Frustrated Obama on GOP: “There’s nothing that I can do”

[DonViejo]

The president reportedly tells Democratic governors there's no way to reason with the GOP and get them to the table

BY DAVID DALEY

Behind the scenes, President Obama has grown increasingly pessimistic about a deal with Republicans to head off the looming sequester cuts, according to Democratic governors who had a private briefing with the president and the vice president on Friday.

According to the New York Times, Democratic governors who spoke with reporters after that session said that the president admitted his public campaign to force the GOP to the table was not working, and that no deal is in sight.

“What he was saying is, ‘There’s nothing that I can do to get these folks to come to the table with a balanced approach,’” said Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin.

Added Martin O’Malley, the governor of Maryland: “I think he’s long-term optimistic. Short-term, he believes Republicans seem hell-bent on slowing job recovery through sequestration, which in some perverse way they see as a win.”

Barring a deal, the automatic across-the-board cuts in spending will begin on March 1.

-30-

http://www.salon.com/2013/02/23/frustrated_obama_on_gop_theres_nothing_that_i_can_do/

[TwilightGardener]

1. Well, they're terrorists. Can't really negotiate with a set of nutjobs who are determined

once again to hurt the economy and the American people.

[putitinD]

2. call them out every chance you get. expose them to the ones that aren't paying attention

[BWCC]

3. It may be true..

..but I don't like when Obama says stuff like this. It sounds whiny.

I mean you're the PRESIDENT, you're supposed to be like all powerful and influential and stuff. He sounds like an incredibly weak President when he talks like this.

Oh well, damned if you do, damned if you don't..

[Evergreen Emerald]

4. what a load of bull

To suggest that the president is all powerful is not considering the three branches of government...nor the vast right wing conspiracy that is bent on destroying our government.

Incredibly weak? He is working under terrorist-like conditions in which the other party would rather see the country destroyed than let Obama "win."

[monmouth3]

6. Brava!!

[BWCC]

10. Like I said it may be "true"

I would just prefer him to keep trying and not talk about it.

It was weak like when Boehner talked about how "Obama is trying to destroy the GOP". Who talks like that honestly?

[union_maid]

16. Talking about it is the point

This needs to be a political loser for the GOP. Not just for elections, but also for future negotiations. Reminding everyone whose fault it is is Politics 101. What you don't want is the public clamoring for Democrats to do more reaching across the aisle. That would be a very bad thing.

[treestar]

11. Exactly, what BS

The president is not supposed to be all powerful.

And the Rs are ridiculous. He does not sound whiny - he is stating a fact. The Republicans are insanely stubborn and care nothing for the country, only for "winning."

[stillcool]

5. what did he say

that sounds whinny?

[Cha]

7. No it doesn't BWCC.. It sounds FACTUAL.

Fuck the WHINY Ass reCONS.

[Sunlei]

8. what do you want Obama to do vs the republican economic terrorists?

Once all the March 1, cuts kickin I bet we can fix up any damage to our social necessaries.


To heck with the pentagon cuts let them prove we still have actual need of anything cut from DOD. DOD is so bloated a lot needs cut anyway.

[Kingofalldems]

9. I see.

[Drunken Irishman]

13. You kinda sound whiny.

Obama has put up with their crap for four years now. He's allowed 'em a seat at the table in every major fight - from the stimulus to healthcare reform all the way through the budget deals of 2011. What have they done? They've shown up, shat on the table, thrown the plates and pissed on the carpet.

Why invite 'em back?

[Denzil_DC]

14. It's worth noting that Obama didn't actually directly say what's reported in the headline

Quote:

"What he was saying is, 'There’s nothing that I can do to get these folks to come to the table with a balanced approach,'" said Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin.

I expect this sort of thing from HuffPo, I guess I should learn to expect it from Salon.

As for what he can do, we'll have to wait and see how it plays out.

[dballance]

15. Thank You. It's Annoying That People Post Statements about Obama Being Whiny...

When they're quoting statements Obama never made. Too bad it's so much easier to just criticize rather than actually bother to find the facts first.

[TomCADem]

17. Once Again, The Narrative That The President Needs To Move to Republicans

This is what got the President in trouble in his last term when the media pressured the White House to "show leadership" by simply trying to guess what makes Republicans happy. Instead of doing this, just point out that Republicans are the ones who are refusing to deal even though Democrats have offered substantial cuts in spending. Democrats have tried to compromise. There is no need to bid against ourselves.

[Squinch]

18. Nice 8th post...

Last edited Sun Feb 24, 2013, 08:29 AM - Edit history (1)