WaPo's Scott Wilson: The President Extends An Olive Branch to GOP

[polichick]

"Although his liberal supporters are furious about the decision, President Obama's willingness to extend all of the George W. Bush-era tax cuts is part of what White House officials say is a deliberate strategy: to demonstrate his ability to compromise with Republicans and portray the president as the last reasonable man in a sharply partisan Washington.

"The move is based on a political calculation, drawn from his party's midterm defeat, that places a premium on winning back independent voters.

"The strategy emerged from hours of post-election meetings among senior administration officials who, after poring over returns, exit polls and midterm history, have determined that the loss of independent voters who supported Democrats in 2008 cost the party dozens of races this year. That conclusion places Obama at odds with many liberal Democrats, who say the midterm losses were the result in part of a political base dispirited by the president's penchant for compromise."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/06/AR2010120607353.html


In this view, it's about "winning back independent voters." Interesting, if not inspiring, calculation.

[TwilightGardener]

1. It's apparent what he'd trying to do--and to give him credit, it's a more

personally honest and true-to-form move for him than it was for Clinton. That said, it may not work, but we'll have to see. I do remember polls where the majority insists he was too liberal (??), and I'm sure he's taken that to heart. But without a GOTV-excited base who will also open their checkbooks, he will be screwed, especially since Citizens United and the fact some of his donors are now supporting Republicans in the wake of his reforms.

[polichick]

2. Yeah, trading the base for the middle won't work...

And, imo, it's just plain cynical and unprincipled. Truth is, the middle goes with the winning team - get the base excited again and the middle will jump back on the bandwagon.

[katsy]

3. Sounds like he finally found a base that he can

really represent.

And he has certainly succeeded in infuriating at least one ex-supporter (myself).

Good luck President last reasonable man. I'm sure the premium independent voters will throw flowers at your feet and talk nice about you from now on.

Giving independents/conservatives everything they want and calling it a compromise. Just wow.

:eyes:

[polichick]

5. It's so silly to woo fickled indies - if Republicans look stronger, they'll go with them...

If Dems look stronger, they'll go with us - just like many people with sports.

[katsy]

8. You're s right about that.

Birds of a feather... fickled is something he can relate to maybe. Who knows.

[KeepItReal]

4. This "Obama is clueless on GOP intentions" spin is nauseating

He is choosing not to fight them on issue after issue.

[polichick]

9. Yeah, "clueless" isn't the word for it. nt

[COLGATE4]

6. Yeah - he extended them an olive branch and

they shoved it up his ass!

[polichick]

7. Ouch!

[GoCubsGo]

10. You mean ANOTHER olive branch

At this point, he has pretty much given them a whole fucking olive tree.

[polichick]

11. At least they're beautiful...