MaddowBlog - "Those who still blame Obama for GOP intransigence" - Worse Than False Equivalency

[TomCADem]

The blame President Obama for Republican instransigence is an extension of the false equivalency meme. It accepts as a given that we should expect the actions of Republicans as given, which gives Republicans a total free pass. Yet, this meme is widespread as sometimes is adopted by some on the left who seem willing to accept the actions of Republicans in repeatedly bringing our country to the edge of crisis and direct their anger at moderates and Democrats.

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/03/04/17183378-those-who-still-blame-obama-for-gop-intransigence?lite

There's been quite of a bit of commentary in recent weeks about who ultimately bears responsibility for Republicans' refusal to compromise in advance of the sequestration deadline, with a few too many pundits reflexively relying on the lazy "blame both sides" canard.

The New York Times' Bill Keller joins the crowd today -- his column's headline reads, "Obama's fault" -- and since his piece is longer and more fleshed out than most of the other related commentary, I read it thinking he might have something new to contribute to the general media dissatisfaction with President Obama.

So, what's Keller's pitch? It's worth noting at the outset that the Times columnist concedes that "much of the responsibility for our perpetual crisis can be laid at the feet of a pigheaded Republican Party." OK, but if that's the case, how do we get to "Obama's fault"?

* * *
Keller makes the point that he wishes Obama had negotiated differently when dealing with Republican tactics that included political extortion, hostage taking, and in Keller's words, "blackmail." I'm not unsympathetic to concerns about the president's negotiating postures, but I'm not altogether sure why the columnist is blaming the president for the GOP's reckless tactics -- the complaint reads a bit like someone critiquing whether a mugging victim was effective in handing over his wallet.

The bottom line remains the same: the president has played by the rules, accepting concessions, offering compromises, and negotiating in good faith. In the meantime, Republicans have been unyielding, condemning the very idea of compromise, threatening deliberate national harm, and walking away from overly generous offers that fall short of 100% of their demands.

So, remind me, how is it "Obama's fault"?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

1. I'm guessing that he is trying to maintain some notion of equivalence

He's taking the Republicans to the woodshed, so he has to (somehow) find a way to make it partially President Obama's fault as well.

[John2]

2. For one thing,

Keller maybe a New York Columnist and Maddow attaches him on the Left, his words sound just like Republican talking points out of Wall Street. With all the deception going around, who know who is whom these Days?

He is mad at President Obama because he thinks the problems are the dreaded Entitlements and Obama care. The media is owned by corporations. Some may seem more conservative than others, but they are all owned by the same species. Their opinions can turn on a dime. The American Media was just as negligent for the War in Iraq and WMDs. They are all privately owned by wealthy families. The target of the wealthy are entitlements and not closing loopholes. He needs to continue to go to the people and let them decide which course is taken. This is a power struggle on who is the Boss. The people or wealthy corporations. It is like you are in a War of Attrition. You will feel pain in the short term but in the long term it will pay off.

If the Republicans don't want to co-operate on this issue go to the next and let the corporate puppets of Wall Street whine all they want. I think we can last until the next Election cycle. The best solution is to convince people the Republican Party is the problem.

[CTyankee]

3. On Up with Chris Hayes last Saturday, one of the liberals on the panel said that Obama is not a

very good negotiator. Instead of offering a sensible, balanced plan at the outset, he should have opened the bargaining with a far left plan and then negotiated to the center. There is some truth to that statement...

[appacom]

4. it is impossible to negotiate with rethugs, no matter where

Obama started. Logically, the expectation is that there is a point for negotiation, but there is nothing logical about the rethugs

[phleshdef]

5. Theres no truth to it based on all the evidence we've seen from this Congress.

It doesn't matter what the starting point of negotiations was, they aren't going to allow anything decent to pass. Its really that simple.

[CTyankee]

6. well, perhaps you are right, but it doesn't help to go to your default FIRST.

Just sayin'...

[Cosmocat]

7. I don't disagree to a point, but I would note this

as much as the general public may half pay attention to things ...

The overall perception outside of straight voting republicans, is that the President is a good and reasonable man.

I don't think THAT is why he has started close to the midpoint on things, I think it is because he is in face a good and reasonable man.

In behaving as such, while people may not know the specifics, they are still left with the sense that he is reasonable.

[CTyankee]

9. I don't think that was at stake here. It was a panel of liberals, remember. This particular panel

participant was a big Obama supporter and on his side it in this. He just wanted a better outcome for the President. He wasn't concerned with a "starting bid." He was talking about tactics in a negotiation...

[Cosmocat]

8. I have had my fill of this since late last year

the republican's started with this "it is the president's fault we are jackasses" meme, and the "liberal press" has dutifully fallen in line behind that thinking.

I have zero tolerance for it.

[CTyankee]

10. I'm giving up on this meme myself, too....back to the art blogs I like to read...

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

11. Bookmarked for the DUers who seem to blame Obama more than the Republicans...FOR EVERYTHING!!!