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

[Petey131]

"Republicans dispute that interpretation, claiming they were open to the stimulus when they met with Obama.) = L I A R S.

If it were up to the rethugs they would have objective to the color of the paper the bill was written on.

[osage]

THE REDCOATS ARE STILL HERE

Republicans are practicing seditious DEMAGOGUERY and insurrectionary OBSTRUCTIONISM intended to destabilize our economy for purposes of political exploitation.

Republicans AREN’T making a sincere effort to STOP the bleeding THEIR incompetent leadership and failed policies created. Instead, they’re using conflicting economic theories as a smokescreen to conceal their subversive agenda, which is to cause President Obama and America to fail so they can blame Democrats for the consequences of THEIR calamitous mismanagement.

Republicans are preposterously professing that THEIR disgraceful political WHORING had nothing to do with the banking, real estate, stock market and employment catastrophes that resulted.

Republicans are trying to hamstring Democrats to prevent them from undoing the calamities of a Republican presidency.

Republicans are offering controversial arguments they know no one can agree on to disrupt and prevent progressive change. They’d rather divide America and create political gridlock than endure the political consequences of effective Democratic governance. That’s how they gained power and that’s how they’re trying to retain it.

Republicans are not the LOYAL OPPOSITION. They are the ENEMY WITHIN whose personal priorities have eroded their moral and ethical standards to the point that treachery and betrayal are their preferred methods of operation.

It’s one thing to advocate their conservative beliefs; it’s another thing entirely to willfully sabotage America’s government because a successful Democratic presidency would not be vulnerable to the fears and hatreds that have produced and sustained the radical Republican corporatism and extremism that have poisoned and crippled America.

[LDnearthesea]

They're all fifth columnists. The enemy is within, and it's the REPUGNANTCANS!

[bubbuh]

Yep, all 150,000,000 million of them.

[Plus15]

You are absolutely correct sir. And it's time for Democratic spokespeople to make this point over and over and over and it's time for the media to stop fearing and paying allegiance to Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney, Gingrich, Boehner, McConnell, Cantor and their traitorous ilk, these false patriots and enemies of the United States.

[steeleri64]

When exactly did the media fear anything? Was it the free ride Obama got to the White House. Was it the relentless second guessing of Hillary? What galaxy are you from where you could make such a comment. If anything Obama gave them more courage. So much more that they lost their compass and stopped questioning anything. Anything!

[PoliticalAmazon]

For the Democrats, Obama is their leader. They will take their cues from him.

As long as he continues to walk around with "Doormat" stencilled on his forehead, don't expect too much from the congressional Democrats.

[bubbuh]

Gee, you sound just like a Rotten Right Winger. Plug in Democrat for Republican. etc. and your spiel could have been delivered by any Goopster anytime between from 2001 through 2008.

And, it has just as much meaning now as it did then.

[osage]

Another Republican who can't address the sins of his party without making the the ridiculously false claim that Democrats tried to sabotage Bush. Nothing could be further from the truth or more contradicted by facts. The truth and facts don't stop them from deluding themselves.

[carnelld]

I agree. That is a too strong. It's just politics in a two party system. In a two party system the losing party doesn't give up. They fight back. They fight back by any means they perceive to help them. If not they become irrelevant and become extinct. The Republicans are fighting for theie political lives.

[Forest]

We will enjoy the gifts of his subtle and serpentine grasp.

[simplify]

Huh!!!???

[wandering girl]

'I think we can disagree without being disagreeable on that front." Mr. President, you are wrong: YOU can disagree without being disagreeable, but the Republicans are just plain disagreeable.

[LDnearthesea]

Just plain REPUGNANT!

[PoliticalAmazon]

Agreed. Obama needs to quit treating them like their a crowd of Dalai Lamas, and treat them like the soul-less thugs they are.

[yappnmutt]

the republican strategy is obvious. they are actively trying to lose the mid term elections so the democrats can have full responsibility for the coming meltdown. the plan is premised upon the hope that the damage inflicted upon the economy by eight years of bush will last until the 2012 election helping them regain the white house. if the plan works the republicans will be able to complete the total economic and social demise of the usa they apparently still crave.

i hope obama continues to reach out to the opposition if for no other reason than to magnify just how out of touch the republicans are with the sane portion of the usa populace.

[bubbuh]

The damage will last at least ten years. As the 1930's proved, the political party in power will gain support through out the period of the crisis so long as the public perceives it as honestly trying to reseolve things.

The Goopsters don't have a strategy at the moment. They are simply huddling together under the "umbrellas" left over from what they perceive as the good old days as the deluge approaches.

Obama will reach out to the Goop because he needs 2 Goop Senate votes to pass any important legislation.

[yappnmutt]

its not the thirties. its the twneties and weimar germany.

[Leslie52]

I think that must part of Pres. Obama's new southern strategy, so to speak, reaching out to repugs who are running scared as their base shrinks to such a degree that the party will soon be down the drain, drowned in a bathtub or whatever that was that Grover Norquist envisioned for the federal government (remember?)

[Jazzcomedian]

Rove and Limbaugh are doing the strategizing for the GOP these days. And they've recently added the blustery, Black tax cutting neo-con Steele as their tactical face. They don't stand a chance against President Obama and his brain trust. I think the GOP is going to finally find out why strategy by lifetime A student trumps strategy done by C and D students. Grades do matter as an indication of mental abilities.

I've often noticed, and wondered why the GOP never nominates anybody for the most complex, and difficult job in the world that has a background of academic excellence. Nixon the crook was the last smart one. To the contrary, they seem to celebrate and encoujrage mediocrity. Dubya was an academic dolt, and people were surprised that we had eight years of dolt policies--culminating in the failure of our economic system, financial security, and foreign policy. The very difficult trifecta of failure--and they hit it. Then they nominated McCain who finished 894 out of 899--charitably a D average I would say, and an attractive airhead as his running mate. During extremely challenging, and tumultuous times that even I couldn't solve!!!

Amazing. How do they plan to win arguments where people's brains are necessary to evaluate them? They're so clueless, it's funny. It's not a fair fight.

[Gmoney1]

Obama Rocks -

[bubbuh]

Raps, too.

[j0em0mma]

That's just how he rolls... Burly!

[UbiVeritas]

Don't even bother trying to work with the minority party. Just ram the legislation down their throat. Go for the jugular. Enact an extreme progressive legislative agenda.

[NWBrunette]

Here here!

[TheImpaler]

I would be all for it, but how many Democrats would vote for it?

[dwright]

I really don't think we should act like the Republicans have since Reagan, it will come back to bite you in the but-t. What I do think we should do is always reach out as Obama has done, but then pass what we want. It makes the Republicans look like what they are, spoiled brats that really don't know how to run a country.

I head something once that the reason Republicans don't know how to run a country is that they try to run it like a business and that doesn't work. A government is for the soul purpose of taking care of things that businesses can't do. It makes sense to me since Dems are usually more worried about issues that deal with the common good rather than the top 2%.

[hypnotoad72]

"It makes the Republicans look like what they are, spoiled brats that really don't know how to run a country. "

Precisely.

[tigerakabj]

....I'll weave my bills into the congress, and out onto my desk
Despite you're incessant whining by you obstructionists pests

Bipartisanship lights will let people see
Who cares and who doesn't for our country's recovery

So I'll continue to float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee.
Just like your Tabilan hero and your leader Limbaugh the zero
By 2016 you'll be in the trash heap of history.

[kid5rivers2]

But, but, but, Sir! You ARE a sap!!!

Suave
Articulate
Prudent

[bastalready]

Sagacious
Analytic
Patient

[AnAmericanWoman]

Superior (minded)
Angelic (in a human way)
Paternal (Boy, does he love to be daddy!)

[scouserinlondon]

Sexy
'Andsome (Ok,Ok, !!)
Purrfect

[bubbuh]

Cute!!!!

[tigerakabj]

Steady
Arduous
Principled

Smooth
Anti-establisment
Pragmatic

[MizLiz]

The healthcare industry is so glued to the republican philosophy I don't know how Obama can clean it up. I'd vote for National Healthcare. It is immoral that a country like ours can let 47 million people do without adequate healthcare, because
1. if they just worked harder like republicans, they could afford healthcare.

2. They're poor, and they have too many kids.

3. There's emergency rooms! What do you mean, no healthcare?

[clearthinker2008]

True, true and true. But if anybody can get something done it's O.

[KarenT]

Isn't it great to feel that way about our President again? Actually, now that I think about it, I can't remember the last time I felt that way.

[tigerakabj]

I agree. But keep in mind, Obama has a history of taking down entrenched political machines and special interests.

[LannyNorth]

Good Show Mr. President.
The Republicans and their core base have been given all the rope they need to hang themselves with. From now forward the ball is definitely in their court to prove to the rest of the nation that they would not tank the country with pleasure to maintain the ultra-rich incompetents that manage our overbloated industries. Take names, use a little elbow and we will back you as we have with our own dollars. Franklin Roosevelt used to have the opposition into the
White House for 15 minute sessions, timed to the second by his chief of staff. Talk story about last night's baskets and the children and the First Dog, and then politely inform them that the session is over. When they have substance to offer, then listening would be appropriate.

Now that we are techologically able, you might gear up the waiting room so that clips of them can be played and previewed for them so they understand beforehand who obstructs and who leads.

[Topaz4608]

I'm really big on health care reform. As for universal medicine, I think we can LEARN from the mistakes of others instead of pointing to them and saying "see, this won't work". We are smart, we have the resources, let's MAKE it work. Do we always want to be a country of "haves and have nots?" Atleast where health and medicine is concerned...we could all be equals. In the eyes of God, we are all equal. Why is it so important to some that they get better medicine and others get none?

[PeacefulRevolution]

IMHO, health care is not an issue. However, the medical industry seems to think it is. They can't save your life. Only you can.

[bygollymissmolly]

Health care is not an issue? I guess you are one of those who believe that access to health care is a privilege and not a right.

May god have mercy on your soul, if you have one.

[clearthinker2008]

What nonsense, so I get cancer how, due tell, can I save my own life if I don't have health insurance...oh, I get it, I ate bread and fried chicken so it's my fault I got cancer, right?

THINK

[majii]

McCaughley has been misconstruing the wording in the stimulus package on Faux Noose by saying that the healthcare part of it meant to reduce healthcare costs by making peoples' medical records available electronically when needed, takes medical decision-making out of the hands of the patients and places it into the hands of doctors when it says no such thing. What it basically states is that these electronically available records will be used to guide medical care and decisions. Of course, she is an advocate for the healthcare industry and would find FN the perfect place to disseminate inaccurate info.

[T Mason]

Universal healthcare can be a good policy, howbeit, never underestimate human nature, there will still be the "haves and have nots".

[Changeizgood]

iF BEING A "HAVE" IS NOT HAVING COMPASSION FOR YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS, THAN I WOULD RATHER HAVE NOT.

Keep your haves, and I'll keep my have.

HA!

[LDnearthesea]

It reminds me of the Repug argument against public transportation: it doesn't make money; like freeways make money (I doubt event the toll freeways do!)? But Repugs are always for building more freeways, and to hell with modernizing Amtrak, building high-speed rail, or giving more funding for commuter rail and inner city light rail systems.

[RealityBaseCamp]

Hey, let's start guessing how they'll spin this! Here are mine:

"He called Republicans that support America, saps!"

"He called all those people who voted for Hope and Change, saps!"

Or the old favorite:

"He said the troops who went overseas to protect their country were saps!"

[PeacefulRevolution]

LOL, you're reaching. I doubt you will get very far.

[Pleneras]

That's weak and silly. What has Bush done with our tax dollars besides giving it to Halliburton and Bush & Company? What has Bush done for the people of this country? The land? The economy? etc? Bush gave you the finger, VP said to you "SO" and your lying on who Obama's Sap is directed to. He said HE was not a sap. No where does he say anyone else is. LIAR. Your lying ways is how the Republicans got us into SPENDING the taxpayers dollars when there was a surplus. You should try another form of behavior if you want to succeed. Remember children learn from their parents.

[LaMees]

I think what realitybasecamp was trying to say was that the Republicans would start twisting Obama's words to fit their narrative. I don't believe he was saying that the President was making such awful accusations.

[nk007]

Any one who tries to spin that way will only reveal their ignorance of the context of Obama's use of the word sap. What Obama said was that he is an "eternal optimist" but Republicans should not take his optimism to mean that he is a a fool or gullible person. So, any spin any one puts on his statement will only reveal his/her deviousness.

[RealityBaseCamp]

it's the ignorance of their audience that worries me. When Kerry said "stuck in Iraq," obviously talking about Bush, and those guys immediately claimed he meant the troops were stupid, the mass media actually carried the story. I'm just hoping that more people see the truth, and laugh at the spin.

[toypiano]

Yeah, the Rushbots will run it through their spin cycle and twist it all out of shape. It's what they do, it's all they have. "He called patriotic real Americans saps!"

[libbygirl]

I'm sure that all those people the Republicans are trying so hard to impress with their stand against the stimulus will gladly turn down any benefits that might come their way from it..........NOT!!!

[Tinkeraw]

love it

[IndependentTogether]

Such is the hypocrisy of Bobby Jindal who says if he was in the Senate he would vote against it, but as governor he would accept the money. If he's really principled and believes that this bill represents "generational theft" (as the Republicans call it), then he should not be an accessory to the crime.

[springsm]

The governor of Minnesota said that too. Or said "we don't take much from the fed. government, but we put alot into it, therefore we will take the money". Of course they will take it and Louisana needs it in every category...schools should be first...alas..it won't be. Will NO get any? Hard to say.

[nk007]

IndependentTogether:

You've hit the nail on the head. With very few exceptions ( the governors of California and Florida, the two senators from Maine, and Sen. Spector of PA, come to mind), most Republicans are really hypocrites! I have yet to see John McCain and others urge their states refuse the Recovery and Reinvestment funds from this stimulus bill.

[toypiano]

Agreed. They'll be falling all over themselves to rationalize voting NO but still taking the money allocated to their state, instead of taking a principled stand and refuse the money and let their citizens see them for who they really are.

And those who voted NO will be taking the credit for getting the money, too.

They should have written into the bill that only those states whose lawmakers approved the bill could have a share of the money (pro-rating the share for those states that had both yes and no votes). That would have fast-tracked the bill through both houses. Nothing personal against people who live in those NO states, although theoretically a majority did vote those bozos into Congress -- through crafty republican redistricting schemes in some cases.