President Obama was given a 100% coordinated rethug 'fuck off' --- how do you recommend he respond?

[RiverStone]

Looks like we are back to playing hard ball.

Despite the mandate given to both our new president and the Democratic Party at large in November, rethugs coordinated a 100% unanimous hissy fit yesterday on the Stimulus Package vote.

President Obama already compromised by giving in on adding tax cuts and eliminating a valuable sex education/contraception program (among others) and yet the rethugs were determined to respond to President Obama's bipartisan efforts with giving him The Finger.

My initial reaction was to suggest President Obama put back into the bill everything the rethugs objected to and simply tell them: if you refuse to work cooperatively, then we will no longer seek compromise and pass legislation regardless of your objections.

In other words rethugs, your in our house now - play or shut the hell up!!!

President Obama is far too much of a statesman to get rude - but there must be some equivalent which would remind rethugs they are in no position to throw temper tantrums without consequences.

[phantom power]

1. My dream is that they just start passing Dem legislation w/out the GOP caucus.

The dems don't need the GOP to pass shit. They can go pound sand.

[onefreespiritedchick]

18. Exactly! n/t

[wndycty]

2. Here is his response

Politico: Aide says Obama administration plans to release state-by-state job figures "so we can put a number on what folks voted for and against."

Another Democratic official adds: "We will run campaigns in their districts."

http://thepage.time.com/2009/01/29/white-house-wont-let-gop-off-easy/

[Cha]

14. Hardball with the facts..it's

not like they didn't give them a sporting chance.

[backscatter712]

3. I think Obama's already on top of this...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/29/10311/7383/149/690396

Obama and House Dems are already doing a few things to embarrass the Rethugs - releasing state-by-state economic figures, and getting ready to run campaigns in their districts - force the Rethugs to explain to their constituents why they voted against a bill that would create 4 million jobs.

[RiverStone]

9. Good link - thanks!

I'd like to believe the same tenacity which won Obama the presidency will now be put forth to move his agenda forward. Harry Reid may be a huge wimp, but Obama is the man.

I like the sticks part - no need to hand out any more carrots! :thumbsup:

[vaberella]

15. Wickedness...Obama and his team play this like a chess game. n/t

[bdamomma]

16. Obama is executing his plan beautifully.

[LiberalFighter]

23. I hope they do a massive campaign here in the IN 3rd District

[damonm]

24. Are you kiddin' me?

He's playing the Rethugs like Hendrix on a Strat...

[jpak]

4. By clobbering them in the mid-terms

The economy will recover by 2010 - thanks to the stimulus bill that republics opposed.

Stupid republics...

[DisgustipatedinCA]

5. Here's what the House can do...

For any new bill under consideration in the House, have the bill written with a few bipartisan bones thrown in here and there. Also, have several amendments ready to go with as much progressive legislation stuffed into them as possible. Ask the Republicans to go along with the bill. If they indicate that they're going to stonewall again, pass every one of those amendments and then pass the bill. From a GOP perspective, they'd have to ask themselves if they want bad, or if they want worse than bad.

[Posteritatis]

6. If that bill's even a fractional success that means the GOP gets zero credit

It's a pretty dangerous gamble on their part, and would get nasty in the midterms. "Rep. Republicanguy voted against the repair of America's economy!" They're either completely blinkered or hoping the bill accomplishes nothing.

[dusmcj]

7. by bypassing them. That's what a majority is for. /nt

[baldguy]

8. Keep the door open.

And keep passing bills W/O GOP support. Make clear to the public what the benefits of the bills are and make clear that the GOP voted against them. When the benefits help constituents of GOP reps, make it clear to the local media that those benefits would not have existed if the local GOP rep had his way. At the same time reward those that will eventually break ranks and support the President, making it clear that the benefits wouldn't exist WITHOUT his help.

Obama doesn't have to be rude - he's got Pelosi, Hoyer, Clyburn & Emanuel to do that.

[LibDemAlways]

10. The only advantage in continuing to attempt to "reach out"

to these thugs is so Obama can rightly claim that he is a man of his word who sincerely wants to work with the other side. If the repukes keep showing the American people that they are not even willing to meet him part of the way, it only shows them for what they are - a bunch of sore loser obstructionists who don't want to accomplish anything.

I just wish Obama would be more careful and cautious about what concessions he chooses to offer them since they won't back his plans anyway.

[Ikonoklast]

11. He's warming this thing up, and he's gonna use it.

[global1]

12. Lay Out The Facts But Continue To Kill Them With Kindness.....

he should keep making the effort to bring them into the fold and be bipartisan. If the Repugs don't play ball - they will continue to look like obstructionists and they will continue to shoot themselves in the foot and continue to lose seats in both the house and the senate. They are digging their own grave. Obama should continue to help them do that.

[bdamomma]

19. oh yes, they are digging themselves into a grave, I wish the media

did the same thing instead of pumping them up. The media should be our next focus.

[Hellataz]

20. I think he will continue to take the high road and show his desire for bi-partisan politics, but on

the side will subtly throw some jabs at the Repubs just to show them they can't get away with these slaps in his face.

[Clear Blue Sky]

13. He should respond by

getting the Senate version passed and signing it into law.

[ipfilter]

17. Obama ran a masterful campaign and now he is going to

bring all of that brilliance to bear against the Republicans. I believe Obama is three or four steps ahead of them and will make them look like fools before this is over. Our President has a knack for making Republicans look stupid.

[SKKY]

21. These people have no idea what they're doing! Obama is going to kill them in the...

...court of public opinion. Putting the State-by-State figures out there is sheer brilliance!

[Still Sensible]

22. Simple, just keep to the high road

Keep inviting bipartisan participation and support, rerturned or not.

And continue shoving the agenda up the conservative ass at every opportunity.