The enemy of problem-solving in politics is ideological inflexibility.

[mzteris]

In debt talks, Obama as grown-up in the room
By John P. Avlon, Special to CNN
July 11, 2011 6:55 p.m. EDT

. . .

The president essentially called the bluff of conservatives who constantly call for action on the deficit but are making a habit of walking away from ambitious deals.
To strengthen his credibility as the "adult in the room," President Obama repeatedly asserted his willingness to stand up to liberal activist groups in pursuit of a grand bargain. "I'm prepared to take on significant heat from my party to get something done," he said, "and I expect the other side should be willing to do the same thing if they mean what they say."

. . . Let's begin with some basic nonpartisan math: Dealing with the long-term deficit and debt requires spending cuts, revenue increases and entitlement reform. Economic growth is the additional X-factor. The result will be America back on sound fiscal footing.
Divided government means that one side cannot insist on what Obama called "my-way-or-the-highway" negotiations and expect to get anywhere other than up against a brick wall.

. . .But in these negotiations, President Obama is proving he can stand up to the far left as well as the far right. It takes such a stand to catalyze real negotiations that can get our government to work again. This is what we pay our presidents for: to look out for the national interest while the parties pander to their respective special interests.

Forging a grand bargain on the deficit and debt takes political courage. It is the political courage to reach across the aisle, recognizing that every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. It is the political courage that believes we can still achieve great things if we reason together -- not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans first. It is the kind of political courage that we have the least of right now in our politics, and those who are willing to stand up for it deserve to be called leaders.

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http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/07/11/avlon.debt.talks/

[joeybee12]

I call bullshit...just like the majority of political pundits...

You stand for something you know is right, you explain why it's right and you fight for it...it's not inflexibility, it's doing what's right.

[derby378]

1. As if ideological FLEXibility did wonders for the Dems on Capitol Hill in November 2010

If our party doesn't stand for something, it will fall for anything.

[BOG PERSON]

2. but ideology is the foundation of politics

taking ideology out of politics amount to a de-politicization of politics. absurd!

[pscot]

3. Is objecting to date rape

ideological inflexibility? Wake up. Please. You are not a pleasure unit.

[canoeist52]

4. taking ideology out of politics turns it ino just another football game.

[Blecht]

5. Man, that article is one big pile of manure

Our media are so fucking worthless.

Did you post that here to point that out? Or do you agree with this?