President Barack Obama

[LIPH]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

[Lightning Bolt]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

[pbans]

I won't be judging the success of Obama's presidency by how many Republicans he appoints to his administration.

I don't think it is Obama's job to 'reach out' to a variety of folks who thought (and still think) that the country would go to 'hell in a handbasket' or worse because of an Obama presidency.

I know there are those who don't support Obama and that's fine. That's politics and politics doesn't end just because the election is over.

What he can do as president is implement his program and policies to the best of his ability. Time will tell whether or not he has helped to make this country better. In four years, the people can let him know whether or not they think he is doing a good job.

Actually, I think it is totally his job to reach out......at this point, he has to look past that and reach out to those people as much, if not more, than his supporters.

[drunkpirate66]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

this is one subject I won't give Obama a chance on. Both parties are close to billion dollar businesses and will not be going anywhere. Anyone who believed Obama would end partisanship, like he said he would - very clearly - dozens of times, must not know how much money is at stake for both parties. It would be like Steve Jobs just giving Mac to Bill Gates. It will never happen. It can't. It was a massive lie (like the "I will remove the United States presence in Iraq" line he gave just two weeks ago knowing we are building an Embassy there . . . ).

[Lightning Bolt]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

this is one subject I won't give Obama a chance on. Both parties are close to billion dollar businesses and will not be going anywhere. Anyone who believed Obama would end partisanship, like he said he would - very clearly - dozens of times, must not know how much money is at stake for both parties. It would be like Steve Jobs just giving Mac to Bill Gates. It will never happen. It can't. It was a massive lie (like the "I will remove the United States presence in Iraq" line he gave just two weeks ago knowing we are building an Embassy there . . . ).

Just a sidebar to this discussion...
The Bill Gates/Steve Jobs analogy isn't the best one for your argument, IMO.
Since Steve Jobs came back to Apple 10 years ago now, Apple has made tremendous strides to "reach out" to working together with Microsoft.
They decided it was better to share each other's strengths (Office for Mac, iTunes for PC) than keep the wall that stood between the companies all through the '90's.
And they have both benefitted tremendously for their efforts.

[LIPH]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

I was responding to flyboy's post, I should have quoted him.

I won't be judging the success of Obama's presidency by how many Republicans he appoints to his administration.

I don't think it is Obama's job to 'reach out' to a variety of folks who thought (and still think) that the country would go to 'hell in a handbasket' or worse because of an Obama presidency.

[drunkpirate66]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

this is one subject I won't give Obama a chance on. Both parties are close to billion dollar businesses and will not be going anywhere. Anyone who believed Obama would end partisanship, like he said he would - very clearly - dozens of times, must not know how much money is at stake for both parties. It would be like Steve Jobs just giving Mac to Bill Gates. It will never happen. It can't. It was a massive lie (like the "I will remove the United States presence in Iraq" line he gave just two weeks ago knowing we are building an Embassy there . . . ).

Just a sidebar to this discussion...
The Bill Gates/Steve Jobs analogy isn't the best one for your argument, IMO.
Since Steve Jobs came back to Apple 10 years ago now, Apple has made tremendous strides to "reach out" to working together with Microsoft.
They decided it was better to share each other's strengths (Office for Mac, iTunes for PC) than keep the wall that stood between the companies all through the '90's.
And they have both benefitted tremendously for their efforts.

Dude . . . bottom line; there is no way Mr. Obama is going to end partisanship as promised over and over. And he knew he wasn't going to be able to do so when he promised it which makes it a lie. It did sound nice in his speeches and it sure is a nice thought to consider but it will not happen. You know it as well, I bet.

[Lightning Bolt]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

this is one subject I won't give Obama a chance on. Both parties are close to billion dollar businesses and will not be going anywhere. Anyone who believed Obama would end partisanship, like he said he would - very clearly - dozens of times, must not know how much money is at stake for both parties. It would be like Steve Jobs just giving Mac to Bill Gates. It will never happen. It can't. It was a massive lie (like the "I will remove the United States presence in Iraq" line he gave just two weeks ago knowing we are building an Embassy there . . . ).

Just a sidebar to this discussion...
The Bill Gates/Steve Jobs analogy isn't the best one for your argument, IMO.
Since Steve Jobs came back to Apple 10 years ago now, Apple has made tremendous strides to "reach out" to working together with Microsoft.
They decided it was better to share each other's strengths (Office for Mac, iTunes for PC) than keep the wall that stood between the companies all through the '90's.
And they have both benefitted tremendously for their efforts.

Dude . . . bottom line; there is no way Mr. Obama is going to end partisanship as promised over and over. And he knew he wasn't going to be able to do so when he promised it which makes it a lie. It did sound nice in his speeches and it sure is a nice thought to consider but it will not happen. You know it as well, I bet.

I'm betting he will try.
I'm not holding out so much optimism in Nancy Pelosi doing so.

[Dezdmona]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

I was responding to flyboy's post, I should have quoted him.

I won't be judging the success of Obama's presidency by how many Republicans he appoints to his administration.

I don't think it is Obama's job to 'reach out' to a variety of folks who thought (and still think) that the country would go to 'hell in a handbasket' or worse because of an Obama presidency.

That may be true Larry, but when he reached out in his speech Tuesday night by saying:

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

I decided to let his actions determine my reaction to his Presidency.
I'll take it 100 days at a time.

Note: I totally agree with LB...Pelosi is a divisive force.

[drunkpirate66]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

this is one subject I won't give Obama a chance on. Both parties are close to billion dollar businesses and will not be going anywhere. Anyone who believed Obama would end partisanship, like he said he would - very clearly - dozens of times, must not know how much money is at stake for both parties. It would be like Steve Jobs just giving Mac to Bill Gates. It will never happen. It can't. It was a massive lie (like the "I will remove the United States presence in Iraq" line he gave just two weeks ago knowing we are building an Embassy there . . . ).

Just a sidebar to this discussion...
The Bill Gates/Steve Jobs analogy isn't the best one for your argument, IMO.
Since Steve Jobs came back to Apple 10 years ago now, Apple has made tremendous strides to "reach out" to working together with Microsoft.
They decided it was better to share each other's strengths (Office for Mac, iTunes for PC) than keep the wall that stood between the companies all through the '90's.
And they have both benefitted tremendously for their efforts.

Dude . . . bottom line; there is no way Mr. Obama is going to end partisanship as promised over and over. And he knew he wasn't going to be able to do so when he promised it which makes it a lie. It did sound nice in his speeches and it sure is a nice thought to consider but it will not happen. You know it as well, I bet.

I'm betting he will try.
I'm not holding out so much optimism in Nancy Pelosi doing so.

We could have a discussion about how all politicians lie. Since this is a discussion about Mr. Obama lets keep it specific: I don't really like the type of politics Obama supports but I am looking at most of facts he ran his campaign on with EXTREME openmindedness. Who knows, maybe he will a truly effective president. But when you say "I bet he will try" I have a small issue with that. Mr. Obama said that "he will end partisanship" and people believed him. He didn't hesitate to make very bold promises and due to his amazing ability to speak there are so many people that became so motivated without becoming informed. It all sounds great. But when you make the claim, a very clear and a very repeated claim that "I will" end partisanship knowing you can't possibly deliver I feel he needs to be help accountable. It is an obvious lie.

[MelliJellyBean]

Even if a politician fully intends to keep his promises of these changes, we must understand that a lot of things can't be completed within a 4-yr term. It takes time.

[BrianM]

Penny change the name of this to "Political Drivel" because that's what it's turning into and it's what brought down COBO. I'm just waiting for Sam to make an appearance and it will be deja vu all over again.

[flyboy55]

I think Obama is much more inclined than, say George W. Bush, to work with folks who hold different views than his. I think we will witness this in the years to come and I don't think centrist Republicans will have much to complain about.

On the other hand, I don't see Obama 'reaching out' to those who believe he is a Marxist subversive or closet terrorist, or who believe that God will now punish us because Obama's social philosophy isn't based on religious fundamentalism.

Those folks need to reassess their views and reach out to the rest of us, not the other way around.

I think by definition, extremism prohibits any sort of compromise (and yes I consider those who espouse such views to be extremists).

Maybe I'm not getting my point across very clearly, but I keep hearing about how Obama needs to reach out to everyone and heal the nation. There is no doubt in my mind that this nation is in need of some healing, but by what logic should our president-elect compromise his beliefs and those of the people who elected him, to bring on board folks whose beliefs have brought us to our current state?

With regard to the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate and the fear this apparently strikes in the hearts of some, remember that these individuals were put there by the voters, and if they recently replaced Republicans it's because those voters were unhappy with the status quo and wanted Democrats instead.

I'm tired of the 'demonizing' of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, too. One would think they had been running this country since January 2001.

[drunkpirate66]

I think Obama is much more inclined than, say George W. Bush, to work with folks who hold different views than his. I think we will witness this in the years to come and I don't think centrist Republicans will have much to complain about.

On the other hand, I don't see Obama 'reaching out' to those who believe he is a Marxist subversive or closet terrorist, or who believe that God will now punish us because Obama's social philosophy isn't based on religious fundamentalism.

Those folks need to reassess their views and reach out to the rest of us, not the other way around.

I think by definition, extremism prohibits any sort of compromise (and yes I consider those who espouse such views to be extremists).

Maybe I'm not getting my point across very clearly, but I keep hearing about how Obama needs to reach out to everyone and heal the nation. There is no doubt in my mind that this nation is in need of some healing, but by what logic should our president-elect compromise his beliefs and those of the people who elected him, to bring on board folks whose beliefs have brought us to our current state?

With regard to the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate and the fear this apparently strikes in the hearts of some, remember that these individuals were put there by the voters, and if they recently replaced Republicans it's because those voters were unhappy with the status quo and wanted Democrats instead.

I'm tired of the 'demonizing' of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, too. One would think they had been running this country since January 2001.

thats another problem I have; this notion of healing the nation. every four years people listen to high ranking politicians make the same claim: this nation needs to be healed. I can speak for myself and my friends from all corners of the United States and family and ask "when are people going to accept that the United States is still the best place to live in the world and that we don't need to be healed". Why do people keep falling for this. Same old song and dance.

In four years and in 8 years there will still be partisanship, there will be high school drop outs, we will have homeless just like now just like every 4 year span you want to go back in time. Nothing will change that. We are building an Embassy in Iraq and people believe Obama when he says that "the United States should no longer have a precense there" . . . these are all things said for votes and they are all lies. Especially the partisanship angle Obama played. Come on! You all must see this.

[C-Dawg]

I'm tired of the 'demonizing' of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, too. One would think they had been running this country since January 2001.

No, but they have been in power since 2006 and what have they done for us? They have lower approval ratings than Bush has.
Pelosi and Reid are as polarizing as David Vitter, Larry Craig or even Newt Gingrich are. I'm willing to bet Obama has more problems with Pelosi and Reid than he does from the Conservatives.

[SuperTrooper]

I'm tired of the 'demonizing' of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, too. One would think they had been running this country since January 2001.

No, but they have been in power since 2006 and what have they done for us? They have lower approval ratings than Bush has.
Pelosi and Reid are as polarizing as David Vitter, Larry Craig or even Newt Gingrich are. I'm willing to bet Obama has more problems with Pelosi and Reid than he does from the Conservatives.

That's a fact. Obama will have to avoid being dragged to the far left by these 2.

The Dems have come to power, not because of who they are, but because of who they aren't. Come January 20th they won't have "W" to kick around any more.

[SMLCHNG]

Penny change the name of this to "Political Drivel" because that's what it's turning into and it's what brought down COBO. I'm just waiting for Sam to make an appearance and it will be deja vu all over again.

I know, Brian.. hopefully it'll die down soon. Election is still too fresh in eveyone's minds.

[buffettbride]

I'm just waiting for Sam to make an appearance and it will be deja vu all over again.

Thank goodness for some blessings that CAN'T happen.

[Migration Michelle]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

this is one subject I won't give Obama a chance on. Both parties are close to billion dollar businesses and will not be going anywhere. Anyone who believed Obama would end partisanship, like he said he would - very clearly - dozens of times, must not know how much money is at stake for both parties. It would be like Steve Jobs just giving Mac to Bill Gates. It will never happen. It can't. It was a massive lie (like the "I will remove the United States presence in Iraq" line he gave just two weeks ago knowing we are building an Embassy there . . . ).

It is impossible to end partisanship.

The two major parties have fundamentally different views on life in general. You don't just vote for someone who is a "Democrat" or a "Republican." Those two words represent very different views and values. Sure there are people who don't fit into either party exactly. It has been my experience, however, that most people have opinions either one way or the other. And you can pretty much identify which side someone belongs to as soon as they open their mouth.

[drunkpirate66]

He kept telling us how he was going to end the partisanship that's been infecting politics for too long. If he doesn't reach out he'll just be showing us that he's as full of s*** as the rest of them, another politician who will say anything to get elected. Change, right.

c'mon, Larry. That makes you sound like you have no hope of him succeeding in his promises.
You gotta give him half a chance now.

this is one subject I won't give Obama a chance on. Both parties are close to billion dollar businesses and will not be going anywhere. Anyone who believed Obama would end partisanship, like he said he would - very clearly - dozens of times, must not know how much money is at stake for both parties. It would be like Steve Jobs just giving Mac to Bill Gates. It will never happen. It can't. It was a massive lie (like the "I will remove the United States presence in Iraq" line he gave just two weeks ago knowing we are building an Embassy there . . . ).

It is impossible to end partisanship.

The two major parties have fundamentally different views on life in general. You don't just vote for someone who is a "Democrat" or a "Republican." Those two words represent very different views and values. Sure there are people who don't fit into either party exactly. It has been my experience, however, that most people have opinions either one way or the other. And you can pretty much identify which side someone belongs to as soon as they open their mouth.

Very well said. Another person who aknowledges the fact that partisanship will not end despite Mr. Obama's promise. Of course it can't end. People believed the man, though.