The Loyal Opposition

What can a good Republican say about the week that has unfolded?

I'm not sure.

Barack Obama has captured the imagination not only of Washington and America, but also of the world.

He has delivered the most compelling inaugural speech in 48 years.

He has brought an era of good feelings to Washington that Pat Buchanan says he has never seen in his seven decades in Washington.

Barack Obama has also broken racial and generational barriers. Has laid waste to a generation of ideological battles born in the streets of the 1960s.

And he's brought a young, beautiful family to the White House.

There will be partisan battles. Jefferson, Madison and Washington would expect nothing less.

But for today, this all leads back to the question of "what is a Republican to think?"

I don't know.

But speaking as an American, all I can say is that I'm damn proud to be a part of this great republic.

Comments

[goldnchyl]

Scarborough? Is that really you?

[bbbtmenw]

here here...

but, they will still find and have found things to complain about in their microscopic negative inspection of EVERYTHING Obama does......­....

[TrueThis]

"Joe, I'm shock!" Good article but you know your Republican friends are watching. The backlashing is coming but this Democratic wakes up every morning watching Moring Joe because it's more political views from both parties.

[LeanLeftAmerica]

double yawn

[HeevenSteven]

But you still want you tax cuts no doubt. Pleas tell you're buddies they lost the election. They still just want what the want, and they're gonna hold their breaths 'till they get it.

[LoyalOpposition]

I am THE Loyal Opposition, not you!

And while I'm here, let me just say that the Republican answer to the economy is to reduce taxes, which has not worked, ever. Let us build and repair infrastructure, and give working families a break for once.

[swo68]

Reducing taxes is good. Out of control spending at the same time is bad.

[JonG345]

putting taxes at the right spot is good.. always saying lower taxes is just buying votes from poor people with policies that mostly help the very wealthy..

c'mon joe, when the economy moves closer to free markets, we face terrible backlashes­.. even alan greenspan has said that he was wrong about free markets..

instead of strictly supporting any ideology, why not just see what works to improve quality of life?

[ronito6]

I sense an impatiently held (metaphorical) stiletto.

The current Republican strategy of praise Obama outwardly
BUT
work to destroy him is what this little article is really about.

He may be sincere, but it could be
just for the cover it will offer him as he and his Republican pals go after Obama hook and tong.

[apauline]

I totally agree with your comment. My sentiments EXACTLY!

[t9chi]

Truer words were never spoken.

[rubinoff]

ronito6:..­..wow!...y­ou called that one out...^5? ....a leopard never changes its spots, you can rub and rub, and all its going to do is get 'shinier.'

[genia]

YES !!!!!!
Nailed it !

[Wiserone]

It was refreshing to read, at least this time, that Joe didn't continue stepping into it, but chose instead to step up to it and lay praise where praise is due. For a minute there, Joe, I thought maybe you were flipping to Democrat. Nah.....wh­o am I kidding.

[proudloudlib]

To anyone who watches Morning Joe, this isn't a great big surprise. Joe has been mellowed out on the subject for weeks now. I think he's a little embarrassed by the GOP. His favorite line from the speech was the biblical reference to "putting away childish things."

[rock2casbah]

So I guess you don't wonder why we have such one-sided bias programmiing, since you said you watch this show every morning. That kind of defeats your purpose does it not? If you want better and different you have to vote with your remote. I wouldn't know if he is mellow or not sinc I never watch.

[Tom Joad]

yawn.

[guitrock]

Joe: I think you answered your own question. Republicans can't say much, but you note that you're a damn proud American. That's what being an independent will do for you.

I watched you on MSNBC for the past several years. I can understand why you aren't that well received by your former old Republican cronies when you go to Washington. Just tell it like it is. You'll do fine.

[hopefull2008]

Well said Joe ... it is painful to read some of the comments here even when someone tries to do the right thing.

[somsoc]

Joe is just doing the old soft shoe and blowing smoke, don't be fooled.

[nikky]

YOU ARE SO RIGHT HE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HE AND PAT ARE GOING TO DO NEXT IT WILL NOT BE SWEET

[somsoc]

Joe, please tell me what good the GOP has accomplished for the PEOPLE, the vast middle working class of this nation, since the 1981, name one good thing, just one. I say it cannot be done.

[Scoppertop]

Not one.

[independent32955]

what a much classier comment than "I hope he fails"

I get that republicans upset about Obama being president want the red meat that rush is pushing, but Joe at least has a REALISTIC view of America.

Good luck with the nutty stuff, GOP.

[somsoc]

No, Joe's view is the same as Herr Rush, just soft peddled.

[Darsan54]

Obama would be wise to realize Republicans will not really work with him. They will stab him in the back (and the stomach) whenever and wherever they can. Republicans today are not to be trusted EVER. Republicans should be trusted, but always verify to coin a phrase.

[adv2int]

And the good thing about it is that if the Repubs stab him in the back, the whole country would know about it. The information that we have at our fingertips has greatly improved over the last 8yrs, and the ability to recieve info without any filters is delightful as well.

If they stab him in the back and are seen as a party holding back our nation from really doing something constructive it will be just a deeper hole.

But hey the Dems control both house and senate and the white house.

[PS4OBAMA]

Repubs can stab him in the back and Obama will know about it. Just gives Obama ammo the next time they try to pass something that Obama does not agree with or the democrats and then the Repubs will cry "foul" like they all do....bunc­h of rich whiners...­... I say BRING It because one major item the Repubs do not have is A LARGE MAJORITY OF THIS COUNTRY STANDING BEHIND OBAMA and we will fight too. Any of these repubs that try to win relection, I will donate $$$ to the democrats of their states that work to get these idiots out of office. They have to feel shame seeing what the government representatives are doing right now. America wants a reunited country, we want our country back and here they are trying to keep the BUSH legacy of failure in place. Truly PATHETIC.