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Showing Original Post only (View all)"This is a brilliant tactical move on the president’s part. And Republicans know it." [View all]
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/19/opinion/blow-the-presidents-pivot.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0The Presidents Pivot
By CHARLES M. BLOW
Published: October 18, 2013
Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
That quote, from Sun Tzus ancient Chinese treatise The Art of War, perfectly captures President Obamas strategic victory over Tea Party members of Congress on the government shutdown and the debt ceiling debate. It also explains his immediate pivot to another topic that Tea Partyers hate and over which their obstinacy is likely to get the party hammered again: comprehensive immigration reform.
This is a brilliant tactical move on the presidents part. And Republicans know it.
As the G.O.P. was nearing its moment of collapse on the shutdown and debt ceiling, Representative Raúl Labrador, Republican of Idaho, said, I think itd be crazy for the House Republican leadership to enter into negotiations with him on immigration. He continued: And Im a proponent of immigration reform. So I think what hes done over the last two and a half weeks hes trying to destroy the Republican Party. And I think that anything we do right now with this president on immigration will be with that same goal in mind: which is to try to destroy the Republican Party and not to get good policies.
snip//
The far right is angry at the government and the man at the top of it. According to a Pew Research report released Friday: Anger at the federal government is most pronounced among Tea Party Republicans. Fully 55 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who agree with the Tea Party say they are angry with the federal government about double the percentage among non-Tea Party Republicans (27 percent) and Democrats and Democratic leaners (25 percent).
They have been blinded by that anger. The president knows that. And he knows that blind soldiers dont often win battles. In choosing to pivot to immigration reform, he has created a win-win scenario for himself and the Democrats. Clever, clever.
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"This is a brilliant tactical move on the president’s part. And Republicans know it." [View all]
babylonsister
Oct 2013
OP
I'm all for crushing the Republicans, but if this is the moment to achieve a great gain ....
Scuba
Oct 2013
#1
I agree as far as policy goes - but think the argument is more about politics
el_bryanto
Oct 2013
#12
I disagree. Immigration reform could be a boon for republicans if that party would embrace making
bluestate10
Oct 2013
#25
I like Pres. Obama's pivot to Immigration Reform. Give the GOP another crisis before
SDjack
Oct 2013
#68
OK, but which Republicans do YOU think will show up to this dog and pony show?
Tigress DEM
Oct 2013
#93
with the 2014 elections coming up, this is the moment to take back the house
magical thyme
Oct 2013
#19
Obama has no intention to tax the wealthy, regardless of his previous campaign rhetoric
loudsue
Oct 2013
#33
No I am not. That is *exactly* why I said we need to push our representatives
magical thyme
Oct 2013
#43
If a Democratic Congress offers Mr. Obama a bill to raise taxes on the wealthy, he would sign it
Ikonoklast
Oct 2013
#44
The president won the first tax increase on the wealthy in more than 20 years.
cheapdate
Oct 2013
#75
Repubs would feel safer rejecting SS than rejecting immigration? You don't know their base.
Scuba
Oct 2013
#41
This was about saving the economy. The Republicans are destroying themselves, no Obama needed.
Coyotl
Oct 2013
#4
They are being told 24/7 by right wing media that Obama IS trying to destroy them.
Vinnie From Indy
Oct 2013
#24
You know, I didn't want to say it out loud, because I didn't want to jinx him, but...
Baitball Blogger
Oct 2013
#9
If done right, the Trans Pacific trade deal can be a huge boon for Americans, if done wrong, it
bluestate10
Oct 2013
#17
He Says 'Try To Destroy The Republican Party', Ma'am, Like That Were A Bad Thing....
The Magistrate
Oct 2013
#14
The President should take Labrador's words, dissect them then clearly explain why Labrador is wrong,
bluestate10
Oct 2013
#15
"he’s trying to destroy the Republican Party."--This from the party that declared its sole mission
Jackpine Radical
Oct 2013
#23
I hope President O has a good weekend relax. Next week Rs better be ready to WORK!
Sunlei
Oct 2013
#54
Hey way a minute we're the only ones who are supposed to destroy the other party, the President is
Snake Plissken
Oct 2013
#67