The “war” on Barack Obama? Oh, please
posted at 8:55 am on February 13, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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The normally sensible Joe Gandelman links to the normally hysterical Andrew Sullivan today to complain about the supposed “war” launched against Barack Obama by the Republicans. Neither man considers the fact that Republicans — and a great many Americans — have serious questions about the economic policies of Obama and the Democratic leadership in Congress, but instead just have it out for Obama personally. Sullivan:
This much is now clear. Their clear and open intent is to do all they can, however they can, to sabotage the new administration (and the economy to boot). They want failure. Even now. Even after the last eight years. Even in a recession as steeply dangerous as this one. There are legitimate debates to be had; and then there is the cynicism and surrealism of total political war. We now should have even less doubt about what kind of people they are. And the mountain of partisan vitriol Obama will have to climb every day of the next four or eight years.
Gandelman:
Some will quibble with how Sullivan words this, but it is indeed increasingly difficult to make an argument that the Republican party is acting in good faith with the White House and the American people as it continues to play to its base.
Good faith? When exactly did the Democrats show good faith? This bill started out by locking Republicans out of its draft, as well as many Democrats through Nancy Pelosi’s refusal to return to regular order in the House. This is the most expensive bill ever considered by the Congress, by far the most expensive project ever considered, and yet the Democrats have failed to allow any meaningful debate or access to amend the bill. In fact, they have yet to provide the bill to some members, but K Street already has its copies. Yet they want to force a vote today on a bill comprising 1500 pages of legisation, with an initial cost of $785 billion and a ten-year cost of over $3 trillion without giving people a chance to read it — and the Republicans are acting in bad faith?
Joe references Rush Limbaugh as proof of the Republican war against Obama, but that’s absurd. When Republican Congressmen and Senators start calling for Obama to be impeached, like we have heard from their Democratic counterparts for almost the entire span of the Bush administration, then you can cry about a “war” on Obama. Dissent on policy is not war, gentlemen. It’s America.
And if Joe wants to complain about Rush Limbaugh, where was he during the entirety of Keith Olbermann’s sorry career of supposed news anchorship, which consisted of nothing but anti-Bush diatribes?
There certainly is legitimate debate to be had, and especially on Porkulus. Sullivan’s argument is apparently that none dare challenge The One, lest it be considered a “war”. Well, man up, because we’re going to challenge every bad policy that comes out of the Obama administration for the next four years — because that’s what people do in democracies when they disagree.
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Parroting the Left really isn’t becoming for Conservatives I agree.
BTW, after this last winter, had you considered changing your screen name to “Grow Fur”?
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Further evidence of the liberal ideology. They regard it as a birthright to use any term available to criticise whomever they want, but when their “enemies” turn the tables on them, they suffer from apoplexy.
After 8 years of hearing “Bushitler”, you can go fornicate yourself.
BobMbx on February 13, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Isn’t that their job!?
Jed1899 on February 13, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Homophobe!!!!!
ThereGoesTheNeighborhood on February 13, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Well Gandelman,is this your idea of “party unity”.
Is this the liberal version of putting country first.
Like we need corrupt,lying liberals to preach to us about ethics and showing support when the country needs it the most:
Congressman admits Democrats “stretched the facts,” misled anti-war supporters about supposed plans for ending War
Submitted by Jeff Emanuel on Thu, 05/22/2008 – 8:18pm.
http://jeffemanuel.net/paul-kanjorski-pa-11-admits-democrats-lied-about-being-able-to-end-war-in-iraq
“I’ll tell you my impression. We really in this last election, when I say we…the Democrats, I think pushed it as far as we can to the end of the fleet, didn’t say it, but we implied it. That if we won the Congressional elections, we could stop the war. Now anybody was a good student of Government would know that wasn’t true. But you know, the temptation to want to win back the Congress, we sort of stretched the facts…and people ate it up.”
Democrats Mull Politicizing Iraq War Intelligence
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,102206,00.htmlget_a(300,250,“frame1″);
Liberals sold out this country and stabbed our Soldiers in the back in the pursuit of political gain.
Liberals need to clean up your their own back yard before telling everybody else what to do with theirs.
Hypocritical idiots.
Baxter Greene on February 13, 2009 at 9:47 AM
I thought dissent was the highest form of patriotism? Oh, wait, only if the President is a Republican and the dissenter is a liberal Democrat.
KC on February 13, 2009 at 9:47 AM
It shows a negative reaction to their way of doing business and they’re getting defensive.
Popcorn please.
Itchee Dryback on February 13, 2009 at 9:48 AM
People People PEOPLE!!!
The answer to these accusations is so readiliy apparent that I can’t believe no one has yet posted it.
Anytime a drooling leftist accuses the right of something, its because the drooling leftist is already doing it.
Taken from the above quotes of saame said drooler leftists:
That was exactly the M.O. of the drooler left during the entirety of the Bush Admin term 1 and 2.
Edits mine:
SO you see, that yes, the Obama Administration and the Congressional Dems are in all out political war against the Republicans. Its been a political truth for as long as I’ve been politicly aware and I’m 53 yrs old now.
Anytime the left accuse the right of something, they’re already guilty of it and still doing it.
44Magnum on February 13, 2009 at 9:48 AM
How about we make a two-hour movie about it? Let’s get Michael Moore to help.
Oh, wait……. He’s too busy making movies praising Castro and whining about how corrupt he though Bush was.
UltimateBob on February 13, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Ed, this is the best post all year on HotAir.
Now on to our regularly scheduled programming.
When did the 48 hours begin? I’m still waiting to see the bill. And the action I’m waiting for wasn’t even a campaign promise, to be discarded as whim dictates…
Obama isn’t entirely at fault here — not entirely, even though he hosted a tea to peel off three Republicans who should have known better. The nexus of evil appears to be Pelosi, with various reports making both Obama and Reid very unhappy with her. Now we hear that the unhappiness flows in all directions. Minor unhappiness, since these people are only arguing over the size of the scalpel to use in cutting open the taxpayer’s wallet, not the fact that they are going to empty it once it is open.
I’m not a Democrat because I don’t agree with any of their policies, either social or economic. At least I feel continuous — I wouldn’t have been a Democrat in the 1850’s and 1860’s either, for the identical reasons.
unclesmrgol on February 13, 2009 at 9:50 AM
from what i understand, Sullivan’s problem isn’t his inability to “man-up”. besides, isn’t ‘dissent the highest form of patriotism’?
cpr on February 13, 2009 at 9:52 AM
Exactly.
Didn’t we hear Hillary screaming about how disagreeing with the President was not unpatriotic a few years back? Why don’t we drag that clip out and play it over and over whenever anyone says that to disagree with Obama is to be unpatriotic?
sultanp on February 13, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Well put. What a bunch of crybabies. Sounds to me like they’re both scared to death that they’ve made a horrible mistake carrying the torch for Obama, who turned right around and handed it (as well as the nation’s pursestrings) to the speaker of the house. Maybe they don’t have any faith in the biggest boondogle package this country has ever seen either and are looking for a scapegoat, which is always, of course, the Republicans.
scalleywag on February 13, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Pelosi has a Progressive disease called Liberlism.
Jed1899 on February 13, 2009 at 9:57 AM
As far as I know that is projection.
This narcissistic paranoia is absolutely hilarious.
My Orville Redenbacher stash & coconut oil is running low.
Looks like I’ll need to make a trip to the store this weekend!
Badger40 on February 13, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Darn, something ate my post. Again.
NO, there are no rules against her office. It’s just over the top and in your face and I’m sure she’s aware of that.
I had posted a story in the comment that got eaten about a lib dental hygienist who said she was a wife of a deployed soldier and neither of them agreed with the war. So for 15-20 minutes while she had all the torture tools in my mouth and not being able to say anything bad, she freaking went on and on about how bad Bush was.
True story,
Except for the torture tools.
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 9:58 AM
I think the big difference between Bush derangment syndrome, and Obama derangement syndrome is that people almost exclusively didn’t like what Bush was doing with the war, and with Obama, we realize what a complete socialist, incompetant he is! He’s so far out of his league, he makes me think Biden would be a safer alternative! The decisions Obama has made in just three weeks of office have been really bad- he’s just not qualified for the job, intellectually or tempermentally.
anniekc on February 13, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Racism? For sure. obama is going to use black solidarity in the inner cities to keep himself and his Party in power, at least in those areas. What other reason could there be for his administration to plan to ‘fix’ the census. It’s not just a Democratic power grab!(feel free to read what you like into that remark)
jeanie on February 13, 2009 at 10:01 AM
“War” on Obama?? Maybe he should fire his staff, they’ve been shooting him in the foot with remarkable regularity.
irongrampa on February 13, 2009 at 10:03 AM
The most outrageous thing about any of this new found desire for civility by the left is their timing. They want us to be civil and cooperate blindly because of their bank books and fears of losing the economy.
I recall reading posts from this very site during times when my unit was deployed and folks like you were calling for a little civility in the discourse because you were afraid of losing soldiers and possibly losing the war.
I say if they didn’t care about their own soldiers and felt compelled to say any evil that came to their mind about President Bush and us, then screw them now. Let the panty waists suck it up like we had to.
Resist and agitate.
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Middle finger rising in salute to these two morons.
whitetop on February 13, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I need to know what Cindy Sheehan thinks about this un-necessary and illegal war in Obama! (wherever that is…)
BobMbx on February 13, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Not much to comment on – I though dissent was the highest form of patriotism. Right?
If Republicans were truly patriotic, we’d be burning Obama in effigy in the streets and throwing shoes at him. Right? Isn’t that what we’ve been told for 8 years?
The liberals sowed the wind, now they’re shocked that their reaping a pretty minor whirlwind. Imagine if we actually did treat Obama just as Bush was treated for 8 years!
Mostly I just wanted to say: its damn nice to see a picture of President Bush on these pages. It made me smile.
Professor Blather on February 13, 2009 at 10:08 AM
when I hear or read about people whining because of name calling or sniping the new POTUS, I tell them to “Toughen up. You’ll get used to it.” Usually shuts them up fairly quickly.
Oink on February 13, 2009 at 10:10 AM
War is merely a continuation of politics with other means.
— Carl von Clausewitz
Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.
— Mao Tse-Tung
Nice post, Ed, but quit being defensive about it. Whether it’s Sully or Gandelman feigning surprise, Obama with his criminal minions and thuggish acolytes, are at war by other means.
So if they’re accusing argument, say no, it’s a fight. If they say fight, say no, skirmish. If skirmish, say no, battle, and if battle, say: “Wrong again, it’s a war.”
As is the view of the left, victory is the only option and they have no interest in acting in good faith. Ours should be the same.
Dusty on February 13, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Right. The left didn’t try at every turn to undermine the Bush Admin during his tenure.
Its almost formulaic how the left operates Badger.
Projection? Bah!
44Magnum on February 13, 2009 at 10:10 AM
As our resident trolls on this board like to say…”it’s going to be a long four years”.
I have no idea what hallucinations they are confusing with memories. I’m 44 years old, and I don’t remember any time under any president that partisan politics was any different. Even in Reagan’s salad days, there was absolute hatred by some of these same folks who now complain that it’s too hot in the kitchen.
connertown on February 13, 2009 at 10:11 AM
So what if we’re at war with Obama….
The liberals were at war with GWB AND America at the same time.
Come to think of it, they’re still at war with America. The last election was their version of “the surge”
wildweasel on February 13, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Or planning on doing it.
Projection occurs to some extent on both sides of the aisle, of course, but seems vastly more virulent on the left. As you say, we can usually read a leftist’s mind by listening to the charges he makes against us.
petefrt on February 13, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Rod on February 13, 2009 at 9:27 AM
BetseyRoss on February 13, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Well Professor, I will admit, my public discourse is mild because of military regulations that prohibit me from making statements against elected officials. I fully intend to ramp it up after I’m retired if the administration stays on this jack-booted thug path they’ve begun.
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Gandelman is Lib, end of story. And a ventriloquist. Not sure which is worse.
Dudley Smith on February 13, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Man, I have to agree with you. I don’t want it to be that way. But when the other side plays that way, it leaves no choice.
The radical left has always been the most zealous about their way being the only way, and compromise being a one-way street. They reap what they sow.
connertown on February 13, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Man, I really HATE ventriloquists.
connertown on February 13, 2009 at 10:14 AM
“A Republican party that added more than $30 trillion to the future debt in a time of boom has no credible answer but raw partisanship for opposing $800 billion in the swiftest downturn in employment since the Great Depression. That’s the bottom line.”
Andrew “The Conservative Soul” Sullivan.
What 30 Trillion dollars is Sullivan talking about? Where did he pull that number from? Id did not care for increases of spendging under Bush and agree the GOP should have done more, but I must have missed the 30 trillion in future debt.
Mr. Joe on February 13, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Liberal leadership takes money from and supports the activist groups that vandalize our recruitment centers and call our Soldiers murderers and war criminals.
democrats support the groups like answer,code pink,and move on that constantly called for the arrest and even murder of President Bush and Vice President Cheney.
democrats support these groups that actively support terrorist and communist dictators:
Lefties Love America So Much They Support Those Killing American Troops…
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/31036_Zombie-_The_Denver_Games_–_Opening_Ceremony
….like al Sadr.
liberals fantasized about killing the President of the United States for years
Archive » Assassination Chic
http://michellemalkin.com/category/unhinged/assassination-chic/
And of course we saw this “war on Obama” tactic used in the
08 Presidential election.
It was okay to make fun of McCains war wounds,call him old and senile,call Palin stupid,accuse her of lying about the birth of her child,and flaunt many different ways of beating
her or hanging her by the neck,ALL IN THE NAME OF DISSENT!!!!:
Crush the Obamedia narrative: Look who’s “gripped by insane rage”
By Michelle Malkin • October 12, 2008 11:50 AM
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/10/12/crush-the-obamedia-narrative-look-whos-gripped-by-insane-rage/?print=1
Yea,it’s okay to call for Palin’s gang rape or do videos of her being beat down,but don’t you dare say Obama’s middle name Hussein.
liberals have spent 8 years pushing the most bigoted hatred against people who disagree with them politically.
They have no grounds are credibility to call for respect after spewing this crap while telling everybody how intelligent and open minded they are.
Baxter Greene on February 13, 2009 at 10:15 AM
What an ignorant F***wad! The debate should have been had when the bill was first written. But the demoRATS couldn’t be bothered.
csdeven on February 13, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Great post and links. And again, they don’t believe what they’re saying. It’s a tactic to make us shut up.
We won’t.
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Sigh.
Yes. It’s true. There is a great deal in this thread that reminds me of the behavior of liberals for 8 years. In fact, in recent months, Hot Air seems to have been taken over by a crowd that really belongs in a place like DU or KOS.
Pretty much the same exact behavior, sometimes the same exact words, just rooting for a different team.
And frankly, I don’t even know how to handle it. I now feel a little lost, like I don’t have a team. Because I spent years pointing out just how anti-American, anti-democracy, anti-freedom that behavior always is … whether left or right. And I’ve said over and over that when it was our turn, we’d be different.
We don’t seem so different now. The same immaturity. The same ineffective, divisive, hateful behavior, that accomplishes less than nothing, other than venting a little childish rage.
“Obamamuslim is not my President,” huh? What do you say to that? It’s exactly what we’re supposed to be fighting against. And now it’s us.
I guess people are all the same – and don’t change much.
Regardless, I still believe that, by comparison, a far greater percentage of conservatives are principled, rational, and mature in their dissent.
I hope I’m right. And I sure wish so many people at HotAir would quit trying to prove me wrong. I’m frankly now embarrassed when I think of people pointing to these comments as typical of conservatives.
I’m sure liberals are enjoying it … just as we enjoyed mocking their moonbattery for years.
Too many of us didn’t learn anything from their behavior.
And that, Mr. D, is a perfect example of how dissent is SUPPOSED to be done. Mature, rational, focused, not based on personal attacks … and effective.
We need more like you. A lot less of the other kind.
Professor Blather on February 13, 2009 at 10:23 AM
The kosification of the Right has been increasing steadily over the last few weeks Hawk and I’ve seen nary a voice on the conservative side calling for people to calm the frack down.
On the substance of this thread. I think the GOP refuses to learn its lesson. The polls indicate that people blame the GOP for partisan rancor in this new administration precisely because they are on television doing nothing but opposing the stimulus plan (for some good reasons and alot of bad reasons) and they see Obama rhetorically and superficially reaching out to the GOP (inviting them over to have drinks, meeting with them) and substantively by appointing them to his administration. Already the white house is spinning the Gregg withdrawal as another sign that Obama isn’t getting anything for trying to work with the GOP. It makes them look unreasonable and makes him look like a martyr to the bitter GOP who are in the minority.
Frankly, it’s the 2010 election already and the GOP doesn’t seem to get it. By the time those elections roll around everything that went wrong these two years will be blamed on GOP obstructionism. In order to get a media narrative really rolling you’ve got to start it early, this whitehouse gets that, the GOP doesn’t seem to.
DeathToMediaHacks on February 13, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Folks, we ‘patriotic’ conservatives, who believe in the natural rights to man of life, liberty and the pursuit of haoppiness as endowed to us from our Creator, in the preservation of the various rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution and believe in American exceptionalism, personal initiative and personal responsiblity and the free enterprise system, do not deny that Barach Hussein Obama is now POTUS and will be to at least 2012. We admit that.
What we, however, will not admit is that his re-election is inevitable.
Thus we will admit to doing everything legally within our power to stop his radical socialist legislative agenda
between now and 2012 and doing everything within our power to elect more Republicans to Congress in 2010 and in 2012 to take Obama out, despite ACORN and the MSM being in the tank for the Messiah.
To Sullivan and to all your Lefty colleagues-Obama is not Emperor of America–he has no inherent right to govern–whatever rights he has to govern was given to him by the people-and the people in 2012 can take that privilege away from him.
technopeasant on February 13, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Dam# right we won’t.
I have no respect for liberals at all and will never run from one of these sneaky weasels.
I told many democrats (many are friends) that they opened this door,made this bed,and have lowered the bar as low as it can possibly go.
Now they are going to reap what they have sowed.
The difference is, Republicans won’t have to make up bogus Conspiracy theories or push cut-and-paste propaganda to expose the bigotry and corruption of the democratic party.
Dissent is patriotic,here comes the old RED,WHITE,and BLUE right straight at them.
Baxter Greene on February 13, 2009 at 10:27 AM
OK – I’m with you. But you can’t get away with pointing out what’s wrong without suggesting an alternative.
Wasn’t Gregg’s withdrawal the right thing to do? If not, what course should have been taken.
What’s your take on what the GOP and/or conservatives should be doing to get on track for 2010?
Direction, please.
connertown on February 13, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Ditto that.
44Magnum on February 13, 2009 at 10:32 AM
rational, mature, focused dissent. Okay…. when I was a platoon leader in Nam, I used those qualities along with some others to achieve my mission goals all the time. So I will rationally, maturely and with focus embark on a “war” against Soetoro and his minions. Using slight of hand comments to insult those of us who happen to have a bit of emotion won’t work. Moderation isn’t working… it’s our turn.
MNDavenotPC on February 13, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Had this raping of the democratic process occurred in Iraq we’d all be fearful of the return of a religious dictatorship. Our democracy requires, by definition, that both parties have a “seat at the table” in the development of legislation. Dissenters have the right to challenge and amend.
Dictators Pelosi and Reid have ensured that my voice will not be heard. Is it ‘war’?? You-betcha!
LEBA on February 13, 2009 at 10:32 AM
One of the things I admire about former President Bush:
He never lost his cool.
fluffy on February 13, 2009 at 10:36 AM
The right thing to do…from the GOP perspective…for the near-term, would be to vote “NO” on any and all legislation that is not published online open to the public for at least five days before a final vote. Obama promised this several times during the campaign and during the transition.
In the meantime…the GOP needs to set up not necessarily an opposition research branch, but merely an “Obama said” branch to catalog and keep in the public eye all Obama’s wonderful promises about transparency and openess in government,among other things.
Gregg’s departure from the Obama administration was a very rational act…and a good one. Now, if Spector and the rest who have openly sided with the Administration are called out for it…that’d help.
This has to be open and out front…and if we are called obstructionists today, we may be called saviours four years down the road…
Play by the rules…but let’s lay out the rules in a very clear voice and hold Obama 100% to all the promises made, and highlight all the screw ups as well…
coldwarrior on February 13, 2009 at 10:37 AM
So I guess this means that Sullivan et al believe the Republicans are being unpatriotic in opposing Obama’s economic policy. I never saw that coming under this Cult of Personality, never.
Seixon on February 13, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Maybe some of us, but I don’t think you see that from any public official. I’d say they were overly deferent to the President. As far as this thread, why should we back down at all when they are doing things like taking the census to the White House, banging the drums of censorship on talk radio and while there’s still a rep in New York that wants to reintroduce legislation to band weapons?
The very week that I lost 5 friends to an aircraft shootdown last year in the Helmant Region of Afghanistan, liberal politicians were on the campaign trail calling us murders. They is nothing I can say that will equal that. What we say in opposition to the biggest transfer in wealth for socialistic paybacks disguised as a so-called stimulus plan pales in comparison to the way the left repeatedly denegrated the honor and memories of my friends. So again, screw the left and OMG there 401Ks. My friends will never get to see theirs.
The media will blame us regardless. If the GOP jumped on board, helped pass this bill and miraculously it helped the economy, do you think the media will then get behind their elections in 2010 and say, “Oh, these are the good Republicans and they deserve some good press. What say we help them get reelected?” BULLSH*T. It’ll be the next wave of attacks intended to completely rid this country of a two party system and rule unopposed. See comment above regarding the census being run by the White House.
Hack, it’s even more serious than you know. I know friends in the military that are talking about getting out too and forming militias.
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 10:44 AM
The next step is for Barry to whine and cry, as Bill Clinton did, about how MEAN everyone is being to him. It’s just like when he marched in Selma, Alabama against Bull Connors.
Sob, boo hoo.
Then watch his approval ratings soar.
NoDonkey on February 13, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I know, weak.
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Whether or not both sides use the tactic has nothing to do with the efficacy, value, or “thin”-ness of the tactic as a tactic.
petefrt on February 13, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Do you really think Republicans are gonna embrace Marxism so they aren’t seen as obstructionists? The Marxist Looter King has the votes in Congress to do anything he wants. Why would something go wrong with Looter King’s programs if there aren’t superfluous Republican votes in favor of it?
Buddahpundit on February 13, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Okay. Like ConnerTown, I’ll bite. I’m listening. Please give us the particulars of this “media narrative” that the GOP needs to get rolling.
Rod on February 13, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Polls showed in 2005 and on that democrats were viewed as obstructionist.They yelled and screamed at every appointment, cabinet or judicial, that President Bush made.
They obstructed the Presidents efforts to conduct the war and any mistake that was made(which always happens in war) was magnified and used as a bludgeon against him.
democrats offered zero alternatives in “winning” the war and constantly called for immediate withdrawal for the war they said was lost.
When Social Security was brought up,they obstructed every effort from the President without offering any alternatives what so ever.
The democrats obstructed,magnified every mistake of Bush through their friends in the press and entertainment industry,and offered little to no solutions.
This constant banging away drove approval ratings way down
even in the face of winning the war in Iraq.
It proved very successful for democrats and now they are going to do everything they can to keep that narrative from happening to them.
Dissent is no longer patriotic.
Having a difference of opinion and calling Obama out on his mistakes or bad policy is now “just obstruction and the Republicans wanting Obama to fail”.
To say that Republicans are only trying to obstruct and not offering any solutions is to either lie or show a total lack of knowledge about this issue.
The Republicans offered an alternative plan that was heavy in tax cuts and directed specifically at stimulus.
The Republicans were shut out of writing this bill and shut out of putting it together before final passage.
Obama’s game of “showing partisanship” by talking to Republicans is only for the cameras and producing talking points for liberals.
Obama and the democrats have done only enough to get a few Republicans on board in the senate.
This is not bipartisanship.
I am not falling for this political game of “dissent is now
obstruction” that the democrats want to pull now.
Obama and his administration need to be held accountable for their ignorant policies and it is American to do so.
Baxter Greene on February 13, 2009 at 10:55 AM
While I sometimes disgree with Limbaugh, I would never, ever compare him to Olbermann. Rush is more intelligent, educated and matter of fact. He has an understanding of Obama and the left that strikes me as very sophisticated while Olbermann simply made stuff up about Bush.
el gordo on February 13, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I hate to say “I told ya so,” but this is where being civil gets you. HotAir.com, and especially you, Ed, have made every effort to differ with Obama on policy, and nothing but policy — and look at this!
I still hope Obama fails!
gryphon202 on February 13, 2009 at 10:59 AM
You can spout your talking points all you want, but it’s pretty hard for even Nancy Pelosi to claim anything was obstructed when the opposition was not even in the room.
rockmom on February 13, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Sullivan is still trying to figure out where babies come from (i.e. Trig Palin). In light of that, I wouldn’t consider him a credible voice on state of politics today in America.
zoyclem on February 13, 2009 at 11:06 AM
When did the White House concat Joe Gandelman, and how long have they been doing it?
Think about it.
DannoJyd on February 13, 2009 at 11:08 AM
And do you really think voters will consider it “obstruction” that three liberal Republican senators were able to get the price tag for this monstrosity down by a measly $100 billion? If the economy recovers, nobody will care. If it doesn’t, I can’t wait to hear Democrats try to claim that everything would have been better if we had only gotten that extra $100 billion.
rockmom on February 13, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Hack:
I am really tired of your pseudo-intellectual blather. You obviously believe that anyone who is not a liberal democrat is an idiot. What Obama did was not reach out a hand to the Republicans, it was a tactic to that he thought would get good play in the media.
It is obvious that his policies are not something that conservatives agree with and why shouldn’t we say so. Don’t paint me with your generalizations about extreme, far-right comments and don’t paint this site with that brush either. Probably 90% of those commenting on this site are civil, just because we don’t hold a pinky up in the air like Professor Blather does not mean we don’t make intelligent, cogent posts.
Vince on February 13, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Anyone who asks Republicans to be complaisent is simply asking them to be quiet while the Democratic leadership runs roughshod over them, and the media shapes the message in the way the Democrats want it shaped.
Utter hypocrisy.
drunyan8315 on February 13, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Seems like those who ought to be ashamed (Democrats and their minions on this blog)are now trying to shame the opposition into silence by tagging all dissent as contemptful and crude.
It won’t work, schmucks.
SKYFOX on February 13, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Its only a few weeks on, and already they’re on the run. Yes, he is who we thought he was.
littleguy on February 13, 2009 at 11:44 AM
The ad hominem argument
Usually recourse to the ad hominem means you don’t have
an argument to make – certainly the left’s incessant attacks on Mr. Bush’s integrity, inteligence, and commitment demonstrate that in spades.
However, the position of president is a position of leadership in which moral values and character count – and when we have a president whose moral values are non existent and whose character is that of the empty suit, saying so makes sense.
Really the ad hominem is dispicable only if irrelevant to the issue and/or clearly incorrect. Attacking Obama as a creation of the left with no opinions of his own other than those tied up in his own self-image is both relevant and correct – so I see nothing wrong with it.
Paul Murphy on February 13, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Obama keeps reminding me of the antagonist in “Serenity”, when he is screaming “Why isn’t anybody firing?!”
Count to 10 on February 13, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Ahem, the “rational” thing for Gregg to do was say “no” in the first place. When he was nominated he publicly supported the stimulus and said it was needed. And he has seen the bill-making sausage process before, so he knew what was coming.
okonkolo on February 13, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
- Harry Truman
MB4 on February 13, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Obviously the delusional state of the Democraptastics doesn’t need to be mentioned, they have obviously conveniently forgotten they still have BDS, Obama is continually blaming Bush for the supposed direr financial crisis we’re in, and will be blaming Bush for any bump’s in the road he encounters for 4 more years. Reality is not the Democraptastics forte, they have waged war on capitalism, conservatism and the American way of life with the Generational Theft Act of 2009, they control the MSM propaganda machine, Congress and the White House, the real war is against the American people themselves and 53% of them are so caught up in gloating and worshiping the Obamessiah they refuse too or are too stupid to believe it, still attempting to crucify Bush and silence dissent by those like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and others by making another run to squelch our freedom of speech with the fairness doctrine, attempting to destroy anyone who stands in Obama’s path to socialize America. The war is not being waged by conservatives or Republicans but the Democraptatics who have become drunk with egomaniacal power, those self loathing individuals who want to take away the American Dream to steal success from those whom strive and believe in a better life for their families, all to make themselves feel worthwhile and relevant in a society in which their ideology is irrelevant and destructive to the founding father’s vision.
They will not win this war they have waged, the 46% that didn’t succumb to the hypnotic mesmerizing affects of meaningless gibberish spewed by the One’s speech will rise up and defend the American dream, way of life and capitalist ideology we will defeat the traitorous thugs who are attempting to spiral us into socialism and when we have won this war that we had no part in starting we will treat them as they have treated us. The conservative pretenders will be thrown to the wayside and their characters will be destroyed with the socialists. The day’s of civility and compromise will be over, the damage Democraptastics have done will be reversed by true Americans and the true defenders of the our Republic. Then we will claim victory over the Democraptatics socialist who have destroyed the dignity of the people. We will help those who help themselves, we will be an intragul part to those who work hard and dream of success, we will show compassion to those with infirmity and no quarter will be given those who seek to take advantage of others, they will be exposed, prosecuted and shunned by a society of law abiders, doer’s and free thinkers.
Seeing Eye Dog on February 13, 2009 at 12:04 PM
When Comrade Urkel declares war on Capitalism, on individual initiative (”Let me give this woman a house”) and on the American economy and way of life itself, we are going to join battle with him!
The really awful thing is that the DemocRAt members of Congress are only voting out of party and personal loyalty and not even bothering to consider what damage this bill will do their country and to “we, the people” who voted them into office!
Jenfidel on February 13, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Could somebody please explain to me what’s moderate about Gandelman’s voice?
Jim Treacher on February 13, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Mostly, I’ve only seen him blame the fundamental principles of the nation for his problems.
You know, life, liberty, property. They keep getting in the way of the rights to “entitlement” and “social justice.”
Count to 10 on February 13, 2009 at 12:11 PM
I think I’m an expert witness of projection.
My husband’s ex-wife does it all the time.
Her rotten behavior = our rotten behavior.
Reminds me very much of the Democraps.
Badger40 on February 13, 2009 at 12:12 PM
F-ck it. Is it time to fight yet? It’s coming…
PersonalLiberty on February 13, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I can almost smell your fear. Although you do try, you hide it poorly.
MB4 on February 13, 2009 at 12:16 PM
That should scare you, not encourage you.
You’re right and it’s working. If your side doesn’t want to be further marginalized it better figure something out other than running the contract for american campaign….again, except with less credibility. Ron Paul might be someone to think about, populism is gaining steam among the electorate and no one was more populist than Ron Paul.
Um, would you prefer if I used like more bad grammar or something?
It’s about media narratives, not the truth. Look I’m just trying to offer up some advice for y’all, lord knows why, the marginalization of the GOP’s corporatism is a good thing. I would, however, like to see some true, limited government, old style conservatives oppose the Dems to expose THEIR corporatism, which is only slightly less toxic/bad for the country.
Perhaps you’re unfamiliar with this thing called the filibuster. Obama does not have the votes to do “anything” he wants.
I think Pelosi will cause the Dems to lose some seats in the house, but Dems have a huge advantage, they can lose some blue dogs. In fact thats what should scare you, with the eliminatoin of all northeastern moderate republicans the Dems can lose blue dogs and just need to gain two senate seats to marginalize the GOP and Nelson/Bayh. The Florida and Ohio seats will probably provide that cushion. When folks sabotage Specter that will give the Dems the other PA seat. Iowa is also super vulnerable. Like I said, I just want some real small government, anti corporatist conservatives to show up to push the Dems to be pure as well, let’s all get together now and oppose corporatism.
DeathToMediaHacks on February 13, 2009 at 12:18 PM
The shoe on the other foot tastes not as sweet.
;-)
drjohn on February 13, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Once again the dems attempt to rewrite history and in the process leave out EVERYTHING they’ve done and project it onto the Republicans. I’m so sick of democrats I could puke.
4shoes on February 13, 2009 at 12:22 PM
How about let’s all get together now and oppose power hungry politician’s power grabs?
MB4 on February 13, 2009 at 12:25 PM
I think we’re all tired of the trolls. They never add any rational discourse and I think they all secretly get off on the attention they get coming to sites like this and throwing their insane lib. talking points about.
4shoes on February 13, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Well-done, Allah!
Buy Danish on February 13, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Hack:
Why do you ask if I prefer you use more bad grammer. I said your comments are pseudo-intellectual because you give the appearance of talking down to us. If only we would follow your guidelines then our comments would make sense.
You can’t possibly give advice to conservatives because you have no appreciation of what the word means.
Vince on February 13, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Yep, I’m in Alexandria and I have friends who are “Republican” and voted for the 0ne. I’m afraid to talk to them for fear that they might actually criticize the 0ne. Because if they did I’d come unglued on them for voting for him, it wouldn’t be pretty and we’d probably not be friends. Though I’m starting to wonder if that’s such a bad thing….
4shoes on February 13, 2009 at 12:42 PM
No, it should scare “you”.
BTW, what school did you go to that taught reading comprehension? What would give the impression I was encouraged what the fact of what I wrote? You assume.
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I did notice Hack, you didn’t comment on anything else I wrote in my comment. You really are a bit of a cherry picker when it comes to commenting. That’s a little cowardly in my book. Read my comment again and let me know what you thought about the other things I wrote.
I’ll summarize: Is it fair for us to be forced to be cooperative with legislation we don’t approve of and be called unpatriotic for dissenting after you on the left practically verbally gutted us over opposition to the war?
Do you really think we care anymore about what the media thinks of us and would sell our souls anymore to try to please them?
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I know, what school did I go to that taught typing?
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 12:58 PM
DeathToCapitalistPigs is here to help!
Jim Treacher on February 13, 2009 at 12:59 PM
If you please, Glutesie, some of us prefer the term “Crusade.”
And Grow Fins, DeathToTurboTax, crr6, getalife, benny shakar, and those people are our collaborators!
Christien on February 13, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I think everyone’s getting a taste of the other side of the coin right now and it’s causing more than a little cognitive dissonance. There’s two ways I tend to think about things. One in the sense of pure political strategy, which has been how I’ve approached this particular topic and other topics where there’s politicians engaging in their usual games. Two in terms of pure ideology which is how I approach things like “what’s the role of the fed government etc.” In terms of pure political strategy what the GOP is doing is not smart and it reflects a tone-deaf attitude towards the electorate. For all the talk of being an alternative to the “elitism” of the left, the right has increasingly dismissed political realities as evidence of American “stupidity.” The very same argument your side derided as elitist over the last 8 years.
I never thought Americans were “stupid” for supporting the war and Bush initially. The later was President during a national tragedy, that tends to coalesce support. The former was the result of a super-effective and time honored fear mongering campaign that’s been a staple of our marches to war pretty much since the Mexican-American war forward (exception being WWII and Afghanistan, two of our most justified war efforts).
Nor do I think Americans are “stupid” now. I think that the economy is actually bad and people are legitimately concerned about their futures. And they’ve seen their economic fortunes decline over an 8 year period that trumpeted the economic boons of tax cuts/deregulation/corporatism as economic strategy. I’m not arguing that those three things independently caused the crisis, it’s much more complicated than that. But for conservatives to get high minded about principles now that they are in the minority and defy the “media conspiracy” is delusional and will get folks nowhere. Americans are open to new ideas, seriously, and they are willing to give a move to the left a chance. It’s not a radical proposition. Bad times tend to lead to opening the mind up to alternative solutions. Obama gets that, the house dems kind of sort of get it (but not really). The folks here who are gnashing their teeth refuse to get that. It’s all “blame the media” “Americans are sheeple” “Obama lies.”
DeathToMediaHacks on February 13, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Ok, and the way to do that is to have Republicans sign on to the spendulus package ASAP with no criticism or comment. Because that will show them to be true small Government Conservatives who are willing to piddle away a trillion dollars to stay politically connected…
Wait, how do we get from there to small Government Conservatism again? Isn’t that a huge step in the wrong direction? Or is this trillion dollar expansion “small Government”?
So, if you don’t mind. Explain how endorsing huge spending, government expansion, pork, waste, and excess will get us back to “small Government Conservatism”.
There’s obviously a step in this process I’m missing.
gekkobear on February 13, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Pathetic.
Hawkins1701 on February 13, 2009 at 1:26 PM
I don’t get you. When we exchange, I answer your questions specifically point by point. When I ask a question, you go off on opinion, assumptions and hyperbole that sometimes doesn’t even follow the discussion and never answer what I’m asking. Are you scared of talking about the merits of the pork in the bill? Are you embarrassed to comment about the extreme language your side used during the war to try to derail the Bush Administration? Do you really believe there is any fairness in the media towards Conservatives and Republicans?
Hack, I know you support the bill. I don’t and I never will. Rather than giving us a college paper on why you think it’s smart for Republicans to support it, just answer my questions.
hawkdriver on February 13, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Never mind that dissent is the “new patriotism”, according to these same lefty yahoos.
commenter on February 13, 2009 at 1:55 PM
“Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.”
But only when it’s against the Right.
Sullivan’s a fucktard. And anyone who takes him seriously is a brainless sycophant.
nukemhill on February 13, 2009 at 2:03 PM
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