Mark Halperin (bleh) finally admits an improved economy not in the GOP’s ‘interests’ ...

[Emit]

Then suggests Obama "finding common ground" with Boehner is still "the thing that’s most likely to create jobs." :crazy:

An improved economy not in the GOP’s ‘interests’

Time’s Mark Halperin raised an interesting observation on MSNBC’s “Hardball” yesterday.

For those who can’t watch clips online, Halperin told viewers, “I think, look, the president needs to say what he believes. The problem is, it’s increasingly clear that Republicans — at some level, they want the economy to get better — but as a political matter, it’s not in their interests to help the president make the economy better. And putting together a bipartisan package is not in their interests.”

This strikes me as a rather important realization. While there’s some debate as to whether Republicans are really capable of this level of “cynicism,” here’s Mark Halperin, about as establishment-ish as the media establishment can get, telling a national television audience that the congressional GOP may very well prefer hurting the country to helping the president.

Such a notion should not simply be accepted as routine. When American policymakers care more about destroying a presidency than protecting the nation’s interests, we’ve reached a pathological level of partisanship. It’s not healthy; voters shouldn’t tolerate it; and the media shouldn’t treat it as business as usual.

But let’s also note what else Halperin said in the same MSNBC appearance...


~snip~

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/an_improved_economy_not_in_the032032.php

[spanone]

1. can't stand him. halperin is not in our best interests

[OHdem10]

2. Halperin gave the appearance (to me, anyway) of saying the only

way to get anything is to appease the Republicans.

He deliberately ignored the fact that it might be in
Obama's interest to lay out a Democratic, I said a
Democratic Plan. Let the Republicans try to block it.
Go to the People and get their support. Make the Republicans
look as obstructionist as they are.

He seems to be concerned with the Republicans getting what
they want.

IMO, we must draw a stark contrast, be proud to be Democrats.
and ready to explain why our plan is best for the country.

[Auntie Bush]

3. Halprin is a republican and dislikes Obama. Nuff said!

[Supersedeas]

4. Halperin began that segment by suggesting that the President had to confer with the Speaker

to try to reach a bi-partisan consensus.

Then, later in the segment, he admits that the Republican do not want to help him.

So, why would the President need to negotiation, if we know the negotiations are not in good faith.

[Indykatie]

5. Tweety and Jonathan Alter Were Excellent in The Segment

They were both were like "been there done that" when Halperin said Obama needed to go to Republicans for support.