May 18, 2009
He winked at me! That must mean he really likes me!
President Obama met with moderate Republicans in an attempt to get support for his “big ticket” items, like health care reform:
President Barack Obama’s first date with House Republicans didn’t end so well: He made a high-profile trip to the Capitol to ask for their help with his economic stimulus plan, and they said no — unanimously, twice. Now Obamais trying again — more quietly and with a smaller group of moderate Republicans who might be more willing to say yes. The goal: Try to get at least some Republicans to back big-ticket items such as Obama’s health care plan, but avoid the public spectacle of being rejected a second time around. Rather than have the president, his motorcade and his press pool trek to Capitol Hill, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel last week invited about a dozen or so moderate House Republicans to meet with him in a small outdoor courtyard just off the West Wing. According to members who attended, Emanuel acknowledged that even moderate Republicans might not support Obama’s health care plan in the end, but he said that the White House wanted to maintain an open dialogue throughout the process — and that some of their ideas might be included. The president stopped by for about 15 minutes. He listened to the Republicans’ ideas for overhauling the health care system and agreed to review an energy bill authored, in part, by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.). At least one Republican walked away impressed. “I believe they’re making an honest and overt effort to deal with Republicans,” said Delaware Rep. Mike Castle. “The White House is genuinely interested in resolvable issues.”
If members of the Republican Party fall for this, they deserve to be voted out of office. Barack Obama does not care about what Republicans want,especially when it comes to health care. He is not going to work with them in any meaningful way. He just wants to build his “bi-partisan” bona fides for the next election.
If Republicans refuse to vote with him, as they should–especially when it comes to this health care “reform”–he will label them as partisans willing to stall “progress” just to have another chance to say no, even after he has ignored every suggestion and idea they have offered. Republicans need to come out strong with their message to the American people and not let this become accepted as the truth. They must work to expose Obama’s liberal agenda to the public and explain to them how this will harm all Americans, not help them.
The White House is not making an honest effort to deal with Republicans and they are not genuinely interested in resolvable issues. Castle sounds like the dorky chick who gets excited because the hot guy who is so blatantly using her throws her a wink. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s all for show. He’s still just using you.
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