Boehner Calls Obama's Proposals 'Leftist' and Says GOP is Standing on Their Principles Opposing Them
Steve Benen made a really great point about this segment from Meet the Press yesterday.
The remarks should make it pretty clear that Republicans have no interest in working with Democrats on finding solutions to pressing policy challenges. But here's the thing that so often gets lost in the discourse: Republicans are the minority party, which means it's their job to oppose the majority's agenda.
[...]
But if Boehner's right about this -- and I believe he is -- then why in the world is it incumbent on the Democratic majority to work with Republicans to find "bipartisan" answers to every question? If Boehner has no intention of "coming together" with Dems in the middle -- a reasonable, albeit rigid, position -- why must the political establishment maintain the fiction that the governing majority is doing something awful unless they bring the discredited minority on board with every proposal? Read on...
Good question Steve. If Republicans can't even be honest with their arguments and have to continue with this "most liberal Senator" lie and calling compromised positions "leftist" and have made it crystal clear that they aren't going to work with Democrats, why are the Democrats constantly propping up the minority when they don't have to?
Transcript below the fold.
DAVID GREGORY: Well, let's talk about solving problems. This is one of the points that the President made, chastising Republicans in terms of coming together to deal constructively with issues. This is what he said.
PRESIDENT OBAMA ON TAPE: We're not gonna be able to do anything about any of these entitlements if what we do is characterize whatever proposals are put out there as, "Well, you know, that's-- the other party's bein' irresponsible. The other party's trying to-- hurt-- our senior citizens. That the other party is doing x, y, z." That's why I say if we're gonna frame these debates in ways that allow us to solve them, then we can't start off by figurin' out, A) who's to blame, B) how can we make the American People afraid of the other side?
GREGORY: And to that point, I mean, even here, you're talking about-- deficits and debt as far as the eye can see, when you know full well that the President owns a very small percentage, comparatively, of that overall debt as far as the eye can see. Does he have a point?
REP. BOEHNER: No, if you-- if you think about what I said, I was referring to the-- all the President's policies. Wasn't demonizing him. Wasn't demonizing the White House. And I'm usually very careful-- about dealing with the subject at hand. Listen, there aren't that many places where we can come together. The President-- is-- he was the most liberal member of the United States Senate. You don't get there by accident.
And if you look at the policies that we've seen over the course of this year from the Administration and-- his Democratic colleagues in Congress-- there are all these leftist proposals. And the people of Massachusetts, the people of Virginia, the people of New Jersey are sending a pretty loud signal, just like the other 47 states to-- to Washington, saying, "Stop. This is-- this is way more than we ever want-- wanted Washington to do."
DAVID GREGORY: Although the President took on this idea of it being leftist policies on health care, indicating that it was in fact a move to the center and cost containment that cost him-- some of the-- the support among-- within his own party. My question is if you-- you heard the President in the State of the Union that saying no is short term good politics, but it's not leadership. You heard the State of the Union. You heard the President this Friday-- Friday Address. What are you prepared to say yes to? Specifically?
LEADER JOHN BOEHNER: Leadership is about standing on your-- principle. And-- and opposing those policies-- that-- that we believe are bad for the country. But leadership is also standing up and offering what we think is a better solution. And when it comes to issues like health care, the President did his best-- to blur the differences-- agreeing with us on five or six points. But didn't refer to the other 100 commissions, boards, mandates therein of government takeover of health care.
DAVID GREGORY: What are a few things that the President could do, maybe you could convene Republicans and Democrats together on CSPAN, as he said he would initially, and acknowledge that it was a mistake that he did not fulfill that promise during the Friday retreat. Get everybody together. What are a few things that Republicans could say, "Hey, if these could be included, we could vote for this"?
LEADER JOHN BOEHNER: Well, give you an example last year. I told the President, you know, what-- what we can be with you and when we agree with you, we will stand tall with you. As we did on Afghanistan. As we did on Iraq. As we did on things like-- teacher quality. And a number of other areas. But when it comes to-- when it comes to health care-- we could agree on some common sense steps-- to make our health care system work better. But we are not gonna put the government in charge of people's health care. And-- and it-- it's something that-- is a fundamental difference here. And most of America has already said no to this big government takeover--
Their mission is to be center stage. To be in the limelight.
To get all of the exposer in the media.To get the most publicity.
They're winning at that. They can say the world is flat, and some bent talking head will parrot it on Faux Nooz, and the simple minded will believe it. All they've got to do is keep this up for another 10 months. They're past the halfway point. Their strategy is working.
David Gregory? WTF?!? nice..... Heck of a job there Greggy.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
make sh*t loads of long anal documents that cross reference sh*t loads long anal documents.
Goodnight, Frau Blücher
To the GOP "bipartisanship" means agreeing with them 100% - obviously.
They will be steadfast until the left turns right, right?
Who cares that they were running the country into the ground for the last decade or so.
Who cares if the GOP can't govern or do anything for the people.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
ProgressivePeach has the question for Obama and the Dems boiled down: Are they morons or pussies?
Maybe it's neither. It could be ObamaCo is doing exactly what they're being paid to do. The question is who is writing the checks?
Not saying that's what's happening but that there are other options.
Yes
or a fifth grader who is a bully.
At which level do you place yourself intellectually?
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
I suppose you could ask "Are the Democrats overly optimistic -- despite past experience -- thinking that eventually the republicans would come around to their way of thinking, or do they simply lack the faith in themselves and their convictions to persevere and overcome in the face of opposition?"
Sure it's a little more intellectually rigorous -- or at least longer and with bigger words -- but it loses some of the "punch".
And anyway, this is politics, not the Savannah Ladies' Garden Club.
..apply here? Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
So which is it Mr. President?
Mickey: "It was an epiphany. Do you know what an epipany is?"
Keoni: "NOT NOW MICKEY!"
cable news landscape saying "our ideas" were ignored
instead of looking them in the eye on National television and saying "we did consider your ideas. They won't work."
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
No.
They are people who deploy the affectation of moronic pussyhood to cover their willing complicity and corruption.
They wreck the economy
Do nothing to repair it
And people want to vote for them
Why?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Their hate is so strong, that they don't care if they hurt themselves in the process.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Like a guy holding a gun to his own head threatening to shoot you next!
:)
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upvZdVK913I
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
the scene I was thinking of.
DUMBocrats. The Republics have made no secret of blocking your "agenda" at every turn. It's past time to take a page out of their playbook and ram some legislation down their lousy throats!
Boehner said Principles! They're standing on something and it sure as hell isn't principled!
you've gotta be a neophyte to believe there is actually any difference between dems and repubs. They are both corporate representatives. You, as an individual, mean nothing.
It's rich vs. poor and fuck you if your the latter. Same as it ever was.
Nothing changes.
As if it would be all the same if McCain was prez?
I think your logic is flawed.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
.
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
Is it possible it's game playing at the most inopportune time?
Americans are pissed
And they Congress might be secretly working together with the president
But because it's an election year they can't admit to it?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
yes
yes
no
no
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Obama was the most liberal member of the Senate? Still trying to use that meme to cover all of Obama's corporate entanglements, are we? thankfully, Fluffy shot that lie down with a quickness. He didn't?
That show is an embarrasment. It's silly and ridiculous and devoid of any trace of credibility. somebody with a budget to spend on impressive-looking gold plated awards needs to come up with and start handing out awards for the most inane talking head programs. there could be awards for the most obsequiosly pandering host, the most dishonest program, the most shallow facilitator, the shabbiest attempt at manipulative propaganda, the greatest failure of a network to uphold it public trust, the possibilities are limitless. Award ceremonies could be held annually, and could include all sorts of entertainment spots, like "Parade of Sycophants", "Name that Liar" and the like. It would become an instant American tradition.
On the other hand, we could all just throw our TV's in the trash where they rightfully belong.
..they can't get their mind around how the National Review ( I think it is) uses an ever-changing metric to make that claim. You see, How can Obama be the most liberal Senator when they already deemed Kerry the most liberal Senator. In a group, there can only be ONE the most of anything. Also, in a more independent, non-partisan survey, Obama placed 39th OR Center-Left as a Senator. Shame he keeps up the bi-partisanship BS when it stands no chance of doing anything except making him look weaker when times comes to re-elect.
Oh yeah, No War Crimes Trials for the past administration, no support from this voter! They already let the lawyers slide, dammit.
Mickey: "It was an epiphany. Do you know what an epipany is?"
Keoni: "NOT NOW MICKEY!"
And this is the reason some of his fellow repubs co-sponsored a bill they later voted against? That's a priciple? No that's being a jerk. The party of jerks.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Obama is played on tape in a discussion of entitlement programs saying that we cannot solve problems by starting with a) who is to blame and b)how to make others afraid of the other side.
Gregory: Does he have a point?
Boehner: No......
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
Boner et al, is just throwing spadeful after spadeful of dirt on himself and his ilk.
The R's have no intention of doing the right thing. They just want to oppose anything the D's want, regardless.
Time to pull the ACME Roadrunner trick . . .
The President needs to ask them to oppose everything
Then to oppose the president the GOP will go along with everything?
(it works in the cartoons)
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
watching Boehner's little legs pumping fast as he is suspended
in air, the seeing the llok on his face as he views the valley below. Even in a cartoon.
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
I'd PAY to see a giant anvil dropped on his head!
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
intersect is that the R's, like the Coyote, comes back to life even when the anvil drops. To make it real there needs to be a second, whiny roadrunner screaming "the sky is falling" everytime Coyote resurrects himself and blaming the original Roadrunner for not having enough Wings to really get away.
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
Roadrunners don't talk ricky.
who has yet to master the large vocabulary inherent in fluctuations of "Beep, beep." I consider it only a minor flaw.
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
I have the Acme Roadrunner de-coder ring so I can translate what the different beeps mean.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Isn't it weird that birds are the only other animals that have the ability to speak? (besides humans)
Ya think its related to that whole dinosaur thing? Something they picked up a long time ago?
Chimps, apes and dogs can understand a large number of words, although they cannot speak them.
Birds can often repeat speech like sounds, but don't know what they mean.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
...can often repeat speech like sounds, but don't know what they mean.
Wait. are we talking about Republicans again?
doughy pantload decended from dinos?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I was pretending to throw a toy for my dog the other day. He would start running to fetch it and then realize I hadn't really thrown it yet. When I finally did throw it he went running after it and I swear I hear him call me a SOB.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
LOL.
I grew up with a Blue and Gold McCaw in the house. She's still around today and I swore one time she mumbled to me "Go to hell"
her vocabulary was over 50 words and she understood what she was saying better than a republican.
The other animals try to keep their opinions secret and only speak to one another in voices we don't understand. Who could blame them?
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
..they speak or screech but communicate. They don't like the republican'ts either or so they tell me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNDHzxlV7hs
Mickey: "It was an epiphany. Do you know what an epipany is?"
Keoni: "NOT NOW MICKEY!"
Acme is the arm's merchant for the Coyote.
Of course, because the Coyote gets resurrected
and the Roadrunner runs in circles, the whiny roandrunner will tell you they are both on Acme's payroll. "Desert kabuki" according to those who want to show off their knowledge of vegetative habitat and oriental theater to prove their intellectual prowess through the miracle of blog commentary.
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
You know, I used to use a lot of big words. But they didn't go over well because most people use mostly small words. So I simplified my speech, Hemingway-style, and now my life is easier.
Big words are like condiments
To spice the patois
Hate Hemmingway, however.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
And a fart is foreplay for poop.
I like Hemingway.
who nearly dies trying to bring back the big pearl he got from the whale who pulled him out to sea. I thought Dreyfuss sucked in the movie version though.
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
You hate Hemingway? The author or the cocktail? If it's the author, I have never heard anyone say that before. God only knows how many times I have read "The Old Man and the Sea". I am not crazy about Hemingway's lifestyle, but I have no problems with his writing.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
He's a journalist, and journalism has never been equated with the higher levels of composition.
He also glorified war. Whole generations of boys read him, and then went to war expecting a glorious adventure and finding a meat grinder instead.
And anyone who has to constantly emphasize how "macho" he is automatically gets my suspicion.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
...too bad he and his Republicans are running the country into the ground.
A simple message, clear and concise, repeated ad nauseum, is what President Obama needs to have, and repeat and repeat and repeat. cbpp.org has plenty of readily digestible data on how either the House or Senate HCR bills would lower long term deficits.
Obama can stand, and lose, on principle, or he can read the Riot Act to the House Dems, they can pass the Senate Bill, provoke an outrage borne of powerlessness in the Republicans...and STILL have 9 months before the election. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
1. He's black.
2. He's black.
3. He's black.
4. Oh yeah, did I happen to mention he's black?
As Rachel Maddow would say..."Rilly rilly rilly rilly smart!
Well, darn it, Boehner's ORANGE.
He's ORANGE
He's ORANGE
He's ORANGE...
Oh yeah, did I say, 'He's O R A N G E !!!!!!!
so THERE
too bad we can't bring that up to B(one)hner....
Obama and Democrats need to Stream Roll these obstructionist and get it done, once that happens a few times, Republicans will start cooperating and if not “oh’ well”, Democrats lose when their seen offering a hand in by-partisanship and it getting it slapped away, or a back of the hand is all that is returned for our offer and a slow walk is all we see as a response.
Democrats and the President need to understand that… That slap is a slap to the Majority’s face, which poured blood sweat and tears into electing Obama and the slapped Majority, no more getting Republican Amendments and not voting for them.
I say Publicly offer and move on, get it done, deliver and everything else will take care of it self, the Conservatives and Republicans are afraid of this very move, because they can decry, but once passed the Nation will like what’s gotten done, especially if it done strongly and not weakened and watered down, or dragged out, give the opposition little time to cry and amass $millions and lobbyist against it, move on quickly and GET IT DONE.
Ministerbruce
HERE
:)
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
But "Suburban Whiteboy's" question in Defininition 2 made going there worthwhile.
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
Obama encourages this sort of media pressure by continuing to talk about bipartisanship like it is a possibility in this environment. Republicans are at war with Democrats, by their own admission. Obama has many admirable qualities and would be a terrific president in most eras, but now is not the time to play Neville Chamberlain.
Boner is Schillinger from HBO's "OZ."
Hate to be all tin-foil hat, but...
Everything has been great for those in the "show" making millions a year for the last ten years, party affiliation non-withstanding. Neither Democrat's nor Republican's want change to the left AT ALL. The Dem's just extend and pretend they're making change. That's why the two most important positions, Defense Secretary and Fed Chairman, are supported by both parties.
During the Bush years a lot was done to serve the same interests that are served by keeping the status quo today.
Both parties fear independent candidates not each other.
The whole "both parties are the same" schtick is not tin foil hat material - just not very insightful.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
Probably not insightful for those reading this blog, but sadly it escapes understanding for the large majority of those who vote.
Boehner also said, speaking about early last year; “Democrats have 60 vote, do it your selves” saying; we 40 Republicans aren’t going to help you Democrats… in the next breath, Boehner says; look at what “we” got, “all these Leftist Bills”. Duh, when you don’t do what your were elected to do for a year in Congress? whose left to do the work and why would Boehner expect the Left to only write Right Bills, he's never done that in his entire career, never, ever.
Boehner’s when in the 110th Congress wrote only Rightist Bills and many Democrats voted with his party, especially for the amendments the Left got in Right controlled Bills in the 110th Congress and White House in the RIGHT BILLS.
Ministerbruce
The current gaggle of repubs have no principle except one: No!
is working hand in hand with boner. What a jackoff.
Colbert did a terrific "Word" segment on this very subject last night.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Why would anybody trust these jokers on the economy? They screwed it up so bad that we are going to be saddled with dealing with it for many years to come. Obama has to do a better job of pointing this out. His administration is doing a horrible job of letting people know that Bush and the Boner/McDonnell congress screwed us big and hard.
they suspect that the people's understanding of that very fact might be why they won the 2008 election.
"The deal has to be negotiated in the real world, not on some idealized Aristotelian plane. We understand that. A 100-percent deal may be impossible."
Famous "Reality Based" Commentator
GOP land made such a difference in the tone, dontcha think?
Boehner is wrong. The job of his party is to make life more equitable and opportunity more encompassing for ALL Americans.
His job is NOT to block proposals that don't suit his personal agenda.
That is the problem. The folks on The Hill go to work every day to push their personal beliefs and agendas.
If they think that is the right way to do things, then the Obama administration should simply ignore them and pass the policies he personally believes in.
If that is the the pre-pubescent game that is played in WDC, then play it to the hilt.
Ignore the party that LOST in 2008 and don't give them ANYTHING.
If this is all cyclical, then the least you can do Mr. President, is to make all the changes you see fit and either let us support you or vote you out.
But that would be too simplistic, wouldn't it?
i have a question for you, you political George Hamilton, what's 'common sense' to your party? having EVERYTHING your way? never mind working with Democrats for real solutions that will for sure help the American people? instead it HAS to be GOP proposals ONLY, and if NOT the American can go and die quickly (cause they dont have health insurance). john, you stupid idiot. its only about ideology with you guys in the GOP. NO, NO, NO. thats the tone youve set and the label your party has earned: the party of no. why not to try to be something but obstructionist and actually get things done for Americans. oh again, for you to do that you have to CONTROL things. as you dont now, you dont have any REAL interest to solve problems. now if you win back the House then you WILL. never mind you dont deserve to get the House back after your staggeringly cynical obstructionism as the minority party. and if you do, baggy eyes, do you think the Dems would then help you out and pass your agenda? do you honestly, fool, think they will? if you do, youre an even bigger dolt than i thought.
fundamental/Principles?
Study the symptoms not the virus...
but the man has an eye for fashion. He knows what shade purple tie goes well with orange make up. I just it's water proof bronzer for when the tears start flying. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGoYOSomKLw
Goddamn, he needs to cut back on the fuckin' carrot juice. It's turning him orange! Shit.
...sings!
Don't try to confuse the issue with half-truths and gorilla dust.
They are not standing on their principles they are swiming in them and they smell like a septic tank. Republican principles are shit! Or nonexistent!
republicanism/conservatism is a mental illness!
I just had a thought. Maybe he is a Super Hero. His alter ego is Orange Man! And his super power is.... well I don't know what it is. He obstructs, I guess. Oh, he is an asshole, too. And his sidekick is Cantor Boy.
In the media's eyes, Republicans are the "kewl kidz", the ones everybody wants to hang out with because they are more likable. In the media's eyes Democrats are the "nerds", the ones no one wants to hang out with because they are unlikable, even when they are right.
I saw Gloria Borger on CNN today saying that President Obama should have a similar lunch with Democrats saying that they are in disarray & President Obama has to listen to them. That is all well & good but The Republicans should do what President Obama did & listen to what Congressional Democrats have to say. The Democrats should tell them to sit down & shut up for a change. Republicans matter more in today's society than Democrats do.
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