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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAn Old Witch Tells the President What to Do
If I were sitting today where you sit, Mr. Obama, almost at the confluence of the Anacostia River, the Washington Chanel, and the Potomac River, heres what Id do:
Id announce that, now that the governments been closed for two days, Im unwilling to sign anything but a clean bill to fund the government, except that now I also want the Rapeublicans to approve all of my judicial nominees who have been languishing in Congress lo these many years.
Tomorrow morning, Id eat breakfast, put on my nice suit, walk out into the Rose Garden (its gorgeous in DC this week) and announce that now that Ive slept on it, I wont sign anything except a clean bill with approval of all of my judicial nominees and statehood for DC. Id wave to the reporters, go play golf (include a woman this time, Mr. President), review their homework with my daughters, and get a massage.
On Friday, after I had lunch at the Palm with my wife (have the crabmeat cocktail and the steak salad, rare), Id walk up to Dupont Circle and say that Id been discussing it with Ms. Obama and, now, Im unwilling to sign anything except a clean bill with approval of all of my judicial appointees, statehood for DC, and a new bill of Elizabeth Warrens choosing.
Id take the weekend off, go to Camp David, let the girls and the dogs run around and enjoy Indian Summer in Maryland, have dinner with some crazy, wild-eyed liberals, and make sure the press knew who they were and what we ate (include arugula and craft beer on the menu).
On Monday, Id wait.
On Tuesday, Id give a speech and announce that, having thought about it over the weekend, in the calm of Camp David, I also need a new program of really strong controls on financial markets.
You get the picture.
Right now, the only people upping the ante are the Rapeublicans. In order to meet in the middle and appear reasonable Mr. Obama has to move towards their position. Thats no way to negotiate.
http://hecatedemeter.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/an-old-witch-tells-the-president-what-to-do/
IdaBriggs
(10,559 posts)Judicial nominees approved - I may faint!
Someone is saying it -- they DO NOT want to play this game, especially if the President decides he wants to play, too.
Of course it would be wrong.
Really wrong.
But, oh the fantasy for a minute!
A bill chosen by Elizabeth Warren... swoon!
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)I guess they don't teach everything at Hahvahhd.
BumRushDaShow
(129,053 posts)with one that has a black face and see how far that goes.
This is America where African Americans receive no respect whatsoever, which is why the crazies have gone into overdrive.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,053 posts)TBF
(32,062 posts)good try.
The president is doing great and if anything should do exactly what the OP describes.
JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts)But I still love her ideas!
phantom power
(25,966 posts)Like, there is absolutely some number of teabagger Reps who may very well not ever cave. Because they're government-hating nihilistic racist fucks who are very happy to watch the world burn.
But the rest of the GOP Reps, not so much. Turning the screws on them hurts, and they're going to get desperate.
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)to be made. control the message. Up the ante. don't stand around and be polite. kick them hard and don't relent.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)to negotiate with intractable assholes that need us more than we need them.
Thank you for restoring some modicum of hope for me.
& R
Blaukraut
(5,693 posts)rosesaylavee
(12,126 posts)They are technically in recess, yes?
That's what I do... the GOP loves that.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)and with the other hand unzip my fly and piss right on his Italian leather loafers.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)to suggest during my show this weekend. An escalating set of demands if Republicans don't submit a clean bill.
alfredo
(60,074 posts)TBF
(32,062 posts)bvar22
(39,909 posts)Posted by bvar22 yesterday on Democratic Underground:
There was another post at the top of DU this morning about how Obama holds the winning hand. The polls certainly support him & The Democrats.
It is time to apply heat to the Republicans for their stupidity.
Don't just ask politely for a "Clean Bill" anymore.
THAT ship has sailed.
Start adding Democratic Party provisions for every day the Republicans delay.
Start today by restoring funding for Meals-on-Wheels.
Tomorrow, refund Head Start.
From there, go down the list restoring funding for Sequester Cuts to Social Programs one at a time until the Republicans cry"Uncle".
President Obama holds all the good cards.
The Republicans are sitting in a sewer of their OWN making.
Time to make them pay.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=609162
alfredo
(60,074 posts)Until they give in, no matter what Boehner orders from the bar, give him a Shirley Temple.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)yuiyoshida
(41,831 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)put their nuts in a vice for once.
lastlib
(23,239 posts)Oh, and a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United!
Then we'll talk.
Aerows
(39,961 posts)Because she has the right stuff to get things done.
libodem
(19,288 posts)I could cry. No kidding. It smarts so much my eyes watered. My late father would cheer.
Bertha Venation
(21,484 posts)it's hard for me to take anyone seriously who modifies any party name for snark's sake, like "Rapeublican" or "Dumbocrat."
Lucinda
(31,170 posts)louis-t
(23,295 posts)My bad.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,719 posts)which I remember well from my own days as an old lawyer/witch who didn't go to Harvard. Today we will settle the case for $100,000 and our offer is good until close of business. Tomorrow we will want $150,000 to settle; the day after... It didn't work every time but it worked a lot. I have no idea what would happen in this situation, but it would sure be interesting.
sulphurdunn
(6,891 posts)how hard Republicans push their insanity, the Democrats are content merely to negotiated less of an advance for their agenda and call it bipartisanship or to stop the advance and call it victory. They never roll it back. The Republicans have been rolling back social progress for 30 years. It's time to rout and send them into full retreat just to regain lost ground. Anything less would be just another Pyrrhic victory.
Grateful for Hope
(39,320 posts)What amazing advice. Wow! K&R