Reinvigorated Obama sends GOP
By: Staff Editorial
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Opinion/Editorial
President Obama's first State of the Union address showed the man at his best. Obama swung away with style, using humor and charm to disarm his critics. He placed the ball squarely in the GOP's court. If the Republicans don't want to, once again, become the party of no, it's time for them to shoot or pass.
Two days later, on Jan. 29, Obama spoke to a group of Republicans to deliver a similar message - present reasonable ideas or get out of the way. The Q and A session was an opportunity for Obama to confront the GOP's talking points free of the sound bites that usually color the debate. The mano y mano style paid off handsomely, so much so, that Fox News decided to cut away from the last 20 minutes of the verbal beating.
On ABC's "This Week," when Arianna Huffington asked Fox News President Roger Ailes why his network cut the debate short, his reply was, simply, "Because we're the most trusted name in news."
It seems Obama's finally back. While The Journal's certainly thrilled, we wonder why it took him so long.
So, what about the GOP?
It appears they've dug in their heels on everything from the budget to terror trials.
They're poised to make a stink about Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he was "deeply disappointed" with Defense Secretary Robert Gates' assessment of the failed military policy. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., called the push to repeal a "social experiment."
Obama's latest budget has taken its fair share of flack too. The budget, which cuts taxes for the middle class and includes tax incentives for businesses to hire new workers, also contains new tax increases for the nation's highest earners. The GOP responded predicatably, shouting the usual rhetoric about spending and increased taxation.
On the terror front, a group of Republicans (and two Democrats) has introduced a bill to prevent Khalid Sheikh Mohammed from facing trial in federal courts.
So, for the time being, it looks like the GOP is content to gum up the works. We'll see how that strategy works for them in 2010.
Two days later, on Jan. 29, Obama spoke to a group of Republicans to deliver a similar message - present reasonable ideas or get out of the way. The Q and A session was an opportunity for Obama to confront the GOP's talking points free of the sound bites that usually color the debate. The mano y mano style paid off handsomely, so much so, that Fox News decided to cut away from the last 20 minutes of the verbal beating.
On ABC's "This Week," when Arianna Huffington asked Fox News President Roger Ailes why his network cut the debate short, his reply was, simply, "Because we're the most trusted name in news."
It seems Obama's finally back. While The Journal's certainly thrilled, we wonder why it took him so long.
So, what about the GOP?
It appears they've dug in their heels on everything from the budget to terror trials.
They're poised to make a stink about Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he was "deeply disappointed" with Defense Secretary Robert Gates' assessment of the failed military policy. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., called the push to repeal a "social experiment."
Obama's latest budget has taken its fair share of flack too. The budget, which cuts taxes for the middle class and includes tax incentives for businesses to hire new workers, also contains new tax increases for the nation's highest earners. The GOP responded predicatably, shouting the usual rhetoric about spending and increased taxation.
On the terror front, a group of Republicans (and two Democrats) has introduced a bill to prevent Khalid Sheikh Mohammed from facing trial in federal courts.
So, for the time being, it looks like the GOP is content to gum up the works. We'll see how that strategy works for them in 2010.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Matt
posted 2/04/10 @ 4:13 PM CST
WOW you like to take alot of things out of context don't you?
Matt
posted 2/04/10 @ 4:29 PM CST
You also understand that cable news isn't cspan? They have to break away from things to move along to other breaking stories. MSNBC and CNN did this same thing during the Scott Brown victory speach. (Continued…)
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