Truthfully though, I don't actually see the reasons for the President's speech today.

[Revolutionary Girl]

If he just wanted to troll Republicans, that was of course an extremely understandable motivation, but beyond that, I don't actually see how his remarks helped either the process or his own optics. I think it would've been more impressive if he'd waited for us to go over the cliff (as it's now apparent that we are going to do) and deliver his chastisement tomorrow.

This isn't to say I didn't thoroughly enjoy the speech, and the resulting Republican tantrums, but I think needling them could've waited until their coffin lid was firmly shut.

[Summer Hathaway]

1. He stated right after re-election

that he would be putting this issue before the American people. And he continues to do just that.

He had two press conferences on two recent Fridays - short, to the point, no questions invited or answered. He could have issued those statements as press releases, but actually standing before the TV cameras and making it clear just who is being reasonable here (and, more importantly, who isn't) has much more impact.

[spanone]

2. he was upbeat. fuck the babies in congress.

Last edited Mon Dec 31, 2012, 07:41 PM - Edit history (2)

if he hadn't spoke, they would have accused him of being aloof.

[pnwmom]

3. Maybe it was to keep his supporters onboard with a speech they could "thoroughly enjoy." n/t

[SoCalDem]

4. I think he just wanted to touch base with the press

and us.. and to wrap up this icky episode with a light touch.

It's been obvious since day one that republicans have never had any intention of getting to any accommodation with him.. ever..

He's smart to show them that their nonsense is only that...nonsense ..and then lays it back on their doorstep.

We are where we should have been 2 years ago, when we should have just ended the Bush hangover, and taken all the nasty medicine at once.

Taxes should be tied to real economics and should rise or fall in concert with what's happening at the time. It's become obvious that we can no longer trust congress to do it.

We need an automatic mechanism that kicks in ..without having the drama we now have to endure ..

[femmocrat]

5. Same here.

I thought he was going to make some big announcement, but it was all blah, blah, blah..... Everyone looked pretty happy though, so I guess it was good PR and annoyed the crap out of the repukes.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

6. He wanted to force them into not doing anything

So he regains the leverage when a new year dawns tomorrow.

Kudos to Obama.

[unblock]

7. sometimes it's important just to communicate.

[Spazito]

8. He was using the bully pulpit to put pressure on...

the repubs and to make sure the American public knows who is at fault if, as it now seems, there will be no deal before the New Year. It was appropriate use of that bully pulpit, imo.

[still_one]

9. really. Perhaps you haven't been following the markets, that is all they have been talking about,

and they were waiting for the President to put his 2 cents in.

He called it as he saw it, and the fact is he called out those who have been responsible for this charade

[dionysus]

10. thank you for your concern. nt