Obama On Republicans: 'I'm An Optimist, Not A Sap'

In an interview with columnists aboard Air Force One, President Obama talked about what he learned from the stimulus battle. Pronouncing himself impressed with his team for moving the legislation through Congress so quickly, he said the plan wasn't everything he wanted but was still a "very good start on moving things forward."

As for his experience with congressional Republicans, the president said, "I made every effort to reach out to Republicans early to get their input and to get their buy-in. I think that there were some senators and House members who have a sincere philosophical difference with the idea of any government role in boosting demand in the economy. They don't believe in [John Maynard] Keynes and they're still fighting FDR ... I think we can disagree without being disagreeable on that front."

He added that the GOP also made a "political and tactical" decision to oppose the stimulus as a way to rally their base. "Whether that's a smart strategy, I think you should ask them." He said that it was his impression that the House Republicans decided to vote party-line against the bill before he met with them. "I'm not sure that there was a whole host of things that we were going to do that was going to make a difference." (Republicans dispute that interpretation, claiming they were open to the stimulus when they met with Obama.)

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said recently that Obama lost control of the stimulus debate by focusing too much on bipartisanship.

Asked if he would be so willing to reach out to Republicans in the future, the president responded, "You know, I am an eternal optimist. That doesn't mean I'm a sap."

Looking more forward, the president also outlined his priorities for the rest of the year:

My priorities for the rest of the year. Number one is to get the right structure for the successor to TARP; spending the $300-some billion that has already been authorized as wisely as possible, and injecting transparency and trust into the financial system. Having a housing program that provides relief to people who are at risk of losing their homes. Financial regulations that ensure that the crisis doesn't happen again. A innovative and aggressive push for health care reform that focuses not just on access but also on costs, and trying to just provide relief to working families. And a push for an energy policy that puts us on a path to sustainability.

Comments

[johnfoirdfw]

An extraordinarily gracious man. Much more so than I would be under the circumstances..

[Jazzcomedian]

That's the lesson. The more you take the high road, the more obvious the character flaws, and inadequacy of your opponent. It both disarms, and leaves no targets for them to attack. Look at the GOP. They can't attack him on any grounds, so they shoot at the House Dems and Reid. He is both involved, and above the fray at the same time. The GOP is befuddled by his graciousness. This is a politics that they have absolutely no experience and skill at. Graciousness doesn't come easy or natural to them. This is a teachable moment for us all in how to prevail over boorishness without resorting to the same.

[ProudLiberalDemocrat]

Frank Rich's column is today's NYTimes is a nuanced view of how 'presidential' President Obama has been. President Obama's perceived mistakes seem to turn into butterflies.......he's the smartest guy in the room and he's one step ahead.

I voted for Hillary, but President Obama has me simply believing that, "Yes we can."

[mamapanya]

Well said Jazzcomedian! - Could not have put it better myself! - Right on point!

[CarolW2]

Well said. President Obama is articulate, smart, knowledgeable on just about any subject (7 minute answers to press questions..... the press actually needed to take notes!), a gentleman to friend and foe alike. You are correct, the GOP have no idea how to respond to civility and their childish rantings and uncivil comments just continue to dig them deeper and deeper into oblivion. And the sooner the rabid right goes far, far away, the better off we will all be.

[SpaghettyIrish]

Awesome tactics! One hand extended in friendship that everyone know the opposition won't take...the other holds Thor's hammer to smash them once they refuse.

[bubbuh]

If he had a hammer, it would probably be a big stick, probably a Hammerin' Hank Aaron 34 oz model. But, the the fact is, he extended his hand and three GOP Senatoys took it. Don't need to be more bipartisan than that.

[HeIsTheOne]

O needs to do the right thing, regardless of GOP support. They are posturing only to try to regain the ground they lost.

Forget them O. Fix us as a nation. Stop wasting time to extend your hand. They will out maneuver you every time because they are not using logic and honesty as their driving motives. They are looking to divide and conquer (again) and will use deceipt to try to regain their popularity.

For the sake of this nation, O needs to do what is necessary and forget the bipartisanship for now.

Boehner's throwing of the legislation onto the floor was enough for me. No more nice-guy attempts.

Get out of our way GOP. We will fix this on our own.

[Kalifornika]

I disagree. He needs to continue what he is doing. When he is trying to reach across the divide, and he is rejected by most Rebublicans, they look bad. He will get most of what he wants with the Republicans who are politically vulnerable because they are in increasingly Dem leaning states. When Al Fraken is in, he will be in an even stronger position. But he will properly exercise power only if he continues to make the effort to include all of the house members an all senators in the discussion. That is what most uf us want.

To quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" As long as Obama is trying and the Republicans are rejecting him, Obama and the dems are in control for 2010 . . .

[KofTX]

I disagree. Reaching out is a win/win for President Obama. If they accept his efforts, he is the Great Unifier. If they refuse, he is magnanimous and they are marginalized as obstructionist. He has made it clear that in either case, he will move forward with the defined goal of prosperity for the American people.

[amiri1]

I voted for Obama because he is more compassionate than I am..smarter than I am and he has more patience than I ever will have.

I would not extend my hand towards angry stimulus bill throwing on the floor Boehner, mean ole and grumpy-pops McCain...if I didn't see positive results-- just being honest. Obama hosted a dinner in McCain's honor...and now the personal attacks....I am just not as nice as my president. So that is why he is OUR president. We need someone who sees the world in a better light than we do especially when the horizon is stormy and others in the sand box throw sand in our direction for no good reason.

I voted for Obama because he is more compassionate than I am..smarter than I am and he has more patience than I ever will have. I CAN'T ...YES HE CAN!!!

[bubbuh]

Very nice.

[Fleurdelys]

Thanks for that. I tell my friends all the time how much I'm learning from President Obama; what an awesome role model for citizens of all ages.

[Einstein44]

You get an A+ for your honesty.Thanks for sharing Amiri1.

[mcantwell]

The nicer he is to the Repubs, the nastier they get. Go figure.

[Emlyn]

I wonder if President Obama was nasty to them; would they become nice? I hope not.

[Fleurdelys]

That's all right. We, the people, are all taking note. We will be sure to let these party loyalists know just how we feel in 2010.

[quiltinglady]

This is one smart man, and he has learned alot in just the last 4 weeks. He will only get better. I hope he keeps extending a bipartisan hand, beause it's the Reps who will end up looking bad.

[bubbuh]

He didn't have much to learn. His "inexperience" that was a piece of campaign trail misinformation. He was a legislator 12 years. His winning campaign wasn't an accident It was goog management as much as good message.

[KofTX]

Amen!

[Mitchbailey]

Why don't the Republicans just come out and say what they really want: they want all Americans to stop all consumption so the economy totally contracts and it spirals into depression--and all for political gain. They've already discussed it, to be sure, so where are their cojones?

[Scarllatti]

I hope President Obama walks on the bare backs of McCain and his republican rascals.

[interestedinpolitics]

President Obama knows what he needs to accomplish, it hasn't changed since he announced his run for the office. He is gracious, and believes in democracy, and will continue to invite all elected officials to accompany him on this journey. If the Republicans continue to put their own short-sighted, self-serving and ironically self-destructive goals above what the citizens of this country desperately need, so be it. President Obama's civility reflects so well on him, his consistency and focus will serve the American public well. Thank goodness he is such a grown-up.

[PeacefulRevolution]

Well said. It's been a long time since we have an adult become a leader of this nation. Says a lot about all of us too.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Unfortunately, the adult is trying to treat a bunch of spoiled children possessed by Satan (the congressional GOP) like they are Buddhist adults. The result: Obama is being run all over the place by these satanic children.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Obama trying to offer teh GOPers in congress bipartisanship as a way to convince them to vote for his stimulus bill would be like Mr. Miagi from "The Karate Kid" going down to 102nd and Success in Watts/LA, and bowing in respect to gang members carrying AK-47s. The result would be predictable, no matter how many times he tried it.

I'm all for bipartisanship but you don't waste your mandate capital and momentum going into a presidency setting yourself up for humiliation by the GOP. Predictably, Obama offered bipartisanship and the GOP took advantage of it, demanded the bill be changed in significant ways (weakening it), then--after they got what they want--they humiliated Obama by not one in the House voting for it.

That was just the first round of humiliations. There have been at least two since that time.

Obama was so obsessed with his need to be seen as the Great Uniter that he put that ahead of what our country desperately needs to survive: a strong stimulus bill which should have been passed two weeks ago. He didn't set himself up for humiliation once or twice, but at least three times.

The result: Obama has weakened his own presidency and, in the process, convinced the GOP that they still control Congress and the Oval Office. The GOP was appropriately humiliated when Obama assumed office, but Obama w hizzed away his mandate capital, leaving him in a weaker position than when he assumed office.

[Matt7]

I don't think Obama's "humiliated" at all. (You've used the term several times now). We're watching a political quagmire play out in "real time" and there are lessons for anyone who is bright enough to see and learn them.

The Republicans aren't "controlling" jack. You're believing the media hype again.

Obama is nothing if not strategic, smart and patient. Just keep watching. You'll be surprised (maybe even humiliated if you keep calling 'em short and wrong).

[bubbuh]

Obama's offer of bipartisanship was, mainly, a way to get the two votes he needed to pass the bill. He succeeded; He'll sign the bill on Tuesday. The GOP will whine. What embarrassment?

[Jazzcomedian]

How is getting your bill passed in record time a loss? I'm at a loss to see that. Clinton couldn't get his economic recovery act passed till August of his first year Reagan had to wait till July in the midst of a recession with 13% inflation and high interest rates. President Obama has not weakened his presidency, he has strenghtened it.

[KofTX]

Again, are you actually on planet Earth? If you're going to keep score, do it right. SCHIP, check. Equal pay Act, check. Closing Guantanamo, half-check. Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, check. Ratcheting up pressure on Al-Quaeda and the Taliban, check.

FURTHER MARGINALIZING THE EXTREMIST IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY....CHECK AND MATE.

[JRsNana]

In your dreams he has weakened his presidency. He's playing chess and the GOP is playing Old Maid!

[PoliticalAmazon]

The scariest part: neither Obama or his staff seem to be able to learn from their mistakes, but keep making them over and over again.

Obama has repeatedly set himself up to be humiliated by the GOP, to the point that, as far as the GOP is concerned, Obama has "Doormat" stencilled on his forehead.

And the vetting! For the love of God, can the vetters be bothered to do a simple internet search before they okay a nomination?

Everybody in the vetting squad should be fired. In their place Obama can place Democratic voters who know how to do a simple internet search. If that is all they did, the vetting would be better than what we've seen since Caroline Kennedy stopped running the vetting process.

[bubbuh]

Obame's gaudy 67% job approval rating says you have completely misapprehended the situation. Turn that telescope around.

[Vige]

We can only hope the Rushthugligans continue to think he is a Door Mat because it is very obvious they are not familiar with the game of Chess.

[KofTX]

What parallel universe are you living in? Do you just believe EVERYTHING the Republicans and the cable news networks tell you?

[JRsNana]

You're totally freakin' kidding with this one - right? Can you say Sarah Palin and vetting in one sentence? For the love of God - John McCain picked Sarah Palin.
And "doormat" - LOLOLOLOL! Hardly. He's making his attempt at listening to their sorry ass ideas of "saving the economy through more tax cuts for the rich" but as he so aptly put it - he's not a sap. People are seeing right through this idiotic tactic of the GOP.

[researcher]

not a word about the industrial militry complex that is driving this country into bankruptcy.

at least he knows better than to mess with them.

someday americans will figure out who really runs this country.

with communism man exploits man and with capitalism it is the other way around

few in the world understand this axiom.

[balickistan]

ummm. so the inverse of communism is man exploiting man. i guess i'm missing the point. is this like a SNL version of a buddhist koan.

[conniedogs]

"The world is governed by people far different from those imagined by the public."

--Benjamin Disraeli

[mad1nola]

President Obama is truly no sap. The overtures he made to the House Republicans were not in vain and were not for the support of House Republicans. These overtures were made for the moderates in the Senate. He knew this bill would pass unanimously in the house but he need 60 votes in the Senate. Reaching out to the house repubs was a signal to the moderates in democratic states that they had better go along or start looking for a day job come 2010. Even more shrewd was pitching the stimulus plan in districts that voted against him. Throwing down the gauntlet and showing that he has the persuasive powers with the people.,He went to republican strongholds to reassure them he is the President even for those who voted against him. He was listening to their plights and taking their stories back to DC. Probably none of these people ever saw their congressmen in person and now they a seeing the POTUS and he is talking and listening to them. I laugh when the media say he lost the message war. With all the hiccups re: nomiations and speculation of President Obama failing miserably he stayed remarkably on message. He was focused like a laser beam and while the republicans were stagnate in front of TV cameras President Obama was working the people. He is probably the hardest working president we have ever seen. The guy is always ON.

[quiltinglady]

I love it that he is going to AZ this week. Right in McCain and Kyle's backyard.

[tigerakabj]

Hear! Hear! Just like the campaign, Obama takes a couple of hits in the day-to-day news cycles and then goes in for the kill.

People appreciate that the president is listening to their concerns and is doing everything in his power to meet them. Many McCain voters have already stated that they can't understand why the GOP doesn't want to work with Obama and in doing so are coming over to Obama's side.

One thing the GOP better realize (but probably won't) is that they aren't gaining a single voter with their behavior.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Unfortunately, Obama has convinced the GOP that he is a sap, and they now believe that they are still in control of the Oval Office and the White House. And why shouldn't they be? Obama backed down to them every time they burped.

That Obama didn't know better than to continually set himself up for humiliation by the GOP is quite worrisome for the future of our country. ANYBODY who has observed the GOP over the last decade or two would know that the only thing left in the GOP are the dregs of the radical right nutballs that allow Limbaugh and Coulter to set their agenda for them. Almost every decent GOP has either left office or been driven out of office.

This is how the GOP sees their job in Congress: Do what it takes to get, maintain, or increase their power. Period. They will stoop to any petty trick, and play their supporters like they are 25-cent chumps at a carnie by telling them portions fo the economic stimulus bill were bad when, in fact, anyone who has taken a college economic course can tell you they were vital to saving our economy.

[mad1nola]

I disagree. President Obama was not humiliated. I don't see how one can be humiliated by doing the right thing. Just as the Republicans are thinking about 2010 so is our president. PO knows if he plays his cards right and extend his hand in bipartisanship we stand to gain the majority in the Senate in 2010. But if he appears too partisan it could reverse the gains made in 2008. I am guessing that the states which he will be visiting are weak republican seats. He is making inroads to garner support for democrats there. You are thinking tactics, our man PO is thinking strategy. Each day he is making the republicand more irrelevant by shining a bright light on how inept they are.

We would all like to pay back the republicans/conservatives for what they allowed to happen in the last 8 years but we can't do it on the backs of suffering Americans. Many on this site state that districts whose reps voted against the bill shouldn't get anything. That would make PO worst than the republicans. In fact that would make him just like Bush. PO said, "If a child goes hungry on the Southside of Chicago that affects me, if a grandmother can't afford her medications in Detroit then I am poorer for it(paraphrasing) We can fix this country, help its citizen, watch the demise of the Republican/Conservative party AND keep our integrity all at the same time.

[Jazzcomedian]

I don't think the GOP thinks the man who got the biggest stimulus package in history through Congress in three weeks over their most blustery, and strenuous "cable ready" objections is a sap. If they do, what does that make them? Pretty stupid, I'd say. No, they're probably wondering how to stop getting steamrolled by President Obama in the future, since apparently no one but their base listens to them. The crude, simplistic, and atavistic Rove and Rush aren't up to strategically, and tactically battling President Obama. That's not a fair fight. I've seen fairer fights in "Cool Hand Luke". What the Republicans have is a "failure to communicate" any ideas of substance. The more he reaches out to them, and engages on the ideas, the more confused and impotent they are. They are the Wicked Witch of the East melting till only the shoes remain in 2010.

President Obama's tactics are spot on.

[Mekarri]

Someone on this site once said that Obama is playing chess and the republicans are playing checkers. I trust President Obama. He will make mistakes after all he is human. MSM is owned by the republicans, therefore they are allow to spew their lies 24/7 and ignorant Americans eat it up.

[KofTX]

Turn off the TV for a few days.

[oneblackvote]

President Obama is 10 steps ahead of the Republicans and they still can't see it. Who is the leader of the Republican party? I keep seeing the same old knuckle heads on TV.

[bubbuh]

The anti-Obama, Michael Steele, is the the titular head of the Republican Party. Ole Gush is convinced that he's the real head; but, he does heavy drugs. He's probably dreaming.

In truth, the Goop has no real leader at the moment. Different names will keep cropping up until someone catches fire. The latest is Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)

[quiltinglady]

Eric (how often can I get on camera) Cantor needs to be stopped. He just proves my theory: Put a white guy in a jacket and tie and give him a southern accent and 9 times out of 10 he is a real a**hle. VA it's up to you in 2010.

[quiltinglady]

Eric (how often can I get on camera ) Cantor needs to be stopped. He just proves my theory: Put a white guy in a jacket and tie, and give him a southern accent, and 9 times out of 10 he is a real jerk. VA it's up to you in 2010.

[MyAudacity]

I'm an Optimist, Not a Sap..........that is an unsubtle warning. Pay attention!

[Scarllatti]

You know, the GOp probably hears Pres. Obama talk but they do not understand the real meaning of his statements. It will be too late for them the understand.

[PoliticalAmazon]

For the last 4 weeks Obama has done everything he can to convince the GOP that he is a sap.

Actions speak louder than words. The GOP won't understand anything else but retribution against one of the humiliations...I would think Gregg would do nicely. if Obama doesn't, the GOP will continue to see him as weak and they will take advantage of it.

Look, I think Obama is a gracious, honorable man. But if he cannot learn to effectively dealt with the Congress that is in place, perhaps he is not the right man for the job. I mean, I love the Dalai Lama and have read everything ever written by or about him. But he would not be suited to work with the congressional GOPs. T he difference: The Dalai Lama KNOWS that he cannot effectively do it with the ways of interaction he can accept for himself. Obama seems to have deluded himself into thinking that he can act graciously towards the GOP and they will do the same in return.

[Jazzcomedian]

You should offer to teach him how to effectively work with Congress. Give him a cut rate price on the lessons for the good of the country. And go on CNN, and MSNBC to explain his political inepitude while you're at it.

[iswideopen]

At this critical juncture in American history during our times, I would be ashamed to be called a republican (obstructionist).

I love you, President Obama!!! You have done your best; we have work to do; time to move on.

I wish that each district for which a republican represents, their "federal bailout funds" be withheld since they are so "rabidly" opposed to the stim package. They make no sense. Senator Arlen Spector said it best; the republicans want the bill passed, they just don't want their fingerprints on it for the sake of their "careers". People, what does that tell anyone with a brain? In my opinion, it means everyone will go down if it means they loose reelection. Wow-----------

[bubbuh]

Have you ever looked at an electoral district map? And, do know know that Democrats and Republicans intermingle, frequently marrying each other and having little mixed-politics children?


Sheesh!!!!!!!!!!

[Mitchbailey]

"I wish that each district for which a republican represents, their "federal bailout funds" be withheld since they are so "rabidly" opposed to the stim package."

I was thinking along these lines until it occured to me this is taxation without representation, a major issue in the War of Independence of 1776. What does anyone else think?

[KDH]

Also keep in mind, that despite the fact that those GOP districts are solid red, there are good loyal Dems in those districts as well. How would you separate them out so they would still benefit?

[enquiringmind]

Republicans are showing their colors and ideological groupthink..party before country.


That or no one told them they lost and that Obama has the support of people willing to give him a chance to try and clean up the mess that they made while Bush spent the US into oblivion..

[PeacefulRevolution]

Party before country. Who does that? Only people who do not care about anybody but themselves.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Oh, the GOP knew they lost--BIG TIME. When Obama assumed office, the GOP was properly humbled. However, Obama's actions, as seen by the GOP, spelled "S A P" and "W E A K." Now the GOP thinks it still controls Congress and the Oval Office.

Obama must learn to check his ego at the door and deal effectively with the GOP. If he can't, he's not the right man for the job.

Do you want to know how bad it is? Just look at how a little nothing like Senator Collins now thinks she can go toe-to-toe with Obama and the Democratic majority. She's got a taste of actually having some power, and she's not going to let it go. We are going to have to look at her smirking face bossing Obama around for a long, long time.

[conniedogs]

I totally agree...

[Jazzcomedian]

There was absolutely no way the bill could pass the Senate without 60 votes. I checked the Senate procedures. So the three moderate Republicans held the cards. I say thank God they were there or else no stimulus. Collins, Snowe, and Specter are going to play a large part in the success or failure of much of the future Obama agenda, but they were so neglected by the GOP during the Bush years, now is their time to wield influence. At least they can be reasoned with, and have more concern for the national interest. They're the only game in town from a political standpoint.

In Australia, where I am a permanent resident, they just had the same debate in their Parliament, over their large economic stimulus package, and three non-descript people from the splinter parties held the passage bill in their hands. The ruling Labor party had to negotiate with them, and both sides openly told the media what kinds of extra money each of those representatives were able to get for their districts for their votes for the stimulus package. That's politics, and that's what they are sent by their constituents to do.