Obama: Day for 'partnership' (with republicans) passed

[cali]

By: Carol E. Lee
May 26, 2010 05:12 AM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO – President Barack Obama traveled to one of the most liberal enclaves in the country to deliver some of his harshest criticism yet of the Republican Party – attacking the GOP on points where Democrats sense vulnerability, such as energy legislation and immigration reform.

Noting that sometimes conservative activists portray him with a Hitler moustache, Obama seemed to put to rest any notion that there could be broad-based bipartisan cooperation – something he promised to try to bring to Washington during his 2008 campaign.

“There are members of their base who think if somebody even smiles at me, they think, ‘You’re a traitor. You smiled at Obama,’ ” the president said at fundraiser for Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). “The day has passed when I expected this to be a full partnership.”

There is hardly any “room for cooperation” in the Republican Party, Obama said.

At the same time, he said he understands why the GOP is “sitting on the sidelines.”

“Politically it hasn’t been bad for them,” he said – an apparent reference to the Republicans’ expected gains in the midterm congressional elections this fall.

Obama delivered his remarks just hours after a contentious meeting with the Senate Republican caucus on Capitol Hill. The president grew increasingly feisty as the San Francisco evening wore on.

snip

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=D2F183CB-18FE-70B2-A8053B44CAB0FC8C

[zipplewrath]

1. A few days to late unfortunately

“The day has passed when I expected this to be a full partnership.”

Ah, if you had only reached that day before you caved on mandates, public option, cadillac taxes.....

You passed their Health Insurance Stimulus Package, instead of health care reform, and got nothing for it.

[phleshdef]

18. Stop being dishonest. HCR was a compromise with other DEMtOCRATS.

At least people that caucus as Democrats.

[phleshdef]

19. Stop being dishonest. HCR was a compromise with other DEMtOCRATS.

At least people that caucus as Democrats.

[zipplewrath]

21. I'll grant ya that

There was far more influence of the conservative democrats, although the degree to which Obama agrees with those folks should not be discounted. But those democrats used the GOP opposition to get what they were after. There was a time that some GOP votes in the senate could have been obtained such that it could have passed with far more progressive features.

[xchrom]

2. I'm no fan of Obama but I can appreciate his thoughts here. Nt

[tekisui]

3. We'll see.

I expect him to be back to the bipartisanship bullshit soon enough.

[disillusioned73]

4. Unfortunately..

your probably correct - I remember seeing something similar from another rally or fund raiser event a couple of months ago and not much changed after that one. Red meat for the base I guess.... sigh

[BuelahWitch]

5. Yeah, he needs to walk the walk

Instead of just yapping about it.

[Bitwit1234]

6. Why in the hell doesn't he translate

that anger he feels right now in to a "full steam ahead" action and kick republicans to the side lines they favor. AND while he is at it, every single chance they get each and every Democratic congress member and those running for election should put forth the obstructionist attics, and the do nothing attitude the republicans have taken. Make it clear to the intelligent members of this country, which does not include tea bags and the radical republicans, that the reason things are so slow in Washington and that it seems as if government is broken is because of republicans.

Let them know, that they are blocking all of Obama's appointments. Let them know they are blocking bills and discussion of legislation coming to the floor. Be sure they know that the republicans want to exclude BP from paying their cost of the cleanup of the oil, and want to stick the US taxpayer for it. Be sure they know the republicans continue to block unemployment benefits, job creation and all the things we could have going to improve this country. AND MOST OF ALL HAMMER IT HOME THAT THE ONLY REASON THEY ARE DOING THIS, IS BECAUSE THEY THINK THE PUBLIC WILL VOTE FOR THEIR IN NOVEMBER, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH. AND THAT THEY ARE PUTTING PARTY OVER THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WHO ELECTED THEM TO GET THE COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK.

[political_Dem]

7. It took him this long to realize that?

It is no secret that you don't negotiate with terrorists and Republicans.

[charlesg]

9. Because he was hoping he could change them by 'marrying' them

It's like domestic violence. You know it's not good for you, but you keep going back.

[eShirl]

12. Nobody can (accurately) say he didn't try, and try, and try.

[mfcorey1]

8. I expect him to be challenged on some of his policies, but it is sad that a lot of his haters are

here at DU.

[eShirl]

13. Please don't confuse frustration with hatred.

[Skinner]

15. It is true some people are frustrated. Fair enough.

But it's also true that some people here simply hate the man. If it walks like a duck...

Frankly, I'm pretty damn tired of it.

[msongs]

16. everybody who criticizes obama's policies is hater lol nt

[Skinner]

17. mfcorey1 didn't use the word "everybody."

FYI.

[spoony]

23. Others have.

The dismissive sentiment is clear in messages that brush off posters as "haters." It's unfortunate to see you concur with them.

[izquierdista]

10. Strongly worded letters will be sent!

Don't make me get out my thesaurus!

[old mark]

11. OK, I appreciate he campaigned on bringing cooperation to national politics, but

it took him a long time to realize that HE was the only one playing, and that the game is dirty. He was trying to be decent to the swine on the right while they threatened to kill him. It might be interesting to see how he plays the game in reality rather than his idealized fantasy.

I know he has the ability to be tough - I am looking forward to seeing it.

I am also looking forward to just a few things for the Democratic left rather than all the ass kissing for the right.

C'mon, Barry - let's kick some ass.


mark

[Skinner]

14. That's "President Obama."

Thank you.

[laughingliberal]

20. Encouraging to hear him talking like that and I hope it means we'll see more of a fighter...

and a shift to the left, as well.

[Romulox]

22. Sounds like more "heated campaign rhetoric". I believe what I see, not what he says. nt