Real NEGOTIATIONS? FINALLY?!
Real NEGOTIATIONS? FINALLY?!
I HOPE SO! Do YOU? Let the REAL NEGOTIATIONS to deal with the "fiscal cliff" BEGIN?
GOOD NEWS with the reports that President Barack Obama did learn the hard lesson of his failure to REALLY NEGOTIATE as he started his first term as our US President. FINALLY, having been re-elected, President Obama is demonstrating that he has learned how to REALLY NEGOTIATE! I am among citizens who are HAPPY! Are YOU?
As I see it, the reality was that PROFESSOR OBAMA who was elected our President in November 2008 was Inaugurated on January 20, 2009 and moved into his “faculty office” at The White House. In retrospect, numerous observers comment on how PROFESSOR OBAMA thought he could sit in his office and then LECTURE as he had done when he taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School (1992-2004).
To be careful about titles, Obama was a “Lecturer” from 1992-1995 and then a “Senior Lecturer” from 1996-2004. There is the INSTITUTIONAL use of titles. In common parlance, the USUAL & CUSTOMARY title given to ALL persons instructing in colleges and universities is, “PROFESSOR.” I myself am a “Lecturer” for the Political Science Department of our University of Wisconsin – Colleges. I am routinely addressed “Professor” by students and my instructional colleagues and the administration in official communications. In some institutions, I would be identified as an “Adjunct Professor.”
Again and again through Obama’s first term, I was among citizens who were VERY FRUSTRATED by his PROFESSORIAL attitude & behavior. President Obama did NOT take the BULL BY THE HORNS and REALLY NEGOTIATE! That was one of the MAJOR worries I shared with many voters on November 6, 2012. I did vote for Barack Obama.
NOW I am more comfortable with PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’s style. I think it is NOW clear that BARACK OBAMA has shifted from PROFESSOR to PRESIDENT. What do YOU think?
Peter Baker reports in The New York Times that President Obama is NOW really NEGOTIATING and the GOP is having difficulty adjusting to the CHANGE OF SITUATION. The PRESIDENT has put his package for negotiation on the table. He now awaits the package for negotiation from the G.O.P. Why is the G.O.P. not responding? Did they forget how to NEGOTIATE?
You may want to read Peter Baker’s “Pushing G.O.P. to Negotiate, Obama Ends Giving In.”
I think Baker makes very significant points. I hope Speaker Boehner and other G.O.P. leaders in our CONGRESS (House and Senate) read Baker’s article.
Baker asserts, “Amid demands from Republicans that President Obama propose detailed new spending cuts to avert the year-end fiscal crisis, his answer boils down to this: you first.”
To my mind, Baker hits the nail on the head stating, “Mr. Obama, scarred by failed negotiations in his first term and emboldened by a clear if close election to a second, has emerged as a different kind of negotiator in the past week or two, sticking to the liberal line and frustrating Republicans on the other side of the bargaining table.” What do YOU think?
I agree with Baker’s review of OBAMA’s “weakness” – failure to REALLY NEGOTIATE during his first term. He argues, “His approach is born of painful experience. In his first four years in office, Mr. Obama has repeatedly offered what he considered compromises on stimulus spending, health care and deficit reduction to Republicans, who either rejected them as inadequate or pocketed them and insisted on more. Republicans argued that Mr. Obama never made serious efforts at compromise and instead lectured them about what they ought to want rather than listening to what they did want.”
The GIST of the present stand-off as articulated by Baker is, “Mr. Obama refuses to propose more spending cuts until Republicans accept higher tax rates on the wealthy, and Republicans refuse to accept higher tax rates on the wealthy while asking for more spending cuts.” I myself agree with PRESIDENT OBAMA. Do YOU?
Republican strategists argue that in resorting to campaign-style events to take his fiscal message to voters, Mr. Obama is overplaying his hand, much as President George W. Bush did after his re-election when he barnstormed the country in favor of a Social Security restructuring plan that he never successfully sold to leaders on Capitol Hill.
I myself am VERY GLAD that US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner represented the President on “Face the Nation” on CBS yesterday, stating that it is NOW up to Republicans to outline more spending cuts than Mr. Obama had previously put on the table. “Some Republicans apparently want to go beyond that, but what they have to do is tell us what they’re prepared to do. And what we can’t do, Bob, is sit here trying to guess what works for them.”
Baker asserts, “That represents something of a shift for Mr. Obama, who did try to guess what worked for Republicans in his first term. When he crafted a stimulus spending program to bolster the economy shortly after taking office, Mr. Obama devoted roughly a third of the money to tax cuts that he assumed Republicans would like. They did not. Likewise, his framework for universal health care included free-market elements that he thought Republicans would embrace. They did not.” GLAD that PRESIDENT OBAMA has LEARNED from experience. NOW, I do HOPE he demonstrates his mettle! Do YOU?
Here we go…
Mr. E.
John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Dec 6, 2012 at 1:26 p.m.
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Maynard said, "So if the color of his skin is what makes him a legacy ... that is a sad commentary on America."
"Makes him a legacy?" It's part and parcel of his legacy, it does not make him a legacy. But yes, it is not only a very sad commentary on America but a sign that there is great hope for our future as an even more diverse country.
Dec 6, 2012 at 1:20 p.m.
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poobah: The only thing I personally have invested is short selling the major US equity markets as the cliff approaches. I could care less which side "wins" as there is no winning team at this point. Do not kid yourself, however; that it will be Obama who takes ultimate historic blame if this thing does go over the cliff, and there is massive economic fallout. I agree that in the short term the GOP would take the biggest blame, but the Obama legacy would be screwed beyond belief if the economy completely imploded, much like it did with Hoover, or even Martin Van Buren before that (called Martin Van RUIN by history). Both two men who took the fall for years of previous administrations screw up's.
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Obabm does not worry about re-election sure, but the historic blame ultimately will fall upon him. When the whole thing does collapse, whether it be now, or a few years down the road, as the can continues to be kicked down the road, it will ultimately fall on whoever is in office. This has been true throughout history. And make no doubt that it will collapse, it's just one big game of musical chairs right now. When it falls, whoever is in office will take most all of the blame of many decades of total incompetence.
Dec 6, 2012 at 10:11 a.m.
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Poobah: As a black supporter of President Obama said, President Obama is the first mixed race president ... not the first black president. Of course that remark created such an uproar that this supporter followed up with a million dollar campaign contribution. The President is truly African-American given that his father was from Africa and his mother from America. So if the color of his skin is what makes him a legacy ... that is a sad commentary on America. Many will say that it says a lot for America to have elected a black President. IMO most any Democrat could have won in 2008 after 8 years of George W. Bush. Obama's electon showed me that the country is willing to elect a south side Chicago activist male (regardless of skin color) before they will elect a female as president. And that they will re-elect that president before they will elect a Mormon. So what you see as a lessening of discrimination against one group in our country which is great, I also see as continued discrimination against two other groups (females and Mormons). My views will change if we elect someone like Condoleza Rice as President in 2016. In terms of the health care reform legacy ... I wonder what the view of that will be in 20 years once all the provisions including taxes and penalties and lack of public option kick in.
Dec 5, 2012 at 11:05 a.m.
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Maynard, Obama surely will accomplish more things in the next four years but can you suggest what you think Obama can/will do in the next four years that would overshadow the fact he was our first black president (which is a significant accomplishment for the country and Obama) and his healthcare reforms. In 50 years from now, Obama will be remembered for those two things in our history books, regardless what he does in the next four years, barring any unforeseen catastrophic world events.
Dec 5, 2012 at 7:23 a.m.
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Poobah: I agree with part of one sentence in your latest post: "This is all about midterms 2014" Both sides. Sad if you think Obama's legacy has already been largely written. Country needs him to do more during the next 4 years than sit on those two items you referred to as a large legacy. What legacy the sweeping health care reform actually leaves remains to be seen in the years to come. Partisan bill that was pushed through without the public option and with many waivers and with rising cost estimates since passage as we still find out what is in the bill. It may or may not be Good Reform. Time will tell. It certainly is sweeping. IMO
Dec 5, 2012 at 4:48 a.m.
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kiowamohican, I hope for your sake rhat you don't have anything invested on your position on this one. Almost everything about your analysis is reversed. Your views on this are uncharacteristically contrarian and fly in the face of legitimate polling data. Obama isn't worried about facing voters again, ever. Don't underestimate the fact that Obama's legacy has already largely been written; first black president and sweeping healthcare reform. The same can not be said of Republicans in Congress. Most will be facing voters in another two years. The Obama machine has again shown its superior strategic abilities in that Democrats have been able to frame this as the Republicans in Congress versus Obama and not versus the Democrats in Congress. This is all about midterms 2014 and finally holding Republicans accountable for their strategy of doing little but obstructing. Save your cash for the midterms...
Dec 5, 2012 at 1:32 a.m.
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One of the most important parts of this problem is one never addressed by the left or the media in this debate. The current president signed into law increasing all tax rates for everyone...this has already happened. Now he contends to only want to raise taxes on a sliver of society, but he has to pass another law to change the one he already signed...why is the fact he already signed a law to raise everyones taxes ignored by the left and the media?
Dec 5, 2012 at 1:28 a.m.
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This is classic stuff. Notice it's the left up in arms, and claiming the GOP will take the sword. HAHA. No doubt they say this because they KNOW that it's Obama who will ultimately get the blame in the end. If I'm Bohner, I submit my plan, kick up my heels on my desk, light the big ole cigar, and do NOTHING MORE. If Obama rejects it, just throw up my hands and say "OH WELL, we tried".
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LET THE THING GO OVER THE FREAKING CLIFF!! If there was ever one good thing to come out of the hill in the past decade, THIS would be it! The reconciliation idea was the best damn idea these guys came up with. Now lets just hope they do what they normally do in a divided house, NOTHING, and let it GO OVER THE CLIFF!
Dec 4, 2012 at 10:57 p.m.
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"Offering no specifics and suggesting the solution is to pass legislation which has already been passed both do no good."
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Really? One is completly false, yours and John's claim of no specifics the other is a piece of CBO scored legislation that has passed in the house while the dem leadership in the senate refuse to allow a vote on it.
I really do hope there is no solution, this will be the only way to cut the bloated spending that has happened during the last three years of no budgets. The presidents only solution is a claim to raise income taxes. These increased taxes will make it so the govt only borrows 38 cents on ever dollar spent instead of 40...yeah that will fix it....CLUELESS.
Dec 4, 2012 at 3:22 p.m.
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I still have the chicken and egg type question. Is Obama learning from Morsi or did Morsi learn from Obama?
Dec 4, 2012 at 1:43 p.m.
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In other words, when it comes to our elected government officials, America has exactly what it deserves: irrationality.
Well said my friend, very well said.
Dec 4, 2012 at 1:27 p.m.
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Yes poobah, the country has the government they voted for and so deserve. Far left Democrats and Far right Republicans. Unfortunately, the 48% of us that want less government in our lives have to live with the 50% that want more government in their lives. And the electoral college system virtually ensures the 2 party system and that an independent middle of the road politician does not stand a chance. And the middle class will continue to bear the burden of the 2 party system. IMO
Dec 4, 2012 at 1:09 p.m.
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Eagle1 said, "I read that poll earlier it just goes to show the irrationality of the public..."
In other words, when it comes to our elected government officials, America has exactly what it deserves: irrationality.
Dec 4, 2012 at 12:59 p.m.
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poobah I read that poll earlier it just goes to show the irrationality of the public, BOTH are responsible for where we are and BOTH are responsible for where we are headed, plain and simple. Politically sure the GOP dropped the ball and allowed Obama to Blame Bush for doing not much different than Obama has over last 4 years, that's on them, but anyone with clear thinking abilities and a memory for history knows why we got here and who put us here... the 2 party system.
Dec 4, 2012 at 12:55 p.m.
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A new Washington Post/Pew Research poll on the fiscal cliff negotiations [ http://www.washingtonpost.com/page/2010-... ]:
"If an agreement is not reached, who do you think would be more to blame: (the Republicans in Congress) or (President Obama)? (Options randomized)
Republicans in Congress: 53%
President Obama: 27%
Both equally (VOL.): 12%
Neither (VOL.): 2%
No opinion: 6%"
Republicans have damaged the probability of their winning a national election and now they're working hard to damage the probability of their winning Congressional seats. It will be interesting to see how the Republicans handle the discharge petition filed by Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN). [ http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/en... ]
Dec 4, 2012 at 12:31 p.m.
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RetiredAirForce said, "So now you are twisting your tail..."
Ouch! Twisting my tail? Or my tale? Are you pulling my leg?
Offering no specifics and suggesting the solution is to pass legislation which has already been passed both do no good. They are tricks that have already cost Republicans a presidential election that was all but handed to them.
Dec 4, 2012 at 11:43 a.m.
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So now you are twisting your tail from no details to what good does it do...typical liberal.
Dec 4, 2012 at 10:59 a.m.
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RetiredAirForce said, "The frame work is legislation already voted on and passed from the congress and has been scored by the CBO."
What good does it do to propose "legislation already voted on and passed from the congress?" I realize Republicans are having a difficult time leaving the last century, ala Akin, Mourdock, Ryan et al, but proposing to pass the same legislation twice? Come on, Boehner can do better than that.
Dec 4, 2012 at 10:11 a.m.
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First, I am amazed by all of the verbiage from J.E. about Professor Obama. I would add campaigner in chief to the professor in chief for the 1st four years. I do not recall previous articles from J.E. that gave me any indication that he felt that way about the President. Certainly not in all the biased pre-election posts. Second, I agree with those that say let it go over the cliff and force some real solutions instead of kicking the can down the road again as I believe will happen. Let all the taxes revert to the levels before both sides were so busy trying to buy votes and then go from there with tax reform. Third: Why do tax rates have to increase? Eliminate loopholes and deductions for everyone and bring in more revenue that way. And while you are at it, do something about that insane jump from 15% to 25% tax rate on middle class Americans. Marginal rates currently are at 15%, 25%, 28%, 31%, and 35%. Why that huge space between 15 and 25% and two additional rates between 25% and 35%? Looks to me like a system that favors the poor and the rich and puts the burden on the middle class. If memory serves me right, the jump from 15 to 25% occurs once an individual taxable income hits $35,000 and a married couples income hits $70,000. So why all the garbage about raising tax rates on those making over 200K or 250K and no talk about help those making over 35K or 70K. Class warfare is not the answer. Fixing the tax code is.
Dec 4, 2012 at 9:05 a.m.
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The frame work is legislation already voted on and passed from the congress and has been scored by the CBO. Guess the left wants pictures too.
Dec 4, 2012 at 9:03 a.m.
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John said, "WHY are they NOT identifying the specifics? That was the SAME TRICK ROMNEY tried to play."
you are absolutely right poobah, Romney gave no specific, not that Obama did either but Romney was all over the place in a non-specific way.
Dec 4, 2012 at 7:30 a.m.
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John said, "WHY are they NOT identifying the specifics? That was the SAME TRICK ROMNEY tried to play."
RetiredAirForce said, "In the letter the speaker states the frame work for the propsal is from a piece of passed legislation already in the record. What part of that is a trick?"
If you read what you wrote, RetiredAirForce, you answered your own question. The trick is the refusal by Republicans to provide the "specifics" of their so-called "framework." Boehner's "offer" was another rehash of vague Republican rhetoric borrowed from the failed Romney campaign.
Dec 4, 2012 at 5:11 a.m.
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John please explain these comments; "FINALLY, we do have a report that SPEAKER BOEHNER responded to PRESIDENT OBAMA's offer in the New York Times I am DISappointed again by the GAMES the GOP is playing. WHY are they NOT identifying the specifics? That was the SAME TRICK ROMNEY tried to play."
Here is the letter issued from the speakers office, http://www.speaker.gov/sites/speaker.hou... In the letter the speaker states the frame work for the propsal is from a piece of passed legislation already in the record. What part of that is a trick?
Dec 4, 2012 at 1:27 a.m.
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The true compromise is to let it go over the cliff. I mean seriously, if it goes over, Obama gets his tax hikes on everyone, and the Republicans get huge spending cuts. It's what they are all trying to do right now through negotiations, just to a much LESSER extent. So letting it go over really IS compromise. Both sides get what they want. I don't see what the problem is. Mr Speaker, please have some stones and let it go over the cliff. It would at least make this blog become entertaining with the NON STOP partisan rants by it's author!
Dec 4, 2012 at 12:47 a.m.
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http://www.gazettextra.com/photos/2012/d...
http://www.gazettextra.com/photos/2012/d...
Dec 4, 2012 at 12:43 a.m.
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Bill how dare you expect consitancy of a position from a liberal.
Dec 3, 2012 at 11:47 p.m.
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I thought that you loved Christmas.
You were absolutely gushing
about the governor's decorations.
Dec 3, 2012 at 8:08 p.m.
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"GOP is having difficulty adjusting to the CHANGE OF SITUATION"
There is no change in the balance of power, nothing has really changed from the firm Obama term.
Maybe, in his second term, he can manage to get a budget passed with at least 1 vote, instead of the 0 he received at his last attempt.
There should be NO debt level increases without CUTS.
Another example of how out of touch this potus is.
WH Decorated With 54 Christmas Trees This Year
Amazing how a reelection can reshape an incumbent's thinking about many things. Now safely ensconced in the White House for 49 more months, the Obamas have decorated the place with 54 Christmas trees this year.
"In fact, the Obamas' 54 trees this year are almost 50% more Christmas trees than last year. That was during the campaign before Obama whispered a reminder to the Russians that he had to be careful until Nov. 6, when a victory would give him more "flexibility."
http://nation.foxnews.com/christmas/2012...
WHY??? They won't even be there during the Christmas Season. Maybe they will have them all flown to Hawaii. I really question if this man has any common sense.
Dec 3, 2012 at 7:24 p.m.
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After all, John did say that those who were going to vote against Mr. Obama are racists in his October 26th post. Perhaps he had to bolster his own determination to vote Democrat with that posting in light of his probably fading confidence in Mr. Obama's abilities?
Dec 3, 2012 at 7:17 p.m.
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So John's disappointed at the "games" the GOP is playing. I see he's not so disappointed in the Democrats' "games". Oh, that's right. Democrats don't play political "games". Only Republicans do that, eh John?
It does make me wonder though. Why did John vote twice for a candidate that he was so worried about? The "lecturer in chief" isn't going to change his spots. He is what he has always been, and winning the election reinforces that in his mind, I'm sure. Yet John voted for him anyway. That can lead us to only 2 possible conclusions. That John is a partisan that would vote for anybody with a "D" after his name, or that John couldn't bear the thought of voting against Mr. Obama and having to live with the racist connotations about himself that he would then hold.
Dec 3, 2012 at 6:38 p.m.
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Are my eyes failing me or did 916WI cite the Huffington Post at 4:43 p.m.?
Dec 3, 2012 at 4:57 p.m.
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Hopefully speaker Bohner is serious in his words and will hold is ground, so NOTHING will get done, and we GO OVER THE CLIFF! It is far and away thee best solution there is. Of course we all should know, that a MEANINGLESS compromise will be made in the final days, in which token spending cuts will be made, token tax hikes implemented, so that everyone can run out, pat themself on the back, claim victory, all the while the debt ceiling is increased AGAIN, so the problem will be turned to the unaccountable, 800LBS gorilla, Big Ben and the fed; who will just print more $$ from thin air to buy the debt, and fund government.
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The GOP really does have all the leverage here. If they let it go over the cliff, they will surely take short term blame, but who cares? History always remembers the President in office. To this day people still believe Hoover was responsible for the Great depression. No one EVER puts the blame on congress for war, depressions, ext. History always remembers the President who was in office at the time. So I say Let it go over the cliff Mr Speaker. If you don't do it now, it will just be stalled out to go over it in a much bigger way down the road. Take the bold stand and, and LET GRIDLOCK PREVAIL for the good of the country! Gridlock is is the best thing we have going in the country. The less these clowns do, the more liberty you keep as a citizen.
Dec 3, 2012 at 4:43 p.m.
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"Time is on Obama's side and it's clearly running out for Boehner, Cantor and Ryan."
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Not really poohboy--even though he claims he would push it back, I'm sure that Michelle and the girls will have a say in this one. After all, it is a $4 million taxpayer funded vacation--and the Obama's seem to LOVE their Hawaiian vacations!
$4 million dollars?!?.......we're lucky that the United States economy is doing so well:)
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/20...
Dec 3, 2012 at 4:17 p.m.
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FINALLY, we do have a report that SPEAKER BOEHNER responded to PRESIDENT OBAMA's offer in the New York Times (URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/04/us/pol...). I am DISappointed again by the GAMES the GOP is playing. WHY are they NOT identifying the specifics? That was the SAME TRICK ROMNEY tried to play. I HOPE PRESIDENT OBAMA does NOT fall for the TRICK. He MUST demand that the GOP be transparent with their RECOMMENDED CUTS! What do YOU think? Here we go... John W. Eyster
Dec 3, 2012 at 2:36 p.m.
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John, thanks for citing the Baker analysis. Baker really did hit the nail on the head. The Republicans have finally backed themselves into a corner with their gamesmanship of refusing to conduct serious and meaningful negotiations with Democrats. Time is on Obama's side and it's clearly running out for Boehner, Cantor and Ryan.
One of my greatest frustrations with Obama's first term was the length of time spent trying to negotiate for Republican support on healthcare reform and giving away the public option for absolutely nothing in return from Republicans. Lesson learned; a wiser president and a Republican leadership that is in danger of now leading their party over the relevancy cliff. America will survive; the Republican party may not. The 2012 elections might well have been the last chance for the currently configured Republican party to win a national election, given changing demographics. The continuing shenanigans of Boehner, McConnell and others in casting the party in its current configuration for years to come is sealing their fate.
Thanks for a great blog, John.
Dec 3, 2012 at 11:33 a.m.
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How could anybody have any confidence in Obama or the congress to get anything of significance done, they will play this back and forth game and d very little in the end and then the debate will start again in a few months to raise the debt limit AGAIN. Unless spending is going to be cut by at least 43% which is how much of the revenue is being used just to maintain the debt, then nothing will change, yet the pundits and idiots in the media will continue to push their side as being strong when in the end it is pointless, neither side has any answers or balls to do what needs to be done. Make your plans its going to get worse when the dollar bottoms out.
Dec 3, 2012 at 10:56 a.m.
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Ronald,(first sentence) how many more years before you believe? :)
Dec 3, 2012 at 10:52 a.m.
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President Obama's demand that the debt limit be permanently increased verifies the point of the movie "2016" and that is scary.
Many of the other ideas that have been put forth by the President are just as unrealistic.
According to Mr. Eyster these are the opening cards of a new and improved President Obama.
We shall see.
I however am skeptical.
I am concerned with the attitude of many Democrats that have missed the meaning of negotioation. This attitude can be summed up by this quote from a poster on another thread, (quote)" This is not a negotiation. Congress, which includes many Republicans, should do as the President proposes..." (end quote.)
Dec 3, 2012 at 10:19 a.m.
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Seems like Old Mitt
was offering some pretty hefty handouts
in his bid for election.
Dec 3, 2012 at 9:28 a.m.
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Over the cliff is like "sinking or swimming". Maybe it's time Republicans and Democrats learn how to swim.
Dec 3, 2012 at 9:12 a.m.
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Let's see some real results...then ask me if I am happy...right now it is still the same old side show...on BOTH sides..sad sad sad....
Dec 3, 2012 at 7:57 a.m.
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I still cannot believe how far the mainstream media is in bed with Obama.The man is a walking failure won reelection on hand out promises. Gazette where's the headlines on fast and furious,Benghazi,failed stimulus,hand out favors to campaign donors,jamming health care through,people in states that dont comply with excanges get 3.5% charge. And so on and on.... Bush in office all this would be non stop 24 hrs a day....Obama sweep under rug keep quiet.
Dec 3, 2012 at 7:38 a.m.
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yADa, YAda, yaDa
Dec 3, 2012 at 5:16 a.m.
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"Mr. Obama says reductions in ObamaCare spending are out of the question, and Congress must now agree to at least $50 billion in new stimulus spending next year. The debt limit must be permanently increased without accompanying spending cuts"
So much for wanting to negotiate...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424...
Dec 3, 2012 at 5:04 a.m.
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Sadly the president's history on wanting to limit spending has been the opposite of his actions. His own presidential committee, under executive order 13531, was completely rejected by him and his party leadership.
Stating you will cut spending, when to date you have never done it, not only leads to a credibility problem but also to believability issue.
When timmy turbo-tax cheat requests letting the president have full authority to raise the lending limit as part of the negotiation it is clear the path for continued spending with little to no reform is the "plan".
I say let it go off the cliff, as that seems the only way real reductions in spending will ever happen under this administration.
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