The Pelosiraptor for once in her life has decided to remain silent. The death watch on her political career is particularly enjoyable, given the smugness and total lack of humility she exhibited while dragging down her entire party. Perhaps she can return to the Cretaceous Period (in her case the Cretinous Period) from which this political dinosaur fossil came from.
Yet even if the Republicans had won every single seat in Congress, Mr. Obama was not on the ballot to be fired. He held a press conference yesterday. I predicted that he would begin veering rightward.
I am going to say something Mr. Obama cannot say.
I was wrong.
Bill Clinton had it easy. He stood for nothing except getting reelected. If you disagreed with him, you could just wait a few weeks. He governed by polling. So for him to say “I get the message” was one of his rare moment of sincerity. He did get the message. He was paraphrasing former Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen, who is given credit for say, “When I feel the heat, I see the light.”
Bill Clinton cared about one thing. He wanted to get reelected, and he triangulated his way to a second term.
My prediction was that Barack Obama was like Bill Clinton and not Hillary Clinton. Hillary (who is also silent right now and hiding in Asia, a delightful turn of events for those who like silence) is a true believer. She pretends to be moderate, but she let her health care plan go down in flames because she cannot and will not compromise when she is so certain she is right and her critics were evil.
I had Barack Obama in the Bill Clinton category. I did not think he was an ideologue. I thought he was a cold, ruthless pragmatist who would do whatever it took to get reelected.
I was wrong.
His first press conference told me all I needed to know.
“Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have provided extraordinary leadership over the last 2 years.”
Extraordinary? Really?
“It has been a long night for me.”
It has been a long 2 years for the American people sir. It is not all about you.
“Power rests with the people we have the privilege to serve. Around the country, I did some talking, but mostly I did a lot of listening.”
No you didn’t. You don’t listen to anybody. The Q and A coming up in this very press conference proves it.
“We’ve made progress, but too many Americans haven’t felt that progress.”
Enough already. The voters are not wrong. Things are regressing, but you are too insulated to feel that regression.
He then went on to babble about “promoting a clean energy economy.”
How about dropping your greeniac obsessions and just focus on the economy alone? Push everything but the economy and national security aside. When those issues are better, then you can do your pet projects.
“I am eager to hear good ideas from wherever they come from.”
You said that 2 years ago. This is a lie. You are totally inflexible. You discount other opinions while nodding your head as if you are actually listening. You have zero interest in competing ideas and define those disagreeing with you as evil and enemies.
“I want an honest and civil debate.”
Then be civil. Don’t use racially charged rhetoric like telling Republicans to sit in the back of the bus. Don’t talk about punishing your enemies and rewarding your friends. It makes you sound like a Chicago Mafioso.
“Don’t spend the next 2 years fighting the political battles of the last 2.”
Republicans are not going to just shut up and roll over because you don’t get your agenda passed. If you keep fighting, so will we. It is all on you. You are the leader. Act like one.
“I do believe there is hope for civility. This nation has gone through much worse than what we are going through now.”
Then stop saying you inherited the worst situation since the Great Depression. That is a lie. Be civil and stop blaming your predecessor. You want a world where we act civil and you keep attacking.
“We are proud to be Americans. That is something we all need to remember right now.”
We were always proud. It is you and your wife that express discomfort with American pride and exceptionalism.
For the first time in their miserable lives, the media failed to ignore the real story. This election was a total rejection of Barack Obama based almost exclusively due to his detestable policies. It was not voter anger, frustration, stupidity, temper tantrums, or anything else. The key would be if Barack Obama would accept this. He could not.
Ben Feller, AP– “Was this a Rejection of your agenda?”
BO: “People were expressing great frustration, people were not feeling the progress, they can’t see it.”
It isn’t there. Things have gotten worse.
He then mentioned building electric cars and helping kids improve in science and math before saying that the “overwhelming message is we want you to work harder.”
No. We want you to focus on the economy and nothing else.
Savannah Guthrie, NBC: “Has their been No second guessing yourself or reflecting, thinking that maybe you are not getting it?
BO: “I Made tough decisions, but the right decisions, averting a second Great Depression. People looked at all this and felt government was getting more intrusive. It was an emergency situation. I’m sympathetic to folks who looked at it and felt it was potential overreach. We were in such a hurry to get things done that we did not change how things got done, and that frustrated people.”
He did not make the right decisions. He keeps saying that people “feel” a certain way, which is a polite way of discounting their feelings. He cannot possibly accept that those feelings are right and he is wrong.
He then spoke clinically about the earmarks process, as if most people cared.
Savannah continued. “Is it possible voters rejected the policy changes you made?”
BO: “Voters are not satisfied with the outcomes. I am looking at all ideas that are on the table. If Republicans have good ideas for job growth and we haven’t thought of them, we want to try some. We are not going to rule out ideas on Democrat or Republican, we want to see what works.”
How can voters be unhappy with the outcomes without blaming the source of the outcomes? This is bordering on lunacy. Voters were unhappy with his policies. As for seeing what works, he blathered about that 2 years ago He doesn’t mean it. He has no interest in other ideas.
Mike Emanuel, FNC: “Is healthcare reform in danger of repeal?”
BO: “It is misreading the election if we thought the American people want to relitigate arguments of last 2 years.”
That is a line in the sand. There will be no compromise on repeal. When he keeps bringing up relitigating, that means we should all shut up and move on while he does as he d@mn well pleases. Move forward means we shut up and agree with him. No sir. It does not work that way.
He then told a sob story of anonymous voters, discounting the sob stories of those hurt by the Obamacare law.
BO: “This was the right thing to do. If Republicans have ideas for how to improve health care system, if they want to suggest modifications, I am happy to consider some of those ideas. The 1099 system has too much paperwork, too much filing. We can tweak and make progress on legislation.”
Paperwork? Filing? The entire car needs to be destroyed and he is willing to look at changing yellow fuzzy dice on the dashboard from blue to red. Until he actually accepts a significant GOP idea, he no longer gets the benefit of the doubt.
Mike followed up: “What about the fact that 1 of 2 voters want it overturned?”
BO: “1 of 2 voters think it was the right thing to do.”
No. This is nuts. Some had no opinion. Those wanting repeal far outweigh those who do not. This does not matter anyway. He insists he is right, and will not change it in any meaningful way.
Chip Reid, CBS: “Is spending to create jobs dead?”
BO: “It is Important for Democrats and Republicans. Will have a deficit commission that is bipartisan. Eliminate programs that don’t work, be more efficient, streamline government, make sure it isn’t cutting into core investments. What are our priorities? What do we care about? That will be a tough debate. A big deficit I inherited was made worse by the recession. People would agree there should be no cutting into education, research and development such as clean energy. Distinguish between stuff not adding to our growth and things that are absolutely necessary to growth. The single most important thing to do is make sure taxes don’t go up on middle class families. We need to sustain the recovery. We need budget cuts that are intelligent and smart.”
This man is a human platitude. Core investments are whatever he says they are, and how dare anybody want to cut education. Smart and intelligent cuts are whatever he decides. He blames his predecessor, yet he has had 2 years, and he has made things worse. People do not feel worse for no reason. Things are worse because of him. He cannot grasp this.
Chip followed up. “Do you see that what you call investments, others call wasteful spending?”
BO: “Without any GOP support on anything it is hard to get things done. Part of the message to Republicans is we want to see stronger job growth. If there are good ideas about putting people back to work, I know they will be willing to have a serious conversation about. Do we all come to the table with an open mind?”
Good lord, it is President Obama that comes to the table with a closed mind and predetermined opinions. His initial answer was “Elections have consequences. I won.” As for GOP support, the left had total control of everything. They had zero interest in bipartisanship. They got what they deserved yesterday.
Peter Baker, Jayson Blair Times: “What were the consequences of this election, what will you compromise on?”
BO: “I have been willing to compromise on the past and will be willing going forward on a whole range of issues.”
In other words, nothing. He will bash Republicans as obstructionists for not agreeing with his every desire.
He kept talking about electric cars, restarting the nuclear industry, and reducing greenhouse gases.
In other words, he spent his first year focusing on health care. He only cares about 3 things, health care, education, and environmental concerns. He got health care, and no matter how much the public begs for jobs, he keeps insisting that focusing on a green agenda will create jobs in the same way that his health care disaster would create jobs. He is an ideologue.
Jake Tapper, ABC: “Will you compromise on the higher income tax cuts? When you call your friends and see 19 state legislatures go to other side, what does it feel like?”
BO: “It feels bad. There is sadness about seeing them go and questioning on my part. Could I have done something different or something more? They said they do not have regrets because they were doing the right thing. Maybe they are trying to make me feel better, which is a sign of their character. The tax cuts, I don’t want a huge spike in tax cuts for middle class families.”
Of course they regret losing their jobs. Sheesh. He keeps saying he wants to extend the middle class tax cuts, which is his way of saying he will not extend all of them. That again is his inflexibility. He cannot accept that keeping the upper income tax cuts is good policy. Republicans must not bend on this. We are right, he is wrong.
Laura Meckler, WSJ: “Do you support the EPA regulating carbon emissions? Do you wish you had not made health care deals?”
BO: “Lowering costs was absolutely critical for this country. In this partisan environment, process is an ugly mess. I regret we could not make the process more healthier. The outcome was a good one. Regarding the EPA, the smartest thing to do is get Republicans and Democrats who are serious, and see if there are ways we can make progress in the short term. The EPA is under a court order saying greenhouse gases are a pollutant, and fall under their jurisdiction. It is important not to ignore the science. Cap and Trade was one way of skinning the cat, a means, not an end, there are other means.
In other words, he will use any means necessary to ram his greeniac agenda through, no matter what anybody else says. He wants Republicans who are “serious,” which means they agree with him. Will he listen to any Republicans skeptical of climate change? Of course not. They will be demonized as quacks.
With health care, he criticizes the process. He is the process. He could have chosen a better way of proceeding. He deliberately decided not to do so. He cannot admit he is at fault.
Ed Henry, CNN: “Is it possible that a majority of Americans think your policies are putting America in reverse? Will you backpedal on Don’t ask, don’t tell?”
“As Commander In Chief, I have said making this change needs to be done in an orderly fashion. Look at this in a systematic way. There will be a review that comes out that will have surveyed attitudes and opinions. That will give us time to act, potentially in the lame duck session.”
This is not necessary. Either do it or don’t do it. The CIC has the power to tell the military to do things. This man is amazing. He imposes his will on almost everybody with zero regard for dissent, all the while talking about working together. Then the one time he can settle an issue either with an executive order or by refusing to issue one, he stalls. This is like his Afghanistan decision to send troops. It was not careful deliberation. It was dithering and delaying according to polls. On gays in the military, the leader should just either way just lead and be done with the issue. Quit cowering.
Then he went to the very important first question of whether it was his policies that have us going in reverse.
BO: “In terms of how we move forward, THE American people understand we are still digging ourselves out of a big mess. They do not feel we have gotten all the way out of the ditch. The Democrats and Republicans need to both push some more.”
Thankfully Ed persisted one more time.
“Do you reject the idea that your policies have us in reverse?”
BO: “Yes. When I arrived things were in free fall. They have stabilized. It would be hard to argue we are going backwards.”
Things have not gotten better. It is easy to argue we are moving forward unless one is a total imbecile incapable of reason. This is exactly what Barack Obama thinks of his political opponents. He simply declares the debate over by implying that no possible reasonable person could see things differently from him. Then after subtly demonizing his opponents (when not calling them enemies), he blathers about coming together.
BO: “We have to come together. It will not be easy. What other proposals do they have to grow the economy? What affirmative policies do they have to promote growth? I don’t think that tax cuts alone will be a recipe for the kind of expansion we need. From 2001-2003 we cut taxes, and I did not see the expansion. Disagree without being disagreeable.”
So we should all come together, but Republicans have no policies. The Bush tax cuts absolutely created an expansion. If they were so awful, way are Democrats scared of letting them expire? They worked. Stop attacking the Bush tax cuts falsely and then lecture us on being disagreeable. This man cannot stop the partisanship. Until somebody verbally clubs him over the head that the Bush tax cuts worked, he cannot move on to the second step of his 12 step pretend to get along with people program.
Hans Nichols, Bloomberg: “How do you hit the set reset button with business?”
BO: “The only way America succeeds is if businesses are succeeding. America has had unparalleled success because the free market is dynamic. It must be nurtured and cultivated. I have to make clear to the business community and country is that most important thing we can do is encourage the business sector and make sure they are hiring.”
You cannot make sure they are hiring. You cannot make them hire. You can get the heck out of the way. You can stop demonizing businesses. You can stop forcing them to take on crippling health care and environmental costs. You are anti-business. Businesses do not need you to nurture and cultivate them. They are not a San Francisco marijuana clinic. You are not their daddy. They need to be left alone to nurture and cultivate their own employees. You keep saying that you think that people “feel” government is too intrusive. No, government actually is too intrusive.” Be quiet, cut taxes, sit down, and keep being quiet. That’s it.
Matt Spetalnick, Reuters: “Do you see the election as showing you are out of touch, and will there be any changes in your leadership style?”
BO: “There is an Inherent danger being in the White House, being in the bubble. Folks did not have any complaints about my leadership style when I was running around Iowa. They got a good look at me for a year. When you’re in this place, it is hard to not seem removed. I need to have that opportunity to engage with the American people on a day to day basis and give them confidence I am listening to them. I read those letters every night, some break my heart and provide inspiration, but nobody is filming me read those letters. A couple of great communicators, Reagan and Clinton, were standing at this podium 2 years in getting very similar questions. This is something every president goes through. Responsibilities of this office are so enormous.
Woe is me, I have it so tougb with my $400k salary, I am so oppressed, the job is so hard, woe is me, me, me, me, me, me. Does this man ever stop? He is a first rate crybaby. Man up!
Ronald Reagan lost 26 seats, while Bubba lost 54 and Obama about 65. Ronald Reagan did not kvetch and complain about the job. He was too busy doing the job. Reagan was a leader. Obama is a whiner. People “seem to think” he is detached. No, he is detached. He is cold, clinical, unemotional, and rivaling Dr Spock in terms of actual human compassion.
BO: “One thing I want to end on is that getting out of here is good for me too. I always come away from interactions feeling optimistic about this country. We have so many good and decent people finding ways to live together. The American people always make me optimistic. I have never doubted that we are going to emerge stronger than before.”
Well then treat all Americans, even those who disagree with you, with dignity.
I believed Barack Obama was capable of changing.
I was wrong.
Despite an election rejection of epic historical proportions, he still truly believes that everybody else is wrong, evil, and stupid while he is right, noble, and brilliant.
He is simply a pompous gasbag, and it will take another election to get rid of his arrogance and narcissism.
One Pelosiraptor down, one Vulcan to go.
eric
Eric, I very well could of missed it but wheres that trap you said you were setting ?
Theres still moonbats everywhere