New York Times: Obama is getting soft

[steelmania75]

WASHINGTON — President Obama is well known for bold proposals that have raised expectations, but his administration has shown a tendency for compromise and caution, and even a willingness to capitulate on some early initiatives.

It was inevitable that Mr. Obama’s lofty pledge to change the ways of Washington would crash into the realities of governing, including lawmakers anxious to protect their constituents and an army of special-interest lobbyists.

Mr. Obama has not conceded on any major priority. His advisers argue that the concessions to date — on budget items, for instance — are intended to help win the bigger policy fights ahead. But his early willingness to deal or fold has left commentators, and some loyal Democrats, wondering: where’s the fight?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/us/politics/19lobby.html?hp

Look, the man's done more in his first 100 days than any other president as far as I remember.

[BlooInBloo]

1. Sigh. First the Clinton people. Then the republicans. Then the media.... All wrong.

[HughMoran]

2. He's like buttah

Put him back in the fridge and he'll solid right up :)

[joeybee12]

3. This is spot on...if he were tougher, those f**king Repuke Senators

wouldn't control everything and demand 60 votes to pass anything...they're sharks that smell blood in the water.

[Thrill]

7. Thats not his job. Thats Harry Reid's job. Not the President

[Captain Hilts]

12. The Prez helps set the agenda and tempo. But Reid drives me nuts too.

"I don't work for him." Grrrrrrr

[Thrill]

15. Obama has been setting the agenda.

But its up to Reid to line the votes up and push it through.

Concessions are being made because Reid can't keep the people like Nelson and Bayh in line. THATS OUR PROBLEM. Its leadership in the Senate. He let Conrad do what he wanted to the budget.

[Captain Hilts]

13. Don't take Single Payer off the table before you sit down to negotiate. nt

[Cali_Democrat]

16. It's not Repuke Senators Obama has to worry about first.

It's dipshits like Evan Bayh.

[Captain Hilts]

18. Just as Sam Nunn had a bug up his butt about Clinton. nt

[Mari333]

4. Helen Thomas thinks so too. I agree with her. nt

[Bluebear]

5. Yes, she must be a PUMA troll.

:sarcasm:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21006.html

[JohnnyLib2]

9. !!

:rofl: Good one!

[emilyg]

6. So do I.

[TheWatcher]

25. Questioning and Scrutinizing is NOT ALLOWED Citizen.

I'll need to see your PUMA Papers, and this Post will IMMEDIATELY be moved to the Dungeon.

FOLLOW! DO NOT QUESTION!

Your Chocolate Rations will be reduced 20% and you may be subject to further disciplinary action upon further infractions.

:sarcasm:

[emilyg]

27. Oh no!! Don't take my chocolate.

:hug:

[TheWatcher]

29. SILENCE! We Must All Fall In Line!

Only by blind faith and only paying attention to rhetoric that makes us feel good and comfortable will you ever be able to shop freely and frivolously at the Mall Again with your trusty Magic Plastic Shiny Object Getter!!!!!!!!!!111111

Only Banks Know Best!

Oh......Alright, you can keep your Chocolate.

But Absolutely NO PUDDING!

:hug:

[Grateful for Hope]

8. He absolutely has

It is unfortunate that news is no longer news here in the US. News is now "entertainment" and "ratings".

President Obama took office under the most dire of conditions. He is not only doing the best he can, he has already started to make a difference.

[Thrill]

10. I read this article and its a joke. They try to blame him for weak leadership in the Senate

If there was a leader in the Senate who could line people up. The WH wouldn't have to make certain consessions.
he also basically has to sell every policy and program by himself. The Democrats don't get out there and sell his plans. Which is the biggest problem

[CBR]

11. I agree. We need a Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

in the Senate and a lot less Harry Reid types.

[FLAprogressive]

17. LAWL!!! You must be joking. Debbie Lieberman-Schultz???

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

DWS is a corporate shill like Harry.

[CBR]

19. I am talking about her ability to argue on TV. She is good at that

undoubtedly.

[FLAprogressive]

20. she talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk

she blew off progressive candidates when she was head of the DCCC's Red-to-Blue Program and told one to "not pull that populist stuff" on her.

The adulation DWS receives here (mainly for her TV argument skills) borders on ridiculous......

[CBR]

21. I am not supporting her policies but her ability to argue which is

what we need from Senators to push a progressive agenda. Do we need people out supporting a progressive agenda who can control an argument like DWS?

[FLAprogressive]

22. And the root of the problem is that you're counting on DWS to push a progressive agenda.

[EFerrari]

26. LOL! Why not just whole hog and bring back Tom Delay!

[Cali_Democrat]

14. Kinda hard for Obama to pursue an extremely bold agenda

When he's got punk ass ConservaDems like Evan Bayh waiting to stab him in the back.

[Captain Hilts]

23. Folks here still trash Clinton for not being progressive enough. He had R majorities in Congress.nt

[Cali_Democrat]

24. Good point

Although he didn't have to sign absurd legislation like "don't ask don't tell" or the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

But all in all, Clinton definitely governed amazingly considering the repuke congress he had to deal with.

[Captain Hilts]

30. And folks like Sam Nunn and Jim Cooper as 'Democrats'. nt

[Duke Newcombe]

28. These motherf*&ers STILL don't get it, do they?

This man is three moves ahead of you as to what he wants to accomplish.

Soft, my ass. Yeah, keep thinking that, Sparky.

[Captain Hilts]

31. How does taking Single Payer off the negotiating tabel advance progressive legislation? nt