Obama meets the Republican Caucus

[Jacob]

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/obama-speeches/speech/173/

I find this pretty reasonable stuff.  It's nice to see politicians talking about the issues directly than through soundbites through the press.

[DGuller]

The problem I see is that Republicans will take it as a sign of weakness, or not take it to heart at all.  They don't seem to be in the mood to find ways to better work together at governing the country, they're just bent on crushing the Democrats politically come November.

[Ed Anger]

they're just bent on crushing the Democrats

A worthy cause.

[Admiral Yi]

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/obama-speeches/speech/173/

I find this pretty reasonable stuff.  It's nice to see politicians talking about the issues directly than through soundbites through the press.

Yup, caught a little bit of it live.  I'm sure you'll want to scurry to the OT thread and read my fascinating comments.

[Jacob]

I would, if I knew what thread you were talking about.

[Admiral Yi]

Off Topic Thread.

[Razgovory]

The problem I see is that Republicans will take it as a sign of weakness, or not take it to heart at all.  They don't seem to be in the mood to find ways to better work together at governing the country, they're just bent on crushing the Democrats politically come November.

I'm beginning to wonder if Republicans believe in Bipartisanship.  I'm starting to suspect that Republicans view foreign enemies and domestic opponents the same way you just don't talk to them.

[Neil]

The problem I see is that Republicans will take it as a sign of weakness,

It is a sign of weakness.  Obama wasn't meeting with Republicans a year ago.  Nevermind that his appearance was booked before the catastrophic Democratic defeat in Massatchusetts.

[DGuller]

The problem I see is that Republicans will take it as a sign of weakness,

It is a sign of weakness.  Obama wasn't meeting with Republicans a year ago.  Nevermind that his appearance was booked before the catastrophic Democratic defeat in Massatchusetts.

Actually, didn't he have this kind of meeting a year ago?

[jimmy olsen]

The problem I see is that Republicans will take it as a sign of weakness,

It is a sign of weakness.  Obama wasn't meeting with Republicans a year ago.  Nevermind that his appearance was booked before the catastrophic Democratic defeat in Massatchusetts.

Actually, didn't he have this kind of meeting a year ago?

I believe so, and George W. had at least one that I can remember, they just weren't televised.

[derspiess]

The problem I see is that Republicans will take it as a sign of weakness, or not take it to heart at all.  They don't seem to be in the mood to find ways to better work together at governing the country, they're just bent on crushing the Democrats politically come November.

It's not a sign of weakness, and I'm sure the Republicans aren't taking it that way.  It's another chance for Obama to get in front of cameras, and I think he's trying to raise the stakes for Republicans being "obstructionist".  I didn't watch the whole thing, but I'm sure his plan was to pretend to listen to GOP proposals, look good on camera, and go back to business as usual.

[Hansmeister]

The problem I see is that Republicans will take it as a sign of weakness, or not take it to heart at all.  They don't seem to be in the mood to find ways to better work together at governing the country, they're just bent on crushing the Democrats politically come November.

I'm beginning to wonder if Republicans believe in Bipartisanship.  I'm starting to suspect that Republicans view foreign enemies and domestic opponents the same way you just don't talk to them.

Funny, it has been the Democrats that have refused to talk to the Republicans, locking them outside the meetings for a year and demanding that they vote for bills without even getting an opportunity to read them.  And it has been Obama who has been attacking everybody that dare not march in lockstep with him, from Rush Limbaugh to Foxnews to the Chamber of Commerce to Gallup to Tea Party protesters to the US Supreme Court.

You're engaging in projection, wake up to reality.

[Razgovory]

Funny, it has been the Democrats that have refused to talk to the Republicans, locking them outside the meetings for a year and demanding that they vote for bills without even getting an opportunity to read them.  And it has been Obama who has been attacking everybody that dare not march in lockstep with him, from Rush Limbaugh to Foxnews to the Chamber of Commerce to Gallup to Tea Party protesters to the US Supreme Court.

You're engaging in projection, wake up to reality.

You are the one that first gave me this idea due to some of the things you said during the last administration.  How the idea of politics was to keep your base energized and never compromise.  You just keep pushing till the best idea wins out.

Republicans have claimed not to be allowed in to all these meetings but what proof do they have to back it up.  Last year on the budget the republicans claimed their ideas weren't getting any attention.  When called to provide their budget they didn't actually have one.  The produced a document that didn't have any numbers in it.

Rush Limbaugh to Foxnews to the Chamber of Commerce to Gallup to Tea Party protesters to the US Supreme Court

That's pretty funny.  It's like saying from across this great country!  From Dallas to Fort Worth from Austin to Houston.

[DontSayBanana]

Funny, it has been the Democrats that have refused to talk to the Republicans, locking them outside the meetings for a year and demanding that they vote for bills without even getting an opportunity to read them.  And it has been Obama who has been attacking everybody that dare not march in lockstep with him, from Rush Limbaugh to Foxnews to the Chamber of Commerce to Gallup to Tea Party protesters to the US Supreme Court.

You're engaging in projection, wake up to reality.

Ooh, nice.  Now could you try rephrasing that with examples who had some integrity in the first place?  Limbaugh?  None.  Fox?  None.  Tea Party?  Gimme a fucking break, Hans.  You can do better than that.

[Razgovory]

The Chamber of Commerce aren't exactly the most honest bunch in the world when you  get right down to it.