Ponder. If all was reversed and Obama was a Republican, how would his base feel and react,

[elocs]

and what would be their perceptions of his actions?

Particularly the vocal activists of the party, which for the Republicans tend to be right of center and for Democrats are left of center. After all, the right of center Republicans believe that the Liberal Left is batshit crazy and they don't trust us and we believe exactly the same of them with each side absolutely convinced that they are correct.

[mia]

1. Republican base would be more supportive.

They also have a harder time admitting that they're wrong.

[elocs]

2. Would they? Even if they thought what was done betrayed their principles?

How do the right of center Republicans feel about compromise or concession?

[Bluenorthwest]

4. I suggest you ask Harriet Miers about that

She'll tell you.

[stray cat]

3. So the left and right really share a lot in common

[Bluenorthwest]

5. Sure, obviously both sides share the same center

And the same voters who dwell there. They vote left, and vote right, but always 'from the center'.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. Depends On How It Was Framed

I'm not a big fan of framing because life has taught me to be a stone cold realist but most folks are susceptible to it.

[northoftheborder]

7. the Republican base

Since any one with an R before his name can do no wrong, there would be little protest from those hypocrites; I make exception for a few radical rights who might grumble a little.

[Life Long Dem]

8. Let me see.

He wants unemployment compensation and he wants to cut taxes for the middle class. I wouldn't be too enthused about that.

[tomg]

10. But he also extended it for the

top 2%, the estate tax is looking awfully good again, and we ( meaning the Rs) got in a great stealth attack on social security. I would say - were I a Republican - we did quite well. In fact, given long term strategy, all he got was 13 months of unemployment benfits ( and nothing for the 99ers), an extension of tax cuts for the middle class (which the Rs will claim as part of their strategy - that John Boehner statement about Boehner giving in if necessary will come back as "we would always have helped you guys out"), and a payroll tax holiday ( see above on stealth attack). Even the timing looks great for the Republicans. Thirteen months from now, benefits cease - and that is going to hurt in an election year. Since the deficit is still going to be out to lunch, the Rs can beat him upside the head with that - again. And he is back fighting the 2nd part - the extensions - during the campaign itself.

In other words, in terms of long-term strategy for corporatists, the President got hammered on negotiations. Of course, it is easier to negotiate when the other side is worried about human beings at the ends of their ropes and in danger of losing their homes, while your side is working deals for people who are going to have to putt off adding an extension on to their 3rd vacation home which is located on a beach.

My problem is not that the rich and the corporations got a lot but that they got it for cheap. For me, it is not the principal, per se, where President Obama got it wrong. Whenever you are trying to make it better for people who are in need, your principals are right. I think it was a poor negotiation of his part. The corporatists and their Republican minions would have given more - a lot more - because they don't really have any skin in the game.

So if I were a typical corporatist Republican whose only principal is a principle that earns a good interest rate, I would be pretty happy.

[OHdem10]

9. Good, then we must decide which America we wish.

An American society which is tiered with small groups
of Uber Rich, and Rich at top harboring pretty near
all the country's resources, while the majority
become poorer and a massive underclass comprised of
poor Whites, African-American and Hispanics cover
the country east,west, north ans south.

OR

an American where every class is chipping in, putting
their shoulder to the wheel and doing everything in
their power to push this country out of the ditch
and on the way to peace and prosperity.

Right now we have chosen the America in which the
Uber-Rich rule over poor getting poorer. Who will
have the courage to change course. You know it means
standing up to rich, the powerful, Wall Street etc.
At the present I am pretty cynical. God Help this country.

[GSLevel9]

11. they'd throw him under the bus for sure.

remember "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" that Shrub supported? The Right absolutely LIT HIM UP for that...

yeah.