Remember Barack Obama is PRESIDENT of the United States, not KING and he'll have to compromise. . .

[wndycty]

. . .and I trust him to do so as necessary. I post this in response to the reaction of him making a concession on the family planning portion of the stimulus package.

I know many folks feel he caved but he was doing what he felt was necessary to get the stimulus package passed with some GOP votes, at the very least it is important that the GOP and the public at large feel that he welcomes and listens to input from those he does not agree with and is willing to compromise.

Kings don't have to compromise, but Presidents do. I might not like some of the compromises Obama makes but I am thrilled to have a president who is willing to work with and listen to all Americans, not just the folks who voted for him.

[Ioo]

1. With the numbers in Congress. Only if he wants too.

He needs 2 Republicans... easy to find.

[wndycty]

4. And as PRESIDENT and not KING he understands to do things EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T NEED TO

:kick:

[Ioo]

7. From the News reports, sounds like he is leaning MY WAY. Telling them to cram it.

Look, they are going to "stand" in his way, but they know that he has a SUPER high approval rating. They also know that his popularity is likely to be high... and in 2 years all he has to do is spend a few days on the trail with folks up for election, and it could mean a wipe...

He is not KING, but I also did not elect a REID or other spineless democrat

[wndycty]

11. Yeah but he at least reached out, KINGS don't reach out PRESIDENTS do. . .

. . .the last guy never reached out.

[Ioo]

14. I disagree - He is not reaching out at all, he is warning them face to face.

[Honeycombe8]

34. He's compromising. To Dems-take out that contraceptives part, like the Repubs want.

To Repubs....what'll it take to get you to support this bill? Let's talk about it, and we'll see. McCain to press: I'm not rubberstamping Obama. I'm against the "liberal Democrats'" economic stimulus bill (even though Obama has given me a special dinner, sought my consultation on a number of topics, and generally helped me save face, and my career, after my humiliating loss, so that I didn't fade away into obscurity like John Kerry).

Obama holds all the cards. He has the votes for the bill to pass "as is." He has the support of the majority of the public.

He is rightly trying to make it a bipartisan bill.

But don't say he's warning them, when he's most definitely not.

[avaistheone1]

40. Better be careful compromising or you'll end up compromised.

[Honeycombe8]

44. True. Bill just passed in house---without one single Repub vote. See where that got him?

Not only that, 11 Dems voted against Obama's bill, too!

And for THAT, the Dems put tax cuts in the bill and removed parts, to appease the Repubs. For nothing.

Now the House has a bill that is more conservative than it wanted. The Repubs won that round. They got a more conservative bill without even having to vote for it! What a country!

[nodramamama]

41. You seem to contradict yourself

In your original post you claim that Obama "will have to" compromise. Now you say that he will do it "even if he doesn't need to".

Does he need to do it or not?

[Loge23]

2. Within reason

Obama was elected by the people to counter the failed policies of the Republicans.
It does us no good now to consider the same failed policies as a compromise.

[wndycty]

5. It's called RESPECT and LEADERSHIP. . .he can act like a KING or he can act like a PRESIDENT

I choose a PRESIDENT. Don't forget the last guy wanted to be a dictator.

[bridgit]

3. I've known that the whole time, and anyone who thought otherwise *was*...

drinking the kool aid *while* living in La-La Land

[geek tragedy]

6. The GOP announced they are all voting against it.

It's compromise if you get something in return. It's called being a patsy if you give and they respond by demanding more.

[Ioo]

10. Fuck 'em, let Obama distroy that party. Rep's Will not see the light of day...

Going to be hard to go home and tell the people I have DONE NOTHING FOR YOU BECAUSE I AM A DUMBASS.

2010 = CAKEWALK if they keep this up.

[ellacott]

16. He can still get something in return

If the Repubs are revealed as partisan obstructionists and if they are going in a different direction than public opinion this is a big advantage to the President. The family planning provision is not dead. It can be brought up seperately or as part of the Health Care bill.

This is a minor issue.

[geek tragedy]

17. So, we trade substantive concessions for style points? n/t

[wndycty]

18. You are looking for a reason to be unhappy

:kick:

[geek tragedy]

19. Yeah, Pelosi put a smart piece of policy in there

that would save money and help poor women, and Obama took it out to appease the Republican terrorists in the House, who SURPRISE SURPRISE are going to vote against his plan anyways.

What's not to like?

[wndycty]

22. I like its inclusion but in reality its a health care piece that might be hard to sell as. . .

. . .part of a stimulus package. I want to see family planning included and/or funded, however its probably not the best piece of legislation to hold up the stimulus package on.

[geek tragedy]

27. And they'll complain about it when health care reform

comes around as socialized abortions.

Will Obama stand up to them then, or think that 'well, health care reform is too important and this isn't really part of reforming the health care system blah blah blah."

The only way to get a bully to respect you is to punch him in the nose.

[wndycty]

31. Well its a hell of lot easier to defend as a healthcare measure as opposed to being part of the...

. . .stimulus.

Now don't for one minute think that I don't believe in funding family planning, but we need to push this when it has the best chance to pass.

[ellacott]

20. What substantive concessions is he trading?

What does style points have to do with what we are talking about?

[geek tragedy]

28. He just sold out Pelosi's waiver for states that want

to increase funding for family planning.

[ellacott]

30. What makes you think this issue is dead?

It can be resubmitted in a different form.

[geek tragedy]

33. Why take it out?

It just gives the Republicans another chance to complain about it.

[ellacott]

36. It might have been put in there as a pawn

They wanted a concession and they got a concession on a proposal that will be re-introduced later in another form. The Repubs think they did something but it was a ruse. The Repubs will complain about anything that comes from our side.

Funding for family planning can be addressed in any number of ways.

[bridgit]

21. Fine! Let them go sit at the nasty little kids table for their suppers and *no* pudding!!

[sampsonblk]

25. We've been the patsy party far too long - I agree with you

In this particular case, I don't care. But the GOP will mount a real opposition. You know, like the way its supposed to be. When we were in the minority, we kept our powder dry. Remember that nonsense?

I agree with you 100%

[BanTheGOP]

8. There's a huge difference, though...

...between doing the right thing, and compromising for beliefs.

In fact, everything the republican scum-sucking bunch stand for should NEVER see the light of day, let alone be discussed in a dignified, democratic matter. President Obama should keep reminding such buffoons who won, and ignore their pious attempts at trying to hijack the will of the people.

[wndycty]

13. A KING would not have met with the opposition, the PRESIDENT just did

:kick:

[leftstreet]

9. According to the Bush administration, he's now the Unitary Executive

That's kinda king-y.

[loyalkydem]

12. Get it streight to all republican sympathizers

They had their chance. 8 years, 8 long damn years of failed policies.Now, all of a sudden they are concerned about the stimulus package. Obama only needs 3 Republicans to sign on to this package and thats assuming we don't loose any of our own people.

It's time for people to do what is right for the country

[wndycty]

15. He will do what is right but by reaching out to them he is calling their bluff. . .

. . .he came, he sat down, he listened and now its their move.

[EffieBlack]

24. Exactly - he'll still get the bill passed but he's shown the other side up as partisan hacks

And he can always get that provision into other legislation - and it will be difficult for the Republicans to block it after this stunt.

I'm amazed at the number of people here who just don't seem to understand how politics (as opposed to campaigns) work and who expect President Obama to govern like a warlord.

[sohndrsmith]

23. You're absolutely right. But the growing dissent of the GOP is

a little scary, in my opinion.

I think Obama understands that we have one shot at getting this right - and the window for that opportunity is shrinking and will only get more and more difficult to find the more we don't take action NOW - when we're feeling some fear, some sense of urgency.

I think he understands that the moment that is gone and we don't make changes at the time, we will never get them done and because we're in such dire straights, it's far more devastating than it would be in better times. I don't think we can afford to hesitate and be slammed by the snowball effect of postponing the things that we need to do now, while we're hungry (and still relatively healthy). When we're starving... it'll be too late (metaphorically speaking... at least I hope so).

And another point, a little humility would do the party of the last administrations' fiascoes (not everything is all their fault, completely, but some of the fiscal ideology has proven - clearly - that it DOESN'T WORK... sorry).

[bridgit]

32. Understood & agreed with. I think not just the rapid republican return but the fluidity...

with which they are seen as what they are truly is very telling indeed. It would seem they had no intention in reciprocating whatsoever; it was all and continues to be one, big, contiguous, never-ending two-faced lie all of it; everything they have to offer. This is who republicans are: a group willing to divide a house seeking a more perfect union and all for personal aggrandizement, profit and political gain. The upside is I think that they have re-exposed themselves so quickly as to be seen as predictable...

And what is predictable is able to be planned for and stepped around with ever-greater ease

[sohndrsmith]

35. And Obama planned for their playing this out predictably, like clockwork.

I would be absolutely incredulous if he doesn't have their next several fits prepared for.

But time is still of the essence, and Obama wants things to move. But he's not surprised, I don't think - or thrown off guard.

Rather awesome to consider, isn't it? : )

[Better Believe It]

26. Obama should propose a massive stimulus package to rebuild America

The Pelosi pop-gun package won't do much at all to help cities in the next year or two.

The thousands of useful projects detailed by the National Conference of Mayors is just what the economy requires.

Many useful jobs would be created and important work would be performed.

The economy needs the big jolt advocated by the nations mayors.

If that doesn't happen you know what will happen in the 2010 and 2012 elections.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

29. Yes, compromise. Not appease!

[VirginiaProgressive]

39. agreed

agreed

[DJ13]

37. F compromise

Theres no compromising with criminals.

[Hawkowl]

38. Comprise with the Progressive left not Repukes

Trying to compromise with the right which is actively trying to sabotage Obama and the nation to regain power is incredibly STUPID. If President Obama needs to make a show of trying to get along with the lunatic neo-cons to illustrate their lunacy, fine. It is a political strategy and I would defer to his absolute mastery of politics. However, if he wants real solutions and real supporters, he needs to move much further to the left. If he wants to keep it quiet and spout centrist rhetoric (which I've always hoped would happen and might appear to be happening), I'm fine with that too.

Giving ANYTHING, to the majority of rethuglicans is just beyond stupid. Peel off a few votes here and there and trumpet bipartisanship! That is the only thing that is going to work. It is what will happen.

[depakid]

42. Just like Bush and the Republicans did!

One thing about DU- there's never a shortage of rationalizations or apologists for cowardly Democratic behavior.

[biopowertoday]

43. well, here is a compromise I do NOT agree with:

Officials: Family planning money may be dropped
Jan-27-09 03:23 AM

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – House Democrats appear likely to jettison family planning funds for the low-income from an $825 billion economic stimulus bill, officials said late Monday, following an appeal from President Barack Obama at a time the administration is courting Republican critics of the legislation.

Several officials said a final decision was likely on Tuesday, coinciding with Obama's scheduled visit to the Capitol for separate meetings with House and Senate Republicans.

The provision has emerged as a point of contention among Republicans, who criticize it as an example of wasteful spending that would neither create jobs nor otherwise improve the economy.

Under the provision, states no longer would be required to obtain federal permission to offer family planning services — including contraceptives — under Medicaid, the health program for the low-income.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090127/ap_on_go_co/obama_stimulus

[Overseas]

45. But if the Republicans were determined to obstruct

then they should have had all their pet provisions stripped out of the bill first. No rewards for such deliberate obstuctionist behavior.

[4lbs]

46. Anyone think that Obama never intended the family planning portion to stay in the Bill?

He knew it would piss off the GOP. So he "compromised" and removed it, but it let the GOP use some of their political ammo needlessly.

Look for the family planning funding to make a reappearance when the healthcare reform bill comes up later this year.

[Hippo_Tron]

48. Probably, that's how smart negotiators get things done

Kennedy solved the Cuban Missile Crisis by giving Khrushchev removal of the Jupiter missiles in Turkey that he was going to remove anyway.

[MrSlayer]

47. Well then we should propose things as far to the left as possible.

And meet somewhere in the middle bringing the center back to the left. Just the same shit those Repuke assholes have done to ruin the country, we should do to improve it.

[zulchzulu]

49. Some people need to either take a basic civics lesson or just frankly embarrass themselves

Anyone who has paid attention to how legislation works and how it gets passed understands that it is all usually incremental in nature and that good legislation takes time to get passed.

People who think Obama or the Senate or Congress can just make draconian changes overnight really should stick to watching reality shows and leave the discussion with the informed and those who understand that not everything is instant gratification nor is powered by a remote control mentality.