Russert: Republicans Say It Was a Mistake Cameras Were Allowed to Roll During President's Appearance at Retreat
By Heather Saturday Jan 30, 2010 7:30am
Think Progress has more on this--Republicans dismayed by Obama’s strong performance, say it was a ‘mistake’ to let cameras roll. Apparently things were going so well for the President that ClusterFox decided they had better cut away from their coverage and proceed to bashing him--Fox Cuts Away From Obama-GOP Conversation In Order To Get A Head Start On Attacks: He Was ‘Lecturing’. Somehow I doubt the Republicans are going to want to do this again, or at least with the cameras on, any time soon.
RUSSERT: On the bigger picture though that I found extremely interesting today is the decision to allow the cameras present for the Q&A. Last night the White House called the GOP leadership and requested this. It obviously turned out to be a brilliant political move.
Tom Cole — former head of the NRCC, congressman from Oklahoma — said, “He scored many points. He did really well.” Barack Obama, for an hour and a half, was able to refute every single Republican talking point used against him on the major issues of the day. In essence, it was almost like a debate where he was front and center for the majority of it.
It's very, very interesting to see what this will do to the political dialog for the rest of next week. Final point on that I do believe one Republican said to me, off the record, and saying behind closed doors: “It was a mistake that we allowed the cameras to roll like that. We should not have done that.” Very interesting.
WITT: Why? Why? Because they didn't fire away the way they really wanted to for fear of repurcussions you know, ala Joe Wilson "You lie" if there was disrespect shown?
RUSSERT: Well, when the Democrats did this they had a closed camera session right, when he had a meeting with the Democrats last month...
WITT: Right...
RUSSERT: By allowing these cameras to roll, it allowed Obama to sit there for an hour and a half refuting every single Republican talking point, which he really has not had an opportunity to do in his campaign rally speeches that he's been doing in Florida yesterday, that he's been doing addresses in the White House. He was able to directly refute Republicans to their face for an hour and a half on T.V. I think he scored a lot of political points.
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Didn't go to work today and was looking for something to watch while I was crashing on the couch. I ran across this. Not only did the Prez hold his own, he delivered a beat down.
Where was this guy during the health care debate?
He was having cocktails at The White House with the CEO of United Health Plans, AHIP, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna and _____________________________(fill in the blank with any other for-profit health insurance corporate head you can imagine....I'm sure they were there too).
this should be regular TV - imagine if Bush had ever been asked a single hard question, ever
Was Sally Quinn invited for cocktails?? The big question.
we need to get real and know our enemy. after reading the think progress article,while reading the comments section,linked to "gateway-pundit" then "redstate" and others.people,you need to go there and read the comments section on this story.the racist,violent,hate filled alternative reality.............i dont really know what to say about it. i'm pretty sure you can pick any 'repig-licken' wacko site and read the same shit. it will definitly fuck with your head..........power to the peacefull
posted a few civil comments. They were taken down in minutes. those people are cowards; they don't want to hear anything that threatens their sense of righteousness.
Video from FireDogLake:
Pres. Obama schools factually-challenged Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX05) on the budget
Pres. Obama takes unemployment question from Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN06)
Pres. Obama answers taxes and stimulus question from Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN06)
Well, then he should offer to have a televised debate once a week! He totally dismantled them today. It was empty rhetoric defeated by reason.
just like parliament
you should watch it sometime...great tv
i hope that obama institutes it
had this occured during the shrub administration...he wouldnt have stolen the second election
Even the backbenchers?
like Prime Minister's Questions in the UK.
Of course the GOP said it was a mistake. This event is there for everyone to witness on their own. There is no way the Republicans can spin this Q&A session since it was recorded out in the open and not hidden behind closed doors. Isn't this the way government is suppose to work?
Everything else is on youtube, etc and they still spin it. This was the last time they'll allow anything like this. And watch the spin. It will be of epic proportions.
But they ARE spinning it. For one thing they are taking the phrase "Party of "NO!" and adding the word "ideas" to it and saying that the President acknowledged that they have ideas. Fine. But the real complaint against the GOP IMO is that it is the obstructionist "Party of NO!" not that they don't have any ideas.
Remember, Frank Luntz was THERE, sitting in the front row according to the President. Think he hasn't been working OT?
If you saw the reports from ABC and CBS, they were putting their own spin on it.
from Obama, lol
Can't hide from that nasty old reality, can they?
Love it. I'll have to youtube the whole hour and a half. The right has had unfettered and unchallenged talking points coverage by the main stream media and of course F-word News for too long in the last 6 months and it's muddied up the debate. It looks like Obama grew a pair and is sticking sticking sticking 'em every chance he gets. And he should keep sticking them because if he hasn't figured it out yet, the republicans play fast and loose with logic and facts and don't give sh-t one about doing the right thing or even having a reasonable debate. I doubt they'll allow Obama to do that again but it's fantastic that he pulled it off at least once. Now if he would only repeal the warrantless wiretapping Bush policy. I'm not backing Obama blindly but the right is just atrocious and I'll take Obama over any republican.
Weren't these the same people bashing Obama saying he broke his campaign promise regarding transparency by not having cameras rolling?
I guess that's the last we'll hear about transparecy from the Rushthugliklans after this televised GOP smackdown.
What's that thing about being the smartest guy in the room? Check
It's a relief to have a president who can do this. All of them should have this ability. Do you hear that, Sarah? lol
It's been almost 24 hours since the event. She hasn't jumped up and down yet for attention. I already miss her incoherent rambling.
to the SOTU speech. She requires at least 48 hrs on the charger before she can be plugged in and put in front of another camera.
It was absolutely sweet to watch. In the words of the song, "can't touch this". They were left in the dust on every question.
actually be growing a pair (pear)?" As a satirical member of the Pear Orchard Caucus of the C&L Commentariat, it brought a chuckle.
As a citizen, I'd have to answer "No." Instead he is using the part of his anatomy which got him elected, his brain. That is why his appearance and performance yesterday was both smart and artful.
As always, he treated the people with whom he was speaking respectfully, and as adults, even if they did not act like they deserved it all the time. They are, unlike the people commenting here who call them Rethugs or derivatives of insults to retarded people, elected officials. In doing so he impressed most sensible people watching he is smart, knows his facts, and is capable of taking the opposition party's best shots and returning fire without being petty or demeaning.
Like many Republicans in his audience, some of the ranting commenters on these pages do not like him. Their accusations about his policies and motives are just as off base as the Republicans. They share one other characteristic in my opinion.
They really do not like the fact Obama acts like an adult who is articulate, reasonable and smart. Because deep inside they are not. They prefer fights to governance. They prefer slogans to thought. They cheer the very tactics and outbursts they deplore as outrages when they come from those with opposing views. They behave like spoiled children who only want things exactly THEIR way.
...that your comment is a massive over-generalization. I have been critical of Obama, not because of his policies or motives, but because he has NOT taken this kind of action in the past.
He disappeared during the health care debate and did little to nothing to fend off the verbal assaults and outright attacks by the tea baggers.
This is the Obama I want to see more often.
I made reference to "some ranting" commenters and those who like to use derisive, and in some cases, offensive names to describe Republicans. That is not a generalization nor meant to characterize you. I think many of the criticisms made of Obama and Democrats on substantive policy issues are valid. Yours about his seeming disappearance during the health care debate is an example.
I also cannot claim that there is not a place for less than serious,
totally adult commentary. Otherwise I would be guilty of the hypocrisy I aim at regularly when I engage in such comments myself as everyone here knows I do with annoying frequency. So go suck your thumb.
This is the guy that went on Oreilly and brushed his questions off like they were lint on his shoulder.
This is the guy the country needed for the last year. I always thought jobs were more immportant than healthcare from the jump, because if everyone was working it would be easier to pass healthcare.
All I can say is better late than never, because this guy could out debate Aristotle, the republican party got cocky and thought that because he hasn't said much he didn't have the stomach to face them. He kicked their collective asses.
Ditto to every word you wrote, Ricky.
If I'm ever in Fla. I'll look you up. We can send our housekeeper out for some oxycotin.
You and pop are having a drug party and you didn't invite me?
I can see I was a bristle in your broad brush.
my refined sugar coated comb.
As for me and pop, that is between us ditto heads. Its a coporatist thing.
Aw God. You comb your teeth?
Ever thought about using a brush?
It was just nice to read such a well worded well thought out comment and I wanted you to know my feelings. I could not have agreed with you more, even if I could grow a pear. As for the housekeeper, let me know when you're coming so I can hire one.
for the GoP. Am I wrong? Am I just paranoid? Is Russert sympatizing with the GoP in favor of the spin machine?
likes the "horse race" aspect of politics. It's all a game of spin and calculation to them, and they enjoy analyzing it like a sporting event.
to the GOP in this brief clip. For 2:46 I forgot he got his job because his father died and is white.
I was thinking that the whole time while I watched him.
Do you need subtitles?
game on CBS. I was distracted. No, the jowls are starting to grow even at his young age.
Poor Mike Pence! Rarely does one witness such stature shrinkage, and the dude was a putz to start with.
Pencelneck and the snarling chicken both got their asses handed to them, dint they
Showed people why he is considered one of the dumbest members of Congress.
A friend of mine has had to testify on a number of things in front of committeef's where Pence was a member, and he says Pence is one of the dimmest bulbs he's ever seen - in, or out, of government.
talking points, they are nothing. See Tush Lumpboil
With Pence even with his talking points notebook he was nothing. Obama threw him to the ground like flicking a fly from his lapel.
meet Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyQ3ToiimyM
"I got the sucker"
Pence is the amalgamation of the worst properties of George W Bush and Dan Quayle.
From the article: I do believe one Republican said to me, off the record, and saying behind closed doors: “It was a mistake that we allowed the cameras to roll like that. We should not have done that.”
>>> What part of "off the record" don't you understand? Now, if you meant not for attribution, say so. But if that was truly off the record -- and for the life of me, I don't see why such an innocuous comment would be -- you should have abided by the deal you made with that speaker.
Yes it was a beautiful thing watching Mike Pence standing there with his GOP talking points notebook spewing forth all the right wing points they have been saying over and over again and that you and I know to be full of shit (how could Pence think that Obama would not tell them and show them piece by piece that they were so full of shit?). It was beautiful watching Obama show with very good reasoning that Pence and his crew were full of shit. And the good thing was at that time Fox News was rolling with the program. Heh.
who ok'd haveing camera's there.
They'll soon be joining the ranks of the unemployed.
You see, it'll be their fault for allowing the House R's to be embarrassed. Not the actual member's who said, "Yeah, bring it on! We'll make Obama look like an lying idiot with our talking points!!!"
The problem with "talking points," is, that unless you're 'talking' to the MSM in general, and FOX in particular, after you 'talk' about them you have to discuss and defend them.
Not too good an idea to try to do that with an eloquent constitutional attorney whose IQ probably quadruples Mike "The Dense" Pence's.
Oooooooops!
One part that I particularly enjoyed was when the President put up with Rep Blackburn's LENGTHY recitation of the usual talking points and finally got around to her question, something close to "When will you tell the American people that we will start anew ......?". The President throughout looked like he was smelling something bad, which may or may not have been smart but which I believe was honest, and then went on to address her statement without responding to her strawmen or her question.
actually had a good response to her "question," which was about Republican healthcare proposals. He said that Republicans controlled congress for ten years & the White House for eight years, and during all that time they never made any effort to reform healthcare, so it's plaing hypocrisy for them to be claiming that the Dems are ignoring their healthcare proposals.
Utah was the one who banned the kind of screening devices which would have detected the Fruit of the Loom Bomber.
For an hour last night I forgot Chris Matthews was stupid.
He's actually more frustrating than the dolts on Fox & Morning Joe, cuz he actually pulls it together from time to time, showing there's a brain in there somewhere.
...then he goes and says something stupid like "I forgot he was black."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLIasbt_0xE
I agree with the Republicans on this one: it was a mistake to let Obama in front of the cameras. (And yet, I don't think the Republicans agree with their own statement, for they well know....Obama helped move the attention to center-right/right of center.... while the poles, e.g. in Mass still say....)
Few would argue that Obama is not a great presenter. But what's he presenting? He does the old Daniel in the Lion's Den show ("Hey, dudes, I'm just sayin' ya know... like you painted yerself into a corner. So what's that mean? Huh?")
Well, the answer to "what'sat mean?" and "where does that get us?"--or more directly: Where does this put the focus of the debate?--as usual is: It puts it right of center?
What is Obama going to do with this bushel of power/prestige he's harvested? One thing you can bet is that he'll go back to the WH, stand, inaccessible, in the middle of his gang, and have them play... punch the DFH.
This was an excellent demonstration of who and what Obama is: He's a power/prestige harvester. What does he use his power for? To harvest more power/prestige. It's how he eats; it's how he puts food on the table.
And not only is he going to harvest power over there, but he's going to try to cancel any mortgage he had to take out on his farm over here.
That's one thing to know about power farmers: They start looking for ways to devalue their supporters as soon as those supporters have given over power.
"See? Do you Seee?" Obama uses this now power harvest to say to the Democratic Party: You can go talk to them Repugs; you can go agree to disagree; You can negotiate with them-- Now pass that darn HCR bill in whatever form it takes to pass it! And I don't want to hear a word outta you DFH!"
QUESTION: Why didn't Obama read them the riot act? Ooooh no! You can't do that! Sally Quinn wouldn't approve.
The only way to pass a HCR bill is to allow a blunt admission of the stark and growing separation between the current republicans and the majority. And Obama doesn't want to have that happen. So.... no HCR bill -- or anything else-- for now. No matter how much he whines and harvests more power while pointing to the DFH for "blocking progress."
Well here is what I think. The Demecrats will be toast in November if they/Obama don't dig in their heels and do what we elected them to do. As in Massachusetts we will either stay home (me) or vote for the Republican (the "Independents" who are afraid to call themselves Republicans). While this thing with the Republicans yesterday was sweet, it was just word and words are what got Obama elected. It is the deeds that have pissed us off over the past few months. Obama and the Democrats have to deliver or they will be out of office. They are losing their base (me) and if you have lost Captain Kangaroo you have lost the nation. They have to start getting it together pretty fast.
Maybe just words, but what then is "the bully pulpit" if it's not just words? The power of persuasion is what leads.
I think the President has been too collegial, and I think he's beginning to see it. I hope what we see more of is the ability to persuade the average person by being decent and making sense. In the end that empowers average people to govern themselves, which is exactly the opposite of any elitist theory and is how a democracy functions over time. What the President needs to do is speed up the "over time" part, because it's fast running through the hour glass.
republican style: force it to the top of the news cycle for the next week.
Well on the surface it might seem so. But really, this show is all about Obama and the Republicans which is on stage right of center. Meanwhile the rest of the country (which wants HCR and some action) is focused left of center trying to get some attention on some real problems that aren't being resolved.
Sad to say, this issue is alreaday framed, right of center, and Obama the Power Harvester will use his newly harvested bushel of power to play-- punch the DFHs.
I'm sure the republican conversation went something like:
"Oh, he wants cameras?.....Good.........Let's film it all so that we can finally show the world that these white people know what is best for this country and the world. Here's our real chance. Let's really show this "boy" who is in charge!"........oh, wait, wait, wait....................heh
Your close... but maybe it went something like this:
"Oh, he wants cameras?... Good... Let's film it so that we can show what a Power Harvester he is and get the attention off the HCR bill and if he trashes us the least bit then we can pout and whine and start working it towards our next justification for voting "NO!" once again."
is how the talk shows are going to spin it. Too bad it was on during the day when many people were at work. It can be seen on the net at MSNBC.com under the Countdown segment. Keith, Rachel and Matthews did a special on it last night. It may be rebroadcast on c-span also where I first saw it. I encourage everyone to watch it before the talk shows start to spin it.
It will be shown again tomorrow night on c-span at 9:45pm eastern time.
too late. Most people will be spun by the MSM in the morning talk shows and won't watch it again on c-span..
Remember all that talk about the MSM filter? It's not a new idea that the media are in the way. I am madder at them than I am at any of the pols and pundits who just do what they do. The MSM however claim a higher standard but haven't lived up to it much. I am waiting for the day that one of them says something like "we claim responsibility for our role in creating and fostering rancor and division in American politics because it feeds our need for 24/7 content and increases our bottom line."
It's always a bad idea to video your team getting a beat-down.
Funny - not one question about his birth certificate.
He exposed the GOP and took them to task.
I kinda like that.
:)
Maybe this applies to all politicians, but anyone with a "R" after their name REALLY hates sunshine.
Perhaps "R" should stand for "Roaches."
That wasn't an established feature of the mythology until Friederich Wilhem Murneau's Nosferatu: Eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922), although I've always suspected that he got the idea from German poet Gottfried August Bürger "Lenore", based on the Scottish ballad "Sweet William's Ghost".
is out panhandling for a whole new set of talking points this weekend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5giuPoV-_yM
Boner (R. Ohio)- eyeballs looked like a tanning stroke.
McKookel (R. Kentuck) - was busy knotting a noose under his confederate uniform.
Who on Earth elects these dark ages girly men?
it's all moot, isn't it? Only curious people with some degree of intelligence are aware of the reality that occurred. Fox's sheeple will continue to bow at the altar of O'Really and remain unaware that any of this ever happened. How sad.
It's not moot if some version of it happens again and again and again. I think the moderate tea party people are fickle enough to swing back to Obama's side, but they need repetition, i.e. constant care and feeding.
Time for O'Reilly to get schooled by the prez.
Reason and Intellect wins over Ignorance and empty rhetoric, refreshing shows what true Leadership is.
Sure hope we get more of this cameras on the repuks and the policies.
Senator Boner (R. Ohio) - "Dee South shall raze agin, y'all".
Sen. McKookle (R. Old Kentuck) - "Y'all 'lected a nigra, son".
Sen. MaGoo (R. AZ) "Any more Savings & Loans left ta rob, yee hawwww".
Former Guv Palin (R. Wasilla) "Ah got the vapors, y'all".
Not one, NOT ONE Republican with gonads to save America. Nothing but carpetbagging vultures.
George Washington would have the whole bunch lined up and shot!
There is nothing wrong with the President exposing you for the frauds and liars that you are. Must really suck when the light of truth shines on you cockroaches and you want to scramble for cover of darkness.
Better yet, next time don't bring a knife to a gunfight.
knife to match their mental capacity.
More like a limp wrist.
For the paper tigers.
...don't believe your own bullshit, ie: "the president can't deal without a teleprompter."
The Repukes are fuming behind closed doors. Months and months of, in my mind successfully trying to portray Obama as everything from a Dupe of Islam to an alien from outer space has been washed away with the very effective and potent solvent of truth and light. Another thing you can be sure of is that the Repubs will not let this happen again or if they do you can be sure they will try to have a ffew Joe Wilson moments sprinkeled in to the mix all though it seem like they tried to do that with that moron from Texas. Wasn't it great how the media made him look like a fool with the editing they did with his interminable "Question" And bravo to Obama for putting the little child in his place."Now sit down shut up and go do your math homework you Geek" Obviously not a direct quote but that is what it sounded like to me.
so lets see...they have attacked the prez for having closed door meetings regarding the health care debate....but they are now upset that their "debate" was held in front of the cameras?
and obama was "lecturing" them?
down the rabbit hole we go
This should happen regularly, like Parliament/Prime Minister in England.
Obama should do this with his own party, too. And let the cameras roll. If you don't have game (and they don't), you get handed your ass. So, "Have a take and don't suck" as they say on a popular (Fox sponsored?) sports talk radio show. Our President is no bullshit, and wants the best for the whole country. The GOP is still walking around with a 8 year pant load, trying to pass it off as a coffee stain.
The obstructionist tactics and misrepresentations by the Republicans are politically motivated. They don't represent the interests of their constituents, just their own political ambitions.
Everytime the mic is left open a republican will show just how stupid a greedy they really are!
republicanism/conservatism is a mental illness!
Speaking of mental illness,
Zoloft - Ween
Like the drug it will be stuck in your head the rest of the day. Great lyrics.
Stay off pharmaceuticals.
The Repugs were set up , walked right into the trap . LOL . You bet it was a big mistake to take Obama on live . The truth is on his side and the guy was way smarter than any in the room . I still think Obama is impressive and a good man , who else could have pulled this off ? That took guts . I am hoping that this was the prelude to "the last straw" and no more Mr. Nice guy , I think it was , slap them up side the head , publicly expose them and then take the gloves off . Maybe just wishful thinking , we shall see . Regardless , the man was impressive in the state of the union speech and in this conference . What a night and day difference form the village idiot !
The scene when they review the videotape and Dark helmet declares
"No, No go past this part, in fact never play this again"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvd3kaupZ60
we need to have a "Question Time" just like the British Parliament does; it brings things down to a one-on-one level where answers need to be given; it would be difficult with 435 Congresspersons and 100 Senators, but some other arrangement, say with the leaders, might work since we are supposed to be a representative form of government;
and, YES, it should be broadcast just as the British do;
the problem, of which the Repubs just became aware, is that confronted with someone who can speak intelligently and to the topic could cause them problems; imagine if George W. had done this with Dems and it was broadcast!
of course, we do know that it would have had the highest ratings for a sit-com of all time!
Here is Elmer Fudd confronting
Elmer GantryElmer Obama and guess who wins? What a shame the Repubs can't come up with anyone more intelligent than the lame ass hacks who traded barbs with this master of debate.Perhaps there is something to be said for the UK-style
Q&A, instead of just dismissing it as "quaint".
There's an openness about it that you don't realize
is missing, until you see something like this.
The format of this Q&A session was obviously completely unfair to the honorable republican politicians. First the questioners were given time to frame a question then Obama was allowed to form an answer without being interrupted. If he had been questioned in a freedom-loving Fox News style format where all his detractors could interrupt, shout, and yell without inhibition then Obama wouldn't have looked nearly as smarty-pants. And who knew that this president actually had brains? The process that cultivated W's rise to power in their ranks specifically excludes someone with intellect rising to the top. Ain't that how it's done with the Dems they ask?
The Prez was fantastic at slapping down every ignorant Reslug pimp and whore in the room. Great job!!
Long overdue........he needs to directly take on these assholes like this much more often.
Shoot down their arguments as soon as they are said.
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