President Obama and House Republicans had a rather candid, at times combative, but overall a fascinating and rare public exchange on the successes and failures of the administration's first year in office here today. Republicans came in determined to show that they in fact have been more than the "party of no" that Democrats portray them as, while Obama called on the opposition to tone down what he deemed as hyperbolic attacks.And despite the whipping her party took in Massachusetts largely because of the health care issue, San Fran Nan issued another "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" message on healthcare. She doesn't get it.
In the end, what emerged from the session was a clear sense of how Republicans could potentially frame this year's midterm elections. Multiple Congressmen rose to hail the president's promises and intentions but argued that he has been ill-served by an obstinate House Democratic leadership, and specifically Speaker Pelosi.
That point was driven home most effectively, perhaps, by Rep. Pete Roskam (R-Ill.), a former colleague of Obama's in the Illinois state Senate. He said he had enjoyed collaborating on tough issues with Obama in Springfield, but wondered what had changed.
"You've gotten the subtext of House Republicans that sincerely want to come and be a part of this national conversation toward solutions, but they've really been stiff-armed by Speaker Pelosi," Roskam said. "The obstacle is, frankly, the politics within the Democratic caucus."
Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), the GOP conference chairman, was more blunt, waving a compilation of his party's ideas, and saying to the president that the summary "is backed up by precisely the kind of detailed legislation that Speaker Pelosi and your administration have been busy ignoring for 12 months."
And making her the focal point of the House races this fall could be a very successful strategy. She's not well loved among most of the people in this country.
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In my opinion, the ongoing problem with Washington seems the 'Little People' (as perceived) are too STUPID to figure out maniuplation/corruption at its hightest degree. Hence, selling-out for personal gain has clouded the initial vision to seve The People into craving dictatorship rule (whose idea was that, I wonder?). Yes, the temptation is alluring to the wicked's dream of 'Peasant, bow before thee', but its not realistic in America.
Will Progressive Liberals succeed in 'changing' America? I'd say, 'HELL NO, WE WON'T GO!'
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