July 10, 2012

It's Not The Gridlock, Stupid. It's Obama
— DrewM

"Washington is broken", "The Republicans are just the party of no", "Obama can run against the do-nothing Republican Congress". We've all heard variations on these themes since the 2010 mid-terms.

As is his wont, EJ Dionne has a perfectly silly little blog post that perfectly captures the conventional, and incorrect, establishment version of the world.

One of the problems facing President Obama has been to make clear that the popular things he wants to do are being blocked by Republicans in Congress. If voters think that “Washington” or “the political system” is broken, they are as likely to blame inaction on Obama as on the Republicans. Obama, after all, is president. One of his tasks is thus to make clear that he wants Washington to act and that his efforts are being blocked by opponents caught up in right-wing ideology — or simply determined to bring about his defeat.

...

One of the central skirmishes over the next four months will be over whether Obama takes the blame for Washington gridlock or whether voters place the onus squarely on Republicans in Congress. By challenging Congress “to do what we agree on,” Obama is trying to highlight what is actually going on. This will be one of the most important definitional struggles of the campaign.

The excised portion of the post is about Obama's desire to raise taxes on people making more than $200,000 a year but it could be any number of issues. Taxes are just Obama's and therefore the MSM's topic of the day.

The reality however is very different.

In 2006 and the 2008 the Democrats were on a roll, they took control of both houses of Congress, the presidency and eventually had a super-majority in the Senate.

What was the reaction of the American people? A quick and massive change of course to reverse the Democrat's 4 year sting of gains. In other words, voters massively rejected what the Democrats were actually doing.

Yes, mid-term elections are different from presidential elections but politics and governance are about results. The last time the last time the American people spoke they said to Obama, Pelosi and Reid, "STOP IT! STOP IT NOW!".

Democrats of course don't want to admit they've been rejected and chastised. They and their media allies spin a crushing rejection of Democratic governance as a demand for "bi-partisanship" and "compromise".

This of course is sheer nonsense. The GOP House was never going to be more than a brake applied to the worst of Obama's impulses. The job is to not fall prey to conventional liberal wisdom that in taking power from the Democrats the people were saying, "work with the Democrats", it's finishing the job and undoing as much of the damage that has been done.

Republicans, starting with Mitt Romney and running down to every competitive Senate and House race need to remind voters that this is the time when we admit the mistake of electing Obama and finish the job of getting rid of him.

If you think voters really want more Obama, you are listening too much to the likes of EJ Dionne, Jon Huntsman and Jeb Bush. Voters know better. I just hope Republicans "leaders" do too.

Posted by: DrewM at 09:15 AM | Comments (126)
Post contains 549 words, total size 3 kb.

1 MMMM, new thread smell.

Posted by: Burn the witch at July 10, 2012 09:16 AM (rX1N2)

2 Barry likes waffles! With syrup! Why do republicans hate syrup?!?

Posted by: Barry Syrup at July 10, 2012 09:18 AM (mxnUd)

3 We must compromise with this iceberg.

Posted by: Captain of the Titanic (D) at July 10, 2012 09:19 AM (85Ks6)

4 Obama's main plan is 'the beatings will continue until morale improves'. Or something.

Posted by: GnuBreed at July 10, 2012 09:21 AM (ccXZP)

5 By challenging Congress “to do what we agree on,”

Oh yeah.   Obama is a clusterfuck

Posted by: Joe Biden at July 10, 2012 09:21 AM (e8kgV)

6 The question that needs to be asked any time this stupid meme is trotted out is how many votes has Obama's budget submissions received over the years.

Any answer other than "Zero" is incorrect.

Posted by: keninnorcal at July 10, 2012 09:21 AM (MZxBc)

7

Loooovve, exciting and new . .. .

Posted by: imp at July 10, 2012 09:22 AM (UaxA0)

8 I am a huge proponent of the don't just do something, stand there theory of governance.

Posted by: alexthechick SMOD 2012 at July 10, 2012 09:22 AM (VtjlW)

9

 

 I will turn the laughter of these slaves into wails of torment!

They shall remember the name of Mittens! Only that he died under my Bus wheels!

Posted by: Barakhenaten I at July 10, 2012 09:22 AM (I27d2)

10 Bush, McCain, and the big spending Republican congress are responsible for Obama being in office.

Posted by: Vic at July 10, 2012 09:22 AM (YdQQY)

11 Remember when the MBM complained about Congress obstructing Bush from 2007 to 2009?

Neither do I

Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 09:23 AM (Y+DPZ)

12 Racists

Posted by: EJ "Mustard Boy"Dionne at July 10, 2012 09:23 AM (e8kgV)

13

That whole..."party of No", thing, didn't work.

 

The Dems may think that that is 'cute'.....but most people hear that and think....

"No? I like that. 'No' sounds pretty darn good. 'No' to the bullshit that Washington is doing." 

Posted by: wheatie at July 10, 2012 09:23 AM (MbB0O)

14 No voters never reject democrats or their policies. They succumb to "distractions", irrational hate, racism, or throw a temper tantrum.

Posted by: Mr Pink at July 10, 2012 09:24 AM (PtszQ)

15 No means no!

Posted by: Most of America at July 10, 2012 09:24 AM (c98sL)

16 What popular things does Barry want to do?  Pass a budget?  Nope.  Cut spending?  No, not that.  Protect the borders?  Nope, that's out, too.

Posted by: huerfano at July 10, 2012 09:24 AM (bAGA/)

17

"Obama has been to make clear that the popular things he wants to do are being blocked by Republicans in Congress"

***

****

Alright...has anyone seen the chicken??

 

Posted by: dananjcon at July 10, 2012 09:24 AM (eavT+)

18 3 We must compromise with this iceberg. Posted by: Captain of the Titanic (D) at July 10, 2012 01:19 PM (85Ks6) The most pithy summation of the insanity that has gripped DC establishment.

Posted by: Mark formerly in Spokane,now in Sandy Ut at July 10, 2012 09:24 AM (gt+Iu)

19 EJ Dionne is a commie and his opinion holds nothing for me at all.

Posted by: Vic at July 10, 2012 09:24 AM (YdQQY)

20 This compromise tactic seems very similar to the ceasefire tactics used by the North Vietnamese whenever we were kicking their asses. capitulating to them only allows them to regroup and hit back harder.

Posted by: Buzzsaw at July 10, 2012 09:25 AM (tf9Ne)

21 We must compromise with the Persians.

Posted by: Leonidas at July 10, 2012 09:25 AM (p8FXV)

22 There is so much schlong-gobbling stupid in the quoted Dionne text that one does not know where to begin.


Posted by: Jones in CO at July 10, 2012 09:25 AM (8sCoq)

23 Meanwhile in Argentina, Cristina Fernandez AKA Obama With Tits proves once again that socialists can't handle other peoples money

Argentina Dollar Ban A Sign Of Failed Socialist Policies


http://tinyurl.com/7n3om4e

Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 09:26 AM (Y+DPZ)

24 "Obama has been to make clear that the popular things he wants to do are being blocked by Republicans in Congress"

But the Constitution doesn't allow for titles of nobility like "puppy-eating demi-god"

Posted by: George S. Patton at July 10, 2012 09:26 AM (e8kgV)

25

I wanted a new thread, but all I got was this crap about some ball licking douche named Dianne.

Posted by: imp at July 10, 2012 09:26 AM (UaxA0)

26 "Democrats of course don't want to admit they've been rejected and chastised. They and their media allies spin a crushing rejection of Democratic governance as a demand for "bi-partisanship" and "compromise". "

 

As is always the case...ALWAYS THE CASE...the problem is never Democratic / Liberal Policy, it's the messaging and/or the messenger.

 

Liberal Policy is never wrong.  Your brain's inability to analyze it and come to a favorable conclusion  about it is  what is wrong.

Posted by: reason at July 10, 2012 09:26 AM (sPO/s)

27

This whole argument just irritates the shit out of me.  Ronald Reagan had a Democratic House for all 8 years and got three major tax bills passed as well as a massive increase in defense spending.  Bill Clinton had a Republican House for 6 of his years and still got NAFTA and werlfare reform passed with bipartisan majorities.  The one time Clinton rammed through something on a party-line vote - his 1993 tax increase - he and his party got their asses kicked in the next election.  Yet it is these very tax rates that got Clinton's ass kicked that Obama is insisting we must return to.

 

Obama is not a leader.  Period.  Leaders know how to get shit done even in the face of opposition.  REAL leaders know how to disarm their opposition and win its cooperation or at least compromise.

 

Wah, wah, wah, Mitch McConnell said he wanted to make Obama a one-term President.  I mean, come on.  He's MITCH McCONNELL.  Who the fuck is scared of that guy? 

 

The more Obama's stenographers like E.J. Dionne spout this bullshit, the more they make their Dear Leader look small, weak, and incompetent.

Posted by: rockmom at July 10, 2012 09:26 AM (NYnoe)

28 Gridlock is a good thing in Washington.

Posted by: Vic at July 10, 2012 09:26 AM (YdQQY)

29

Dionne's such a wasted old queen.

 

Obama had majorities but wasted them on HC and the Failulus. Rather than tackle immigration when he had a chance, he threw together a last-minute sop to Hispanics. Then the DNC tells us it'd be "an insult" to nominate Rubio.

 

What's insulting is assuming Latinos can't see through that kind of cheapshit pander.

Posted by: spongeworthy at July 10, 2012 09:27 AM (r5w1L)

30 EJ Dionne, Washington's Village Idiot

The man has an IQ around room temperature, yet writes as if the rest of us are children listening to a parable

Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 09:27 AM (Y+DPZ)

31 Argentina Dollar Ban A Sign Of Failed Socialist Policies

http://tinyurl.com/7n3om4e

Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 01:26 PM (Y+DPZ)

**

****

They're not doing it right.

Posted by: P. Krugman at July 10, 2012 09:28 AM (eavT+)

32

Do nothing congress

 

Translation

 

Not doing what we want congress

 

Liberals never made it past the 3rd grade in terms of emotional maturity did they?

Posted by: Burn the witch at July 10, 2012 09:28 AM (rX1N2)

33 Poor Obama, having to contend with a divided Congress for part of his term unlike GW Bush, Bill Clinton, HW Bush, Ronald Reagan, oh wait...

Posted by: Hollowpoint at July 10, 2012 09:28 AM (SY2Kh)

34

We need to point to Harry Reid and his Democrat Senate as the problem. 

 

The house passes legislation and it dies in the US Senate. 

That is where the problem is. 

(And we need to fix this in November 2012)

 

Posted by: rd at July 10, 2012 09:29 AM (9sUlj)

35

The people voted for one thing in 2010 - they voted for NO!!

 

What part of NO do the democrats not understand?

 

Every part, apparently.

Posted by: Boots at July 10, 2012 09:29 AM (neKzn)

36 EJ Dionne's written musings are simply awesome. For me to POOP ON!

Posted by: Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog, from a secured location at July 10, 2012 09:29 AM (mxnUd)

37

10 Bush, McCain, and the big spending Republican congress are responsible for Obama being in office.

 

So very true, Vic.

Refusing to fight the Dems, refusing to speak up and defend their positions....it was disgusting to watch.

Being 'stoic' is one thing......being 'hapless' is quite another.

Posted by: wheatie at July 10, 2012 09:29 AM (MbB0O)

38

Obama is not a leader. Period. Leaders know how to get shit done even in the face of opposition


your premise is flawed.

Nothing "gets done" in Obamaland unless it either (a) hurts America; or (b) helps Obama's cronies.  These are not necessarily exclusive categories.

Posted by: imp at July 10, 2012 09:30 AM (UaxA0)

39 28 Right now, gridlock is the BEST that we can hope for. That's sad enough on its own. And it doesn't happen nearly as often as it should.

Posted by: GnuBreed at July 10, 2012 09:30 AM (ccXZP)

40 One of the central skirmishes over the next four months will be over whether Obama takes the blame for Washington gridlock or whether voters place the onus squarely on Republicans in Congress. You need to understand the rules. If the president is a Democrat, Congress is obstructing. If the president is a Republican, the president's obstructing. Try to keep up,okay?

Posted by: sherlock at July 10, 2012 09:31 AM (lw68g)

41

There is so much schlong-gobbling stupid in the quoted Dionne text that one does not know where to begin.

 

Yeah, but you can bet Dionne knows exactly where to start gobbling a schlong.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at July 10, 2012 09:32 AM (rX1N2)

42 E.J. Dionne writes about politics in a twice-weekly column and on the PostPartisan blog. (Post Partisan?) He is also a senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, a government professor at Georgetown University and a frequent commentator on politics for National Public Radio, ABC’s “This Week” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Before joining The Post in 1990 as a political reporter, Dionne spent 14 years at the New York Times, where he covered politics and reported from Albany, Washington, Paris, Rome and Beirut. Looking at this bio, how did this complete FKing party hack ever earn a space at this blog.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet, Team Dagny at July 10, 2012 09:33 AM (9TTOe)

43

40 "You need to understand the rules. If the president is a Democrat, Congress is obstructing. If the president is a Republican, the president's obstructing. Try to keep up,okay?"

And there we have it in a nutshell.

Posted by: Democrat Minion at July 10, 2012 09:33 AM (GvYeG)

44

YOUR MOUTH.

 

It just needs to  compromise a little.

Posted by: reason at July 10, 2012 09:33 AM (V40IZ)

45 Soon.

Posted by: November 6th at July 10, 2012 09:33 AM (PEwU1)

46

And why can't Obama get HIS OWN PARTY in the Senate to pass a goddamn budget?  The Republicans in the House have passed a budget every year since taking over.

 

The reason is simple.  It is OBAMA and the Democrats who do not want to compromise.  If they pass a budget, then they have to go to conference with the House Republicans and work out a deal.  And inevitably that will mean less money than they promised to all their interest groups, and maybe even scrapping a few pet programs and reforming entitlements.  They simply cannot deal with that, so they won't. 

Posted by: rockmom at July 10, 2012 09:33 AM (NYnoe)

47

YOUR MOUTH.

It just needs to compromise a little.

 

I am so bitter I didn't say that. 

Posted by: alexthechick SMOD 2012 at July 10, 2012 09:35 AM (VtjlW)

48 BRB.  I'm trying real hard!

Posted by: Emperor Barkymus at July 10, 2012 09:35 AM (PEwU1)

49 System was designed for Gridlock, other then the football - everything else can wait a while.

Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 09:35 AM (WkuV6)

50 @rockmom - they passed Stimulus.  To them, it was close enough to a budget...

Posted by: reason at July 10, 2012 09:36 AM (V40IZ)

51

2006, & 2008: Republicans are Stammering Clusterforces Of Miserable Failures

 

2010: DemocRats are Stammering Clusterf*cks Of Miserable Failures

2012: Obama & DemocRats & RINOs are Stammering Clusterf*cks Of Miserable Failures

Posted by: Conservative Heartless Bastard at July 10, 2012 09:36 AM (wbVOT)

52 Via JWF, a MA state rep was busted for smacking his girlfriend around. Look further down to see who one of his friends is

War on Women: Democrat MA State Representative Punched Out Girlfriend

http://tinyurl.com/85xkvu3

Rep. Carlos “Tony” Henriquez of Dorchester, a rising star with deep local political roots, is due to be arraigned today on domestic kidnapping and assault charges stemming after a woman told police the Democratic legislator held her against her will in his car early yesterday and punched her when she tried to get away — charges that have shaken Boston’s political leadership.



Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 09:36 AM (Y+DPZ)

53 This quote from an article on Drudge about internet addiction is applicable:

“This is an issue as important and unprecedented as climate change,” says Susan Greenfield, a pharmacology professor at Oxford University

http://tinyurl.com/7zco4ww

Posted by: Filly at July 10, 2012 09:36 AM (xiJmL)

54
But, I tried REAL hard!

Where's my participation prize?

Posted by: Barky O'Bendoin', Preznint De Luxe at July 10, 2012 09:37 AM (0AClR)

55 Actually, now the Dems are claiming that the debt-ceiling deal last year *was* a budget.  They really are delusional.

Posted by: rockmom at July 10, 2012 09:37 AM (qE3AR)

56

 

#BeatingOnAmerica

 

-- The beatings will continue until we vote him out.

 

-- Just say 'NO' to the beating.

 

-- Stop the beating! Stop the beating!

Posted by: wheatie at July 10, 2012 09:37 AM (MbB0O)

57 Time to go to Argentina, your dollars will be worth more on the street.

Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 09:37 AM (WkuV6)

58 Hey! Over here!
Move me a little more to the left if you please.

Posted by: Deck Chair at July 10, 2012 09:38 AM (Qxdfp)

59

You want to know how to polarize a Congress? How about ramrodding through the single biggest piece of legislation in a generation on a party line vote where the only thing bipartisan about it was the opposition.

It would be really nice if the GOP could explain it in those terms every now and then.

Posted by: Jaydee at July 10, 2012 09:38 AM (5YMB7)

60 "Obama has been to make clear that the popular things he wants to do are being blocked by Republicans in Congress"




Who says what he wants to do is popular? Oh sure, some of it makes the unions, Daily Kos crowd and NAMBLA happy but outside of that who are they popular with?

Posted by: TheQuietMan at July 10, 2012 09:38 AM (1Jaio)

61 From what I have seen, E.J.'s has 2 "arguments"

1.  Obama is awesome! Here's why.

2. Obama is awesome!  Those that disagree are racist, here's why.....

Posted by: wytshus at July 10, 2012 09:38 AM (u93Ac)

62 hmmm. ZH has the news that a third carrier, the Stennis, is on its way to the Persian Gulf.
 
October surprise, baby.

Posted by: GnuBreed at July 10, 2012 09:39 AM (ccXZP)

63

"I am so bitter I didn't say that. "

 

One of the central skirmishes over the next four months will be over whether  what I did  takes the blame for Washington gridlock or whether voters place the onus squarely on  your mouth. By challenging  your mouth Â“to do what we agree on,”  what I did  is trying to highlight what is actually going on.

Posted by: reason at July 10, 2012 09:39 AM (V40IZ)

64

charges that have shaken BostonÂ’s political leadership.


Heh, I'm sure they're really worried about it...this time.

Posted by: Kopechne Institute to Stop the War on Women at July 10, 2012 09:39 AM (rX1N2)

65 Clinton, for all his faults, was smart enough to know compromise with the GOP congress to get a few things passed after losing congress. Even if he choked on a few of the parts of the whole, he got some credit. Pragmatist. Obama is such an idealogue, he thinks he still has all of Congress and can ram whatever he wants through. Party's.Over.Bambi.

Posted by: Honey Badger, drinker of mead at July 10, 2012 09:39 AM (GvYeG)

66 The electorate had a temper tantrum in 2010.

Posted by: Your intellectual betters on the Left at July 10, 2012 09:40 AM (wbVOT)

67 I'm not seeing how starting shit with Iran is going to help Prezzie PuppyEater in November . . . "Wag the Dog" doesn't work for incredibly unlikeable incompetent dudes who always seem to be giving everyone the "high hat" - kwim? he has no charisma, no K, no mojo, no nothing war games are just going to annoy everyone more

Posted by: BlackOrchidPinesForDagny at July 10, 2012 09:41 AM (J6kXj)

68 I can sum up EJerk Dionne in one sentence: The Republicans are cockblocking my Obama!!

Posted by: soothsayer at July 10, 2012 09:41 AM (OgiBc)

69 17 What popular things does Barry want to do? Pass a budget? Nope. Cut spending? No, not that. Protect the borders? Nope, that's out, too.
Posted by: huerfano at July 10, 2012 01:24 PM (bAGA/)


The really big difference is that Barry and the Dims reject, categorically, any suggestion that the gargantuan entitlement programs of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are, and of right ought to be, ripe for reform.

"Just status quo 'em right into bankruptcy's brick walls" is their "plan".

Posted by: Barky O'Bendoin', Preznint De Luxe at July 10, 2012 09:42 AM (0AClR)

70 You're all on the list. Just sayin'

Posted by: Beto at July 10, 2012 09:42 AM (BAnPT)

71 Internet Addiction, uh oh

Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 09:42 AM (WkuV6)

72 66 The electorate had a temper tantrum in 2010. Posted by: Your intellectual betters on the Left at July 10, 2012 01:40 PM (wbVOT) Nah, we were just a little sassy. The Grocery store Isle meltdown comes in 2012.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet, Team Dagny at July 10, 2012 09:42 AM (9TTOe)

73

“This is an issue as important and unprecedented as climate change,”
says Susan Greenfield, a pharmacology professor at Oxford University


Right, because Climate Change provides the catalyst for the Watermelons and stifling the only outlet that's providing all the information provides them cover.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at July 10, 2012 09:43 AM (rX1N2)

74 hmmm. ZH has the news that a third carrier, the Stennis, is on its way to the Persian Gulf.

October surprise, baby.


Wow, that's a shocker. I wonder which way the lefties will fall, if the bullets start flying. If they aren't hypocritical (HAHAHAHAHAHA) we know which way they SHOULD fall.

Posted by: Jay in Ames at July 10, 2012 09:44 AM (UEEex)

75 62, yawn - call me when we have a MEU on the way

Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 09:44 AM (WkuV6)

76
30 EJ Dionne, Washington's Village Idiot
The man has an IQ around room temperature, yet writes as if the rest of us are children listening to a parable
Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 01:27 PM (Y+DPZ)


He's the ugly sister that Celine rejoices she never had...


Posted by: Barky O'Bendoin', Preznint De Luxe at July 10, 2012 09:44 AM (0AClR)

77 74 hmmm. ZH has the news that a third carrier, the Stennis, is on its way to the Persian Gulf. October surprise, baby. It's one thing to wave a gun around. It's another to pull the trigger.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet, Team Dagny at July 10, 2012 09:45 AM (9TTOe)

78

"Actually, now the Dems are claiming that the debt-ceiling deal last year *was* a budget. They really are delusional."

 

Wait, wait...hold on...I want to show you something.

 

This is my shocked-face...  O_O

 

Also, now that ObamaCare has been  accurately re-labeled  ObamaTax, will they try to credit that as something else budgety they did?

Posted by: reason at July 10, 2012 09:45 AM (V40IZ)

79 Jobs report was fixed to hide how really bad things are. Seasonal adjustments and business birth/death adjustments make these reports useless to all but the MBM

‘Seasonally Adjusted’ Hijinks? The Questionable June Jobs Report

http://tinyurl.com/7wzfx2n

Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 09:45 AM (Y+DPZ)

80 Great leaders figure out ways to get things done. If Obama can't do that while controlling the senate ... well then sucks to be him I guess. We all know he is not a leader any way.

Posted by: Honey Badger, drinker of mead at July 10, 2012 09:46 AM (GvYeG)

81 Wheatie, 1:37: "-- Stop the beating! Stop the beating!" This reminds me: When I see an Obama2012 bumper sticker, my immediate reaction is: "Thank you sir may I have another!"

Posted by: JPS at July 10, 2012 09:46 AM (tn14L)

82

"Internet Addiction, uh oh"

 

Would have been funnier if it had been posted by Jane D'oh.

...you see...because then it would be Jane...worrying about an addiction...Ja...Jane's Addiction...eh...?  Eh?

 

...nevermind.

Posted by: reason at July 10, 2012 09:47 AM (V40IZ)

83

 and that his efforts are being blocked by opponents caught up inright-left wing ideology ...

 

 

Reminds me of when McCain tried to get congress to rein in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and head off the housing market collapse and the bill was blocked by Mr. Frank, that really stupid, old woman with the bad overbite from California and other dems because the reforms would hurt the ability of the poor to buy houses that they couldn't afford.

 

Good times...  

Posted by: LASue at July 10, 2012 09:47 AM (pWeX5)

84

I wonder which way the lefties will fall, if the bullets start flying. If they aren't hypocritical (HAHAHAHAHAHA) we know which way they SHOULD fall.

 

 

We're gonna get right on it.  Right after a Republican is back in the WH 

Posted by: Code Pink at July 10, 2012 09:47 AM (rX1N2)

85 TwitchyTeam

Cry, cry again: Check out Nancy "Elaine Benes" Pelosi bustin' a move this weekend at Barney Frank's wedding: http://t.co/0PQXa1Ph -SD



Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 09:47 AM (Y+DPZ)

86 " hmmm. ZH has the news that a third carrier, the Stennis, is on its way to the Persian Gulf. October surprise, baby." If I owned a baby formula factory in Iran, I'd be very afraid right now...

Posted by: The Huggable Robot Devil at July 10, 2012 09:47 AM (136wp)

87 So EJ's next column is going to be on the outrageous operational costs of a carrier group, right. Sure he had that one in the can, ready for when a President goes all "cowboy".

Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 09:48 AM (WkuV6)

88

Stupid Rethuglicans should stop OBSTRUCTING and do whatever the hell E.J. Dionne wants.

Posted by: dan-O at July 10, 2012 09:49 AM (sWycd)

89 Although, let's say that Barky attacks the nuclear sites and destroys them? Hmm.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet, Team Dagny at July 10, 2012 09:49 AM (9TTOe)

90 " hmmm. ZH has the news that a third carrier, the Stennis, is on its way to the Persian Gulf. October surprise, baby." If I owned a baby formula factory in Iran, I'd be very afraid right now... Posted by: The Huggable Robot Devil Your assuming their orders aren't to stop the Jews; with Obama and the CAP clown posse you could be wrong.

Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 09:49 AM (WkuV6)

91 85 My eyes ... I can't see ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Posted by: Honey Badger, drinker of mead at July 10, 2012 09:50 AM (GvYeG)

92 President goes all "cowboy".>>

I'm thinkin that with the current pres that means he wears a village people costume.

Posted by: Buzzsaw at July 10, 2012 09:52 AM (tf9Ne)

93 91 85 My eyes ... I can't see ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Posted by: Honey Badger, drinker of mead at July 10, 2012 01:50 PM (GvYeG) Too bad you don't have a second inner eyelid like me...

Posted by: Spock at July 10, 2012 09:52 AM (136wp)

94 I thinks it time for the GOP and the conservative establishment to lay it on the line.

Ask the people if they really feel that the greatest priority is to have cooperation in governemnt and to craft more and more legislation, create more and more laws, create larger and new bureaucracies with their concomitant army of bureaucrats and agents entangling themselves in the marrow of our lives.

If so, then vote straight ticket Democrat and hasten our descent to oblivion.

If not then realize we as Conservatives offer a better way, smaller less intrusive government. Lighter regulatory regimes. Lower, fairer tax burdens.

We offer greater control of your lives and less control by a faceless army of
paper pushers.

You must vote straight Conservative in order to have this become a reality.

We can no longer persist in divided government.

The Democratic and Conservative positions have no middle ground.


The Democratic positions and policy prescriptions have brought us to the very brink of ruin. They are unsupportable. They are unsustainable.

It doesn't have to be this way!

VOTE CONSERVATIVE! IT"S YOUR ONLY HOPE!

Posted by: General Woundwort at July 10, 2012 09:52 AM (06lNq)

95 “This is an issue as important and unprecedented as climate change,”
says Susan Greenfield, a pharmacology professor at Oxford University

---

So about three levels down from who would you rather do, Ginger or Maryann.

Posted by: WalrusRex at July 10, 2012 09:52 AM (Hx5uv)

96

Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 01:36 PM (Y+DPZ)

**

***

His mother worked for HUD, assistant secretary for public and [Indian] housing for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. And he's asshole buddy's with Fauxchahontas. We've reached critical mass in the you can't make this shit up category of democrat politics.

 

Posted by: dananjcon at July 10, 2012 09:52 AM (eavT+)

97 "When you wish upon a star..."

Posted by: EJ "knee blisters" Dionne at July 10, 2012 09:53 AM (hLRSq)

98

#BeatingOnAmerica

 

We have to beat on you...because America is a downright mean country.

Posted by: Moochelle-O at July 10, 2012 09:53 AM (MbB0O)

99 Your assuming their orders aren't to stop the Jews; with Obama and the CAP clown posse you could be wrong. Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 01:49 PM (WkuV6) Would our boys shoot down a Israeli plane? I don't know. Our pilots know there pilots. They train together. That could be a problem.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet, Team Dagny at July 10, 2012 09:53 AM (9TTOe)

100 The reason Democrats never worry about crises on the horizon is their "fixes" for crises resemble ObamaCare. Also their media mouthpieces help pin them on Republicans, like what happened with housing.

Posted by: The Mega Independent at July 10, 2012 09:53 AM (85Ks6)

101 EJ Dionne still is being published somewhere?  Who knew?  Also, FYI,  lumping in the likes of Jeb Bush and Jon Huntsman with the likes of EJ Dionne  is the height of cognitive dissonance and a indicator of sheer retardation. 

Posted by: Tsar Nicholas II at July 10, 2012 09:53 AM (f8XyF)

102 New thread again bitches

Posted by: Code Pink at July 10, 2012 09:53 AM (rX1N2)

103

NANCY PELOSI'S DANCING.

 

Even the honey badger gives a shit about that.

Posted by: reason at July 10, 2012 09:54 AM (V40IZ)

104 93 ... *$&^% green hobgoblin!!!!

Posted by: Honey Badger, drinker of mead at July 10, 2012 09:54 AM (GvYeG)

105


I am so bitter I didn't say that. Posted by: alexthechick


I see what you did there.

Posted by: imp at July 10, 2012 09:54 AM (UaxA0)

106 Your assuming their orders aren't to stop the Jews; with Obama and the CAP clown posse you could be wrong. Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 01:49 PM (WkuV6) Listen, if we we going to attack Israel, POTUS would be treating them like sh*t. Wait a minute...

Posted by: The Huggable Robot Devil at July 10, 2012 09:54 AM (136wp)

107
87 So EJ's next column is going to be on the outrageous operational costs of a carrier group, right. Sure he had that one in the can, ready for when a President goes all "cowgirlboy".
Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 01:48 PM (WkuV6)


"Strappy" and I insist...

Posted by: Moochelle - wearer of the 'Presidential timber' at July 10, 2012 09:55 AM (0AClR)

108 99, Wouldn't need to shoot, just illuminate and call them off on an open channel. I'm sure their a few deck officers who would obey that order to get a nice NAVSEA posting.

Posted by: Jean at July 10, 2012 09:56 AM (WkuV6)

109 Perhaps the distinguished economist Austan Goolsbee would have been called in to explain the monetary equations to Congress, but I'm afraid he's not been seen since the heated exchange of words with Professor Marius von Totenkopf last Friday evening.

Anyone who was present in the first class dining car on the Cologne to Cherbourg train, please contact me at Scotland Yard if you can enlighten me on Mr Goolsbee's whereabouts


Posted by: Inspector Nigel Goodpenny at July 10, 2012 09:56 AM (Y+DPZ)

110 Jobs report was fixed to hide how really bad things are. Seasonal adjustments and business birth/death adjustments make these reports useless to all but the MBM

----

I see also all of that good news about how GM's sales bumped up might be related to an 80% increase in government automobile purchases in June.

Posted by: WalrusRex at July 10, 2012 09:57 AM (Hx5uv)

111

81Wheatie, 1:37:

"-- Stop the beating! Stop the beating!"

This reminds me: When I see an Obama2012 bumper sticker, my immediate reaction is:

"Thank you sir may I have another!"

 

Posted by: JPS at July 10, 2012 01:46 PM (tn14L)

-------------

 

Heh. Me too.

And remember.....Barky has already let slip that he has plans to be "more flexible" after he wins the election.

 

He will be armed with ObamaCare, to ensure that the beatings will reach every nook and cranny.

Posted by: Moochelle-O at July 10, 2012 09:57 AM (MbB0O)

112 A quick and massive change of course to reverse the Democrat's 4 year sting of gains. ISWYDT

Posted by: toby928© at July 10, 2012 09:58 AM (evdj2)

113 Off stinky Moochelle sock!

Posted by: wheatie at July 10, 2012 09:58 AM (MbB0O)

114

This quote from an article on Drudge about internet addiction

 

That is hilariously ironic. And it's not an addiction, it's a strong preference.

 

The Grocery store Isle meltdown comes in 2012.

 

I want one of those hand number signs from WalMart.  Not that I would use it to beat anyone with or anything.

 

 

Posted by: alexthechick SMOD 2012 at July 10, 2012 09:59 AM (VtjlW)

115 That sorry former Car Czar (that has no automotive experience) Ratner lied his ass off on ABC's Sunday show saying 'Obama had to do the car bailout by himself because the congress would have never approved it.' Ummm, Mr. Ratner Nancy and Dirty Harry were in charge then. You are misplaying your talking point card. Hack

Posted by: Schwalbe: The Me-262© at July 10, 2012 10:00 AM (UU0OF)

116 From the reaction here to my carrier post, it seems that very few doubt that the SCoaMT would attack Iran if he thought it would buy him a second term. How that would work, I don't know. Whether ZH even has it right, I don't know (though they have been accurate in the past about these type of checkable things).
 
What's telling is general belief that the JEF will or would do practically anything to stay in power.
 
Count me among that number.

Posted by: GnuBreed at July 10, 2012 10:01 AM (ccXZP)

117 All parties will compromise in the face of my fiery leadership and my irresistible force.  (but mostly the irresistible force part.)

Posted by: SMOD 2012! at July 10, 2012 10:02 AM (HNn1q)

118 Does EJ have a new book? I'll have to devote an entire three-hour show to helping him sell it.

Again.

Posted by: Hugh Hewitt at July 10, 2012 10:04 AM (/AHDz)

119 I see also all of that good news about how GM's sales bumped up might be related to an 80% increase in government automobile purchases in June.
Posted by: WalrusRex at July 10, 2012 01:57 PM

They've been stuffing the dealer channels big time since the bailout. I see lots of Chevys in dealer lots, not so many on the roads

Posted by: kbdabear at July 10, 2012 10:05 AM (Y+DPZ)

120 GnuBreed
The report is probably correct about Stennis heading back out.
One of the local rags from that area is reporting her departure in late August.

And yes, I believe that JEF would do anything, or anybody in order to remain in power longer.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 10, 2012 10:05 AM (AnVD1)

121

Damn those obstructionist republicans for stopping Obama from doing what I don't want him to do.

Seriously, I have more issues with Republicans doing as much as they have with Obama. I want them to obstruct pretty much everything the current idiot in chief wants to do.

Posted by: AdamPM at July 10, 2012 10:11 AM (glwa2)

122 "So EJ's next column is going to be on the outrageous operational costs of a carrier group, right. Sure he had that one in the can, ready for when a President goes all "cowboy"."
======

The only way I could ever go all "cowboy" is in the Brokeback Mountain sense.

Posted by: Barry Choom, Ace No. 1 President at July 10, 2012 10:12 AM (/AHDz)

123 It really chaps my ass when idiots like Hugh Hewitt say that E.J. Dionne is a "smart and reasonable" Lefty.  Right Hugh, and Jon Roberts was playing 12D chess.. right.

This "Gridlock" is a feature, not a bug.... IDIOT.  Without the congress, we would have a dictatorship.  So is that what you want EJ? You obviously see congress as a rubber stamp, so whats your deal man?  Catch the AIDS and its eating your brain?  You are not very smart my friend

and he is considered one of the great minds of the left.  I swear our country is completely fucked.  Out of 315,000,000 people, he's the best you've got?

I wonder if SMOD '12 just might be the best option we have as a country now.  This stupidity shocks me.. and really pisses me off

Posted by: Can of Raid at July 10, 2012 10:43 AM (mLZe7)

124 It's not just that the voters said "stop" to democrats in 2010.  The idea itself that the fact that Republicans won't pass Obama's preferred policies is "gridlock" starts from the assumption that a) those policies are the right policies; b) those policies are popular and c) republicans are refusing to pass them out of pure partisanship - not any principal or because they disagree with the proposed policies.

Of course, all three are untrue.  a) Obama's policies are not good policies; b) almost all of Obama's proposed policies are unpopular and c) republicans oppose them not simply to oppose Obama, but because they think the policies are wrong.

So, the idea that the issue is "gridlock" and not the policies themselves is purely delusional.  Lefties want to change it from talking about the various ideas that Obama has put forth to discussion over "gridlock" - that vague and non-defined bad-guy.  That way, they don't have to debate Obama's failed ideas, just some vague notion that congress is refusing to act.

So stupid.  If EJ were right, Obama would be hugely popular and the GOP would be anticipating losing the house and even more Senate seats.  That is not the case b/c Obama cannot run on specific policy ideas and say "the GOP refused to pass it". So instead they try to run against process, i.e., gridlock.

Posted by: Monkeytoe at July 10, 2012 10:54 AM (sOx93)

125 Monkeytoe at July 10, 2012 02:54 PM (sOx93)

In other words, they are saying - "hey, don't look at the specifics, let's talk about process" - which is a failing argument. When Truman ran against a do-nothing congress I think he likely had specific policy proposals that congress refused to enact or take up.  that's a lot different than saying "they won't pass my unpopular ideas".

Posted by: Monkeytoe at July 10, 2012 10:57 AM (sOx93)

126

" I just hope Republicans "leaders" do too. "

 

Ditto. RINOs are hopeless. If there are any type of conservative, social, fiscal, whatever, out there, hopefully they'll stick to their guns & continue to block bloshevik, progressive craziness from the Dems.

Posted by: adagioforstrings at July 10, 2012 11:14 AM (smBk5)

Hide Comments | Add Comment | Refresh | Top

Comments are disabled. Post is locked.
133kb generated in CPU 0.0351, elapsed 0.2361 seconds.
64 queries taking 0.21 seconds, 254 records returned.
Powered by Minx 1.1.6c-pink.