To me, a bleeding heart liberal is one who see's a Human problem that moves ANYONES heart, then decides that the way to fix that problem is to take the money from others and give it Bureaucrats because THEY are the ones who are smart enough to fix it.

I Don't use that term for people who donate their OWN money and time to working with the poor or other charity and Dont call on Gov force to take others to give to those charities, and I certainly dont use it for people who are filled with an overwhelming sense of patriotism and pride in the goodness of America and the American people.

Twice does not a "regular basis" make..

is less about criticism of the act and more a snigger about it being a minor hypocrisy to this derogatory phrase.

So, you love to revel in the hypocrisy of the Right, but consistantly ignore the hypocrisy of the Left which is infinitely more prevalent..

Gotcha... ;)

Michale.....

I am so with you on all of that!

"Bleeding heart liberal" has been used as a derogatory phrase by conservatives for a good half century. Seeing the republican speaker shed tears on a fairly regular basis is less about criticism of the act and more a snigger about it being a minor hypocrisy to this derogatory phrase.

Personally I'm fine with it as long as I can refer to Boehner as a Bleeding heart conservative ;-)

And THAT is exactly why I enjoy this blog..

For the most part, people here are human beings first, Americans second and Democrats/Republicans/Conservatives/Liberals/NPAs/Independents third....

Michale.....

That was acutally a pretty good and honest answer, I have to admit. I liked the situational responses, showing shades of gray.

I really liked the bit about "...maybe ok but I would yell at any Camera or TV that showed it" because I agree wholeheartedly with you on that one. The media is downright insensitive the point of evil in this regard, and I join your sentiment whether the subject on camera was ANYone, politician or not.

-CW

Good answer... :D

Michale.....

Aside from amazement that she had the ability to cry after all the work she had done? ;-)

Situational dependent, a small tear at a moment of emotional pride of gratitude and joy? Ok

Blubbering at an extreme loss like a family member or comrade in arms, maybe ok but I would yell at any Camera or TV that showed it.

Crying in the face of adversity then no.

Do I wish Boehner did Not Cry so readily? yes I do. I think it is something that would hurt his eventual run for higher office.

With Pelosi, I really believe I have enough other things to attack her about that unless she broke down crying because she was being picked on, I would not mind to much. it would have been fodder for a few jokes but not something to attack about.

Of course I think you are correct then many would USE it, but that would have been the LEAST of the problems I had with her.

And yes i think she denies surgery but c'mon?

You guys are missing the point. It's about POLITICIANS crying.

OK, I concede that the distinction is relevant...

Michale.....

You guys are missing the point. It's about POLITICIANS crying. I wrote about this previously (probably when Hillary Clinton won the NH primary in'08...). The press (and the public) has historically frowned on politicians crying. Even when they're not. Ed Muskie appeared when it was snowing, and the press decided he was crying... and his electoral chances tanked (it was kind of the "Dean Scream" of the day). Hillary didn't cry either, but the press decided she had, and everyone was astonished when the NH voters did something the polls didn't predict and backed her in the primary.

Here's an honest question for both of you: what, exactly, would you have said two years ago if Nancy Pelosi had leaked tears EVEN ONCE in a similar situation? C'mon, be honest. That is the difference.

Boehner's tears are one of those political distractions the press loves to focus on, mostly because he seems to tear up pretty frequently. By doing so, however, he risks becoming the butt of political jokes and late night TV humor -- which has already begun happening. Whether it turns out in the long run to be a political asset or liability for him can't really be foreseen now, but the risks are pretty high if you look at how men crying in politics is usually seen historically.

-CW

There are times when my love of country, my sense of gratitude that I was born here, the feeling of overwhelming history and the sacrifices of so many that went before me, make me emotional about my country.

I remember the feeling I had on 8/28/2010, standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, looking out over the mall towards the Washington monument just as the sun was coming up, and as I write this I can still get choked up with the emotion of the feeling.

I can only imagine the sense of HONOR of being the Speaker of the House Of the United States of America and the feeling of the sacredness of the job. The feeling of your ancestors looking down on you, so proud of what you were able to accomplish with your life. The knowledge of your tremendous RESPONSIBILITY to so many and the hope that you can live up to their expectations and you can do what needs to be done for future generations.

How can anyone NOT get emotional in that position?

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/FACT-CHECK-Obama-and-his-apf-989878074.html?x=0&.v=2

Michale.....

What's the big deal about Boehner shedding a tear or two now and again?

I thought you liberals were all about sensitive guys that are not afraid to show their feelings???

Another difference between today's liberals and the liberals of yesteryear... :D

Michale......

You wrote" it had a bit of the flavor of "trying to be everything to everyone" to it, "

I agree with you but that just sent mixed messages which will come out in the details. As a conservative, my heart beat faster when he talked about American exceptionalism, reorganizing Gov, reducing spending but then he called for raising taxes, raising gasoline prices DRASTICALLY over the current $3 a gal and more spending and my whole body started twitching.

The speech itself was well delivered and had a good tone and pace with one exception. After the Tucson shooting thing I felt he went a bit professorial for a bit, like he was lecturing us and that was a turn off for me, but then he hit a stride and delivered well.

But by trying to be everything to everyone. when we sit down and go over the details it will be very contradictory.

Oh and the tie was definitely a mix of blue and red (purple) or the CSPAN camera was off lol!

Ironically enough, it's the GOP that owns the "rights" to the "Win The Future" meme..

Much to the Administration's chagrin, I am sure... :D

Michale.....