, the better.
So, are you saying that dissent is no longer patriotic?
Instead of playing their dangerous political games, the GOP should unclench their bitter fists and accept Obama's open hand and his offer to work together to repair the damage to our nation.
And then what should I make of those that encouraged that we admit defeat in Iraq and leave? Look, since I am not on anyone's payroll and did not vote for either party, I can state it as I see it. Democrats and Republicans have both played dangerous political games...perhaps Obama can start asking this question: what is in the Common Good?
Yes we can!
A prudent approach to politics admits that politics has limitations...the above jingoistic slogan does not.
"Obama's not even four weeks into his four year presidency and already the GOP is saying he'll fail and does everything in its power to ensure that he does."
And what did Reid, Pelosi and Company do while Bush was President? LOL...ever heard of turn about as fair play? Please, take responsibility, especially when you expect it of others.
When unity was needed to prevent another 9/11, Congress pulled together and gave Bush the Patriot Act, sight unseen. There were some glitches with it that are now being worked out. Now that unity is needed to prevent another foreclosure and another lay-off, where is the GOP? Out playing politics in their shows of unity against what is needed.
Sorry, I do not know what radio station airs Limbaugh here locally as I only listen to NPR (KUNC, 91.5 FM).
Millions of GOP dittoheads know right where to find him. Like the GOP dittoheads on Capital Hill, who apparently also want Obama to fail to fix the economy because it improves their reelection odds.
So, are you saying that dissent is no longer patriotic?
Dissent is fine, but it would be more patriotic to act immediately to prevent another foreclosure and another lay-off. People are hurting, families are losing their sources of income and their homes while the Congressional Republicans are playing politics and preening before the TV cameras.
And then what should I make of those that encouraged that we admit defeat in Iraq and leave? Look, since I am not on anyone's payroll and did not vote for either party, I can state it as I see it. Democrats and Republicans have both played dangerous political games...perhaps Obama can start asking this question: what is in the Common Good?
Oh for heaven's sake Orin. Maybe if we had not given huge tax cuts to the rich while draining the budget to pay for Bush's blunder into Iraq, we would not be in quite so deep a hole as we are now. But the situation now is not about Iraq, it's about the economy. The Common Good is to stop the economy from becoming more depressed by immediately stimulating it with a huge infusion of funds so that not another home or job is lost. We can get two birds with one stone - we can repair our ailing infrastructure so there are no more water main breaks (a big problem around here) and no more bridge collapses, etc., while simultaneously creating jobs to replace the jobs the our businesses are hemorrhaging.
Yes we can!
You miss the fact that Republicans don't argue with the stimulus portion of the bill. The problem is the lack of stimulus and using money that could be used for stimulus for the Democrats' agenda.
Also missed is the sheer staggering sum being talked about. Our grandchildren will be paying this off, so it might be a good idea to discuss the specifics for a couple of weeks or, at least, put off the non-stimulus portions of the bill.
Recall also that just spending without thinking won't repair the economy. Six years after FDR started trying to spend us out of the Great Depression, the unemployment rate remained unchanged.
The fact of the matter is that, even though the Democrats have huge majorities in both sides of the Capitol, they still don't have the votes to get this passed by the Senate.
News flash, Bea. The public is on the Republican side of this.
Washington Post, again, today:
"Today in The Post, President Obama challenges critics of the $900 billion stimulus plan that was taking shape on Capitol Hill yesterday, accusing them of peddling "the same failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis."
Ideology is not the only reason that senators -- from both parties -- are balking at the president's plan. As it emerged from the House, it suffered from a confusion of objectives.
Mr. Obama praised the package yesterday as "not merely a prescription for short-term spending" but a "strategy for long-term economic growth in areas like renewable energy and health care and education."
This is precisely the problem. As credible experts, including some Democrats, have pointed out, much of this "long-term" spending either won't stimulate the economy now, is of questionable merit, or both.
Even potentially meritorious items, such as $2.1 billion for Head Start, or billions more to computerize medical records, do not belong in legislation whose reason for being is to give U.S. economic growth a "jolt," as Mr. Obama himself has put it.
All other policy priorities should pass through the normal budget process, which involves hearings, debate and -- crucially -- competition with other programs.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is one of the moderate Republicans whose support the president must win if he is to garner the 60 Senate votes needed to pass a stimulus package. She and Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska are working on a plan that would carry a lower nominal price tag than the current bill -- perhaps $200 billion lower -- but which would focus on aid to states, "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects, food stamp increases and other items calculated to boost business and consumer spending quickly.
On the revenue side, she would keep Mr. Obama's priorities, including a $500-per-worker tax rebate.
To his credit, Mr. Obama continues to seek bipartisan input, and he met individually with Ms. Collins for a half hour yesterday afternoon. We hope he gives her ideas serious consideration."
Also missed is the sheer staggering sum being talked about. Our grandchildren will be paying this off, so it might be a good idea to discuss the specifics for a couple of weeks...spending without thinking won't repair the economy.
It's spending without thinking that got us into this mess, specifically Bush's spending, which he did with the help of the GOP and without one iota of input from Democrats. Right at this very moment, America is facing Bush's $1.2 trillion deficit, which our great-grandchildren will be paying off.
The $900 billion stimulus plan - to pay off Bush's debts - that many economists say is not enough spending, is needed immediately, not weeks or months from now. People are facing job loss and foreclosure every day while the GOP postures and fiddles.
"It's spending without thinking that got us into this mess, specifically Bush's spending, which he did with the help of the GOP and without one iota of input from Democrats."
Good try but the Democrats have controlled Congress since 2006. Indeed, the largest contributors to the deficit were supported by most Democrats: the new prescription drug entitlement, Iraq-Afghan-terrorist-war spending.
Remember, John McCain was relentlessly attacked by Democrats for raising questions about the finance industry bailout which is the biggest single factor in the trillion dollar deficit.
"Right at this very moment, America is facing Bush's $1.2 trillion deficit, which our great-grandchildren will be paying off."
McCain has a stimulus proposal costing half as much and providing more stimulus. If he'd been elected, it would already have been passed.
"The $900 billion stimulus plan - to pay off Bush's debts - that many economists say is not enough spending, is needed immediately, not weeks or months from now. People are facing job loss and foreclosure every day while the GOP postures and fiddles."
Or while the Jackass party tries to push through its agenda while providing little help. Job losses and foreclosures will continue despite what Congress does. If handled the wrong way, our system may suffer long-term damage.
The American people have wised up. maybe you should too.
If [McCain] had been elected, would he have suspended his presidency like suspended his campaign to work on the Wall Street bailout? And what exactly did he accomplish for Wall Street? Oh yeah, the McCain-approved Wall Street bailout allowed fat cat CEO's take nearly $20 billion in bonuses last month!! Then he went back to the campaign trail and accomplished even less.
FYI, barryo, McCain did NOT get elected.
Obama approved of the deal as well as most in Washington.
McCain was the only one who dared to question it and was attacked by the fatcats like Daschle and Obama for doing it!
McCain would have introduced and gotten passed the bill he has now. He'll let Barry O have it if he wants it.
Why do Democrats fail every time the American people give them a chance?
Andrea-not anon
Hey,Orin and anon- you must have missed it- guess you were watching Fox. President Barck Hussein Obama and a majority of Dems were elected.
That's right they were elected.
We're a nation with a tradition of servant leadership and, right now, they're not serving us very well.
Aunt Bea,
A close friend, someone I would describe as a liberal Democrat, sent me an email expressing anger and disgust at the Democratic Party for the bloated stimulus package...mind you, this person voted for Obama. This is what I wrote as a reply:
Dear Friend,
I have made a habit more recently of simply making this argument with regards to government and the politics that naturally occur from the transaction of such business: as a political Conservative first and foremost, I do not see government as any sort of "problem" per se. Some times it works, while other times it does not quite measure up to expectations. What concerns me, and ought to concern others, is not just the sheer size, but the scope of government. At present there appear to be few, if any, real limits upon the scope of the federal government.
In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), Chief Justice John Marshall determined in a case involving the State of Maryland, that the "the power to tax involves the power to destroy" thus invalidating the attempt by Maryland to impose a tax on a national bank. Along with Marbury v. Madison (1803), McCulloch helped to establish early on that our newly instituted national government would have the strength to perform all the necessary functions that it was expected to do. Though the above quote is the one remembered most, there is still another quote from this decision that is all but forgotten, "If any one proposition could command the universal assent of mankind, we might expect it would be this– that the government of the Union, though limited in its power, is supreme within its sphere of action."
Imagine that...a government "limited in its power"...it is as if such a passage has become an anachronism, since government now is expected to provide any service where there is a sufficient constituency to support it with their votes.
Please don't be mad at the Democratic Party, as they are doing the exact same thing that the Republican Party would do, if in power, only for a different constituency. One of the events that appeared to be the catalyst for the steep economic downturn we are now in is the home mortgage crisis. How did this all start? With the very best of intentions; a desire to see more Americans realize the dream of home ownership. Still, whether Democrats (who started this by making it easier for the less credit worthy to qualify), or Republicans (who continued the policy because it profited their corporate allies) are willing to admit it or not, they are both to blame for this mess.
The problem the present Administration (and any for the foreseeable future) has is this: a majority of the American public now expects that the national government will step in at virtually any moment of crisis and make things better. In order to deliver in such a moment the national government will need two things: power and money. And yet these are the two elements that corrupt and are iminical to freedom. Frankly I think the debate that Alexis de Tocqueville saw in this country between liberty, on the one hand, and equality, on the other, has been settled in favor of equality.
Every choice has a cost - still I wonder if enough of my fellow citizens have considered the full cost of this choice.
Orin said What concerns me, and ought to concern others, is not just the sheer size, but the scope of government.
Your concern for the "scope of government" seems spotty to me. You seem to dislike paying taxes like most of us, judging from the court cases from 200 years ago you cited to make the point you think government's scope should be limited. Yet you don't seem to have any trouble with our government sticking its nose into gay families and telling them the heads of their households they may not marry each other.
I'll tell you right now, save it, Orin. I'm not interested in reading any more of your rationalizations about how you manage to believe our government should mean freedom for all while at the same time believing our government has every right to prevent same-sex families from being headed by married couples.
I am, however, as you say I should be, deeply concerned with the scope of our government, especially when our government thinks it's right to tell some families they are second class and are not entitled to the same rights as other families.
One of the events that appeared to be the catalyst for the steep economic downturn we are now in is the home mortgage crisis
Agreed. Here's some info you might not be aware of. FHA single-family home loans that had defaulted rose 54 percent between 1999 and 2002. Yet in 2003 with that data known, Bush decided to push his American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) to give people who earn no more than 80% of their area's median income no more than $10,000 or 6% of the purchase price of their first home for downpayment, closing costs, and rehabilitation carried out in conjunction with the assisted home purchase. Bush in effect poured gasoline on the already developing flameout of the mortgage industry defaults and has done so for several years. No assistance was offered to help new homeowners make their monthly mortgage payments; the money was only for "downpayment, closing costs, or rehabilitation." And get this Orin, Bush's FY2009 budget called for slashing grants offered by the Community Development Block Grant Program but asked to increase the ADDI appropriation 500% over FY2008's level, exponentially expanding the amount of gasoline to pour on the problem.
the debate ... between liberty, on the one hand, and equality, on the other, has been settled in favor of equality.
Every choice has a cost - still I wonder if enough of my fellow citizens have considered the full cost of this choice.
Most of us TTF supporting types were probably against the portions of the Patriot Act that took liberties from all of us, because we love liberty. But what good is liberty if there is no equality, no equal treatment under the law? That sounds like freedom to be second class citizens IMHO. If you truly prefer "liberty" over "equality," then you ought to support freedom for gays to pursue their own happiness.
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