At yesterday’s press conference, Obama continued to exploit the corner into which Republicans have painted themselves, trapping them so that, no matter what they do, they lose. He presented himself as the person looking out for Main Street, while successfully demonstrating how Republicans refuse to consider the needs of anyone other that their millionaire, billionaire and corporate owners. His strategy is paying off. Video and analysis follow.
For those of you who missed it, here is the complete video:
Or if you prefer, click here for the text version of Obama’s press conference.
Obama made it clear that raising the debt limit is a manufactured issue, by explaining how it’s purpose is unrelated to future spending. It simply provides the money to pay for what Congress has already spent. To most of us, that’s speaking the obvious, but the majority of voting Americans have not paid enough attention to politics to understand even such rudimentary basics. Hopefully this will open their eyes.
While he vaguely kept entitlement cuts on the table, he did so in the certain knowledge that Republicans will never accept a grand bargain that includes revenue increases. His bluff was so well executed that he even fooled a major segment of his base. He said that he was willing to sign any “serious” agreement, but made it crystal clear that “serious” has to include revenue from those who have benefited from the policies responsible for the deficit and the debt. He also knew that Republicans have to cave in, as I explained last Saturday on the Fred and Jed Show. I’m no prophet, but I nailed that one.
Republicans will continue to make noise, but in the end, they have two choices. They can “avert Armageddon” or betray their own masters, guaranteeing their demise as a party in the process. Obama can then go into 2012 with the argument that he tried to deal with the debt and deficit, using shared sacrifice, as several polls show 80% of Americans prefer, but Republicans prevented it to protect corporate jets, billionaire tax loopholes, oil company subsidies, etc. Checkmate.
As progressive liberals, we can use the same arguments to challenge DINO’s, who have supported Republican policies in the primaries.
Overall, the best analysis I have encountered comes from Lawrence O’Donnell in two segments.
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Just like I said yesterday, Lawrence pointed out how fooling his own base has made his strategy that much more effective, by making it more believable.
Lawrence discusses the alternatives with Jonathan Alter.
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Alter is wrong that Obama actually intended the grand bargain to go through.
The bottom line is this. In an attempt to screw America, Republicans used blackmail. As Alter said, they could not control their hostage. Now we will have an excellent opportunity to reverse Republican gains of 2010 and more.
21 Responses to “Endgame: Obama Closes the Trap”
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Sly guy! He didn’t desert us.
I agree, but an awful lot of people don’t see it.
I agree too! If he can make the re-election with some “better” Democratic support, I believe he will begin to make even more progress. ❗
Yet, the Republicans don’t get the message – despite negative press in respected conservative publications, by the foreign media, and in poll results.
Leslie, Republican politicians only get one me$$age.
Tom, I have never doubted that Obama a shrewd operator and was head and shoulders above the GOP. He has more brain power and strategy than any 10 of them put together. But I question your comment that hopefully those who do not pay enough attention to politics to understand the issues will now do so. They have not paid attention and they will not pay attention; they will simply go on their ignorant, uneducated and uninformed gut feelings. It is called Bubba Mentality.
My concern as well – I’ve already spoken to the O enthusiasts and even they don’t catch on! This is O selling them out! Nuance in politics doesn’t read among those of ordinary intelligence, and who prefer to avoid politics anyway!
Lee, I could be wrong, but when the smoke clears, it should be apparent. Wait and see.
Charles, I didn’t mean to imply that there would be a mass awakening or that it would effect those who willfully refuse to learn. My hope is that people who are not really politically inclined, but open minded, will hear this and say, “OK. I get it now.”
We can certainly hope—President Obama is playing a very sophisticated chess game–but those who have not paid attention won’t suddenly start—they are still playing checkers- “Bubba Mentality ” ; Yes- they still expect the Republicans to play a fair game– Won’t happen-
See my reply to Charles, please.
The House, Senate AND White House will be in Democratic hands come January, 2013—and then, free of conservative pressure and intimidation, we will hopefully start seeing the Obama we THOUGHT we elected in 2008! Say your prayers, “Cardinal TomCat”!
“Pope Jack.”
Did you see where the Bachmanns quit their church because the Talibangelical christianist of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) publicly proclaim the Pope is the Antichrist?
I saw that. For all her pseudo-Christian posturing, she had not attended in over two years.
Holy Father, I hear and obey! 😉
We could get into real, helpful reform, if we didn’t have to fight off all these loony tunes in the Republican party, especially those who are running for President.Their scare tactics are holding us back from real reform.
Tom, that’s the sad part of it. You’re absolutely right.
The Repubs have boxed themselves into a corner, but they are so stupid that they don’t even realize it yet. Obama called their bluff and took all their chips away – the polls on this prove it. 68% of the American people now do not think the Repubs will handle the economy better than Obama can. That’s bad news for them in 2012. But there will still by those 20% of morons that will pull the R lever, against their own interests, again, because they just don’t pay attention. And with this Murdoch thing heating up, there many not be someone to tell them what to think or do in 2012. 😆
Long tome no see, Otis!! 😀
I agree, but I don’t think Fox is going anywhere. Republicans will circle the wagons to limit the investigations to Murdoch’s European operations and protect the Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda. Holder has proven useless, so far.
Cutting Medicare isnt chess, Obama is a wimp who refuses to defend the Constitution and would rather sell Americans out. You, _____, youre bending over backwards to fall for this nonsense!!!!
OH, read the rules page. Here you have the right to your own opinion, including the right to be wrong, which I exercise myself on occasion. However, here you may not levy personal insults against me or readers who comment here. This is your only warning.