why does Obama say "take me out of it"?

[Enrique]

Out of any politician, Obama has the highest approval rating. House republicans have abysmal approval ratings.

Specifically on the negotiations, Obama's stated positions, are much more popular than the GOP's.

Obama just won an epic presidential election.

Obama is Time Man of the Year.

So why would he ask to be "taken out" of the negotiations?

[Sekhmets Daughter]

1. Because he recognizes

that it is him personally the jerks in the republican congress object to. They refuse to give him a victory of any type if they can help it.

[frazzled]

2. He means

(to the Republicans): disregard your personal hatred of me, and put aside your political aims to demean my position, and do what's right for the people and the country.

[Enrique]

3. tell me, how likely do YOU think that is?

now tell me, if it is that obvious to you and me that that will never happen in a billion years, then wouldn't that be just as obvious to Obama?

[frazzled]

4. Not likely at all, but the statement of it serves a purpose

Namely: to (correctly) place blame on the Republicans in the public's eye when the negotiations fail and we go over the cliff. That is to say, to expose their mendacity.

[AZ Mike]

5. It has to do....

....not with popular opinion of the opposing sides (e.g., Obama vs. GOP House), it has to do with how the GOP has treated him from day one as if he has cooties.

It has been since the very beginning that the GOP has frantically sprinted to the other side of the room whenever Obama takes a position. The GOP has been spraying cootie spray from their imaginary handheld aerosol bottles since they first laid eyes on him.

[Ganja Ninja]

6. Have you seen Obama?

(He's black!)

[leftyohiolib]

7. he is only the president and should have no role in this

excpt to sign or veto