"Some Fights Are Worth Fighting Even If You Lose"

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I was watching him on C-Span the other day. He said something very prescient that his grandmother told him. " Some fights aren't worth fighting even if you win and some fights are worth fighting even if you lose".

If we are going to save this country we should heed that admonition.

[Enrique]

1. and Wed. vs. Thurs. for a speech is not one of those fights n/t

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. It Was A Blatant Act Of Disrespect For The President

He should have given the speech elsewhere and alluded to said lack of respect.

[laureloak]

Only if WE build it into that. Let it go...take the high road.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. I Used To Believe In Taking The High Ground And Turning The Proverbial "Other Cheek"

Until I realized some people will just slap the other one...

[ClassWarrior]

6. I hear ya... and I K&Red the thread... but this is only process. Let the Rape-Publicans be...

...the petty ones.

NGU.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. I Don't Get It

I have been one of President Obama's most stalwart supporters on this board . I dob't like to be "dissed" and just a jobless peon. I certainly wouldn't want or allowed myself to be "dissed" if I was the most powerful man on Earth.

[ClassWarrior]

10. As you yourself point out, his "other cheek" is gonna get slapped no matter what he does.

I don't think "allow" plays any role in it.

:shrug:

NGU.

[Pirate Smile]

12. He's never let the treatment of him be "the big deal".

He wont start now.

I think he believes scheduling would fall into "fights aren't worth fighting even if you win".

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. I think he very specifically wants to make the speech before Congress

and I agree that's where it should be done - because it makes the point that they - Congress - have to get off their asses and do something. Presidents can make speeches until they are blue in the face but nothing actually gets done until Congress enacts legislation. So by going to Congress and getting in their face he is making the point that THEY have to take steps to address the jobs problem. If he gave the speech from the Oval Office and complained about the "lack of respect" he would just seem whiny.

It makes sense to move the speech to the 8th; it's just stupid to make a big deal over process because it takes away from the purpose of the speech.

[Empowerer]

8. Hear hear!

Well said.

If the point is to deliver a substantive speech to a joint session of Congress about a proposal that needs to be introduced in and eventually passed by Congress, giving the speech on the 8th rather than the 7th makes perfect sense.

If, however, the point is to try to make the Republicans look bad, that's another issue altogether. And it's unlikely that insisting on giving the speech on Wednesday from the Oval Office would not have served that purpose anyway. It would have, as you noted, simply made the President look petulant and petty.

Most important, it would not have gotten us one step closer to creating one more job. And isn't that what this is supposed to be all about?

[Enrique]

7. respect isn't that important

especially during our economic emergency.

And it's not as clear cut anyway. People were saying Obama was playing games with the original schedule. If he can play games, it's hard to be offended when Boehner plays games.

Well, Obama put an end to the games by changing the date. I'm ok with that. Let's hear the speech. I'm sure I'll have plenty to criticize him on the substance.

[JNinWB]

15. No, he shouldn't.

Those suggesting a speech elsewhere than the JC are simply wrong. Speaking elsewhere was never Obama's goal. I'm not sure why commenters don't grasp this point

This speech is about Optics. Voters need to witness the Republican loathing of Obama with their own eyes.

Oval Office speeches are generally boring and wouldn't provide the desired effects.

[karynnj]

17. I disagree - an act of disrespect reflects on the ones doing it and

it is etter if others, particularly any deemed neutral call it what it is. For the President to call it out the right would call his words whining.

[ClassWarrior]

3. K&R as a wise political principle that more should heed!

NGU.

[Pirate Smile]

11. That is a great saying. Very true.

[GeorgeGist]

13. Who is he?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

14. Choose your battles

wisely. Good advice!

[zalinda]

18. Except he doesn't seem to fight for anything. n/t

[JNinWB]

16. I happy that Obama is much more intelligent

Than his "advisers" here on DU. Too many DUers are always spoiling for pointless fights, showdowns, and macho crappola that proves nothing.

Being President requires long-term strategizing---a characteristic sadly absent from our DU pundits. Live to fight another day.

Know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em....Even the lowly Gambler knows this. :hi: