Now that Obama is not going to cut SS what responses will we see from commentators?

[Godhumor]

Full end of the topic "in the media and the blogosphere"

edit: Couldn't fit "probably" before "is not going to" in the subject. This is based off the NYT article saying he wasn't likely to use the Cat Food recommendations on SS.

Unfortunately, not in a position to make it a poll.

1) Obama never planned on cutting social security
2) Bad polling made him change his mind, but he'll still find a way to cut it later (i.e. the "We're not letting this meme go" answer)
3) Outraged voters flooded the White House response center and made him back off (Similar to 2)
4) Democrats in Congress forced his hand (Again, similar to 2)
5) Some combination of 2 through 4
6) SS should have never been on the table anyway. Just the fact that it was a topic of debate shows that Obama doesn't have credibility on the issue (i.e. "The damned if he does, damned if he doesn't" response)


I fear that possibility 1 is going to get very little play...

[Enrique]

1. 'the media' is as hostile to Social Security as the centrists are

and the NYT is part of 'the media' by the way.

[Godhumor]

2. Fine, call it commentators.

My point is, that I think it is highly unlikely Obama will receive any credit for not cutting SS.

[Enrique]

3. SS has been under attack from the beginning

the last thing we should be worrying about is whether some politician gets credit for something we imagine he's going to do. We need to make sure the program survives. By the time I start needing those benefits, Obama will be long gone. Not to mention future generations.

[Godhumor]

4. But the meme has been that he'd start calling for cuts "now"

And he is not going to. The man would have been crucified if he did, and he was, in fact, pre-emptively skewered by a fair number of people for an imaginary stance.

[displacedvermoter]

10. He set himself up for not getting credit for not cutting SS --

a terribly labored line -- because so many of us are not as smart as him and can't understand why he put Simpson and Bowlers in a position to destroy SS through their commission. Many folks have been listening to both os these ass-clowns for the past 20 years talking about SS in the most nasty fashion, and being afraid of this kinda talk, they were devastated when the President selected these exact a-c's to be his point people on 'deficit reduction'.

[Arkana]

5. I'm betting on #2.

"WE SCARED 'IM OFF THIS TIME, BUT HE'LL BE BACK!" will be the FDL rallying cry.

[namahage]

16. "We made him back down. Now send us money." n/t

[Andy823]

6. In my opinion

SS is just one of many "false" statements going around, started by the right wing, to make president Obama look bad with his base. I see it everyday, all kinds of made up lies about the president being put out as "facts" with no proof what so ever to back them up, yet so many on the left buy into this crap and get all ticked off at the president!

The bottom line is a con job is going on by the right, trolls come here, and to other sites to spew the lies, and sadly many who claim to be liberals buy into the BS for one reason or another. When will people do their homework and check out all the BS before they accept the right wing talking points as facts?

[SidDithers]

7. Number 1...

Obama was never going to cut SS.

Sid

[hay rick]

8. Counting chickens.

If Obama doesn't call for cuts in SS in the SOTU does that mean he is and always was opposed to eligibility/benefit changes in SS? The recommendations of his "bipartisan" Deficit Commission and his agreement to replace Making Work Pay with the payroll tax holiday certainly create reasonable cause for concern.

If Obama does not explicitly state his opposition to such cuts it is not unreasonable to suppose that they are still on the table.

The SOTU is a political speech and does not have to transparently describe his complete agenda. Assuming Obama gives SS a pass in the SOTU, his current stance on SS will likely come out early in the year during debate on increasing the debt limit or later in the year when the payroll tax holiday is set to expire.

[Godhumor]

9. Sounds a lot like 6, if you don't mind me saying

If he doesn't acknowledge the rumor, because social security was never on the table in the first place, then he has no credibility on the issue. Like I said, I don't think Obama is going to be given any benefit of the doubt even when he does not call for a cut in SS.

[displacedvermoter]

11. Maybe you have a good reason why he selected

Sinmpson and Bowles to be his point people on Deficit Reduction, which to each of them meant going after SS?

[hay rick]

13. He has undercut his own credibility on the issue.

First, by his appointments to the "bipartisan" Deficit Commission and secondly, by the tax cut compromise which accepted unaffordable deficit-creating extensions of tax cuts for the rich as well as a cut to Social Security funding packaged in the sheep's clothing of stimulus.

My real attitude is wait and see. Obama will probably have to take an unequivocal stand on Social Security before the year is over. I admit that I am pessimistic. I hope I am proven wrong.

[Mojorabbit]

23. +10000 nt

[BklnDem75]

12. What recommendations?

The Deficit Commission had a vote. It failed. There's no recommendations except in the mind of those who wants to keep it relevant.

[hay rick]

14. The deficit Commission did not have a vote.

Article here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/12/3/925232/-Deficit-commission-adjourns-without-holding-official-vote

The article includes a quote from Obama on the Commission's work. Excerpt: "The Commission’s majority report includes a number of specific proposals that I – along with my economic team -- will study closely in the coming weeks as we develop our budget and our priorities for the coming year."

No vote was taken when it became clear that the Commission could not muster the 14 of 18 votes required under the terms of Obama's original mandate.

[BklnDem75]

15. That would mean a failed vote

'The 11-7 vote in favor of the panel co-chairmen's recommendations for a painful mix of spending cuts and tax increases foretells a bitterly partisan and possibly unproductive debate in the House. If there's a deal to be had, it will likely be reached in the Senate. Fourteen votes were needed to officially send the plan to Congress now for quick action on it.'

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101203/ap_on_bi_ge/us_deficit_commission

[Arkana]

20. Wow, right on cue.

"WE SCARED HIM OFF THIS TIME BUT I'M SURE HE'LL BE BACK!"

You people cannot ever accept that you're wrong, can you?

[Uzybone]

17. meh...on to the next fake outrage

rinse and repeat from day 1

[JoePhilly]

18. That should have been #7 ... it'll be like DADT all over again.

Lots of predictions about doom, just on some other topic.

[Whisp]

19. The Hamster will claim all credit

if it weren't for her obnoxious assholioness, Obama WOULD have cut SS.

see what a hero she really is?

*vomit *puke *upchuck

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bigwillq]

21. Obama gets a thank you from me (nt)

[Major Hogwash]

24. "Why won't Obama work with Speaker Boehner to reduce the deficits?"

That's what they will say -- as if Boehner runs anything other than his big mouth!!

As if SS has anything to do with deficits!
And then they'll say that the Democrats are weak, smell bad, and run around on their wives.