It's the GOP vs. Obama (and the American people)
By Michael J.W. Stickings
Following up on Creature's post from earlier today...
From WaPo, more good poll numbers for Obama:
And why has it eroded? Because the Republicans have no interest in working contructively with Obama and the Democrats, because they've entrenched themselves, once more, behind extremist ideological lines, because they think they can score political points by being obstructionist.
Now, I'm not one to think that polls are infallible reflections of the truth, nor that the American people, according to the polls, are right about everything all the time. But it's an awfully good sign, not least given how virulent and, for a time, narrative-forming the Republican attacks over the stimulus plan have been, that Obama still seems to have such overwhelming public support. The honeymoon may be over -- it was short, given the urgency of the economic crisis and the bitter and divisive way the Republicans have handled themselves -- but it is impressive that he has been able to keep up that support in the midst of such attacks and with a media establishment buying, for a time, into, and regurgitating, the Republican narrative.
Republicans have turned on Obama, as expected, but, in so doing, they have sided against the American people. They will end up paying dearly in the end.
Following up on Creature's post from earlier today...
From WaPo, more good poll numbers for Obama:
As President Obama prepares to address a joint session of Congress tomorrow night, he receives strong grades for his first full month in office, as large majorities of Americans support his $787 billion economic stimulus package and the recently unveiled $75 billion plan for stemming mortgage foreclosures, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Nearly seven in 10 believe Obama is delivering on his pledge to bring needed change to Washington, the poll found, and about eight in 10 say he is meeting or exceeding their expectations. At the same time, however, the bipartisan support he enjoyed as he prepared to take office has eroded substantially.
And why has it eroded? Because the Republicans have no interest in working contructively with Obama and the Democrats, because they've entrenched themselves, once more, behind extremist ideological lines, because they think they can score political points by being obstructionist.
Now, I'm not one to think that polls are infallible reflections of the truth, nor that the American people, according to the polls, are right about everything all the time. But it's an awfully good sign, not least given how virulent and, for a time, narrative-forming the Republican attacks over the stimulus plan have been, that Obama still seems to have such overwhelming public support. The honeymoon may be over -- it was short, given the urgency of the economic crisis and the bitter and divisive way the Republicans have handled themselves -- but it is impressive that he has been able to keep up that support in the midst of such attacks and with a media establishment buying, for a time, into, and regurgitating, the Republican narrative.
Republicans have turned on Obama, as expected, but, in so doing, they have sided against the American people. They will end up paying dearly in the end.
Labels: Barack Obama, economic stimulus, news media, political narrative, polls, Republicans
posted by Michael J.W. Stickings at
8:21 PM
15 Comments:
The GOP is against the American people because they oppose the questionable spending of $1,000,000,000,000.00 ???
You're as much in tune with the American people as Jack Layton is - hint: nada.
A much closer "pulse" is represented by this fellow.
By
Robert W., at 1:59 AM
Foreclosure is the major cause of our financial crisis. Government should really prioritize this issue.We should really keep ourselves updated.Thanks for sharing your thoughts.Good Day!
By
Anonymous, at 3:01 AM
I like that Obama has been receiving positive feedback lately. However, I don't like to think of this situation as this versus that. I believe bipartisanship can exist in the government if the people will only stop arguing and start making both ends meet.
By
Anonymous, at 5:39 AM
I just read your pedestrian column in The Guardian. I think you have a two year old's understanding of the budgetary process. Worse, I think you are aware of many of the concessions that were made to Ignatieff in the recent budget, and you almost write badly enough to play Hamlet and pretend you are not aware.
Is it just sour grapes for you? Because even your man Rae is over it. Or have you nothing interesting to say? Is the only way you can get your column published to insult people who are more accomplished than you are?
I live in the UK, and reading your bit I was sure that you did too. Your moronic approach suggests the indifferent attitude of the British towards Canadian politics. I was astonished - shocked - to hear that you are in Toronto.
By
James Bowie, at 8:10 AM
Well, you're entitled to your opinion, Bowie, even if is has nothing to do with this particular post. Apparently not liking Ignatieff, such an accomplished fellow, and disapproving of his handling of the budget, makes me moronic. Huh. (The concessions weren't made to Ignatieff, they were made by the Conservatives to stay in power.) But thanks for coming here to attack someone you disagree with. So very classy of you.
Pelalusa: The GOP is playing politics. The governors say they won't take any money, but they're taking almost all of what is being offered to them. Because they need it. Because the states need it. Because the people need it. What has been clear since the election is that Republicans put party, and ideology, before all else.
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Michael J.W. Stickings, at 9:08 AM
I hope Obama will help people during the crisis !
By
Anonymous, at 9:30 AM
Well, when I found out that Mr. Bowie has so recently passed from the care of his pediatrician, the urge to challenge his knowledge and demeanor melted away. It's obvious that no one can know more about politics and economics; his youth, as it always does, providing such unimpeded perspective.
By
Capt. Fogg, at 10:21 AM
Pelalusa,
I don't recall the American people as having voted for the Republicans this time and as Obama still enjoys considerable confidence, perhaps we'll have to call yours a minority opinion.
You'll also recall that the Republicans have approved the spending of far, far more money than that trillion and overlooked the negligence and fraudulent accounting that allowed it to disappear. At least the "Pork" they still complain about will be spent domestically rather than on pointless, unnecessary and illegal foreign wars, incompetently conducted.
You sound a bit like Imelda Marcos complaining that someone else spends too much on shoes.
By
Capt. Fogg, at 10:27 AM
The Beginning of the End
Obama’s scheme to bring Socialism to America has become apparent. It’s extremely simple and, even though he’s only been in office a month, what he’s accomplished to date probably makes him unstoppable in reaching his aim.
The first step is to spend as much as possible, creating huge deficits, so as to establish the case for tax increases. Be sure that as much as possible of that spending is directed toward what Saul Alinsky referred to as “Have Nots” and is of a nature that those “Have Nots” quickly come to feel entitled to that spending. Unfortunately this step has already been accomplished by way of the so- called “stimulus” bill which does not stimulate but does, in fact, fully accomplish the foregoing.
The second step, which will probably come shortly after the 2010 mid-term elections, is to drastically raise taxes on the “Haves” (Alinsky again) and, at the same time, relieve the largest possible majority of voters of any tax burden whatsoever.
I am sure many voters thought that, despite his Marxist-laden background, there would be no way Obama could enforce Socialism on an economy as large and complex as the US and that, furthermore, all our “checks and balances” would block any such effort anyway.
When the second step is done, by way of a filibuster proof Congress sometime in 2011, it’s over. At that point, Democrats are entrenched in power and America becomes a Marxist-Socialist country –it won’t even take Obama three years. Americans have made a catastrophic mistake in electing this man as our president. We now have to think about what, if anything, can be done to stop him.
By
Anonymous, at 12:13 PM
I'd much rather spend a trillion bucks right here in America than throw it down the rathole known as 'IRAQ'.
Sure there might be some "waste" here and there, but at least it's wste wasted on AMERICANS and not some foreign country where we'll never see any results.
I like the way Obama took the GOP to the woodshed yesterday by telling them to be constructive or GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY !
Beautiful baby, BEAUTIFUL !
By
Anonymous, at 12:38 PM
I'll settle for these numbers from NYT and WAPO......mid to high sixties approval for a guy who won with 53%of the vote. Republicans basically low to mid thirties. If they think they can win elections with these numbers as posters here, most of whom will be paid, good luck to them.
By
Brummagem Joe, at 1:12 PM
This is in response to the comment left by 'Anonymous' about "The Beginning of the End."
Just why is it that if someone doesn't fall for the lies and total crap that spews forth from the mouths of egotistical conservative jerks that those people are Marxist-following Socialists?
Could it be that you believe that there should be ONLY one political party in control here?
By
Grandpa Eddie, at 1:21 PM
How are Republicans not "American people"?
If we ever want to have true bipartisan dialogue in this country, there are certain phrases that must be eliminated: use of the term "The American People" to refer exclusively to those who agree with the speaker/writer; vague, unspecified references to "most economists," (as in "most economists support my position") and all use of the term "crisis."
By
Anonymous, at 1:26 PM
Anybody see Alexandra Pelosi's documentary Right America... Feeling Wronged ?
In the documentary, a wingnut is wearing a t-shirt that reads "Say no to Socilism". Ms Pelosi first tells him he spelled 'Socialism' wrong and then she asks him what it means. This is where it got funny. The guy first tries to use his blackberry to Google the defention. When that doesn't work, he just guesses.
"it's something between Communism and something else, i cant remember what that something else is"
pretty much sums it up.
By
Anonymous, at 1:41 PM
Yeah, kinda like with the last president: Democrats -vs- Bush (and the American military)
See how easy it is to play this silly game?
By
Anonymous, at 2:22 PM
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