Comments on: Obama's First 168 Hours http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/01/27/obamas-first-168-hours/ Reality-based political commentary Fri, 08 May 2026 01:45:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: akadjian http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/01/27/obamas-first-168-hours/#comment-4378 akadjian Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:18:41 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/01/27/obamas-first-168-hours/#comment-4378 * sigh * The bill passed the House w/ no Republican support. Why? Republicans stand to gain nothing if it passes. If the bill passes and is successful in reviving the economy, few will remember their vote against it and/or they can just claim some other factor was responsible. They have everything to gain by opposing it. Redefining themselves as responsible, small government, against wasteful spending conservatives and being able to paint Democrats as tax-and-spend, irresponsible, out-of-control big government. * sigh * I wish sometimes Democrats had as good an understanding of how to negotiate as Republicans. The best they could come up with was David Obey saying "There are an awful lot of people in this chamber who think like Herbert Hoover." Crap. Half the people out there won't even know who Herbert Hoover is. If you're going to link them to the Depression, do it! Don't half @ss it! "We lost over 70,000 jobs Monday. Today, we voted for jobs. Our opponents voted to return us to the same policies that landed us here in the first place - trickle down economics." For Christ's sake, hire some English majors! There's got to be plenty of them out there looking for jobs. - David * sigh *

The bill passed the House w/ no Republican support. Why?

Republicans stand to gain nothing if it passes. If the bill passes and is successful in reviving the economy, few will remember their vote against it and/or they can just claim some other factor was responsible.

They have everything to gain by opposing it. Redefining themselves as responsible, small government, against wasteful spending conservatives and being able to paint Democrats as tax-and-spend, irresponsible, out-of-control big government.

* sigh *

I wish sometimes Democrats had as good an understanding of how to negotiate as Republicans.

The best they could come up with was David Obey saying "There are an awful lot of people in this chamber who think like Herbert Hoover."

Crap. Half the people out there won't even know who Herbert Hoover is. If you're going to link them to the Depression, do it! Don't half @ss it!

"We lost over 70,000 jobs Monday. Today, we voted for jobs. Our opponents voted to return us to the same policies that landed us here in the first place - trickle down economics."

For Christ's sake, hire some English majors! There's got to be plenty of them out there looking for jobs.

- David

]]> By: akadjian http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/01/27/obamas-first-168-hours/#comment-4377 akadjian Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:39:52 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/01/27/obamas-first-168-hours/#comment-4377 I agree with you, Stan. The Repubs are winning the battle of public perception. Chris, you bring up huge point, I've seen no Democratic messaging on this. We know what the Republican message is and they're hammering it hard: we're against bailouts, it's got too much spending, it has to create or preserve jobs. It is a very slick and popular message. Now I know that Republican philosophy hasn't change - what they still mean is "trickle down." But this message resonates with people and Democrats need to have a similar philosophy that says something like: we are creating the conditions for a long-term, lasting economic recovery. Then, explain how: transparency, proper regulation, investment in technology, etc. You would think they would be able to hire an English major or two who could do some focus studies and craft a message. Ask Garrison Keillor what an English major can do! David I agree with you, Stan. The Repubs are winning the battle of public perception. Chris, you bring up huge point, I've seen no Democratic messaging on this.

We know what the Republican message is and they're hammering it hard: we're against bailouts, it's got too much spending, it has to create or preserve jobs.

It is a very slick and popular message. Now I know that Republican philosophy hasn't change - what they still mean is "trickle down."

But this message resonates with people and Democrats need to have a similar philosophy that says something like: we are creating the conditions for a long-term, lasting economic recovery.

Then, explain how: transparency, proper regulation, investment in technology, etc.

You would think they would be able to hire an English major or two who could do some focus studies and craft a message.

Ask Garrison Keillor what an English major can do!

David

]]> By: fstanley http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/01/27/obamas-first-168-hours/#comment-4376 fstanley Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:45:30 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/01/27/obamas-first-168-hours/#comment-4376 I am trying hard not to get mad. The Dems need to take control of the message. Keeping people in school is not pork, family planning is not pork. All of these items help people. What is wrong with helping people? President Obama needs to keep on point and not be distracted by the GOP - either they get on board or they are left behind. ...Stan I am trying hard not to get mad. The Dems need to take control of the message. Keeping people in school is not pork, family planning is not pork. All of these items help people. What is wrong with helping people?

President Obama needs to keep on point and not be distracted by the GOP - either they get on board or they are left behind.

...Stan

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