Wednesday afternoon, Obama gave a press conference where he congratulated Republicans on their victories, and laid out specific policy issues where he thinks the two sides can and must work together to solve problems for the American people. It is short and I recommend you go watch it.
Some Republicans, including the new Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have been saying that they are willing to work together with Obama, so when RNC chairman Reince Priebus appeared on CNN Wednesday night it was only natural that he was asked to respond to Obama’s comments about wanting to compromise. Rather than taking Obama’s comments seriously, Priebus shot back “I don’t believe a thing he says.” He then called Obama a liar and a screw-up on immigration reform.
CNN asked Priebus why he isn’t “putting forth a tone that is, ‘alright, let’s do a fresh start and work together.’”
Priebus’ response is telling:
To come back and say, after the American people repudiated the policies of Barack Obama and everyone connected to him and to say, ‘what are you going to do to compromise with the person the American people had just repudiated?’ I think it’s a little bizarre.
CNN then tried hard to ask Priebus about specific policy issues, pointing out that many issues that are traditionally Democratic party priorities and are supported by Obama, including minimum wage, marijuana, gun safety, abortion rights, criminal justice reform, were on the ballots in many states and passed easily. Priebus just ignored her and continued to attack Obama. He claimed that the election “wasn’t just a repudiation of Barack Obama and his policies, it was also an acceptance of Republican policies and governing”.
But did he give even a single example of those “Republican policies and governing”?
It is clear that the message that Republicans are taking away from this election is that attacking Obama worked and they won. Actually, you know, governing, doesn’t matter.
I guess we shouldn’t expect anything to get done over the next two years. I wouldn’t be surprised if they even try to impeach Obama. It is all they know how to do. In fact, I think Priebus attacking Obama on immigration was a calculated attempt to goad the president into doing something unilaterally, so they can use that to impeach him.
8 Comments
Why do politicians (especially Republicans) lately always interpret a 51% victory as a mandate? That means that 5-10% more people decided to vote your way this time, it’s not “the American people repudiated the policies of Barack Obama and everyone connected to him.” Why does it always have to be so black and white to these people? Almost half of the people still voted the other way.
Also, I hope the Republicans do impeach President Obama. Let them make impeaching Democrat presidents on flimsy grounds a habit – that will surely help ruin their popularity. The base would love it, but the swing voters would get tired of it really quickly. And since there is literally zero chance that 2/3 of the Senate would vote to remove Obama from office I think it’s a good idea – let’s hold a circus at the Capitol!
the circus is already coming to town.
Chomp, chomp, chomp. Don’t mind me. I’m just eating my popcorn over here.
“In fact, I think Priebus attacking Obama on immigration was a calculated attempt to goad the president into doing something unilaterally, so they can use that to impeach him.”
Boehner is, too, warning him that he might get burned.
Boehner: “I’ve made clear to the President if he acts unilaterally on his own outside of his authority he will poison the well and there will be no chance for immigration reform moving forward in this Congress. It’s as simple as that.”
Like there is ANY chance at all of Congress acting on immigration reform. Sheesh! The party of no will not only do nothing, they will threaten anyone who dares to do something. Pitiful.
Obama should just set a deadline, and if Congress doesn’t act, do it himself.
So on the one hand, Priebus rails against Obama for not doing anything about immigration reform, and Boehner threatens him if he does anything. Well, that to me is proof that they are going to try to impeach him. You heard it here first!
I think the best quote I heard about this election before it happened was “We’re spending $4 billion dollars to decide if it’s Harry Reid or Mitch McConnell that’s in charge of the filibuster.” Chuck Todd, Nov 3 on Colbert Report
With friends like these… At least Obama expects to disagree with the Republicans. It’s probably best that the Turncoat Dems weren’t elected. Dems need to get the same playbook.