President Goes on the Attack Early

[babylonsister]

President Goes on the Attack Early

By CAROL E. LEE And JONATHAN WEISMAN

snip//

At a fund-raiser in Silicon Valley on Sunday, Mr. Obama took direct aim at one of his potential rivals, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, criticizing his skepticism that there is a human connection to global warming. Mr. Obama also suggested in Seattle that Republican leadership would "cripple" the nation's economic future.

The comments suggest Mr. Obama and his political aides believe he must begin aggressively attacking Republicans now to overcome the hurdles in the way of his re-election: a 9.1% unemployment rate, a lethargic Democratic base, disengaged independent voters and energized Republicans.

With no economic turnaround in sight, the president doesn't have the luxury of allowing his rivals to define him or his record, said Donna Brazile, who managed Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign.

snip//


On Sunday, though, Mr. Obama responded to clips he had seen. "I mean, has anybody been watching the debates lately? You've got a governor whose state is on fire denying climate change," he said at a fund-raiser, in a reference to Mr. Perry.

"You've got audiences cheering at the prospect of somebody dying because they don't have health care and booing a service member in Iraq because they're gay," Mr. Obama said. "That's not reflective of who we are."

more...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204010604576595261618249604.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[liberal N proud]

1. I wish he would have done this 2 years ago.

Maybe this is a new/old Obama emerging at last.

[yurbud]

7. if they are so dangerous, why make half or more of stimulus GOP ideas?

Why use their model of health care reform?

Why use their talking points for military intervention?

Why use their teacher bashing, test to death, and then privatize approach to K-12 education?

[ellisonz]

9. This is always who Obama has been.

He's tried to govern and now he's going to take the case to the people. What do you want him to do? Rip up the Constitution?

[vi5]

2. Yeah. Early.

That's when he did it. Early. 3 years into his term and 3 years of relentless hatred and obstructionism later is "early."

[babylonsister]

3. Lucky for us, he's been very busy concentrating

on issues that actually matter instead of wasting his time playing political games.
I figured his new aggressiveness might inspire some here, but I see I thought wrong.

[vi5]

8. Yeah. Lucky for us.

That's what we are. "Lucky".

[cilla4progress]

4. There is the possibility this is part of a plan...

Hold his fire for the campaign; govern for 2.5 years, campaign for 1.5.

We'll see if the strategy works...let's hope so.

[BklnDem75]

5. I'm noticing a lot of Mr. Obama's in there...

while giving Perry his full official title.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. I think that the debt ceiling battle finally caused him to lose it

While I would have lost it with the Republicans a LOT earlier, better late than never, I always say.

[ellisonz]

10. This is a stong man.

He's got the spirit of Kamehameha. 2012 will be a punishing blow to the GOP.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. I hope so!

:thumbsup: