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| The One Will Bend, but He'll not Break |
| 2009-03-25 |
| With Congress pushing back against his proposals for energy, taxes and other matters, President Barack Obama is taking a bend-but-don't-break posture. He will compromise on certain details if he must, he signaled at his news conference Tuesday evening, but not on the heart of his key initiatives. How traditional. His strategic retreats are a nod to political reality. He is angling to avoid confrontations he probably can't win, but to sacrifice no more than is absolutely necessary. This is hope and change? Or hype and dodge? On energy, for instance, influential Democratic lawmakers have joined Republicans in opposing Obama's bid to reduce greenhouse gases through a program that would let companies buy and sell a limited number of permits to pollute. Bipartisian stupidity. "When it comes to cap and trade," the president said, using the proposal's nickname, "the broader principle is that we've got to move to a new energy era. And that means moving away from polluting energy sources towards cleaner energy sources." "I think cap and trade is the best way," Obama said, but he stopped well short of insisting on it. He did not retreat on contentious issues on which he holds the upper hand. Lifting a federal ban on embryonic stem cell research, he said, was the "right thing to do" despite criticisms from various quarters. Asked why he hasn't asked Americans to do more to weather the economic crisis, he said, "I think folks are sacrificing left and right." Obama was less certain and dismissive on topics in which he faces potentially bruising battles with Congress. For example, he minimized a Senate leader's proposal to end Obama's signature tax cut for most working families after 2010. "When it comes to the middle-class tax cut," the president said, "we know that that's going to be in place for at least the next two years." Big tax increases come after the mid-term elections. "If Congress has better ideas in terms of how to pay for it, then we're happy to listen," he said. Obama said the main thrust of his massive budget proposal is moving the nation in the right direction to turn around the ailing economy. "This budget is inseparable from this recovery," he said, "because it is what lays the foundation for a secure and lasting prosperity." Zero questions on Iraq or Afghanistan. He did preselect his questioners, reading from a list at the podium. I guess he can't use a teleprompter at a news conference. The teleprompter was a big LCD screen at the back of the room, safely out of the way of the cameras. |
| Posted by:Bobby |
| #6 “I'm not going to lie to you…” Yes, I caught that one as well...very professional. Only one rung above... "I'm not here to blow smoke up your ass..." |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-03-25 09:29 |
| #5 At one point during his news conference, responding to a question regarding deficit projections, President Obama lead into his answer with… “I'm not going to lie to you…” Anyone who has experience in negotiation or interrogation should instantly recognize that “tell”. It’s not dissimilar to a misbehaving child responding to a parents question with “To be honest…” |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2009-03-25 09:25 |
| #4 When plans meet the enemy. This is getting to be like watching your five year old trying to catch a baseball for the first time or trying to ride his bike without training wheels. Except there is more at risk here than a scrapped knee or bump on the head. |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2009-03-25 09:08 |
| #3 "I guess he can't use a teleprompter at a news conference." Ummmm, not so much.....: http://www.breitbart.tv/html/304123.html |
| Posted by: Uncle Phester 2009-03-25 09:02 |
| #2 President Barack Obama is taking a bend-but-don't-break posture. Like his campaign stand against earmarks. /sarc off |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-03-25 08:32 |
| #1 "When it comes to the middle-class tax cut," the president said, "we know that that's going to be in place for at least the next two years." Big tax increases come after the mid-term elections. Not if people wise up and GET RID of these thieving democrats. Notice the lack of "gallows humour" last evening? Barry has obviously experienced a recent rush of blood to his head and realized no one outside the beltway is laughing. Watching smirking Rahm on the sidelines with his index finger positioned virtically over his lips in the signaling position was disgusting. An uninspiring, 58 minute softball game. I was hoping a few people would turn around and watch his script on the big screen. We deserve better, much, much better. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-03-25 07:57 |