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bigtree

(85,996 posts)
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 10:14 PM Jan 2017

Tom Perez: 'Treat Trump like Mitch McConnell treated Obama'

HuffPost Politics ‏@HuffPostPol 1h1 hour ago
DNC candidate Tom Perez: Treat Trump like Mitch McConnell treated Obama http://huff.to/2jyWazP

Labor Secretary Tom Perez suggested that Democrats should confront President-elect Donald Trump with the obstruction strategy Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) employed against President Barack Obama.

“We can hit him between the eyes with a 2-by-4 and treat him like Mitch McConnell treated Barack Obama,” Perez told the audience at The Huffington Post’s live Democratic National Committee debate on Wednesday.

Perez cited Trump’s nomination of Andy Puzder for labor secretary, a “low-road employer,” as evidence that Trump was already betraying his promise to help workers.

McConnell famously said in 2010, when he was minority leader, that Republicans needed to deliberately block the president in the hopes of making him fail.

“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president,” McConnell said at the time.


read: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tom-perez-trump-mitch-mcconnell-obama_us_58800586e4b00d44838cfff9?section=politics
58 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Tom Perez: 'Treat Trump like Mitch McConnell treated Obama' (Original Post) bigtree Jan 2017 OP
We can hit him between the eyes with a 2-by-4 and treat him like Mitch McConnell treated Obama" Maru Kitteh Jan 2017 #1
Sounds fair to me! InAbLuEsTaTe Jan 2017 #2
The Democrats need to present all legislation to the public kacekwl Jan 2017 #27
second that onetexan Jan 2017 #57
This is why I support Perez bravenak Jan 2017 #3
Tom Perez Announces Plan to Drastically Expand Voter Protections at the DNC Cha Jan 2017 #31
He sounds great! mcar Jan 2017 #35
Yes, Tom Perez has brilliant endorsements, mcar.. Cha Jan 2017 #38
This comment makes me think he's the guy for the job too Bettie Jan 2017 #47
Yes, Thank you, Bettie! Cha Jan 2017 #56
I agree with Perez. Greybnk48 Jan 2017 #4
+1 nt ProudProgressiveNow Jan 2017 #12
I'm IN Me. Jan 2017 #5
A bit easier to do because president obama needed 60 votes for everything yeoman6987 Jan 2017 #6
Your posts quite often can be taken two ways, yeoman6987. Kingofalldems Jan 2017 #7
I sense the passive aggressiveness... Pyke Jan 2017 #11
I think yeoman is referring to the loss of the filibuster as an option Qutzupalotl Jan 2017 #52
He mentions that fact multi times on a daily basis. Kingofalldems Jan 2017 #53
He has a point. Qutzupalotl Jan 2017 #54
We have the choice of all damn goods ... Perez is standing out no doubt uponit7771 Jan 2017 #8
I completely agree with Tom Perez!!! NO mercy. Just how it right back!! AgadorSparticus Jan 2017 #9
I totally agree! femmocrat Jan 2017 #10
A United Front expressing the Perez Doctrine. NBachers Jan 2017 #13
Actually It's the McConnell Doctrine Leith Jan 2017 #19
Definitely! ladym55 Jan 2017 #14
I hope the Dems in congress take Perez's advice. BlancheSplanchnik Jan 2017 #22
We can hit him between the eyes with a 2-by-4 and treat him like Mitch McConnell treated Barack Obam DK504 Jan 2017 #15
Moscow Mitch only cares about his own power. blue neen Jan 2017 #16
Don't touch anything, or they'll blame it on you dalton99a Jan 2017 #17
I've been cynicized hibbing Jan 2017 #18
Which I dont understand as the tax cuts wont do shit for most of us and the wealthy cstanleytech Jan 2017 #25
sounds good to me bdamomma Jan 2017 #20
Mahalo, Tom Perez! I like him for so many reasons.. this Cha Jan 2017 #21
I could go with this idea unless by some miracle the Republicans actually propose some good cstanleytech Jan 2017 #23
You've got to be kidding. mobeau69 Jan 2017 #29
Yes, I know but their party has changed alot if you look at history and they have been heading down cstanleytech Jan 2017 #34
I'm in. mobeau69 Jan 2017 #24
Of McConnell he said, to hit him between the eyes with a two by four. Stellar Jan 2017 #26
I cannot possibly express how much I LOVE the image of hitting Trump between the eyes with a 2x4. Still In Wisconsin Jan 2017 #28
I heard Perez was meek, but this sounds STRONG Alice11111 Jan 2017 #30
Confused message, IMO. Is Perez legitimizing the gop's unprecedented POLITICAL obstructionism of wiggs Jan 2017 #32
I think the Democrats are pretty much going to have to do some of that as the voters cstanleytech Jan 2017 #36
Democrats need to start fighting Republicans the way Republicans fight Democrats. TeamPooka Jan 2017 #33
Pooka alot of the power the Republicans have come from controlling so many of the varies states. cstanleytech Jan 2017 #37
"Donald Trump is what we call a target-rich environment." Cha Jan 2017 #39
Don't call it confrontation DFW Jan 2017 #40
KICK Cha Jan 2017 #41
thanks, Cha! bigtree Jan 2017 #42
You're Welcome Cha Jan 2017 #43
Why do Dems only show their spines AFTER an election season???? Vinca Jan 2017 #44
time is running out on this mnmoderatedem Jan 2017 #45
We need to treat Trump with the same respect that trump treated President Obama Gothmog Jan 2017 #46
Is his father an orangutan? Initech Jan 2017 #48
I love it when trump sued and had to dismiss the lawsuit on this joke Gothmog Jan 2017 #50
We're not proposing obstruction, we're proposing protection....nt Wounded Bear Jan 2017 #49
When they go low, we go high. LAS14 Jan 2017 #51
COSIGN Starry Messenger Jan 2017 #55
A good start would be finding a way to block his Supreme Court nominee (eom) Samantha Jan 2017 #58

Maru Kitteh

(28,340 posts)
1. We can hit him between the eyes with a 2-by-4 and treat him like Mitch McConnell treated Obama"
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 10:17 PM
Jan 2017

Oh HELL YES.

kacekwl

(7,017 posts)
27. The Democrats need to present all legislation to the public
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:17 PM
Jan 2017

through the media (all forms) to let the public know what EXACTLY is in it. Can not let them give it a sweet sounding name ( ex Right to work bill) and let it go at that. Media is out there we just have to use it.

Cha

(297,251 posts)
31. Tom Perez Announces Plan to Drastically Expand Voter Protections at the DNC
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:39 PM
Jan 2017

There's this too..

Tom Perez · January 10, 2017

With a Potential Dormant Civil Rights Division Under Jeff Sessions, Perez Proposes Comprehensive Effort to Expand Ballot Access, Increase Voter Registration, Fight Republican Voter Suppression Tactics

Perez's Plan Invests In State Parties To Go On Offense On Voting Rights

Today, Tom Perez, candidate for chair of the Democratic National Committee, released his plan to establish a fully functioning office of voter empowerment to proactively expand ballot access, protect the right to vote, and combat Republican voter suppression efforts across the country.

More..
https://www.tomperez.org/news/2017/1/10/tom-perez-announces-plan-to-drastically-expand-voter-protections-at-the-dnc

Cha

(297,251 posts)
38. Yes, Tom Perez has brilliant endorsements, mcar..
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 12:07 AM
Jan 2017

Tom Perez would make an excellent DNC Chair..


Tom Perez
✔ ‎@tomperez
Proud to be backed by United Farm Workers in the fight for the rights and dignity of every worker. More: http://www.ufw.org/_board.php?mode=view&b_code=news_press&b_no=19028&page=1&field=&key=&n=1213
9:10 AM - 20 Dec 2016
87 87 Retweets 133 133 likes

The UFCW, the UFW and the Fire-fighters union endorse Tom Perez for DNC chair!

"The Democratic Party is at a crossroads, and it needs leaders with strong progressive voices as well as unique skills and experiences to lead the party forward. While there are a number of very good candidates in the DNC chair race, Tom Perez offers the party what it so desperately needs – bold leadership and ideas, strong experience managing an organization at the state and federal level, and someone singularly focused on rebuilding the party across the country.

He understands the realities faced by hard-working families all across America who are desperate for a better life. Our members saw firsthand his passion and commitment to improving the lives of union workers as he joined with us to push for safer working conditions at poultry plants, and as he fiercely advocated in favor of the Overtime Rule. As Labor Secretary, he not only pushed for progressive reforms, he helped manage a multi-billion dollar agency with thousands of employees.
In light of the challenges the party faces, Secretary Perez has the experience and vision for the changes the DNC must make, and is the right leader who can make these changes happen. We enthusiastically support his candidacy."

http://www.ufcw.org/2016/12/16/ufcw-endorses-tom-perez-for-dnc-chair/

More~ http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/12/19/1612780/-The-UFCW-the-UFW-and-the-Fire-fighters-union-endorse-Tom-Perez-for-DNC-chair

Today it became known that the International Association of Firefighters, the main union representing American firefighters, has broken with the AFL- CIO and endorsed Tom Perez too:

"In a statement, Schaitberger praised Perez as a "a tireless advocate for civil and human rights" who can transcend what the union president called "a narrow focus on identity and cultural politics that alienated" some longtime Democrats from the party.

"Tom Perez is the person who has the right mix of personal background, progressive values, experience and total commitment to all workers, in all regions and states across the country," Schaitberger said. "To have Tom Perez as the Chair of one of our nation's two major political parties would be a significant victory for workers across America."

http://services.prod.iaff.org/ContentFile/Get/30617

And, he's bi-lingual!

In the meantime Tom Perez is also getting important Latino support.

The Latino Victory Fund are supporting his bid for the DNC chair, and I would urge everyone to read an excellent article written by Victoria DeFrancesco Soto over at NBC Latino:

She argues that Tom Perez is exactly the man the DNC needs now, because he appeals to Latino voters and minority voters because of his past relentless fight for civil rights, but also because he has a great appeal/ connection to the white working class because of his work as Secretary of Labor.

For everyone not really familiar with Tom Perez accomplishments as Secretary of Labor, I would recommend this article describing who Tom Perez is, and what he did standing up for workers’ rights, the 15 dollar minimum wage and overtime protection:

Opinion: Tom Perez is What the DNC Needs Now

snip//

As Labor secretary, Perez has been knee-deep on these issues and has a running start on establishing real, sustainable ties with laboring Americans. And given the likelihood of the repeal of Obamacare, wages will take on a much more important meaning for working Americans.

snip//

Helping the DNC with its Latino problem isn't just about Perez being a Perez. As Labor secretary he has deep linkages to the bread and butter issues that matter to Hispanics on wages, employment opportunities and working conditions. But Perez also has extensive experience combating voter and civil rights violations through his work in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division.

Then again, there is something to Perez being a Perez. With a Latino at the helm of the Democratic Party it will not be as easy for the growing constituency of Hispanic voters to be put on the back burner.

Much more~http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/opinion-tom-perez-what-dnc-needs-now-n697746

Bettie

(16,109 posts)
47. This comment makes me think he's the guy for the job too
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 12:04 PM
Jan 2017

he's willing to fight, to stick a finger in their collective eye.

We need that.

Greybnk48

(10,168 posts)
4. I agree with Perez.
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 10:23 PM
Jan 2017

It may be ignorant in some instances, but I want revenge. Treat them the same as they did our President.

 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
6. A bit easier to do because president obama needed 60 votes for everything
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 10:24 PM
Jan 2017

Now only 51 are needed. I'd like to see democratic senators do something but not sure they have any tools.

Kingofalldems

(38,458 posts)
7. Your posts quite often can be taken two ways, yeoman6987.
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 10:26 PM
Jan 2017

Wish you would be clearer. Your latest could be taken as passive aggressive in my mind.

 

Pyke

(15 posts)
11. I sense the passive aggressiveness...
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 10:37 PM
Jan 2017

But I would add that this argument here is the MAIN REASON I cannot get people to consider voting Dem consistently, because when we did they still sided with R enough time where it didn't make a difference for the people and thus we now have Trump.

Qutzupalotl

(14,313 posts)
52. I think yeoman is referring to the loss of the filibuster as an option
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 06:46 PM
Jan 2017

to obstruct Moscow Mitch. Things are different now.

Qutzupalotl

(14,313 posts)
54. He has a point.
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 07:11 PM
Jan 2017

We traded a slew of federal judgeships for the steamrolling we're getting now. Time will tell if it was the right decision. Schumer has said he regrets it.

ladym55

(2,577 posts)
14. Definitely!
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 10:52 PM
Jan 2017

Obstruction is the only way to save anything from the swath of destruction planned by McConnell and Ryan. The ACA is just the first step. Ryan has his eye on Medicare and Social Security.

When Dems obstruct it is to fight for people--when Repugs do it it's all about themselves and empty power grabs.

BlancheSplanchnik

(20,219 posts)
22. I hope the Dems in congress take Perez's advice.
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:07 PM
Jan 2017

What mcCONell did was unconscionable. What he and PaulAyn are doing now is pure evil.

They did it for the hate and the money.
We do it to improve people's lives.

DK504

(3,847 posts)
15. We can hit him between the eyes with a 2-by-4 and treat him like Mitch McConnell treated Barack Obam
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 10:54 PM
Jan 2017

like Mitch McConnell treated Barack Obama."

Oh hell yes. We need to throw up as many roadblocks as they did.

hibbing

(10,098 posts)
18. I've been cynicized
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 10:59 PM
Jan 2017

I've lost quite a bit of faith after this election. I'm predicting that many if not the majority of Democrats will vote for the tax cuts for their benefactors.


Peace

cstanleytech

(26,291 posts)
25. Which I dont understand as the tax cuts wont do shit for most of us and the wealthy
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:13 PM
Jan 2017

have proven time and time again that they wont be creating many if any new jobs unless of course its dead end low wage part time jobs as they create plenty of those when they have more money.

Cha

(297,251 posts)
21. Mahalo, Tom Perez! I like him for so many reasons.. this
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:03 PM
Jan 2017

is the latest.

Tom Perez: 'Treat Trump like Mitch McConnell treated Obama'


HuffPost Politics ‏@HuffPostPol 1h1 hour ago
DNC candidate Tom Perez: Treat Trump like Mitch McConnell treated Obama http://huff.to/2jyWazP

Labor Secretary Tom Perez suggested that Democrats should confront President-elect Donald Trump with the obstruction strategy Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) employed against President Barack Obama.

“We can hit him between the eyes with a 2-by-4 and treat him like Mitch McConnell treated Barack Obama,” Perez told the audience at The Huffington Post’s live Democratic National Committee debate on Wednesday.

Perez cited Trump’s nomination of Andy Puzder for labor secretary, a “low-road employer,” as evidence that Trump was already betraying his promise to help workers.

McConnell famously said in 2010, when he was minority leader, that Republicans needed to deliberately block the president in the hopes of making him fail.

“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president,” McConnell said at the time.


read: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tom-perez-trump-mitch-mcconnell-obama_us_58800586e4b00d44838cfff9?section=politics

Thank you, bigtree

cstanleytech

(26,291 posts)
23. I could go with this idea unless by some miracle the Republicans actually propose some good
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:11 PM
Jan 2017

and fair legislation that isnt meant to fuck most everyone who isnt part of the 1% over which given the given the current Republican party isnt very likely to actually happen.

cstanleytech

(26,291 posts)
34. Yes, I know but their party has changed alot if you look at history and they have been heading down
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:52 PM
Jan 2017

a path to becoming a party much like the Nazi party for a long time now and they are on the cusp of becoming the new Nazi party.
They can avoid it and I hope they do but I also wont be surprised if they embrace most if not all of the same things the Nazi party embraced back in the 30s and 40s.

mobeau69

(11,144 posts)
24. I'm in.
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:11 PM
Jan 2017

donald dickarnold is the enemy. We're gonna hold him by the nose and kick him in the ass. We're gonna kick the hell out of him all the time and we're gonna go through him like crap through a goose.

 

Still In Wisconsin

(4,450 posts)
28. I cannot possibly express how much I LOVE the image of hitting Trump between the eyes with a 2x4.
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:27 PM
Jan 2017

That is just excellent.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
30. I heard Perez was meek, but this sounds STRONG
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:31 PM
Jan 2017

We need STRONG, resolute leadership now. All of this trying to please, has lost our ability to win for our issues. Obstruct! Delay! Obstruct! Obstruct! Delay! Whatever it takes.

wiggs

(7,814 posts)
32. Confused message, IMO. Is Perez legitimizing the gop's unprecedented POLITICAL obstructionism of
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:40 PM
Jan 2017

a potus because of who the man is and what party he belongs to? I think the gop proved its political goals when it obstructed policies and legislation that they traditionally championed. They weren't interested in problem solving and governing at all. Unfortunately, the dems and Obama didn't toot their own horns enough and Preibus and McConnell's low political tactics of deception and misinformation and obstructionism worked.

I don't oppose Trump for reasons anywhere near similar to the reasons McConnell and the rest opposed Obama. (They went to the mats on everything, regardless of whether or not it was good for the country. Leaving aside the deceptions about governing, they made scandals out of thin air re his lapel pins, his college transcripts, his eligibility for office, his neighbors, his pastor, the number of times he prays, his terrorist fist jabs, etc.. Just because it worked due to media failures and dem weaknesses doesn't mean we should do the same. If Rachel, Dean, Sanders, Warren, and Franken start lying their assess off and work to suppress votes and invoke fear, hate, and polarization then we are truly screwed even if we win a few more elections.) I oppose Trump, as do most Americans, not for his party or his skin color or his hand size but for clear, obvious reasons having to do with what he has clearly demonstrated regarding his competency, ignorance, sociopathic behavior, immature emotional thinking, arrogance, narcissistic disorder, out of control anger, incurious nature, epic short attention span, dangerous nominations and advisors, and top .1% perspective. it truly does call for monumental resistance by us and our legislators.

I'm for wielding a 2 x 4, for calling out a liar for his lies, for doggedly pursuing real scandal and misdeeds, tearing apart flawed policies and nominations....just leave the examples of McConnell and Boehner and Rove out of it because they and others have done a dis-service to the country.

I think Perez can get his point across about being vigilant, diligent, proactive and vigorous in opposition without saying we are going to copy McConnell's tactics.

cstanleytech

(26,291 posts)
36. I think the Democrats are pretty much going to have to do some of that as the voters
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 12:03 AM
Jan 2017

will tend to back the party and the candidate they think looks stronger.
Oh I am not saying they should behave exactly like the Republicans have but they need to show the voters on important issues such as Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and other social programs that they will will not back down.

TeamPooka

(24,227 posts)
33. Democrats need to start fighting Republicans the way Republicans fight Democrats.
Wed Jan 18, 2017, 11:41 PM
Jan 2017

Right on Tom Perez!

cstanleytech

(26,291 posts)
37. Pooka alot of the power the Republicans have come from controlling so many of the varies states.
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 12:06 AM
Jan 2017

Best way to kneecap the Republicans would actually be to attack them there as without that control they cannot gerrymander the states or pass restrictive voting laws whos sole intent is to make it harder for voters that tend to vote for Democrats to vote.

Cha

(297,251 posts)
39. "Donald Trump is what we call a target-rich environment."
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 12:42 AM
Jan 2017

Alex Seitz-Wald
✔ @aseitzwald
.@TomPerez: "Donald Trump is what we call a target-rich environment."

https://twitter.com/aseitzwald?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

DFW

(54,387 posts)
40. Don't call it confrontation
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 12:46 AM
Jan 2017

Call it cooperation. The Democrats in Congress should give Trump and the Republicans every bit as much cooperation and extend them exactly as much courtesy as the Republicans extended toward Barack Obama--with one exception.

The Republicans blocked their own proposals as soon as they heard that Obama supported them. If they should, by some miracle or accident, adopt some Democratic proposals and think we'll oppose them, we should pull the rug out from underneath them and support them with great enthusiasm.

Vinca

(50,273 posts)
44. Why do Dems only show their spines AFTER an election season????
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 08:41 AM
Jan 2017

It doesn't matter whether Perez uses a 2 x 4 or a steel I-beam. They've got the numbers. Next election season Democrats should try to run as strong Democrats with a bona fide opposing view rather than as Joe Manchin Republican Democrats.

mnmoderatedem

(3,728 posts)
45. time is running out on this
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 08:45 AM
Jan 2017

remember McConnell stood on the floor of congress and rallied to make Obama a one term president before he was even inaugurated.

LAS14

(13,783 posts)
51. When they go low, we go high.
Thu Jan 19, 2017, 12:51 PM
Jan 2017

How about we put the welfare of the country first? What if Trump happens to come down on the right side of some bill? He's so erratic that it's possible.

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