Obama's Speech (07/25/11)

[Lostlover]

1) The Reagan quote. The same guy that turned America from the biggest creditor to the biggest debtor, a stunning reversal that occurred just during his presidency. Fiscally responsible, he ain't.

2) Obama keeps talking about the jet owner's tax. Please. This is a drop in the ocean. If you're going to do class warfare (which I advocate), use something more meaningful.

One thing I did like was President Obama's pledge to not use the America people (more like the youth) as hostage to politics. I said it before freedom of speech was disrespected on here that certain demographics are like suicide bombers when it comes to voting and politics. They have NOTHING to lose if the debt ceiling isn't raised. They have no stake in the future. Reagan could use this country's credit card because he knew he wasn't going to be here to pay it off. He and certain demographics don't give a damn about the future.

They're going to hell, they might as well take everyone with them. That's their MO.

 

[Gatorguy]

I don't know if you are like me. I get in my head the things that I would like to hear - positive and negative.

I would love for him to explain his strategy (and I honestly believe there was one) in not starting this debate after the election. All of these new congressmen were talking about how they weren't going to raise the debt ceiling.

I would really like to hear his logic in not starting this in January or February at the latest. Especially after dragging out that dumb comment about how his daughters were raised to get their homework done the day before. It's just really incongruous to me, but I know there had to be some reason.

I'd also like him to speak right from the NYSE and point out the losses this lack of cooperation is causing. Then the next day he shows what it will do to mortgages. Somehow he needs to make this real. Again, because he only got involved a month ago, I think Americans just don't see it as a big deal.

 

[dhchitown1984]

I disagree Gator. I think American's do see it as a big deal.

What I liked about Obama's remarks tonight was that he was forward-thinking, and speaking about the moment.

What I disliked what his remark that he wasn't going to "bore us with the details." I'm sorry Barack, but we as taxpayers are paying your salary and Boehners. Please, tell your boss what you're strategic fiscal plan is. Working in Sales, I have to show my boss how I'm going to hit my numbers every year. When I'm not hitting my numbers, I have to answer to my employer and explain what happened and how I'm going to get back on track.

Boehner was far to insistant on talking about what happened. Everything was about how Obama doesn't want to work with him. Guess what Boehner, that's life. You won't get along with all your coworkers, you won't always get along with your boss (Obama and the people), but you still have to come to the table and get it done.

The whole situation pisses me off and as Obama did say, is insulting to the American people. Don't screw up my financial future any more than it already has been by Washington. I'd love to max out my credit card and then say "Hey, Capital One, I know I'm at my limit and I may not be able to pay my minimum payment this month. How about you raise my credit limit and that way, we won't have that problem?" They'd laugh in my face. What's in your wallet?!

 

[T-Rexx]

For once, we heard the president defend why he believes what he believes and ask the public to support him.

If he had been doing this all along, we would not be in the current debt ceiling standoff.

 

[MoltenRock III]

I don't know if you are like me. I get in my head the things that I would like to hear - positive and negative.

I would love for him to explain his strategy (and I honestly believe there was one) in not starting this debate after the election. All of these new congressmen were talking about how they weren't going to raise the debt ceiling.

I would really like to hear his logic in not starting this in January or February at the latest. Especially after dragging out that dumb comment about how his daughters were raised to get their homework done the day before. It's just really incongruous to me, but I know there had to be some reason.

I'd also like him to speak right from the NYSE and point out the losses this lack of cooperation is causing. Then the next day he shows what it will do to mortgages. Somehow he needs to make this real. Again, because he only got involved a month ago, I think Americans just don't see it as a big deal.

Really? You think spending 2 1/2 months arguing over the debt limit which Congress themselves passed via the budget, while knowing full well it would breach the debt ceiling, is too little time? A procedure which has only taken minutes, days, or a week at most in the past 15 years to get done. Sorry, but that's Republicans fault! Full stop.

 

[Gatorguy]

Do you have any idea why President Obama is so late to the game?

All of these Congressmen were going on record in the last election and right after it. People were talking in December and January that this could really be an issue. It seemed like they were really trying to get the attention of the president way back then.

He waits for more than half a year, then starts getting involved? Like it or not, the president waiting so incredibly long to start taking any action makes it seem like it really isn't important or a priority.

I think it's hard for him to now change everything from just waiting to see what will happen to creating a sense of urgency. I think people respond to leadership, but for so long the president was really minimizing this issue. It's hard for Americans to flip in step with him, now that he has discovered this could be serious.

 

[MoltenRock III]

Frankly, it is Congress who is responsible for spending and taxation. The only thing Obama can be faulted for is believing the current batch of Republicans were sane and could be negotiated with. Even now he seems stupified that Republicans are being traitorous, lying, cowards. A fact most of have known for years.

In fact this was one of the prime reasons many Democrats favored Clinton over Obama for President. Hillary supporters were extremely wary that Obama would be out of his league dealing with wing nuts.

Obama has been, and still is too pragmatic in his dealings with Republicans.

 

[Gatorguy]

Frankly, it is Congress who is responsible for spending and taxation. The only thing Obama can be faulted for is believing the current batch of Republicans were sane and could be negotiated with. Even now he seems stupified that Republicans are being traitorous, lying, cowards. A fact most of have known for years.

In fact this was one of the prime reasons many Democrats favored Clinton over Obama for President. Hillary supporters were extremely wary that Obama would be out of his league dealing with wing nuts.

Obama has been, and still is too pragmatic in his dealings with Republicans.

Totally meant no disrespect. I just didn't get it. It seemed important to me back then. I wondered why he thought it would just cruise and solve itself. Even in the best of times, it doesn't seem like things just solve themselves. I feel that's why we have him there, to look ahead to potential problems and get in front of them to lead.

 

[onetwothreefour]

I thought it was better in that he had more specifics than usual. I don't think he's emphatic or clear enough though. He sounds like he is reading and it sounds like a well-read speech. But he doesn't have that thing Bill Clinton did where he could talk off the cuff and just really talk in a "live" way that made you listen and understand.

Still, I think he did a better job than usual. I just wish he had really made a few distinctions more clear and made it even more clear how ridiculous the Republicans are being and how much he has compromised already in the deal he was offering.

It got me to write to my congressman, which given where I live, might be a lost cause, but oh well. So, his speech was successful in that regard.

 

[T-Rexx]

I thought it was better in that he had more specifics than usual. I don't think he's emphatic or clear enough though. He sounds like he is reading and it sounds like a well-read speech. But he doesn't have that thing Bill Clinton did where he could talk off the cuff and just really talk in a "live" way that made you listen and understand.

Still, I think he did a better job than usual. I just wish he had really made a few distinctions more clear and made it even more clear how ridiculous the Republicans are being and how much he has compromised already in the deal he was offering.

I agree with all of that.

Barack, you are no Bill Clinton! Nor a John Kennedy, nor a FDR.

It got me to write to my congressman, which given where I live, might be a lost cause, but oh well. So, his speech was successful in that regard.

I live in John Boehner's district! I am writing him as I speak, but this is the mother of all lost causes.

 

[dhchitown1984]

I live in John Boehner's district! I am writing him as I speak, but this is the mother of all lost causes.

Ouch! Don't be afraid to point out the fact that the NFL has come to an agreement before them.... if they can, and the US Government can't, it's a big disappointment!

 

[T-Rexx]

Boehner's email is:

SpeakerBoehner@mail.house.gov

Just so you guys can let him know what ya think. (I did.)

 

[Just_Believe18]

I just saw both speeches.

Obama's speech was clear and sensible. The guy is pretty rational about the whole situation. It makes no sense to be forced to make trillions of dollars in cuts, and not ask the super rich to give up a few of their precious tax breaks. Not a tax increase. Just drop some tax breaks.

Boehner was talking from another planet. Somehow, he's made the connection that the national deficit is suddenly responsible for the Great Recession. His revisionist history and make-believe facts makes his speech entirely unrelated to what President Obama was trying to convey to the American people. If this is the voice of the Republican party, we are living in a country where half it's people are sadly deluded. For example, Boehner liked to make his personal connection to owning a small business and saying Obama would tax it. There has never been an instance in this whole debate where small businesses would directly be targeted for tax increases!

 

[CowboyBob]

I just saw both speeches.

Obama's speech was clear and sensible. The guy is pretty rational about the whole situation. It makes no sense to be forced to make trillions of dollars in cuts, and not ask the super rich to give up a few of their precious tax breaks. Not a tax increase. Just drop some tax breaks.

Boehner was talking from another planet. Somehow, he's made the connection that the national deficit is suddenly responsible for the Great Recession. His revisionist history and make-believe facts makes his speech entirely unrelated to what President Obama was trying to convey to the American people. If this is the voice of the Republican party, we are living in a country where half it's people are sadly deluded. For example, Boehner liked to make his personal connection to owning a small business and saying Obama would tax it. There has never been an instance in this whole debate where small businesses would directly be targeted for tax increases!

This sums it up nicely.

After the speeches I flipped from Fox to MSNBC. Fox commentary bashed the President.. one commentator called his use of the word "balanced".... monotonous! I couldn't believe it. MSNBC stuck to the facts. It's always a no-win situation for the President with the fair and balanced news channel!

After Boehner's speech Fox said "he did a good job" but Boehner didn't really say anything.

It appears the traitorous Republicans will drive us into default for the first time in history.

 

[T-Rexx]

Boehner's email is:

SpeakerBoehner@mail.house.gov

Just so you guys can let him know what ya think. (I did.)

Ignore that email.

Mr. Boehner no longer allows you to contact him directly by email - that address is now for House Speaker outgoing mail only. (I just got a reply to my email that it did not go through).

There is a web site where you can post comments to Mr. Boehner here, but it isn't working this evening.

They may have disabled uploading of comments because they were getting too many negative responses.

 

[Yves]

Interesting development. Congressional sites crash after Obama's speech (including Boehner's site) Some say "server too busy" or "server error"

Congress Websites Down: House, Senate Sites Not Working
The Huffington Post

Numerous websites for House and Senate members experienced downtime Monday night following a speech from President Barack Obama on ongoing talks to raise the debt ceiling.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/25/congress-websites-down_n_909289.html

Directory of Representatives:
http://www.house.gov/representatives/

 

[chance1]

I thought the President looked old and tired

And he tried very hard - too hard - to paint the Tea Party as out of touch

It seemed too political IMO

Calculated

We'll see if it "works" as in garnering public support

I loathe both sides here

On MTP this weekend they spoke to Tom Friedman's piece this weekend about the rise of a 3rd party - the outraged "middle" - a group formerly trying to manage the extremes on both sides

Instead now passionately making the case for compromise governing

Imagine that

 

[MoltenRock III]

And he tried very hard - too hard - to paint the Tea Party as out of touch

They ARE out of touch. And if you believe the Tea Party is good for America, YOU TOO are out of touch.

I loathe both sides here

No you don't. You continue on with damning Democrats, and at absolute most, maybe, just maybe, say "well both sides are to blame". No, sorry that's utterly false! If you really "loathed" both sides you would be taking Obama / Democrat's stance around 50% of the time. No sane person on this site with impartiality would say you do this. Self-delusions help no one, even yourself.

 

[chance1]

They ARE out of touch. And if you believe the Tea Party is good for America, YOU TOO are out of touch.




No you don't. You continue on with damning Democrats, and at absolute most, maybe, just maybe, say "well both sides are to blame". No, sorry that's utterly false! If you really "loathed" both sides you would be taking Obama / Democrat's stance around 50% of the time. No sane person on this site with impartiality would say you do this. Self-delusions help no one, even yourself.

You can demonize the Tea Party all u like (and then some) - it's your "specialty" which is not the same as being special

Listen to Frank Rich who gives them "credit" for outflanking the President on populist issues

I care not as to ur take on my beliefs

You're a far left my way or u suck kinda guy

Doesn't get u very far I'm afraid

 

[JayQueer]

They ARE out of touch. And if you believe the Tea Party is good for America, YOU TOO are out of touch.

You know, I think that the Tea Party is nowhere near as "bad" as the liberals make it out to be.

A lot of people on this board focus on the most extreme Tea Party attendees they can find. It's the same thing that anti-gay people do when condemning gay pride parades. They focus on the few people who are acting very wild, and they paint all gay people with the same stroke. It's ironic because liberals & a lot of gay people do the exact same thing with all Tea Partiers.

It's no secret that a lot of the "leaders" from this Tea Party movement are conservative Republicans. But the core principle of the Tea Party, is about economic freedom & fiscal conservatism. And while most Tea Partiers may not support gay marriage, they do realize that it's not government's place to tell people how to live their private lives, and that the government "does not belong in the bedroom."

I have been to a Tea Party rally before. I am not White. I am gay. And yet, I never felt like I wasn't welcome, as long as I shared their belief that we are simply being taxed too much, and we need to return to the constitutional values that made this country great.