Obama, GOP Spar Over Employment Plan-White House Meeting Turns Unusually Testy

[kpete]

Source: Wall Street Journal


* DECEMBER 10, 2009

Obama, GOP Spar Over Employment Plan
White House Meeting Turns Unusually Testy, as Accusations From Both Sides

By JONATHAN WEISMAN

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's push for new job-creation legislation got off to a rocky start at a closed-door White House meeting Wednesday, when he accused Republicans of rooting against recovery and Republicans shot back that his policies had frozen business hiring.

The president's pursuit of a jobs bill that could cost close to $200 billion was never likely to attract bipartisan support. But the contentiousness of a meeting that was called expressly to foster cooperation and on Mr. Obama's home turf was unusual because members of Congress and the president typically mute their disagreements in face-to-face meetings.

One heated exchange came at the beginning of the meeting between the president and congressional leaders from both parties. Mr. Obama said the GOP was fixated on the unemployment rate as Congress enters a midterm-election season, saying Republicans "seem to be almost rooting against recovery," according to two aides briefed on the exchange.

When it was his turn to speak, Rep. John Boehner (R., Ohio) bristled. "Mr. President, we do a lot of politics in this town," the Republican leader said, according to notes from the exchange, "but we are committed to working together in areas where we agree to get the American people back to work."

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126041325795584867.html

[Cirque du So-What]

1. That's my President, calling out those lying sacks of shit

Yet some will see fit to criticise Mr. Obama on the flimsiest of pretexts. I can hardly wait to see the complaints I know are coming :eyes:

[rudy23]

5. Here's my complaint---this is a fluff piece. Let's see him get testy when it counts.

Did it really take him 11 months to realize the Republicans were rooting against recovery? Even after Limpballs announced it the day after he took office?

I wonder how testy he got with them over healthcare. To me it seems like these stories float out there every time Obama screws over the base. Last time it was "Rahm gets tough on FOX." These fluff pieces are an insult to our intelligence. Kindergarten shit.

[BREMPRO]

13. He got a good shot in on their cynical proposal to freeze Federal spending

"Republicans pushed Mr. Obama to freeze federal spending, a plea the president answered by repeatedly challenging them to produce an economist who believed that cutting spending now would be a good idea. Republicans also want assurances that taxes won't be raised and that new regulations won't be issued until the unemployment rate falls well below the current 10%"

They are just blowing in the wind with a clear agenda to do all they can to make the recovery fail. They know perfectly well that freezing spending during a crisis like this could undermine the recovery. They could then claim they were acting for the majority of americans who are upset about deficits and then say - look, see, the recovery failed, you need to elect Republicans. It's a win win for them, and sick political game.

[No Elephants]

15. Yes, that was good and it seems no economists were named. Watch them produce

some shill at some point, though.

[No Elephants]

14. Whine and cheesey.

Too bad you don't seek to rebut comments you disagree with, instead of only whining about them. Whining is easier, but not very effective.

[Kingofalldems]

2. He was absolutely right--the filthy traitors are rooting against recovery

[jpak]

18. It's not just the GOP that's rooting against recovery

see it everyday here

[bdamomma]

3. doesn't Boehner ever get tired of lying.

what scumbags!!!

[BREMPRO]

9. I haven't heard an honest word from his lips, EVER. Boehner is as authentic as his fake tan.

I don't know how Obama manages the patience to be civil with these tools.

[wilt the stilt]

16. There are few people

I would rather kick in the balls.

[Vinnie From Indy]

4. Surely to God Obama knows the Republicans are NEVER going to help him do ANYTHING

that would be considered a success. They could care less about Americans suffering and he should know that they will not play ball. Make the show of having a discussion, but make it quick and get 'em out the door. Why waste anymore time on these assholes than is really necessary.

[No Elephants]

10. I think they'll join hands on tax cuts for small businesses, unless they are made part of a bigger

bill that contains a lot of things they don't like.

[Bitwit1234]

6. Because they are the ones who created this mess why in goodness

name are they even being allowed to give opinions. They should be tied and gagged and made to listen to every single thing they have caused to this great country of ours.

[bdamomma]

17. they give opinions but never give any solutions to the mess they made.

[BennyD]

7. I note the "heated exchange" was between Obama and "leaders from both parties." hmm n/t

[mac56]

8. Note that Boner didn't deny it.

A non-denial rebuttal.

[No Elephants]

11. I am hoping the POTUS is trying to underline for Americans that the Republicans are the party of

fear, "no" and other negative things. That he is trying everything he can, but they make working together for the good of the entire nation impossible.

If they cooperate with him, he wins. If they don't cooperate with him, they lose.

That's my hope.

[NJmaverick]

12. Boehner used the classic- Lead with the truth, to set up your lie, tactic