President Takes Ball And Goes Home
Politico reports on Republicans saying that President Barack Obama stormed out of budget negotiations in rather dramatic fashion:
On a day when the Moody’s rating agency warned that American debt could be downgraded, the White House talks blew up amid a new round of sniping between Obama and Cantor, who are fast becoming bitter enemies.
When Cantor said the two sides were too far apart to get a deal that could pass the House by the Treasury Department’s Aug. 2 deadline — and that he would consider moving a short-term debt-limit increase alongside smaller spending cuts — Obama began to lecture him.
“Eric, don’t call my bluff,” the president said, warning Cantor that he would take his case “to the American people.” He told Cantor that no other president — not Ronald Reagan, the president said — would sit through such negotiations.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 “impassioned” but said he didn’t exactly storm out of the room.
If this doesn't remind you of Chris Buckley's explanation for why he was voting for Obama (and I quote: "first-class temperament"), what will?
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Dec '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
Yet another reason C-SPAN should have complete access to these meetings. This may be the first time Obama hasn't gotten exactly what he wanted.
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
Conn Carroll has a great piece at the Washington Examiner headlined "The Drama Queen In The Room."
Jul '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
You had to bring Christopher Buckley into it.
As for Obama, it is very clear that the job conditions are bothersome and the problems really, really, really hard. For these silly opposition people to pressure him is obviously unacceptable. If I were him, well, I wouldn't put up with it. Why, I would just quit, see how they like dealing with a President Biden! That'll teach'em. They'll be begging for Obama to come back!
Jun '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
I don't want to hijack the thread, but has C. Buckley ever disavowed his support for Obama?
Also, can anyone imagine Reagan ever doing that? Paul taught that there comes a point at which we put aside "childish things." Reverend Wright must not have made that one clear to Obama. Some say Obama is unserious, self-centered, more focused on how things look that real substance, prone to tantrums, prickly about criticism, etc. Having raised a few, that sounds just like a teenager. Our country is being run by a 15-year-old boy.
Edited on Jul 14, 2011 at 7:37amNov '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
Doesn't "Don't call my bluff" imply that he's bluffing? Maybe I don't know what the expression means. Or maybe he doesn't know. Or maybe he's bluffing?
Dec '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
I would call it a poorly worded threat. More appropriate might have been something like "don't test me on this." The great orator strikes again.
Sep '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
When O. requested that the debt ceiling be raised Speaker B. could have announced that he believed it would be irresponsible to do so without attaching significant spending cuts, and then announced formal hearings would be held on a bill to do so and invited O. to submit his proposals for such cuts. Instead B. got suckered into negotiations with the VP and then into the latest drama. It is noteworthy that O has yet to make one proposal for a spending cuts or entitlement reform in public. The end game: GOP caves – O. emerges as the savior of Medicare, Medicaid, S.S. and the middle class. Does this come as a surprise to anyone?
Sep '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
This is classic behavior by someone who is incompetent. He has no ideas or solutions of his own. We all have these kinds of people where we work and live. He nods and criticizes. He loves using "distractors" in his conversation in order to avoid the actual topic ex. - "eat our peas." Seriously, when does Obama ever say anything of any substance about the topic at hand. No wonder he got up and left; he was cornered and did not know what else to do. This is one scary joke of a POTUS.
Jan '11
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
Agreed. I also liked Hugh Hewitt's proposal for the House to pass an debt-limit extension on a one-for-one reduction/debt basis (non defense). I'd also put some time frame for these cuts to take place - within 0-4 yrs. The onus is then on Obama/Dems to make the cuts.
Mar '11
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
“Eric, don’t call my bluff,” the president said.
He doesn't understand that you aren't supposed to tell someone you are bluffing. Obama once waxed nostalgic about playing poker when he was a State Senator with some of the other members. Since hearing that, I've often wondered: did they cancel the game when Barack couldn't be there, or did they have a back-up fish?
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
This is, methinks, the most telling part of the story. There are equal parts delusion (when has this president taking his case "to the American people" ever worked?) and arrogance (what kind of president, in a moment of emotional pique, lashes out by declaring his supremacy over his predecessors?).
“Eric, don’t call my bluff,” the president said, warning Cantor that he would take his case “to the American people.” He told Cantor that no other president — not Ronald Reagan, the president said — would sit through such negotiations.
Sep '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
The main beneficiary of Obama's incompetence has been Iowahawk who may become the NEA twitterer in residence with a generous stipend funded by the House and Senate.
Sep '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
He'll behave like Jack Nicholson in Mars Attacks if he ever faces a real international crisis.
Sep '10
Re: President Takes Ball And Goes Home
Obama's thrown pretty much everyone else under the bus, so I guess its time for Axelrod to try and pick Twitterfights with Romney.
#epicfail