Angry Obama: The GOP's Latest Miscalculation

[alcibiades_mystery]

Nearly all the unnamed sources on today's meeting are Republican aides feeding shit to their media devotees, like GOP hack Luke Russert, and GOP website Politico. They all say the same thing: "Obama got heated." "Obama was angry." "Obama lost his temper." "Obama stormed out."

This is clearly a little narrative that they think is going to be effective with some segment of the population. But it's a drastic miscalculation. Obama's seeming calm during all of this has agitated Democrats, and is almost certainly favored by independents. But even independents understand "Enough is enough," and it's likely that a good number of them have also wanted Obama to get angry.

What Obama bought by not seeming angry yet, even in the face of rather outrageous behavior, is the perception that any anger he does display must be justified. The GOP is trying to scare people with "angry Obama" (and the racial undertones of the narrative are clear enough), but they're digging their own grave on this one. People are ready for a little angry Obama; it's why the White House is countering the form and not the substance of the charge.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

1. Trying to turn Obama into the "scary, angry black man!" We tried to tell the Obama haters

that he couldn't show too much anger. There is STILL racists in this country who would NEVER put up with an angry black man!

Just like they do with women. Women who show anger are "hysterical" and "emotional"!!

[loyalsister]

6. So true

I think it has really shaken racists up that he has not met their stereotypes. Some were probably expecting a Biden presidency wit Obama as token front man.
Since that didn't happen, they have been aching to see the Samuel L. Jackson style "angry black man" in order to validate their beliefs and assumptions. To their chagrin, he has carried himself with unflappable class.

[The Magistrate]

2. Excellent Observation, Sir

Happy to put it on the Greatest page....

"Beware the wrath of a quiet man."

[Maru Kitteh]

14. + 1. What you said. nt

[mzmolly]

3. He's human. Today he showed his humanity.

I think that works with voters.

[SusanaMontana41]

9. Works for me. Works very well for me! n/t

[DevonRex]

4. Exactly. Nt

[nc4bo]

5. GOP better get a clue. I believe they've been given more than enough rope to

hang themselves. Just how much more rope is left? Although this is my assumption, I believe the majority of Americans have grown weary of all of this shit. I know I am.

We're all pushed to the edge in so many ways.

[spanone]

7. they are completely miscalculating it....bwahahahahahahaa

[SusanaMontana41]

8. Obama's angry? Now THAT's what I want from my president! n/t

[LiberalAndProud]

10. Anybody would lose their cool having to deal with these clowns every day.

I hope it really did happen. I, for one, would love to kick their collective asses personally.

[Lugnut]

11. I would've choked about 5 of them by now.

I would've started with that smarmy little pissant, Eric. It's nice to see some spunk from my president. He's been more than reasonable with the House thugs. I think they played their Lucy-and-the-football game once too often.

[LiberalAndProud]

15. Right? I think this is going to be a big plus for him.

His ability to stay on an even keel is remarkable and even admirable, but they're being totally ridiculous and I really believe this can't go well for them. If you're not a teapartier, you're not happy with the Republicans. And I really don't think the news can spin this to put them in a good light, no matter how they try.

[Lugnut]

17. They're trying like mad to spin this morning.

Schmuck Todd is twisting himself into a pretzel trying to spin the positive for Repubs. It's amusing.

[deacon]

12. I just don't want to hear any apologies from Obama. n/t

[ProgressiveEconomist]

13. Tonight's Politico story (LINK) sources Eric Cantor himself for the apparent lie

about Obama's response to rude interruptions from Cantor as the President was wrapping up the meeting:

"Democratic sources dispute Cantor�s version of Obama�s walk out, but all sides agree that the two had a blow up. The sources described Obama as �impassionedŽ but said he didn�t exactly storm out of the room.

�Cantor�s account of tonight�s meeting is completely overblown. For someone who knows how to walk out of a meeting, you�d think he�d know it when he saw it,Ž a Democratic aide said. �Cantor rudely interrupted the president three times to advocate for short-term debt ceiling increases while the president was wrapping the meeting. This is just more juvenile behavior from him and Boehner needs to rein him in, and let the grown-ups get to work.Ž"

From http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/58937.html

[alcibiades_mystery]

16. Clearly, Cantor's going to lie

It's more shocking to see the AP put his dumbest lie in a headline.