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When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. ~Thomas Jefferson

Dumb motherfuckers cannot understand a consequence that most 4 year olds have fully sorted out.

The media handbook says “controversial” is the most negative description that can be used for a Republican.

We will not go quietly into the night; we will not vanish without a fight.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

Disagreements are healthy; personal attacks are not.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

Let the trolls come, and then ignore them. that’s the worst thing you can do to a troll.

Fight for a just cause, love your fellow man, live a good life.

“Facilitate” is an active verb, not a weasel word.

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Hey Washington Post, “Democracy Dies in Darkness” was supposed to be a warning, not a mission statement.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

Trump should be leading, not lying.

I really should read my own blog.

Seems like a complicated subject, have you tried yelling at it?

They are not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

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If you cannot answer whether trump lost the 2020 election, you are unfit for office.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Wednesday Evening Open Thread: “Good News”

Wednesday Evening Open Thread: “Good News”

by | 226 Comments

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(John Backderf’s website)
__
… that being the root meaning of ‘evangelize’, according to the evangelists. I remember a couple of the BJ regulars had their own opinions about Touchdown Jesus, so this seemed ripe for sharing.

What’s new in the idealogical-idolatry-construction in everyone else’s neighborhood, this evening?

Reader Interactions

226Comments

  1. 1.

    jnfr

    I’ve been listening to the political news, so I am (once again) unhappy with the human race. I think I’ll go watch some MI-5, where they get to shoot guns at actual bad guys.

  3. 3.

    lamh32

    Hmmm, I just wondering how many wingnuts and MSM heads would have exploded if SoH Nancy Pelosi (D) had told President GWB “not tonight, maybe another time” in response to the POTUS request to convene joint session. Hmmm, just wondering…

  4. 4.

    trollhattan

    @jnfr:

    Hey, I’ve watched enough MI5 to know they shoot and blow up a lot of good guys, also, too.

    Anyway, love the show, sad it’s kaput.

  5. 5.

    trollhattan

    @lamh32:

    What, you mean the “In a time of war…” justification for everything Republican? Whatever happened to that?

  6. 6.

    RossInDetroit

    Speaking of idols and graven images, I just answered the door and ATT is sending canvassers around to sign up the last few holdouts from Uverse. The phrase “we never watch TV” takes a minute to sink in, then they really don’t have a response. At least we got them to stop calling us on the phone and pleading with us to sign up.

  7. 7.

    Gex

    The last evangelist to ring our doorbell was a mid-50’s guy walking door to door with a tween-aged girl. It was creepy as fuck before he even started talking.

  8. 8.

    kdaug

    @trollhattan:

    “In a time of war…” justification

    What’s changed?

    ETA: Iraq still demanding all troops out in 3 months? Haven’t heard much recently.

  9. 9.

    Jack

    FWIW, the root of evangelize – “evangelium,” in Roman usage- was not used to convey merely ordinary good news, but good news of military victory.

  10. 10.

    TrishB

    I guess I haven’t headed north on 75 on my way out of town recently. It would be hard to miss the resurrection of Big Butter Jesus. Why, yes I do live near that monstrosity, and yes, now that you mention it, people are a bit odd around here.

  12. 12.

    Jack

    Argh…I meant to add that the Hebrew word which was translated into Latin, from verb root “basar,” also carried martial overtones, since the Hebrew culture from which it emerged was a fully realized martial theocracy.

  14. 14.

    JC

    Nate Silver has a really good – and skeptical – take of the 13 Keys by Lichtman. Worth reading.

    I had pointed out that I thought economics woule play more of a factor, and Silver estimates the economic decisions are responsible for 50% of voting.

  15. 15.

    khead

    BG&E are the biggest fucking liars of all time. Their story has changed more times than an arrested crack dealer. No power. No credit (because – get this – BG&E is losing money they said). And some jackass supervisor just told us he understood because he lost his power during Isabel back in 2003. As if I give a fuck.

    Just fix my shit.

  16. 16.

    El Cruzado

    Personally I preferred “Drowning Jesus”

    Especially ironic for a guy that walked on water.

  17. 17.

    The Dangerman

    @lamh32:

    …wondering how many wingnuts and MSM heads would have exploded if SoH Nancy Pelosi (D) had told President GWB “not tonight…

    What could Boehner be thinking? I don’t see how this plays in Peoria (the Teaoria crowd will be thrilled, I’m sure).

  18. 18.

    LittlePig

    A testimonial to the lost idol: Big Butter Jesus

    My favorite part of the lightning strike story: Jesus was burnt to a crisp, but the porn store across the interstate from the church, untouched.

    Graven images are a big no no to Big Daddy.

  20. 20.

    Jeff

    Ms Laurie, I believe you’re thinking of “gospel”, which does indeed mean “good news”. Evangelists are supposed to evangalize the gospels — ie. spread the “good news”.

  21. 21.

    RossInDetroit

    @Southern Beale:

    What’s the weather like where YOU are?

    It’s been perfect for the last 10 days. Lotsa people don’t want to know that so I’ll shut up now.

  23. 23.

    Baud

    @The Dangerman: I think it plays until Peoria says it doesn’t. 2010 taught the Republicans that they can get away with anything. Until the voters send them to their room, the GOP will continue to behave like spoiled children.

  30. 30.

    BGinCHI

    @jeffreyw: When are you gonna get “freaky fast” delivery like Jimmy Johns so that we can get this stuff in our very own living rooms??

  32. 32.

    bisquits

    We have a guy who drags a large wooden cross on his back(with wheels!) in front of the junior high school and senior high school on occasion. He also hands out bibles. Get ’em while they’re young I guess. My son took a bible and gave it to one of our home schooled neighbor kids who happen to be devout Catholics. Had to explain that though he meant well, that probably was not appreciated. I was secretly tickled just the same.

  36. 36.

    BGinCHI

    @Baud: If the Dem party of IL can’t beat him, they should just fold. He’s amazingly terrible. And he’s playing so far to the right in a district that hews to the center (or just to the right of it).

    Problem is that the IL Dem party is terrible. And by that I mean relatively; they aren’t the most strategic and savvy bunch of folks but still really hidebound by machine politics. I supposed that’s obvious, it being IL, but still, they should be able to run Mr. Bean and beat this cocksucker.

  38. 38.

    Judas Escargot

    @The Dangerman:

    Remember Josh Marshall’s “bitchslap” theory of politics from 2004?

    Every white middle aged man in Peoria would see the Orangeman puttin’ the near in his place. Wotta puss. Now done put Preznint Perry on the teevee.

  40. 40.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    Allan Lichtman on Lawrence says it’s in the bag for Obama, take it to the bank.

    eta

    Dude says the American public is way smarter that the polls indicate.

  43. 43.

    Digital Amish

    Well, in my neighborhood a group got together and got their hands on an piece of a rusty I-beam from one of the WTC buildings. They’re going to stick it in a chunk of concrete and make some kind of shrine out of it on the city’s waterfront. In the interim, after it originally was on display at the local car dealership (go shopping),they’ve been hauling it around the county and letting the faithful faun over it. I haven’t heard of any miracles yet. Dedication is on 9/11 of course.

  47. 47.

    JPL

    NBC network news talked about our new standing in Infant Mortality. Yeah we’re number 41 and tied with Qatar. Of course the whackos are trying to say what do other countries count as a live births. I’m not sure what that means but I do know if the whackos spent their time and money on prenatal care rather than omg abortion that number might lower.

    EDIT…Also, too…the whackos really don’t care about life…just my opinion

  49. 49.

    lamh32

    Hmm, now Jim DeMented (R) is saying that he will “block” vote on POTUS jobs speech so he can watch GOP debate.

    This is seriously getting ridiculous. Lawrence O on MSNBC saying that Rush Limpballs is correct when the says POTUS is just trying to step on GOP debates. Politico honcho who’s co-sponsoring the debate w/MSNBC said on Hardball today, that the POTUS scheduling speech on debate night is “an insult to NANCY REAGAN”…

    WTF! As much as the GOP hated GWB, they still would have let GWB have his mainly “ceremonial” joint session and be done with.

    Why…because unlike GOP, the Dems do not like to play politics with the “theatrics of the office of the Presidency” over a damn speech, that let’s be honest probably won’t amount to any damn thing. If the GOP reacts this way to a speech date, they ain’t planning to pass any damn thing POTUS may recommend anyway.

    Hmm, what is it about this President that makes GOP feels he’s less deserving a some semblance of respect….???

    Hmmm, I wonder.

  50. 50.

    t jasper parnell

    Meanwhile in Germany a cow evades authorities and, thus, the slaughter house. Never shall they take her freedom.

  52. 52.

    RossInDetroit

    @Mack Lyons:

    Yes, didn’t God have something to say about raising up idols and graven images?

    The Good Book is just a smorgasbord to some people. Pick what they want and pass on what they don’t like the look of.

  53. 53.

    jeffreyw

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): I could eat that. Years ago, we had a Malaysian student over for a visit. We fished the pond and took some catfish. He offered to make a curry. It was good. Mrs J says she still has the recipe from that. I remember coconut milk, curry powder, green onions, potatoes, and the fish, cut into chunks.

  54. 54.

    Bondo

    does the new one look like a disgusting pile of butter like the old one did?

    I drove by that a couple of weeks before it was destroyed and I have to say, god did all of mankind a favor by burning it to the ground.

  56. 56.

    Cat Lady

    @t jasper parnell:

    This same story happened years ago in my town. Emily the cow jumped a 4 foot fence to escape the slaughterhouse, and managed to hide from her would be killers for several weeks, in the suburbs! By the time her rescuers found her, she’d lost hundreds of pounds. There’s an animal holocaust going on out there every day.

  57. 57.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    Have not read the rest of the comments yet but wanted to point out that my local RWNJ Radio Host tonight got pissed off at some Congresscritter (D) for calling the Hurricane an “act of God” he was quite indignant, it was not an act of “God” cause apparently his God would never do something so horrible to his peeps. Apparently it was an act of “nature” over which God has no control. Which kind of kicks in the arse the whole Noah flood story, but never mind. Personally being a Pagan I really like the idea that my “god” (that being Mother Nature) can kick the Christian God’s ass and there is nothing he can do about it but roll over and take it. I wonder if these fundys really think these things through. They might want to rethink that whole “Our God is an Awesome God” theme song if my Mistress can barrel in, fuck up his peeps, and then drink his milkshake.

  58. 58.

    lamh32

    @lamh32: Shit…need to proofread!

    As much as the GOP hated GWB, they still would have let GWB have his mainly “ceremonial” joint session and be done with.

    should read

    As much as the DEMOCRATS hated GWB, they still would have let GWB have his mainly “ceremonial” joint session and be done with.

  60. 60.

    JPL

    @lamh32: Pelosi would have been called a traitor. In a time of war we never criticize the president. Of course it’s okay for repubs.

  61. 61.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred):

    Hmmm fish curry that sounds intriguing, I usually only make curry with meat. (I am deathly allergic to Catfish, a fact discovered on my first trip to the US and being fed it for the first time). What spices do you use? Are you a purist that uses the individual spices or are you like me and use the bog standard curry powder?

  63. 63.

    JPL

    Since this an open thread…..Even though I mentioned this on an earlier thread and mentioned this on this thread ..I’m copying and pasting my comment because it’s important

    NBC network news talked about our new standing in Infant Mortality. Yeah we’re number 41 and tied with Qatar. Of course the whackos are trying to say what do other countries count as a live births. I’m not sure what that means but I do know if the whackos spent their time and money on prenatal care rather than omg abortion that number might lower.

  65. 65.

    RossInDetroit

    May I please be excused from the Open Thread? It’s been great but I’m ready to crash after a long day.

  68. 68.

    Gex

    @JPL: I think it’s more than just your opinion. Said whackos are usually adamantly against pregnancy preventions beyond telling kids “just say no”.

  70. 70.

    Yutsano

    You can use haddock or cod or even halibut Lilbrit. Any firm white fish takes to curry quite well.

  71. 71.

    JPL

    @Gex: The sad truth is most people should be for prenatal care but many are not. Outlawing abortion doesn’t cost money. It really does sicken me.

  72. 72.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @lamh32:

    Hmm, what is it about this President that makes GOP feels he’s less deserving a some semblance of respect….???

    I’m utterly baffled as well.

    Oh, wait. He’s a Democrat. And he’s near…

  74. 74.

    PurpleGirl

    @jeffreyw: I tend to cook simple things and last night I wanted something different. I bit more involved. Now I want to make the taco casserole more often. Or try my hand at enchiladas.

  75. 75.

    lamh32

    ChuckTodd reporting that WH has accepted SoH Boehner’s invitation to speak “Thursday” before joint session of Congress.

    Cue the “Obama caves…agains” post all over the twittervers and blogosphere.

    I’m done, I’m going to freakin’ bed…early.

  77. 77.

    RossInDetroit

    @efgoldman:

    Did you have to type your comments on a manual typewriter with a bent ‘e’ key, put a stamp on them and wait for the post-man, sir?

  80. 80.

    S. cerevisiae

    @LittlePig:

    My favorite part of the lightning strike story: Jesus was burnt to a crisp, but the porn store across the interstate from the church, untouched.

    That is too perfect – someone needs to alert Michele Bachmann! God hates idols and loves pr0n!

  81. 81.

    JPL

    @lamh32: do you have a link? There is nothing on the major news sites but I agree with you. I think the pres accomplished a lot but telling the repubs to fuck off is not something they have been good at.

  83. 83.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    @Yutsano: Ha now we are talking proper fish, still never thought about currying it though. It should be something that I will try, cause why not?

  85. 85.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    @JPL: The whackos care about life at two points:

    1) before it crosses the cervical rubicon, and

    2) while it can tote an M-16.

  86. 86.

    Hill Dweller

    Obama is moving his speech to Thursday, which is the first night of the NFL season.

    Another embarrassing fold…

  87. 87.

    RossInDetroit

    @efgoldman:

    When I was in college, you could go to the library and push quarters into a Selectric (like a laundromat slide) to type your papers, if you didn’t have your own typewriter.

    That’s amazing. Like a pay phone. Around 1982 we bought my first wife an IBM Correcting Selectric III to do contract work of some sort. An IBM dude in a suit came out to the house to deliver it and demo it. It cost $1250.00, which was real dough 30 years ago. 5,000 quarters.

    ETA: now I am going to bed.

  88. 88.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    @efgoldman: God, I worked the night shift at the post office for about 8 months. The feds found a little problem with my past and they called me in and said I could finish out the week. I walked out the door and never looked back. Some of my buddies just retired from that hell hole after 30 years.

  91. 91.

    Sloegin

    You’d think #2 on the ten commandment list would be a big no-no, but organized religion pretty much threw out the “thou shalt not lie” waaaaay back at the beginning; everything else on the list has been fair game since then.

  92. 92.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    @efgoldman: When I was in college I could take out a short term veterans loan, buy an LB, break it into lids, sell 12, make a quarter, pay back the loan and get on down!

  93. 93.

    MikeJ

    @efgoldman:

    When I was in college, you could go to the library and push quarters into a Selectric (like a laundromat slide) to type your papers, if you didn’t have your own typewriter.

    I was the first person my j-school prof had with the excuse, “my computer ate my homework.” It only bought me a few hours, but it was enough,

  94. 94.

    jeffreyw

    @PurpleGirl: Nothing wrong with simple dishes! Enchiladas are pretty easy, though if you make all the sauces from scratch it becomes a bit more involved. You can buy serviceable sauces in a jar at the market. The rest is just an exercise in assembly.

  96. 96.

    Mark S.

    The results are in on Jon Hunstsman’s big tax proposal:

    According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, on the whole, middle-class families would be forced to pay $1,890 in higher taxes under the no-tax expenditure plan compared to what they pay now. . . For the super-rich, the biggest bonanza comes from Huntsman’s pledge to eliminate all capital gains and dividend taxes — which would give the richest 1 percent an average tax cut of $75,000 and the richest 0.1 percent an average tax cut of $486,000.

    So it’s basically the Ryan plan, without the naked pictures of Ayn Rand interspersed between the graphs.

    I know, I know, who cares what a guy who’s polling at one percent is proposing? I don’t, much, but he’s the closest thing the field has to a moderate, and he too is on the fuck the middle class train. Why does anyone in the bottom 98% vote for these assholes?

  99. 99.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    @efgoldman: I came home 42 years ago Saturday and started school 10 days later. The loan program was a bennie at the University of Illinois not a VA thing. I flunked out anyway and it took me 9 years to eventually graduate.

    ps, I once flew from LA to Chicago with 2 lbs in my motorcycle jacket and burned on in the john on the plane. I was a regular mensa.

  100. 100.

    Rhoda

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): Yup. WTF were they thinking here? If you’re going to step on the god damn debate; big foot the motherfucker. If they refuse you the Congress; have an oval office address.

    I mean,wtf was the point of this?

    Also: the MSM basically calling out POTUS rather than Boehner’s amazing and historic disrespect is just beyond me.

  102. 102.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    @efgoldman: It was more in terms of the whackos finding said life useful while toting an M-16 , rather than actually valuing it. Hence the total absence of hesitation to send troops to Iraq or treat veterans horribly. I wasn’t clear.

  103. 103.

    Texas Dem

    It’s beyond stupid to get into a pissing match with the House over the date of the speech. Because saying no dice, it’s Wednesday or nothing, would have been really productive, wouldn’t it? Boehner then tells the WH to shove it, and there’s no jobs speech at all, or we spend weeks arguing about when to give the God damned speech rather than focusing on jobs. The time to fight was over the debt limit, not this.

  106. 106.

    jnfr

    Do people really think Obama should have done… exactly what? when DeMint was threatening to filibuster a fucking speech date? He’s not a King or a Pope or something, and the Republican Congress are being absolute assholes. That’s not Obama’s fault and I don’t see how you blame him for it.

    ETA: Or @Texas Dem: What Texas Dem said.

  108. 108.

    Woodrowfan

    @LittlePig:

    My favorite part of the lightning strike story: Jesus was burnt to a crisp, but the porn store across the interstate from the church, untouched.

    Graven images are a big no no to Big Daddy.

    But heavenly bodies are apparently OK!

  109. 109.

    OzoneR

    @Rhoda: I don’t think they ever intended on stepping on the debate. I think they intended on speaking the first night Congress was in session and then NBC flipped a shit that they were stepping on the debate, Boehner came to their defense.

    This “Obama is trying to upstate the Republicans” bullshit all played out in your fucking minds and in the minds of the media looking for a catfight. There is no proof that this was ever their intention, it was all just mindless speculation from morons looking for a fight.

    There isn’t a single person in America who was planning on watching the President speak on Sept. 7 who isn’t going to watch him on Sept. 8. If this country considers the NFL pre-game to be more important than the President of the United States speaking on the jobs crisis, then maybe they aren’t so concerned about jobs after all, and the fact that we even had this fucking debate for the last six hours shows how low we’ve fallen as a nation.

    In the end, it’s pointless. The left has already lost the message war on this, they lose it the moment the media turned this into a discussion about jobs to a “is this a partisan move by Obama?” If he had picked the fight, held the speech in the Oval Office, or whatever, it still would’ve been “Obama vs. Boehner” not “Obama’s plan on jobs”

  110. 110.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @jnfr:

    when DeMint was threatening to filibuster a fucking speech date?

    Honest to Christ? In any case, Obama should’ve done what Eugene Robinson said on MSNBC, found a big auditorium, packed it with students and union members, and given his speech.
    ETA, and, that said, nobody’s gonna remember this in a week but pol-junkies on both sides

  111. 111.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    @efgoldman: The swines! Polk, little Korea huh? Always wondered how it compared to Big Korea? Only place I’ve ever been where you could be up to your knees in mud and have dust blowin in your face.

  112. 112.

    Gex

    @JPL: Hell, many are actively against policies that would raise wages such that parents could more effectively parent their children. They are “family values” in only the most superficial “look at meeeeeee!” ways.

  114. 114.

    SensesFail

    @Mark S.:

    So it’s basically the Ryan plan, without the naked pictures of Ayn Rand interspersed between the graphs.

    The internets have been won for the day.

  115. 115.

    Yutsano

    Feh. I graduated high school in 1990. I finished college in 2003. I was Van Wilder incarnate.

  116. 116.

    OzoneR

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Obama should’ve done what Eugene Robinson said on MSNBC, found a big auditorium, packed it with students and union members, and given his speech.

    You mean like he’s done 2309239823509823509834 other times?

  118. 118.

    Jules

    Once again Republicans look like dicks and the President reasonable and unwilling to play “my penis is bigger then you”. That’s a win in my book if I was keeping score.

  120. 120.

    jnfr

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    I would have enjoyed that but I don’t think it would have changed anything. The Republicans are not going to allow anything to happen on jobs, and while I want Obama to speak out on the issue, I have no illusions about what will happen.

  121. 121.

    jeffreyw

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): I used some dried anchos along with some dried New Mexico chilies to make a nice chili sauce tonight. Cover the peppers, seeded and deveined, with water or broth and bring them to a boil then simmer for ten minutes. Drop those into a blender with garlic and some onion, oregano, and a bit of lime juice and give it all a whirl. I have some powdered chipotle I added as well. Good stuff, you can see it on the refried beans and on the chorizp enchilada in that pic I linked to earlier.

  122. 122.

    Yutsano

    @Raven: arf. :)

    I just had a two hour completely pointless meeting this afternoon. I shouldn’t whine though, it’s better than getting screamed at for 15 minutes about absolutely nothing.

  123. 123.

    PeakVT

    Why is an intra-party freak show presidential candidates debate is considered newsworthy fourteen fucking months from the election in the first place?

  124. 124.

    OzoneR

    @PeakVT:

    Why is an intra-party freak show presidential candidates debate is considered newsworthy fourteen fucking months from the election in the first place?

    because it creates conflict.

  125. 125.

    Southern Beale

    So according to teh Twittahz Obama is a spineless wimp because he moved his jobs speech at the request of Boehner because it conflicted with the GOP presidential debate. I’m apparently supposed to be outraged at this craven caving to John Boehner.

    He moved a speech! For a reasonable reason! OMG PRIMARY HIM! Coward!

    Sorry liberals, I’m not feeling it.

  126. 126.

    Southern Beale

    Via Twitter, here’s a representative reason why I’m supposed to be pissed off about Obama moving his speech:

    they said jump and he asked “how high” like this was the deficit ceiling debate or something

    I mean, OMG. How dare he!

    Grow the fuck up, people.

  128. 128.

    Mark S.

    I’m probably the only one who thinks this, but I thought it was a bad move to schedule the speech the same night as the debate. I’m glad they moved it to next week.

  129. 129.

    OzoneR

    @Mark S.:

    I thought it was a bad move to schedule the speech the same night as the debate. I’m glad they moved it to next week.

    I don’t think it matters, no one is going to watch it because they know it’s just optics, they know he can’t actually doing anything, so they tune it out. That’s why the bully pulpit does not work.

  131. 131.

    Texas Dem

    He moved a speech! For a reasonable reason! OMG PRIMARY HIM! Coward!

    Exactly. Postponing the speech one day in order to avoid conflicting with the GOP debate is a reasonable concession. Insisting on a Wednesday date (IT’S WEDNESDAY OR NOTHING! NO COMPROMISE!) would have looked petty. There are some things worth fighting for, like entitlements and debt limits. But the date of a jobs speech that will likely be forgotten in a few months is not one of those things.

  133. 133.

    Southern Beale

    On top of which, who thinks Obama coming a day AFTER the GOP clown car was a bad idea? Those idiots mouthing their stupid pablum about free market fairy dust and magical tax cuts creating jobs out of nowhere and all of the other nonsense … that’s a show Obama needs to close, not open.

    IMHO

  134. 134.

    Uncle Clarence Thomas

    .
    .
    @Raven (formerly stuckinred):

    Obama caved on the speech.

    True. But it may possibly, just maybe, perhaps herald the last time that President Obama caves.

    Not that he ever caved before, of course.

    Hmm, let me therefore amend my remarks to proclaim that this may possibly, just maybe, perhaps herald the first AND last time that President Obama caves.
    .
    .

  135. 135.

    elle

    @Texas Dem: I want him to be UNREASONABLE! Just once, be a total prick and fuck Boehner in the ear. Why can’t Obama just be petty for once, please!

    This is NOT snark, by the way. I’m just really tired of this Mr Nice Guy business.

  137. 137.

    Southern Beale

    @elle:

    I want Obama to fuck Boehner in the ear on something like JOBS and TAXING RICH PEOPLE AND CORPORATIONS and standing up for the planet on climate change. Not the date of a speech. If we’re arguing over the politics of a date of a speech, I fear we have lost.

  138. 138.

    Martin

    So, is Bobo going to write about how Boehner hates real Americans by forcing Obama to pre-empt the opening day NFL game?

  139. 139.

    seanindc

    @lamh32:

    Seriously – Obama is such a fuckin pussy. The guy goes out of his way to avoid conflict in every single situation (except ya know, when he’s bombing poppy farmers and guys with turban’s and no teeth)…fuckin guy is scared of his shadow. This is why the GOP keeps fuckin with him. He has no spine and the only thing they respect is strength. They are bullies and this shit keeps galvanizing their only response to everything he does. Why the fuck compromise? He’s just gonna cave anyway…such a fucking wilting daisy…Christ – Romney looks Presidential compared to this guy. /rant

  140. 140.

    OzoneR

    @elle:

    I want him to be UNREASONABLE! Just once, be a total prick and fuck Boehner in the ear. Why can’t Obama just be petty for once, please!

    Because it isn’t going to do any good and he won’t win.

  141. 141.

    Southern Beale

    Activist judge alert!!!!! ACTIVIST JUDGE! ZOMG!

    A Rutherford County judge decided to uphold his earlier decision that the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has a right, by law, to build a bigger place of worship.
    __
    “Those who are adherents to Islam are entitled to pursue their worship in the United States just as are those who are adherents to more universally established faiths (in our community),” ruled Chancellor Robert Corlew III.

    But to really amp up the crazy:

    Corlew’s latest ruling reiterated that Islam is a religion. Brandon disagreed with that.
    __
    “Chancellor Corlew seems to go on and on that it’s been decided that Islam is a religion, and we take issue with that,” Brandon said. “There’s no proof in this case that Islam is a religion. There is no case law or code that Islam is a religion.”

  142. 142.

    Elisabeth

    @Southern Beale:

    I think I agree and thanks for talking me down. I was rather pissed that the date was changed but I’ve calmed down a bit.

    That said, I’d still really love one of those sarcastic thinly veiled put-downs the president does so well.

  143. 143.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @OzoneR:

    I want him to be UNREASONABLE! Just once, be a total prick and fuck Boehner in the ear.

    My heart says this

    Because it isn’t going to do any good and he won’t win.

    My head says that

  144. 144.

    WaterGirl

    What I think is amazing is that it sounds like Obama’s team got the nod from Orange Boner that wednesday was okay, and then Boner does this. These guys truly have no shame. I know I should expect it by now, but really. Based on manners alone, these guys are not ready for the big kids table at thanksgiving, and they are running/ruining the country. mind-boggling.

    I just got an email message from the Obama reelection team and it was titled “Frustrated”. I think Obama will zing the republicans for this during his speech, just a one-liner, but I think he will mock the republicans about this when millions of people are watching.

  145. 145.

    Cliff

    So I take it Anne Laurie’s comic is not made by the same commenter who regularly vomits up unreadable and nonsensical complaints about John Cole?

  146. 146.

    john b

    @TrishB:

    i have driven by that site recently and didn’t see any evidence of reconstruction. and i even told some guests from out of town about the lightning strike as we were driving by, so even got a good look at the site.

  147. 147.

    OzoneR

    @WaterGirl:

    I just got an email message from the Obama reelection team and it was titled “Frustrated”. I think Obama will zing the republicans for this during his speech, just a one-liner, but I think he will mock the republicans about this when millions fives and tens of people are watching.

    FIFY

  148. 148.

    jprfrog

    God has been very busy lately. This from Borowitz: “Elsewhere, after Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) said God created last week’s earthquake and hurricane to punish America, God issued this rebuttal: “Actually, that’s why I created Michele Bachmann.” “

  149. 149.

    Heliopause

    @Texas Dem:

    Postponing the speech one day in order to avoid conflicting with the GOP debate is a reasonable concession

    It might have been a nice courtesy to tell Jay Carney this before he went out and said about a dozen times that Wednesday was the right day.

  150. 150.

    And Another Thing...

    @Southern Beale: So, was it Casey Stengel who said “can’t anybody play this game?” If you want to bigfoot the Rep’s debate, fine. But if you’re going to make that move, you should have considered what happens next. It shouldn’t have been a surprise that Boehner (and DeMint) would say no… he’s pretty good at that. The handling of this reinforces the narrative that Obama’s weak. It’s political malpractice from the White House.

  151. 151.

    Gravenstone

    @lamh32: That’s from the AP headline, actually. So it’s CW amongst our defective media. I only hope Obama fires a shot across Congress’ bow about the delay to accommodate their little tantrum. He won’t of course, but I can wish.

  152. 152.

    Mark S.

    I have in my hand a cease and desist letter on anymore “fucking Boehner in the ear” imagery.

  153. 153.

    PIGL

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): That Thai Kitchen curry paste is real expensive and not that good. Fine an asian grocer and get yourself some Cock Brand from Thai World Import and Export. There are many different flavours, but green, red and yellow are the building blocks.

    In a pinch Amazon sells it for 7 bux a jar, but that’s twice retail in Vancouver.

  154. 154.

    bkny

    ah, what the hell. he’s ignored the jobs issue for three years, what’s a couple of more days…

    oopsie, football on the 8th; oh. nevermind, let’s just call it off. besides all those poors aren’t gonna vote for him anyhow.

  155. 155.

    Martin

    @Heliopause: Perhaps Obama could be so kind as to apologize to the nation on behalf of Speaker Boehner for fucking up their football night because Boehner wanted Wednesday off.

  156. 156.

    aisce

    @ lamh32

    because nobody has ever used a variation of the phrase “bowing to pressure” before. it was invented in 2011 exclusively to humiliate black people in reference to their longstanding history of forced subservience to white people. yes.

    can i just say, i don’t really give a shit about “caving” or whatever, but the administration are being proper dumbasses by going with thursday. that’s fucking football day. nobody is gonna give a shit about anything on that day except the return of the nfl after a summer of having to put up with that lockout bullshit.

    why not go with tuesday?

  160. 160.

    lamh32

    @aisce: um actually asshole, my comment had nothing to do with race. I was thinking more along the lines of them saying Obama was bowing to Boner as if Boner was king or in this case President, and Obama was his lowly manservant. Had nothing to do with race AT ALL.

    The fact that your first thoughts were along that line speaks to your issue NOT mine

  161. 161.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @bkny:

    ah, what the hell. he’s ignored the jobs issue for three years,

    The sad thing is, you actually believe that nonsense.

  162. 162.

    aisce

    @ lamh32

    uh huh, and that really upset you in a totally abstract and race free context. right. of course. i totally believe you.

  163. 163.

    BruceFromOhio

    @Litlebritdifrnt:

    They might want to rethink that whole “Our God is an Awesome God” theme song if my Mistress can barrel in, fuck up his peeps, and then drink his milkshake.

    I’m hanging with the fam this holiday, and am SO trying that one out to see how long the shocked silence can last.

    A blessing on your lands, your loves, and your lives. Praise Gaia.

  164. 164.

    General Stuck

    I’m with Dr. Ross

    “As for me running for President – look, there’s a guy in office who is smarter than anybody you know, and nicer, and he’s having an almost impossible time governing.

    “Why would anyone volunteer for that job? I have a very good job. So I have no interest,” he said.

    Firebag that!

  165. 165.

    aisce

    @ sam houston

    and…that’s not good. fucking wikileaks. just when i thought i was out, they pull me back in.

  166. 166.

    BruceFromOhio

    @Yutsano: Tilapia on the grill, gently, with a liberal dose of curry. Steamed basmati and some kind of green to accompany (I like asparagus), and gastronomic nirvana approaches. Even the offspring will chow it down.

  167. 167.

    WyldPirate

    Well, well, well. Seems like Obama is President Boehner’s bitch yet again…

    What a non-surprise.

    Obama has “got this” alright; as in got the hang of getting punked via his chronic capitulation over any and every little thing imaginable.

  168. 168.

    Hoya

    I think they will probably end up moving the speech a week out to the 14th to avoid aggravating the NFL fans.

  169. 169.

    Keith G

    As I said in an earlier thread, I been known to comment that Obama needs to step up a bit more, but this was not a ‘cave’. He had no ground to give up, he had no position to fight for, no reasonable concession to make. Separation of powers is no small thing and his team realized they were flapping in the deep end of the pool.

    The question I had earlier was why the hell did they pick this silly fight. That is some fucked up shit. They really need to do better.

  171. 171.

    Sam Houston

    @aisce: Sorry! It’s going to get really really bad in a bit. All the cables are in the wild now, un-redacted.

    I’m going to stand up on Labor Day and tell some random strangers that we’ve lost our minds. I can’t take it any more.

  172. 172.

    WyldPirate

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    The sad thing is, you actually believe that nonsense.

    Keep on believing that flapping your gums and getting rolled by the minority party in government–along with giving credence to their austerity horsehit–has been effective in reversing the economic downturn,

    Excuse-making Cult of Obama buffoon…

  173. 173.

    OzoneR

    @WyldPirate:

    Keep on believing that flapping your gums and getting rolled by the minority party in government

    Did you miss last year’s election?

  174. 174.

    CaseyL

    When I was in high school, my best friend at the time turned out to be a pathological liar. I was in denial about it for a very long time: she would say or do something horrible, and I would hear about it, and confront her about it, and she would come up with some plausible explanation/excuse. And I would believe it because I desperately wanted to; because I didn’t want to face the truth that I loved someone who was poison.

    But I knew. Underneath it all, I knew. And I would always feel this sickness, this despairing dread, this nausea, when the next incident happened (and there was always a “next incident”). This went on for a couple years – years! – until I finally faced what I knew was true, and ended the friendship.

    Since then, I’ve felt that despair/dread/nausea on a few other occasions. It’s always when I’m in denial about something.

    Including political situations. I felt it when Clinton signed NAFTA. I felt it when Gore first named Lieberman as his running mate, when Kerry made his acceptance speech at the 2004 Convention, when Nate Silver predicted a bloodbath for Democrats in 2010… and I’ve been feeling it more and more lately, every time Obama stakes out a position and then retreats from that position.

    Each time, I wait anxiously for a commenter or front pager I respect to explain why the concession/retreat isn’t as bad as it seems… that Obama can’t do anything else with the Congress he’s got…that there is a plan… that he always seems to psych out or otherwise come out ahead even when it looks like he’s weak…

    I read that reasoning, and it is reassuring, comforting. Until the same damn thing happens again.

    Today’s latest retreat is over something trivial, yes.

    But it was so very very badly planned, so astonishingly stupid, so utterly predictable. How could he not plan for the GOP saying “No, you reschedule,” why would he put himself in such a face-losing position in the first place, and over something so small?

    At this point, it’s getting awfully, awfully hard to stay in denial. At some point I’m just going to have to listen to what the dread and nausea are telling me: Obama really has no idea what he’s doing; he’s making it up as he goes along; and he keeps getting played by people stronger and more ruthless than he is.

  175. 175.

    OzoneR

    @Keith G:

    The question I had earlier was why the hell did they pick this silly fight.

    And I said he didn’t pick a fight. He simply asked to address Congress the first day they gavel into session after summer recess, that’s common.

    Any suspicion that he was trying to pick a fight was made up by the media and in the minds of the left looking for a fight.

    He doesn’t pick fights, why the hell would he start now? and over this?

  177. 177.

    OzoneR

    @CaseyL:

    How could he not plan for the GOP saying “No, you reschedule,” why would he put himself in such a face-losing position in the first place, and over something so small?

    because it’s never happened before and probably wouldn’t have happened at all if the media didn’t pull the “Is he trying to upstate the Republicans?!” bullshit.

  178. 178.

    Keith G

    @WyldPirate: Oh puhleeeese.

    Your hysterics are not only not true, but you are in danger of becoming a cliche. The White House muffed it today, but things are not yet as bleak as you propose.

  179. 179.

    General Stuck

    Nobody cares about this shit other than the firebaggers. And that is fully an internet phenomenon. It matters a little more what Obama actually says in the speech.

  180. 180.

    Lolis

    @Rhoda:

    I dont think an Oval Office address would be effective. The visuals are what make these speeches interesting. Seeing who stands up and who doesn’t at certain parts is the best part.

    I had a call yesterday for my job at Child Protective Services. The dad was calling because the mother had the 7 yo for the week. The Mother texted him to go pick up the kid from school. The father called us because he said it was her week. He was refusing to go. He sounded like a big baby. I told him if we were going to take a report at all it would be against both of them. Sometimes you just got to be the mature one.

  182. 182.

    robertdsc-PowerBook

    The White House muffed it today, but things are not yet as bleak as you propose.

    And all the other times they’ve muffed it? Things are really bleak as it is. This little episode doesn’t make things any better.

  186. 186.

    Keith G

    @OzoneR: Sorry O, but this does matter and it was an own goal. Sure it was not a fight in the sense you mean, but Obama asked for something important under conditions where it was likely and easy for the opposition to say no. And they did.

    It is not the end of the world, and recovery is more than likely, but it is an obvious and silly mistake that will be noted.

  187. 187.

    Jenny

    I can’t believe people are whinning about this.

    Just two weeks ago, folks were wringing their hands over the optics of his vacation and calling on him to stay home.

    In the end, nobody cared that he went or where he went and the down time was filled with the earthquake, Libya, and the Hurricane.

    And if that wasn’t enough, when he did come home early for the hurricane, he was criticized for over reacting.

    Lets remember the bin Laden raid was originally scheduled for a Saturday, on the night of the Correspondence Dinner, and it got moved back a day because of weather. It worked out well. He got opportunity to destroy Trump at the dinner. An boffo performance that he otherwise would have had to interrupt if things went according to plans.

  188. 188.

    Hill Dweller

    I’ve got to believe Boehner agreed to the 7th initially, but backed out once the impotent fat man on the radio started whining. Anything else is just too depressing to contemplate at this point.

  189. 189.

    aisce

    i’m really finding it hard to give a shit about the timing of a speech to congress in the face of finding out american soldiers executed a five month old and called in an airstrike on the residence to destroy the evidence.

    of all the many, many lows of the iraq war, this is pushing it.

  190. 190.

    WyldPirate

    @OzoneR:

    Did you miss last year’s election?

    Uh, no. The Dems still have the Senate and the Presidency.

    But it didn’t matter when too damned much when they had the House, Senate and Presidency with the Capitulator in Chief acting like a abused spouse when he “negotiates” out of the gate by caving to Rethug demands out of the gate with every policuy proposal.

    This caving shit didn’t start yesterday. It staret on Day one with the budget stimulus. You might not get what you know needs to be in the stimulus, but goddammit, you sure as fuck try to make a case for it instead of ceding to the insane clown car demands of the Rethugs with a stimulus bill laden with excessive cuts instead of fucking stimulus in the form of spending.

  191. 191.

    WyldPirate

    @Keith G:

    It’s the continual pattern of caving that bothers me. It reeks of weakness and lack of spine. The electorate can smell that lack a wild animal senses fear.

  192. 192.

    Jenny

    No one even watches these debates.

    The big fancy Fox News debate on August 12th only had 978K viewers. In fact, it was the lowest rated show Fox had that night by a whopping 50 percent.

    On the other hand, the SOTU address in January had 42.8 million viewers and the Tucson memorial speech had 31 million viewers.

  193. 193.

    WyldPirate

    Here’s how unprecedented what Boehner did–and illustrates how weak Obama looks by not telling Boenher to go fuck himself.

    From the NYT.

    Congressional historians said Mr. Boehner’s move was unprecedented.
    ____
    “The Senate Historical Office knows of no instance in which Congress refused the president permission to speak before a joint session of Congress,” Betty K. Koed, associate historian with the Senate, said in an e-mail. “Permission to speak in a joint session is given by resolution of the House and Senate, and arrangements are made through the leadership offices of each chamber.”

    emphasis added

    Obama should set up and give his speech on the steps of the goddamned Capitol and embarrass the fuck out of the Rethugs in his speech. He won’t because he lacks the stones.

  195. 195.

    Elizabelle

    Didn’t click on it, but Politico headline was “Partisan Fight Leads Obama to move date of speech.”

    Was it a partisan fight?

    sigh.

  196. 196.

    OzoneR

    @Keith G:

    but Obama asked for something important under conditions where it was likely and easy for the opposition to say no.

    It wasn’t likely Boehner would say no, this is not a request that was EVER denied before, and he initially agreed to it.

  197. 197.

    OzoneR

    @WyldPirate:

    you sure as fuck try to make a case for it

    As long as it doesn’t interrupt a football game, debate, Dancing With The Stars, dinner with Aunt Cookie.

  198. 198.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @WyldPirate: It’s not just that you’re an obnoxious little asshole, you really are genuinely ignorant as to how the stimulus played out, aren’t you? You get that your own little comment contradicts itself, don’t you? I’ll try to explain this to you one more time, even though I know your too busy jacking off to your own illusions of righteousness to address the facts: It wasn’t “Rethugs” who shrank the stimulus, it was Democrats. First Nancy Pelosi told the White House she couldn’t get a trilliion-plus through the House, then Claire McCaskill and Ben Nelson provided cover for a half a dozen other Democrats and cut out the “silly stuff”.

    This isn’t that complicated, and wasn’t that long ago. You really need to get your facts straight.

  199. 199.

    Uncle Clarence Thomas

    .
    .
    @aisce:

    of all the many, many lows of the iraq war, this is pushing it.

    Don’t worry. soonergrunt will no doubt stop by to lecture you that it was utterly predictable and sadly necessary, considering the big picture.

    Look forward, young man, not backward.
    .
    .

  200. 200.

    WyldPirate

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    This isn’t that complicated, and wasn’t that long ago. You really need to get your facts straight.

    Bullshit. Obama’s own advisor’s lowballed the number out of the gate you lying sack of shit.

    Whatever…Obama’s cock is fuguratively jammed too deep down your throat for you to see anything but those short-n-curlies you so adore.

    And yeah, I know, Obama went all “tough guy” a whole two weeks ago with the Rethugs. He’s living up to that again today as well letting Boehner dictate to him when he can speak. Real fucking tough, that Obama….

  201. 201.

    Keith G

    @OzoneR: I feel ya, but that has been the GOP modus operandi for two years now.

    Filibuster – like never before
    Withhold appointments – like never before
    Fuck with the debt limit – like never before
    Despute a Senatorial election – like never before
    Yell at the President during a Joint Session -like never before
    Move the goal posts – like never before
    Turn down a request to speak – like never before

    And so (fucking) on

    I am very glad Obama isn’t having to deal with the Soviets.

    edited

  202. 202.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @WyldPirate:

    Whatever…Obama’s cock is fuguratively jammed too deep down your throat for you to see anything but those short-n-curlies you so adore.

    Well, I can’t argue with that kind of sophisticated, fact-based analysis. You really know your stuff, Sparky.

  204. 204.

    OzoneR

    @Keith G:

    Filibuster – like never before
    Withhold appointments – like never before
    Fuck with the debt limit – like never before
    Despute a Senatorial election – like never before
    Yell at the President during a Joint Session -like never before
    Move the goal posts – like never before
    Turn down a request to speak – like never before
    And so (fucking) on

    Yes, and there is absolutely NOTHING he can do about it. NOTHING.

    Sure Senate Democrats could have axed the filibuster, but they didn’t, they didn’t have to, even St Russell of Wisconsin didn’t want to.

    The fact is the Republicans can do what they do because they face no consequences from the voters, and even if Obama stood up to them and yell at them and told the people what assholes they are, the public would just tune him and the GOP out, as they have, as they did Democrats who did fight like Alan Grayson, Russ Feingold and Anthony Weiner.

    You’re not mad at Obama, you’re mad at the system, and your mad at the country but since you don’t want to admit the system is malfunctioning and the public is completely out to lunch, Obama is the scapegoat, but here’s a simple fact you and I both know is true, this problem existed long before Barack Obama and it will exist long after him.

  205. 205.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Keith G:

    Despute a Senatorial election – like never before

    I’m not sure that’s true. They certainly disputed a presidential election in the very recent past, and I’m sure back in the days of paper ballots there were some close counts, maybe not pre-seventeenth amendment Senate seats, but the House, governors… Somebody on the other thread mentioned Blaine and Cleveland, John Quincy Adams’ election was pretty controversial.

  206. 206.

    WyldPirate

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Well, I can’t argue with that kind of sophisticated, fact-based analysis. You really know your stuff, Sparky.

    I see you ddidn’t touch the other part you liued your ass off about. Try the Google. It’s your friend.

    Obama’s own advisors were in-figthing over the size of the stimulus package. He ended up going with the reduced proposal when many on his economic team were arguinng for a bigger package.

    try not to gag while you’re thinking up your next lame-assed apologia of the day for Obama.

  208. 208.

    Seanindc

    Bullshit -I’m tired of sticking up for someone who won’t stick up for themselves -nice guys finish last in this movie

  211. 211.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Comrade Kevin: Isn’t it? Also a common tactic with fourteen year-old boys and insecure, wannabe-tough-guy, Tucker-Carlson types. A bit of redundancy there, I know.

  212. 212.

    dead existentialist

    @OzoneR: WTF? Are you a WH plant? Seriously. This is FUBAR.

    How did the WH schedule this for the 7th NOT knowing that the GOPers were debating that night? How does he go up against a fucking football game in the days of bread and circuses? With roughly 10% UE, are you fucking serious about the viewing population? (Asshole, do the math. 90% will want their circus.)

    This is bullshite. Obama (or the West Wing) fucked up big time here. When Boehner pulled his butthurt, Obama should’ve said (a la Bill O’Reilly) “Fuck IT! We’ll do it” ‘from the Oval Office and call the mutherfuckers out for refusing to invite me!’

    The Man’s capitulation is really pissing me off. I understand some of the other ones, but this is going too far.

  213. 213.

    Steeplejack

    @Texas Dem:

    Because saying no dice, it’s Wednesday or nothing, would have been really productive, wouldn’t it? Boehner then tells the WH to shove it, and there’s no jobs speech at all [. . .].

    Obama could have given the speech directly to the people from the Oval Office and gotten some good mileage from pointing out that (a) Boehner agreed to Wednesday and then recanted, (b) the House Republicans are apparently too busy dicking around to deal with this national crisis, and (c) etc, etc.

  217. 217.

    niknik

    @CaseyL: Ooh, concern troll sounds concerned.

    Because it doesn’t matter. Is this seriously the shit that gets your blood pressure up? This? A scheduling conflict? And now because of this Obama is no longer your BFF?

    Okay then.

  218. 218.

    Keith G

    @OzoneR:

    You’re not mad at Obama, you’re mad at the system, and your mad at the country but since you don’t want to admit the system is malfunctioning and the public is completely out to lunch, Obama is the scapegoat, but here’s a simple fact you and I both know is true, this problem existed long before Barack Obama and it will exist long after him.

    A big part of every president’s energy is learning how to deal with their own contemporaneous version of “the system is malfunctioning”. The successful ones learned from their mistakes and readjusted their process, tried new things.

    Remember in 2004 when W Bush caught all sorts of grief for declaring that “It is a hard job.”? Well it is. The learning curve is steep and the reviews are harsh in the best of times.

    Finally, month per month, managing the stagecraft of the Presidency is as important as winning a vote in Congress. It sucks to be that way, but that is the way that presidential power is nurtured and reelections are won.

  219. 219.

    OzoneR

    @Keith G:

    A big part of every president’s energy is learning how to deal with their own contemporaneous version of “the system is malfunctioning”.

    Yes, and this is how Obama handles it, avoid stupid process fights, score legislative victories even if it means compromising.

    It has repeatedly allowed him to remain the most popular and trusted person in Washington.

  221. 221.

    Keith G

    @OzoneR:

    It has repeatedly allowed him to remain the most popular and trusted person in Washington.

    With respect, isn’t that the baseline for presidents? Sure, some have eventually fucked up enough to become an outcast (Nixon post March 1973, GWB post 2005), but presidents usually compare rather well (in polling) to those who surround them.

  222. 222.

    RossInDetroit

    @Keith G:

    Congress is at around 18% approval and hasn’t cracked 40% in a long while. That would be a low bar to crawl under.
    The president gets polled as an individual. This gives him a boost because the rating is personal. It’s easier to hate on ‘Congress’, Big Business or the Fed because they’re faceless. Much as I like the fact that a D president polls better that a R House it’s really apples/oranges.

  223. 223.

    OzoneR

    With respect, isn’t that the baseline for presidents? Sure, some have eventually fucked up enough to become an outcast (Nixon post March 1973, GWB post 2005), but presidents usually compare rather well (in polling) to those who surround them.

    not always, no. Republicans were more popular than Clinton for a time, as were Democrats vs. Reagan circa 1982-1983. I believe Congress was more/as popular than both Carter and Bush I toward the end.

  224. 224.

    OzoneR

    @RossInDetroit:

    The president gets polled as an individual. This gives him a boost because the rating is individual. It’s easier to hate on ‘Congress’, Big Business or the Fed because they’re faceless. Much as I like the fact that a D president polls better that a R House it’s really apples/oranges.

    Even beyond that, he’s more popular than Boehner, Pelosi, McConnell or Reid specifically.

  225. 225.

    OzoneR

    @dead existentialist:

    When Boehner pulled his butthurt, Obama should’ve said (a la Bill O’Reilly) “Fuck IT! We’ll do it” ‘from the Oval Office and call the mutherfuckers out for refusing to invite me!’

    and then the story becomes about the fight and not about what’s in the speech, he delivers it while the media debates whether or not he’s being an asshole or a fighter, and two weeks later liberals are bitching he’s not coming up with a jobs plan.

    Seriously, the fact you can’t see this shows how little interest you really have in fighting a battle on jobs. All you’re really interested in is fighting a battle, any battle.

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