White House Masters Unwelcome Praise

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_03/028307.php

WHITE HOUSE MASTERS UNWELCOME PRAISE.... Last week, President Obama praised Mitt Romney, emphasizing areas of agreement on health care between the White House and the former Massachusetts governor. It seemed pretty likely that the kind words were intended to undermine Romney's presidential efforts, at least a little.

Yesterday, it was Jon Huntsman's turn.

Huntsman, of course, is the departing U.S. Ambassador to China, and the former governor of Utah, who appears to be gearing up for a presidential campaign, running as a Republican. White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley was asked about this on "Meet the Press" yesterday, and said Huntsman has done "an excellent job on behalf of the Obama administration." Daley added:

"{Huntsman's} support of the Obama administration, his support of the president, the things he did on behalf of this administration and the closeness in which he worked with the president is most appreciated. And I'm sure he'll talk about that in the primaries."

:D

This was anything but subtle. Note that Daley used the words "Obama administration" twice -- he could have just as easily said "us" or "the administration" -- reinforcing the connection between "Huntsman" and "Obama." Indeed, practically all of the phrases seemed crafted with a larger strategy in mind: "support of the president," "closeness" with the president, etc.

It's easy to imagine Daley's quote being inserted directly into a primary campaign ad. My strong hunch is, that wasn't an accident.

—Steve Benen

[bluestateguy]

1. This is one example of 14 dimensional chess actually being a good thing

nt

[jenmito]

2. I love how they do that. K&R. n/t

[DCKit]

3. They don't do it often enough. Maybe Daley will be better than Rham, though.

It's not as if the House and Senate Republics don't provide enough fodder for these tactics.

[zalinda]

4. Woopee! So Obama will get another term

and the poor will be made to eat more dirt. How many homeless does there have to be before Obama is more concerned about them than his own re-election?

zalinda

[babylonsister]

6. OK. Which rethug has the poor's best interests at heart?

You've implied there is one, and sure, I'm sure Obama wants poor people to eat dirt, because you said so. :eyes:

[zalinda]

9. So, it's either Obama or a Republican?

How about a politician who truly cares about this country and it's people. Not just the rich and corporations like Obama and the Republicans do.

I'm tired of people who are sitting comfortably telling those of us who are suffering, to shut up and take whatever Obama gives you, or you will go to the hell Republicans can make. Believe me, the poor suffered just as much under Bush as they have under Obama. One master is just as bad as another master who doesn't care about you. You wonder why poor people don't go out and vote? Here's your answer. We get stomped on no matter who is in office, so why bother.

Poor people came out in droves for Obama because they thought that he would understand their plight. Why didn't they come out in 2010? Because they realized he doesn't give a shit about them either. The Gulf Coast "spill" showed that. It was Obama's Katrina, and he failed. His attitude looked just like Bush's did during Katrina. He honestly didn't give a shit.

zalinda

[RufusTFirefly]

10. Now you've done it!

You've spoken the truth. That's frowned up.

No matter how far the party moves to the right and capitulates to corporations, you're going to take what they give you and like it!

No questions, no complaints, or we will accuse you of secretly supporting Sarah Palin, John McCain, or any number of scary specters designed to keep us all in line.

Pony, chess game, c'mon he's been in office less than 2 1/2 years, etc., etc.

[RufusTFirefly]

5. Don't forget Jebbie!! (and Poland, of course)

We are also honored to be joined here today by another champion of education reform, somebody who championed reform when he was in office, somebody who is now championing reform as a private citizen -- Jeb Bush...The truth is I've gotten to know Jeb because his family exemplifies public service. And we are so grateful to him for the work that he’s doing on behalf of education. So, thank you, Jeb.

[babylonsister]

7. And don't forget this...

“Even though Gov Bush and I disagree on a range of issues we agree on the importance of education to America.’’

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=623041&mesg_id=623041

[ProSense]

8. I Don't Think That Was The Front Page Story Romney Wanted

TPM: I Don't Think That Was The Front Page Story Romney Wanted

I don't think this is the sort of earned media Mitt Romney had in mind for the New Hampshire market.



That's from Sunday's Boston Herald. I'm not sure what would have happened if Romney had committed a couple years ago to being that one Republican guy who says Obamacare's not that bad, and that everybody else has lost their minds. Quite possibly it wouldn't have worked and he'd have been driven out of the party. But at least he'd have a coherent stand to take. Now he's stuck with this albatross around his neck and my sense is it's too heavy for even the scrappiest communicators in politics to lift it off him.

Mitt is in a pickle.