McCain: Obama has 'done well'

[Merryweather]

Source: Washington Times

Sen. John McCain has given Barack Obama — his opponent in last year's presidential election — overall high marks during his first five months in the White House, but said the president has failed on a promise to bring bipartisanship to Washington.

The Arizona Republican, speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation" program Sunday, said that using a legislative scorecard to judge the presidency so far, Mr. Obama has achieved all his legislative goals. "I think he's done well," Mr. McCain said.

But the president's legislative success has come as the result of ramming Democratic measures through Congress with minimal Republican support.

"Unfortunately, it's by picking off a couple of Republicans — it's not been bipartisan," Mr. McCain said. "So there really hasn't been that change in the climate in Washington."


Read more: http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/21/mccain-obama-has-done-well/?feat=home_headlines

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The thing about bipartisanship, Senator McCain, is that it takes two to tango. Right now, your party is going out of its way to be obstructive, and has turned down the president every time he's extended his hand to them. Bipartisanship usually also means selling out to the Republicans, so I think those who voted for him can quite happily live without that.

Fair play to him though for actually sounding reasonable and giving Obama credit for what he's achieved so far. I wonder how long it will take before he grovels at the feet of Boss Limpballs.

[Towlie]

1. Republicans: "If you're bringing bipartisanship, how come we're still beating you up?"

[qazplm]

2. that's funny

because picking off a few Democrats used to be the height of bipartisanship a year or so ok.

Huh, funny how that changes.

[Journeyman]

3. So which is it, Senator: Good he's achieved his goals, or bad that you've not supported him?. . .

If the legislative goals President Obama has achieved earn high marks, what does it matter if the fringe element of society supported them or not?

[niyad]

4. obama has failed at bipartisanship? let's see, just WHO is doing all the nay-saying and obstruction

"ramming things through"???? well, when the repukes refuse, or vote no, and they lost big time in the last election, that is what happens. it is called democracy, you poltroons.

and mcinsane, just the other day you were whining that obama was not saying and doing enough about the situation in iran. we haven't forgotten your "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb iran" mantra, not for a second.

[treestar]

15. This from the candidate who chose Sarah Palin as his running mate

McDumb is no judge of anything.

[Chulanowa]

5. Fuck bipartisanship

I have no interest in my government collaborating with facists.

[Merryweather]

6. My thoughts exactly.

:fistbump:

[Faygo Kid]

8. I'm with you. The GOP has no interest in governing - just power. The party of Rush.

McCain will be crucified for saying that.

If it means accommodation with Rush, I want no part of it. Ram health care down their damned throats. It's the only way it will get done.

[Owl]

16. I'm with you also. Piss on the GOP's version of bi-partisanship.

[Mz Pip]

7. "picking off a couple of Republicans..."

McCain makes it sound like a turkey shoot. No one forced those Republicans to accept the positions they were offered.

The reason why there is minimal Republican support is that the Republicans refuse to even attempt support Obama unless he gives them everything they want. It doesn't work like that. They should remember that that was the way it was when they were in charge.

Mz Pip

[Frisbee]

9. Is it just me...

or is McCain saying Obama has done well about 1 or 2 steps better than Cheney and Rove saying so? I'd much rather he be on the TeeVee screaming about Obama's far left (which to a Repuke is slightly left of center) agenda and legislation. I'm not an Obama basher, and hope to judge him by his full body of work in 8 years as a glowing success for progressives. But if McCain is satisfied, and thinks Obama is "doing well", well I don't consider that to be great praise or a sign of the change I am hoping for.

[Merryweather]

11. Look at it this way

if any Republican is unhappy with the lack of 'bipartisanship' i.e Democrats letting Repubs kick them around, Obama's gotta be doing something right. :-)

[rurallib]

12. I am not an Obama basher either, but praise from McCain

makes me even more wary. I would certainly rather hear praise from Feingold, Kucinich or Sanders

[Cha]

10. mccain is little hasbeen tool..

"failed to bring bi-partisianship"? President Obama reached out but they spit on him and retreated to their vipers' den.

[winyanstaz]

13. Sorry but if the Right-winger's like what Obama is doing...

it makes me nervous.

[PatrynXX]

14. Bipartiasanship takes compromise...

Obama Compromised on his first stimulus this year, but not one republican voted for it.

[lindisfarne]

17. Republican Bipartisanship: Do what the Republicans want. Even though we lost. n/t

[muddrunner17]

18. They got kicked on the ground and Obama has reached his hand out many times.

They can't say he's partisan when they fail to cooperate in anyway. You need cooperation to have bipartisanship. So far the Republicans have refused to do that.

[PM Martin]

19. McCain has showed poor judgement by his choice of running mate.