More Reviews: Obama Goes To The GOP Lion's Den -- And Mauls The Lions

[jefferson_dem]

Obama Goes To The GOP Lion's Den -- And Mauls The Lions
Posted: 01-29-10 03:12 PM

President Obama traveled to a House Republican retreat in Baltimore on Friday and delivered a performance that was at once defiant, substantive and engaging. For roughly an hour and a half, Obama lectured GOP leaders and, in a protracted, nationally-televised question-and-answer session, deflected their policy critiques, corrected their misstatements and scolded them for playing petty politics.

White House officials told the Huffington Post they were absolutely ecstatic. MSNBC's Luke Russert, who was on the scene in Baltimore, relayed that a Republican official and other GOP aides had confided to him that allowing the "cameras to roll like that," was a "mistake."

So effective was the president that Fox News cut away from the broadcast 20 minutes before it ended.

It was the type of performance that Obama's supporters have long demanded and that his own aides have been eager to deliver. The question-and-answer session at the end wasn't initially supposed to be broadcast, but the White House pressured GOP leadership to bring the cameras in. They knew the optics it would generate, a source with knowledge of the planning relayed. Hours before the event began, Republican leaders finally relented.

What resulted was what one Democratic strategist described as, "amazing theater" -- certainly for cable news. Standing on a stage, looking down at his Republican questioners, Obama assumed the role of responsible adult to the GOP children, or, at the very least, of a college professor teaching and lecturing a room full of students.

<SNIP>

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/obama-goes-to-the-gop-lio_n_442331.html

RT @RussertXM_NBC GOP aides telling me it was a mistake to allow cameras into Obama's QA with GOP members...refute GOP for 1.5 hours on TV
http://twitter.com/benpolitico/status/8380473552

[Chulanowa]

1. Man, where can I see this?

I need some happy time

[mikiturner]

4. CSPAN

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2010/01/29/HP/R/28993/President+Speaks+at+GOP+Retreat.aspx

[quiet.american]

6. C-Span.org - it's front and center on their homepage. :) nt

[jefferson_dem]

7. C-SPAN will re-air at 8:00 pm also.

n/t

[prolesunited]

11. Sounds like must-see TV to me

[janx]

12. Thanks!

:hi: I'm having computer problems. I assume that's 8:00 eastern?

[jefferson_dem]

13. Yes. ET.

:hi:

[Blue Owl]

2. edit -- the GOP lyin's den

They didn't look like lions today.

[babylonsister]

3. Darn, I missed the whole thing. Sounds like a must-see! Rec'd! nt

[impik]

10. It was spectacular. An instant classic

[OHdem10]

21. Contact C-Span and request that they replay it.

[babylonsister]

28. Thanks, I've read they will be doing so tonight, plus an m$nbc special.

I think I'll be seeing a lot of it! :thumbsup:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

26. MSNBC has the whole thing for stream. I believe this is the link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35147797#35147797

[icnorth]

27. Do not miss this one...

pour yourself a glass of wine and sit back for an hour or so of pure enjoyment. :-)Suffice to say the repubs dumb enough to float out their teabagger talking points were left somewhat dazed and confused; think Buster the crash test dummy.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

34. LINKS to text transcripts are in a GD thread, at URL

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7604374

[pinto]

5. It was really well done. On point, nimble and a clear rebuttal of the (R)'s.

:kick:

[The empressof all]

8. It was Fricken BEAUTIFUL

I was laughing, crying and screaming and cheering....All at the same time. It was the best time I've had in front of the television news in quite some time. I have to admit....I think I enjoyed myself even a speck more than election night.

[butterfly77]

31. I know what you mean,,,

I am getting my snacks right now so that I can see it again. Its a beautiful thing..:popcorn:

[wryter2000]

9. OMG, the clips I've seen are amazing

I should be doing about 3 other things, but I can't settle down. :bounce:

[tridim]

14. I think we should have these televised Q&A sessions once every few weeks

Any Reupke or Dem can show up and debate. Live on camera, but off the official record.

It would be perfect if Obama officially suggests it later today.

[babylonsister]

15. The rethugs won't be caught dead at one of these Q&As again.

They're just not smart enough to stand up against/debate this President.

[JoePhilly]

19. It would DESTROY the GOP.

[NYC Liberal]

29. Yup! That's why they'll never be caught doing it ever again

Oh well, this one was good enough for the ages.

[gulliver]

32. Just like Prime Minister's Questions in the UK

I only wish we would have had something like this with Bush.

[Kind of Blue]

16. It was the SOTU and then some! KnR. n/t

[JoePhilly]

17. ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!!!!

Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?

[tallahasseedem]

30. LOL!

I love Gladiator so this cracks me up!

[Phx_Dem]

18. Outstanding headline! The guys on XM POTUS are

are wetting themselves with glee. They think this type of "confrontation" (my word) should be done at least quarterly. Some Republican called in and could not stop gushing . . over President Obama! He said he's a Republican and he has never been prouder . . . of the President! He said he is now more proud and supportive of the President and the House or the Senate.

Home run!

[Parker CA]

24. This really had an incredible affect on the entire game of current politics.

In one brief appearance Obama and his WH have discovered a way to combat every single one of the lies and distortions. I'm sure this will be a more commonly deployed tactic in the coming weeks and months.

The GOP has no hope of standing up against the intelligence and grasp of issues that Obama commands.

[goclark]

20. How sweet it was~ a thing of beauty! nt

[Jakes Progress]

22. Can't see them on C-Span.org.

I get message saying these videos not available because of maintenance. Curious.

[HopeOverFear]

23. OMG!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Solomon]

25. I been waiting for something like this. Face to Face.

Not arguing through the propaganda.

I know Obama's been waiting for this a long time.

I can't wait until they re show it.

[SunsetDreams]

33. I loved every minute of it! K&R Mr. President!