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Robert J. Elisberg

Robert J. Elisberg

Posted: November 2, 2010 10:42 AM

The First Election Results Are in!

What's Your Reaction:

Today's the day! And guesses are flying about what will happen. How will the political landscape change to address national issues of the most intensely critical importance? Of course the truth is, no one has the slightest idea what the next two years will be like in American politics.

Actually... no, that's not true. We do know, because Mitch McConnell (R-KY), minority leader of the Senate has graciously told us.

The "single most important thing we want to achieve," the Republican leader informed the National Journal, "is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

Hey, folks, all of you in deep financial hell, out of work, losing your homes, praying that Congress will fix the economy -- I'm oh-so sorry. Thank you for playing, try again next time. Please pick up your lovely parting gift at the door. A lump of coal.

Nope, the most important thing the Republican Party wants to accomplish is making President Obama a one-term president. Whatever it takes. If that means putting off job-creation programs, or ignoring the economy, so be it. They're not the most important thing to get done. They can wait.

Because the "single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

Put everything else "on hold." After all, if people find jobs, if the economy gets strong... eesh, that would help the president. So, that can't be allowed. Block it all, in order to accomplish Job One.

Those of you with loved ones fighting in Afghanistan or in Iraq -- sorry, you'll just have to wait to get them home. That would make the president look much too good. Never mind how good it would make the country look. That's so pre-2008 thinking. And it's not important.

No, the "single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

Now, surely there are folks who think the threat of terrorism is the most vital concern facing America today. And that we should do almost anything to fight terrorism wherever it's found. Oh, tosh, silly you. Terrorism doesn't compare to what truly is important to Republican leadership.

The "single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

That's what Mitch McConnell said. His words. The Republican Senate minority leader -- who, if he gets his grandest googly dream, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate.

That's his Pledge for America.

In truth, it doesn't matter significantly if Mitch McConnell is minority or majority leader when it comes to reaching his goal. He's said that everything Republicans will focus on for the next two years is not address problems the country is facing, but block Barack Obama.

Talk about patriotism! Talk about public service! Talk about duty!

Now, of course, after the Republican leader's words got out, and criticism starting pounding him, he began backtracking faster than a terrified matador. Trying pathetically to say what he "really" meant.

Spare us. We know what he "really" meant. The GOP has been doing this for two years, with their zero votes, filibusters, secret holds and supermajority requirements. Of course he "really" meant what he said --

The "single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

It's just that finally he said it out loud. Any Republican apologist who wants to twist into a pretzel explaining what the Republican leader "really" meant can only look the fool because they likely began dancing and throwing confetti when he said it.

Celebrating, all at the expense of lowering unemployment, turning around the economy, ending two wars, creating banking reform, improving education, healthcare, global warming...

No, no, they are meaningless. The "single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

And lest anyone think that Republican's Senate leader's word were those of a rogue GOP leader, his intransigence was echoed by the other Republican leader, in the House, John Boehner. "This is not a time for compromise," he said, "and I can tell you that we will not compromise on our principles." This from the same disingenuous, unprincipled hypocrite who for the past two years has whined for compromise: "All of the president's talk of post-partisanship, reaching out and finding common ground reminds us that the country deserves better than his hyper-partisan speech today."

That's the Republican Party. That's how little they care about the everyday guy. How little they care about Main Street. Fighting instead for tax breaks for the ultra-rich. Blocking unemployment payments for the needy. Campaigning against the minimum wage. Wanting to cut Social Security. Willing to put jobs, the economy and ending war on the backburner. Insisting instead that --

The "single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

That's what America faces in the next two years, whatever happens in today's election. When the nation drops deeper into a sinkhole, you now know why.

The greatest magic trick of our lifetime is the Republican Party convincing people to vote against their own interests.

We've all heard about throwing the bums out. This may be the first case of throwing the bums in.

 
Today's the day! And guesses are flying about what will happen. How will the political landscape change to address national issues of the most intensely critical importance? Of course the truth is,...
Today's the day! And guesses are flying about what will happen. How will the political landscape change to address national issues of the most intensely critical importance? Of course the truth is,...
 
 
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10:17 PM on 11/02/2010
Maybe Barack Obama has earned a one term presidency.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Yikes11
08:57 PM on 11/02/2010
Define prolly?
08:07 PM on 11/02/2010
Hmmmmm, I think you've got it backwards. The Republicans haven't done anything.......yet. However, Obama has spent days, weeks, MONTHS of our time and MILLIONS of tax dollars skipping around the country campaigning for his fellow Democrats. Hang on a second.....isn't Obama supposed to be bipartisan? Oh, and while he's been doing all this.... who has been running the country? Remember that every second, minute, hour, , day and dollar he has spent campaigning, he should have been working on fixing our country. His desperate (and sad) attempts at last-minute campaigning has only cost the country in every way possible, while exposing how little faith he has in the people voting for the Democrats.
06:34 PM on 11/02/2010
I totally agree with ZappaFreak. How the heck are Republicans so good at tricking people to vote against their best interests??!

If you guys are looking for some great live independent coverage tonight, check out http://www.livestream.com/freespeechtv -- Amy Goodman from DemocracyNow! along with Thom Hartmann will anchor.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Under Fed yet Fed Up
Always great distaste for both political parties
03:27 PM on 11/02/2010
As is all too typical of our recent Presidents, reaching across the aisle happens only when the minor party accepts the agenda of the party in power.

Clinton and Reagan are two very notable exceptions. They were able to build consensus and work with virtually anyone to find common ground and agreement on issues of benefit to the Americam people.

Let's hope Obama has it in him to do the same.
Butquestioning
Searching for truth
05:17 PM on 11/02/2010
Where have you been for the past 21 months? Obama has done about all anyone can to do get some involvement from the Repbulicans. They have refused despite the concerns or the people. The Democrats have watered down the Stimulus package, the Health Care reform bill, the regulation on the banks, and just about any other bill that was of any significance to try to get Republican support. They had their amendments added to the bills and still no Republicans voted for them. This is simply unprecidented in our history with the use of the filibuster and holds on appointees and other positions by the Senate. Let's hope the Republicans will decide that they need to help the people and not just themselves and their wealthy special interest supporters.
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ZappaFreak
In pedal-depressed panchromatic resonance...on tap
02:34 PM on 11/02/2010
The best sentence in the entire article, that deserves to be repeated by all repeatedly!

"The greatest magic trick of our lifetime is the Republican Party convincing people to vote against their own interests."

Ain't that a mother?

ZF
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Tom Key
Intellectuals at the Gates
04:34 PM on 11/02/2010
Remember that memo that got leaked between the billionaire executives in the financial industry describing America as run by "oligarchs"? It IS all a trick.
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Larry Motuz
Lawless markets lead ill-gotten gains.
12:07 PM on 11/04/2010
Two very interesting sites: http://www.bu.edu/buniverse/view/?v=20ZaW9PO

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH8u9rpKOk0&feature=player_embedded

Fanned to you ZappaFreak
01:56 PM on 11/02/2010
Unfortunately true. The Reps will do everything in their power to wreck the economy (as if Bush didn't do enough damage) so that they can blame it on Obama. Look how many posters here already believe the bad economy is his fault, as if everything was milk and honey under Bush until the day Obama took office and then over night his "socialistic policies" destroyed the country. You can't reason with insane people, and believing that nonsense is just insane.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Tom Key
Intellectuals at the Gates
04:37 PM on 11/02/2010
You nailed it. Except that it is not "insanity". It is a deliberate sophisticated well-financed program based on the fears and gullibiiities of the voters.
01:18 PM on 11/02/2010
I believe that Barack Obama has been doing a great job in helping our country. The comment that Mitch McConnell made is very hurtful to the republican party because it seems to imply that they care more about politics than in helping our country. I believe that both parties should work together and try to find the best solutions to our country's greatest issues. It doesn't matter who is in office, what matters is that our leaders address the problems that our nation is struggling with.
01:56 PM on 11/02/2010
It is interesting to me that you believe that both parties should work together. Its that whole reach across the aisle thing right?? I have yet to see Obama do that.....because he in incapable of doing that, people are unhappy with him. He has done nothing but lie. The only thing he was half truthful about was change. What Americans did not stop to ask was how are you going to do that?? If we would have pushed for the answer to that question, he would not be president. Everyone was so wrapped up in change, they forgot to ask what was changing. Now we will end up providing more and more to illegals than we ever have....free food, housing, daycare, who wouldn't want to be here. We need to send ALL illegals back to their countries of origin with their children and close our borders!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
momcat4obama
02:51 PM on 11/02/2010
holy crap. do you really believe what you just posted? how can you say you "have yet to see Obama do that"??? That's all the man did in his first 2 years. That's how the health care bill got watered down. That's how Wall Street reform got watered down. And every bill has many elements that the rebums wanted! - well, at least they wanted the elements before President Obama took office. And "free food, housing & daycare" for illegals????? What fantasy land do you live in? Close our borders??? Man, it must suck to BE you are BE AROUND you. I pity your family - if you have one.
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ZappaFreak
In pedal-depressed panchromatic resonance...on tap
02:58 PM on 11/02/2010
Remember Christy, if'n you ain't an American Indian, someone in your family was an immigrant at one time.

Perhaps they were an Italian (who some called WOP). Or maybe an Irishman (who some called a Mick)? Or maybe a Jew (who some called a Kike)?

What do you call these immigrants Christy? What name did you make up?

Your problem is that you don't understand illegal immigration or it's cause. There are already laws in place to take care of this Christy, it just that the rich won't let them be enforced. It would mean that the wealthy business owners and large farms would have to pay a decent wage to make/sell/pick their product. Something your party ALWAYS votes against. It's in the voting record of Congress, go look it up for yourself, don't take my word for it. If these companies were fined and there were no jobs...guess what? There would be no problem, would there?

When you try to educate others, make sure you have an education to start with.

ZF
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ZappaFreak
In pedal-depressed panchromatic resonance...on tap
02:49 PM on 11/02/2010
Actually, Christy has it all wrong. Let me give you the facts instead of the Joe Wilson that calls the POTUS a liar....

Obama came into this job asking for the GOP to work together to solve tough issues. Its why he worked with former President Bush to continue the Stimulus package that....wait for it....Republicans came up with, not Democrats. Was this not bi-partisan?

Second, the GOP voted in lock step against a bill that would stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas. Direct smack in our face, great for the corporations that give our jobs to people in India and China.

Third, the GOP in this mid-term election used monies from other countries funneled through the US Chamber of Commerce that is tantamount to treason. Christy doesn't want you to focus on that though...your avatar makes you look young and impressionable to her so she wants to get to you early and set the mold...

Forth and final reason you are correct that Obama is doing a great job is that regardless of their nay saying, grandstanding, lying, cheating and stealing...this POTUS has accomplished more in the last 2 years than all Repubican Presidents combined!

So, when the righties try to talk smack on Obama, just ask them one question and wait for the stammering to begin...

"What have the Republicans done other than say NO to America?"

ZF
:-)
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
snapshot1940
"We have met the enemy and he is us"
04:23 PM on 11/02/2010
Facts are irrelevant to these people. Why else would he have no fans?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Tom Key
Intellectuals at the Gates
04:53 PM on 11/02/2010
Brilliant! Pirates and predators took over the Republican Party which used to be fiscally conservative small-government advocates. Now those values are in the "Obamanomics" class taught by the professor of Constitutional Law. Thanks for posing the Question to the Party of NO. Don't give up asking!
01:17 PM on 11/02/2010
The republican party seems to be focusing just on getting Obama out of office and ignoring all the other problems facing America now. They are ignoring the health and security of the US. I firmly believe that President Obama is doing a decent job as president. The people decide who they want in office and thats why we need to vote.
01:15 PM on 11/02/2010
Voting is such a wonderful opportunity people have. It's the ability to voice your opinion, when your opinion matters most.
The writer of this article is very bias, he bashes republicans making them look like their only purpose is to make sure Obama will not be president for a consecutive term.
Personally, I have no ill feelings towards Obama, I respect him and hope he is reelected.
:)
01:51 PM on 11/02/2010
"The writer of this article is very bias, he bashes republicans making them look like their only purpose is to make sure Obama will not be president for a consecutive term."

Umm no, read the article... he is quoting them...

The "single most important thing we want to achieve," the Republican leader informed the National Journal, "is for President Obama to be a one-term president."
01:14 PM on 11/02/2010
This article is completely cynical and completely true. I truly think that the republicans are being completely biased to the idea that they want the president to be a one term president and that they want to avoid everything that would make him "look good." I don't think it matters if he looks good or if any party looks good at all, it matters that people get a chance to accomplish their dreams and get over the bad economy because it's America, land of the free. Let the unemployed NOT wait, let the soldiers NOT wait to get home, let the issue of terrorism NOT be avoided, let the US be what we all moved here for, to be happy and to have the chance to get what we want out of life in general.

But the question is why? Why do the Republicans want this for us? Why do they instead want to stomp out the President and take away all of the progress that has been made? Is it a matter of racism?? Because that's what it sounds like... Is it a matter of greed? probably also...

Mitch McConnell meant exactly what he said, as your article stated, because the rest of the Republicans behind him marveled at his comment. They caught themselves, from hiding their hostility under the table, he finally said what they were all too embarrassed to say probably and now the truth came out. So, in a way, thank you McConnell.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Tom Key
Intellectuals at the Gates
04:59 PM on 11/02/2010
Good point, Ana. As I recall, the October 2008 explanation Bush/Paulson gave for giving a trillion dollars to the Failed Banks was that they were going to once again start making loans that the economy needed to re-start. But when Obama got elected, did the Big Banks start making loans? No. They are STILL holding off. Except for a few wonderful billionaires (exceptions prove rules), the wealthy oligarchs are STILL trying to do everything they can to PREVENT the economy to re-start.
01:13 PM on 11/02/2010
Voting just to keep Obama from being re-elected in 2012 is outrageous. Give this man the chance to prove his promises maybe will be surprise of his accomplishments. Let us not become bias about who to vote for because of media interference, vote for who you think is correct not for what others think is correct.
01:19 PM on 11/02/2010
I agree compleatly. Media coverage of different political parties, ideas, and members has truely began to hurt more than help. Adding fuel to the fire....
01:28 PM on 11/02/2010
You seem to totally agree with the author that most Republicans will simply vote to keep President Obama from being re-elected. Is it the man or his politics that scare them?
01:11 PM on 11/02/2010
Basically, nothing less was expected by the huffington post which a complete liberal media source.
Actually the senate minority leader said was, “Our single biggest political goal is to give our nominee for president the maximum opportunity to be successful"
Obama has been in office, with a full house of democrats and all the have done is put strain on future americans taxes!
I think the republicans hopefully will win and get this "democrat" socialist out of office.
01:31 PM on 11/02/2010
Amen brother Amen!
01:33 PM on 11/02/2010
Eric, thanks for researching further and sharing your view. What can your generation do to curb the spending in Washington and save yourselves from being excessively taxed? There are still 2 years left in this adminstration. Do you think the spending is over?
01:11 PM on 11/02/2010
The Republican Party just wants to get president Obama out of office! they don't care who it affects or what they have to do to get their mission accomplished. they said they would have to put all the other problems facing Americans on hold just so they can try to limit the president to one term! They are not caring about the safety and security of the United States. I believe we have a very decent president running this country.
01:34 PM on 11/02/2010
So you agree with everything this writer is saying?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
snapshot1940
"We have met the enemy and he is us"
04:25 PM on 11/02/2010
YUP!
01:08 PM on 11/02/2010
This article seems to be talking more about Obama just having a single election than really what matters right now. They should be talking more about how important it is to vote and what each candidate is offering. This will be my fist time voting since I just turn 19, and I think debates are just a lost of time and money. Instead of fighting they should really see what people need, and how to get the economy back up.

But really I think it is our responsibility as a U.S citizens to go out there and vote. Because if we need a change, it all starts with us.
01:31 PM on 11/02/2010
i really like the point your getting across! it is very true that as Americans if we want a change in our nation it starts with us!
01:36 PM on 11/02/2010
Yes, but how you vote today has an effect on the Presidential election in 2012 and his re-election prospects.