Comments on: Friday Talking Points -- How About A Little Economic Good News?

By: Speak2

Speak2 — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 03:06:10 +0000

In Jan, weeks before Biden was sworn in, Manchin publicly opposed the ARP. When it came up, he strutted around for 12 hrs getting lots of attention. In the end, he cut less than one-tenth of one percentage point from the bill with that move (harming 30-40 thousand Americans).

He liked the attention. He doesn't even pick and choose his battles any more, he just reflexively says NO to Dems to see himself highlighted. Essentially, narcissism became his operational modus (malignant???).

Let's call him what he is, that "thought-to-be extinct" rare species: The West Virginian Peacock.

By: Speak2

Speak2 — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 03:01:00 +0000

Your first paragraph highlights my characterization of a difference in the approach of the two parties.

As Rove and Cheney put it way back, the GOP needs 50% plus 1. They've written off 30%-40% of the population as not theirs and look to win by appealing to the rest and specifically rejecting those they wrote off.

Dens look for 100% minus 0. They can't seem to accept that there are those who they cannot get and that they shouldn't bother trying to (think, the III%ers and such).

By: MtnCaddy

MtnCaddy — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 02:51:46 +0000

Yes, that is a pretty good speech. And yes, Biden ought to address the nation as you suggest.

I appreciate it that you left the occasional gaffe or whatever in Joe's speech. Even with them included, I don't get why Repugs are so convinced that Joe has "lost it."

By: John M from Ct.

John M from Ct. — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 01:22:17 +0000

So this was the speech liberal commentators have been asking the White House for, that tells the American people what the president has been doing to help them despite Republican obstruction, and that tells them just how the Build Back Better law will help average Americans rather than the richest ones.

Just make the speech! Make the case! Get the information out there!

And he just did, and no one listened or heard it because ... well, why? I missed this speech, never heard about it, and I read the NY Times every day and follow two or three political blogs daily.

And now you're telling the president to help himself and his party against Republican lies and propaganda by ... making another speech to the nation.

If I was Joe and his staff, I'd be wondering what would be the point - if the media won't cover it and spread its message.

By: Elizabeth Miller

Elizabeth Miller — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 00:50:38 +0000

Biden was on a roll, repeating this phrase, twice: "But the Republicans said, "No, pay more."" "But Republicans said, "No, don't vote for this bill. Pay more."" Imagine how more impactful that could have been if it was repeated throughout the speech, many more times than twice. Also, I didn't hear Biden say anything about the Republican cult of economic failure and how relatively recent history amply demonstrates how Republicans have repeatedly been terrible stewards of the economy ... unless, of course, you count your net worth among the top one percent. Democrats need to bust the myth about Republicans having the best policies for a strong economy and present the overwhelming evidence that the only thing Republican administrations are good at with regard to the economy is leaving economic messes on the order of magnitude of the Augean Stables for Democratic administrations to clean up.