Friday, January 29, 2010

Obama in the Lions' Den

Some liberal pundits are complaining that Obama's trip to the Republican retreat looks weak. I think he had real nads to go there. It took a lot more courage for him to go toe to toe with saber-toothed House Republicans on C-Span than it would for any Republican to face a roomful of 'fraidy-cat Congressional Democrats. So far as I know, none of his predecessors did anything like this with their opposition. Dubya certainly didn't. Clinton didn't. Obama did and he stood his ground.

According to the NYTimes, the White House asked for the question and answer session to be televised, effectively calling a Republican bluff. They were expecting the give and take to be behind closed doors with Republicans controlling the press accounts of what transpired.

I think this gesture is a message to the President's own party, to stop being a bunch of frightened sea-slugs and get a spine for a change.

6 comments:

susan s. said...

Amazing! He really knows how to put them in their place!

I didn't know about this till now. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Sure hope you're right and that is true and it works with the Democrats!

susan s. said...

Mimi! Such language! I love it.

I saw Rachel and Keith and Chris last night. They had all the salient bits. A couple of places our president tore them a new hole. . . in a nice way of course. I'm really beginning to love his smile!

Göran Koch-Swahne said...

Agree on all accounts!

JCF said...

Some liberal pundits are complaining that Obama's trip to the Republican retreat looks weak.

Really? Who?

Counterlight said...

Well, Digby for one.