Do you think President Obama is fearful that Boehner and Repubs will shut down the government?

[kentuck]

Do you think he is handling it about right?

What do you think he could do differently?

I guess he could just laugh and go on his way and ignore the threats? After all, if it ever makes it to his desk, he has a veto pen, and it goes back to the Congress. Either way, the ball is in the Congress' court.

What do you think he should say to Boehner?

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Terrified.

As am I.

But 22 years of appeasing crazies has gotten us here, and it will only get even worse unless we stop it now.

[pinto]

2. No.

He called them out on the possibility yesterday. And I figure he knows that they know it would be political suicide. Don't think he needs to say anything more to Boehner.

Plus all know it won't pass in the Senate. This is theater played out by Boehner for the extremists among the Repubs.

[pnwmom]

6. The Senate couldn't stop the shutdown if the House fails to approve a budget.

So this is more than theater.

[pinto]

9. Yeah. True that.

[LanternWaste]

24. It will however, rest fully at the feet of the GOP...

It will however, rest fully at the feet of the GOP; and both they and Obama know the people will, even in the GOP's Best Case Scenario, collectively see it that way.

[pnwmom]

26. They think they bought themselves cover when the House passed a bill in May

directing the President to pay bondholders and retirees first, while letting the rest of the government shut down. So they'll claim it's not their fault.

Hopefully no one believes them.

[Capt. Obvious]

3. Have no fear

whatever happens will have been his plan all along.

[global1]

4. Call Their Bluff - And If It Isn't A Bluff And We Have A Government Shutdown.....

blame it all on Boehner and the Repugs. Shout this message as much as one can and sit back and wait for the 2014 election and the Dems taking back the House and solidifying their position in the Senate.

Between 2014 and 2016 - do all those things that the Repug House and Filibustering Senate obstructed. Then sit back and take it all again in 2016. This should be the death knell for the Repug Party. Yes - basically the party's over.

[leftstreet]

5. Maybe this time the GOP will accept his chained CPI

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

14. I would see them going along with that game-winning chess move most reluctantly.

[SidDithers]

7. Doesn't matter...

Whatever happens, the perpetually outraged will have their hair on fire about it.

Sid

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

15. Oh what a little Debbie Downer you are...

or is that a Sydney Sullen?

[winter is coming]

8. I doubt there's much the President can say or do to prevent the GOP from shutting

down the government. IMO, the only thing that's stopped it happening thus far is the memory of what happened the last time the GOP pulled that stunt. The Dems would be well-advised to remember that 2014 is coming up. If the GOP wants to shut it down, let them.

[kentuck]

10. What happened when they shut it down before??

I remember they stole an election in 2000 and had control of both Houses of Congress for about 6 years? They were able to get rid of Newt Gingrich, however.

[pnwmom]

11. They shut it down in 1995, giving Clinton a burst of positive energy. He was re-elected in 1996.

[winter is coming]

12. It damaged the GOP in general and Gingrich in particular.

The GOP thought Clinton and the Dems would be blamed for the shutdown, but it backfired and Clinton benefited.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2011/02/lessons_from_the_great_governm.html

[Johonny]

13. If Obama wanted to prevent a shutdown he should declare now he wants a shutdown

because republicans will then have to prevent a shutdown at all costs or they will give Obama a victory.

Its opposite world in Republican land.

[kelliekat44]

22. You are the WINNER!!!! BHO should have been for a shutdown all along. Then it would never happen.

[Gothmog]

16. A Shutdown appears likely

That idiot William Kristol predicted on the Morning Rundown that there would be no shutdown. Kristol is an idiot.

As a practical matter, I do not think that President Obama fears a shut down and I think that a shutdown could cost the GOP control of the House in 2014.

[The Magistrate]

18. No Negotiation With Terrorists, Sir

"Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute."

[bowens43]

19. No but I'm quite certain he'll give them whatever they ask for...he always does.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

20. I'm starting to think Obama should do what Clinton did in 1995...

Negotiate as much as possible, but say enough is enough if they aren't going to budge.

If we have a government shutdown, it will backfire on the GOP. That should help us in 2014 in at least keeping the Senate, if not taking back the House.

[notadmblnd]

21. Two things I have read here since I got home

1. Obama used the word "extortion" in regards to what congress is trying to do

2. The Chamber of Commerce has urged Republicans to come to their senses.

Congress is going to do the right thing or it will be the final nail in their coffin. IMO, voters will literally clean the house next fall if congress shuts down the Government.

[Motown_Johnny]

23. IMO, "Fearful" is the wrong word. Concerned maybe.

I think it is pretty much a done deal that the Teabaggers will go all suicide bomber on the economy over this one.


The Senate will never pass anything as crazy as the RW nut jobs want. Pres. Obama can stay out of the mudslinging.


What I think will really happen once the sh*t hits the fan is that people will finally learn the truth about "Obamacare". The fight will be over it and the focus will be on it. Truth will eventually win out and the (R)s are going to take serious damage.

I think it is going to be ugly but should work out eventually.

[DCBob]

25. Its like negotiating with the spokesman for crazed hostage takers.

Lots of uncertainty.

[red dog 1]

27. Tell Boehner "Stop The Shutdown"

I don't know what Obama should say to Boehner; but I do know what WE should say to that rat bastard:

Sign your name to tell Boehner:
DON'T SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT OR DEFUND OBAMACARE TO WIN TEA PARTY POINTS

http://www.dccc.org/page/s/Stop-The-Shutdown/

(Actually, all they ask for is your e-mail address & zip code; they don;t ask for your name.
After you enter your e-mail address & zip code, you go to a page that says "Thank You".. there you may contribute to the DCCC if you want.
You do not have to contribute in order to sign the petition to Boehner)

[madville]

28. Remind me why Republican voters

would be mad at a government shutdown? This is exactly the kind of stuff they send their little trolls to do in Washington. I think it could have the opposite effect and motivate their supporters in 2014. They get motivated by things like this, gun control, Obamacare repeal, etc.

Meanwhile many Democrats are presently turned off by the NSA, the administrations war drums, etc.

2014 is up in the air at this point and depends on voter turnout as always, the Republican supporters will be happy with kinds of actions.