Showing Resolve, Obama Pushes Republicans Toward Surrender

[babylonsister]

http://www.nationalmemo.com/showing-resolve-obama-pushes-republicans-toward-surrender/

Showing Resolve, Obama Pushes Republicans Toward Surrender
January 19th, 2013 12:00 am Joe Conason


Watching his Republican adversaries in the House of Representatives tiptoe gingerly away from another destructive confrontation over the debt ceiling just before his second inaugural celebration, President Obama must feel a measure of satisfaction. Yet this is a beginning, not a conclusion. The hopes of the nation that re-elected him depend on whether he understands why he is winning – and how he can continue to prevail.

The formula for success was simple enough: He wouldn’t relinquish fundamental positions on taxes and spending. He stopped pretending that the old bipartisanship is currently possible on Capitol Hill. He refused to negotiate under threat from the Republicans. And he called their bluff on the fiscal cliff and the debt ceiling.

Adopting those firm positions, he persevered despite the usual deluge of complaint from commentators, politicians, editorial boards, and other Beltway sages, who predictably roasted him for behaving as if he meant what he said during last year’s campaign. Not surprisingly, however, the popular majority admires him and ignores his critics.

Of course, there is nothing new here: Americans prefer a political leader who displays a touch of grit, even if they don’t fully agree with that leader’s views or actions. Establishing a determined and principled persona is vital; compromise can come later.

snip//

The Republicans still mutter threats about the budget, but their slow-motion surrender resulted directly from a growing perception of Obama’s resolve. He should continue to stare them down, unblinking, unless and until they abandon the Tea Party tactics of obstruction and blackmail.

[Kath1]

1. Love it!

That's what I wanted when I voted!

[littlemissmartypants]

2. Excellent catch, babylonsister!

KICKing.

[Buzz Clik]

3. This is not over.

Do not underestimate the GOP's extreme to bring down the presidents and the Democrats. They have stalled the budget before, and they will do it again. It is 2 years until the next election.

[SummerSnow]

4. I like the saying,"slow motion surrender "I bet its painful.LOL

[NBachers]

10. But I don't like the saying "unless and until." There should be no unless and until with rabid dogs

[Coolest Ranger]

5. That's what makes it so fun to watch

[Maynar]

6. Love me some incumbent presidentia

Aw, yeah.

Get some shit done now, Barry.

[mountain grammy]

7. I love that the president is holding the line but..

if the republicons in Congress capitulate, it's because their masters (Kochs and others) ordered them to. Two more years till the next election, boys, do ya want the money or dontcha?

[garthranzz]

8. Oh, yeah!

Oh, yeah! OH, YEAH!

[SunSeeker]

9. K&R

[Cha]

11. Please Proceed GOP.

Thank you for this from Joe Conason from National Memo, babylonsistah. I like that site.