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Title: Obama Riding the Wave
Source:
The New York Times
URL Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/opinion/17herbert.html?ref=opinion
Published: Feb 17, 2009
Author: BOB HERBERT
Post Date: 2009-02-17 09:11:54 by war
Keywords: obama, stimulus, president
Views: 450
Comments: 82
Listening to President Obama, I was struck by how well he understands that most voters are not driven by ideology and are not searching for politically orthodox leadership. Most want leaders who speak to their needs — especially in this time of economic crisis — and a government that works. Republicans in Congress — all but completely united in their effort to build a wall of obstruction in the path of President Obama’s economic revitalization effort — seem to be missing this essential point. In a conversation with a small group of columnists aboard Air Force One on Friday, the president discussed the fight over his stimulus package, which was in the process of gaining final passage as he flew from Washington to Chicago for a brief rest with his family. He said that the fact that he’d been rebuffed so far in his quest for bipartisanship would not stop him from reaching out for Republican support. “Going forward,” he said, “each and every time we’ve got an initiative, I’m going to go to both Democrats and Republicans and I’m going to say, ‘Here’s my best argument for why we need to do this. I want to listen to your counterarguments. If you’ve got better ideas, present them. We will incorporate them into any plans that we make, and we are willing to compromise on certain issues that are important to one side or the other in order to get stuff done.’ ” When I asked him if there was any reason to believe that the G.O.P. had made a good-faith effort at bipartisanship, given the fact that only three Republicans voted for the stimulus plan in the Senate and none in the House, he said he did not want to question the motives or sincerity of those who opposed the plan. But he made a point of adding, “Now, I have to say that given that they were running the show for a pretty long time prior to me getting there, and that their theory was tested pretty thoroughly and it’s landed us in the situation where we’ve got over a trillion-dollars’ worth of debt and the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression, I think I have a better argument in terms of economic thinking.” He also made it clear that he won’t let his desire for bipartisanship undermine important initiatives. “I’m an eternal optimist,” he said. “That doesn’t mean I’m a sap.” Mr. Obama’s tone and demeanor during the nearly hourlong interview was a duplicate of his nationally televised press conference last week. He was relaxed and had complete command of a range of complex issues, including the troubled banking sector, health care reform and the need to do more in terms of innovative education initiatives. But beyond his specific policies (and whether one supports them or not), Mr. Obama is emerging as the very model of the type of person one would want in high public office. He is intelligent, mature, thoughtful, calm in the face of crises and, if the nation is lucky, maybe even wise. When asked about the sharp drop in the stock markets after Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announced an expanded bank bailout plan last week, Mr. Obama replied: “I am not planning based on a one-day market reaction. In fact, you can argue that a lot of the problems we’re in have to do with everybody planning based on one-day market reactions, or three-month market reactions, and as a consequence nobody was taking the long view. “My job is to help the country take the long view — to make sure that not only are we getting out of this immediate fix, but we’re not repeating the same cycle of bubble and bust over and over again; that we’re not having the same energy conversation 30 years from now that we had 30 years ago; that we’re not talking about the state of our schools in the exact same ways we were talking about them in the 1980s; and that at some point we say, ‘You know what? If we’re spending more money per-capita on health care than any nation on earth, then you’d think everybody would have coverage and we would see lower costs for average consumers, and we’d have better outcomes.’ ” Near the end of the interview, the president said that there are certain moments in history when significant change is possible. “It’s not a certainty,” he said, “but it’s possible.” He said he believed that it’s very difficult for any single individual to actually set that kind of “momentum” for change in motion. But when that historical wave is there, he said, “I think you can help guide it.” When asked if we are in one of those moments now, he said, “Yes. I firmly believe that.”
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#1. To: war (#0)
He had better worry more about market reactions. The longer the market melts down, the closer his federal government comes to not being able to pay its bills, including even his own salary. There are many respectable economic forecasters predicting that the U.S. will soon begin defaulting on its outstanding debt, perhaps as early as this summer. Deflation absolutely DESTROYS debtors, including debtor nations.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
He didn't call on any black journalists?
Erectus Walks Amongst Us I don't know if you know this or not, but Bob Herbert is black.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
Black black or Obama black?
Erectus Walks Amongst Us _________________________________________________________________________ Is that your high school graduation photo?
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
Yeah, oh wise and fearless leader. You think you can spend your way out of debt--or even worse, you think it is ok to steal other people's money for your stupid schemes that will only make things worse. What a moron.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Those eyes... those lips... That hair could be a Jewfro.
Erectus Walks Amongst Us At least it's on his had and not on his palms like you...
4um Traitor If you love America so much why do you love Americans so little?
You're no American. You're the AmeriKan enemy within. A libcommie NeoCon cs.
4um Traitor Not many Americans around, and you aint one.
Planted PR piece. Good Cop vs. Bad Cop. Our Magnificent Beneficent Almighty Obamessiah versus the twisted nasty evil, hissssssssssssss, Replublicans. Not that the Republicans are not twisted and evil but that there is no difference between the Obamessiah and them. My only real question about the article is which PR Agency or Government PsyOperator wrote this for this alleged reporter?
""I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
My family has been here since the 17th century, squatter.
Coming from you that's almost a relief.
No worries - his Bankster Masters have already paid him off like a minor prince. His salary is just chump change.
""I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
I embrace the concept of freedom. You don't. This nation was founded on nascient precepts of freedom. You reject them. Me the enemy? Hardly. You the enema? Exactly...
My family has been here since the 17th century, squatter. ca. 1626 to 1630 here. Of course my Indian ancestors were here a bit longer. However, residency does not make an American. Being an AMERICAN is a state of mind not longevity of residency. Either you support the principles of the Declaration of Independence or you are a Tory Pig. Your choice.
""I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
We can tell by the cut of your jib.
Either you support the principles of the Declaration of Independence or you are a Tory Pig. Your choice. Exactly. And communists and socialists do not support those principles.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. War like Vast and others are raising their kids to be cannon fodder in the ME for Israel and Obongo.
Erectus Walks Amongst Us The Declaration was a summation of some of the principles that came to be through the enlightenment. Amazing that those who espouse D/I it today are anything but... Words withouty action are meaningless. Words without contemporary meaning are inactionable.
Seeing things?
You're either Dutch or the progeny of debtors.
I tie it back when I eat...
war's kids will never be cannon fodder.
Hardly...
#14. To: Rotara (#2) Israel and the Arabs, Persians, Chinese, Soviets, EuroCommies, etc. can sink or swim on their own now. See it's not hard to get along with me... war posted on 2009-02-12 18:49:11 ET Reply Trace Private Reply
Correct.
The first paragraph of your posted article defined the rise of Hitler-the- killer-of-six-million-jews. Obama will be no different in the end, he's a mulatto monster who will exert his will through the FedGov, he's the political brother to that communist terrorist Nelson Mandela.
_________________________________________________________________________ The first paragraph of your posted article defined the rise of
Crew cuts are much better.
Erectus Walks Amongst Us I sweat more with short hair then I do long...it's past my shoulders right now but I will probably cut it sometime a round year end and give to Lox of Love...
Hitler, I'm going with Hitler. I'm equating Obama with Hitler. Obama=Hitler. After all, they're both socialist democrats.
_________________________________________________________________________ Hitler is nothing like Obama and Obama is nothing like Hitler. It's not discussing beyond that. The words necessary to do so would be too big for you.
A picture is worth a thousand words: _________________________________________________________________________ There are lots of similarities.
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#2. To: war (#0)
Mr. Obama’s tone and demeanor during the nearly hourlong interview was a duplicate of his nationally televised press conference last week.
I will not go to Auschwitz. I have ordered the book. Da-do-run-run-run Da-do-run-run.
#3. To: Prefrontal Vortex (#2)
#4. To: Sam Houston (#3)
I will not go to Auschwitz. I have ordered the book. Da-do-run-run-run Da-do-run-run.
#5. To: war (#0)
...President Obama...understands that most voters are not driven by ideology and are not searching for politically orthodox leadership. Most want leaders who speak to their needs — especially in this time of economic crisis — and a government that works.
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#6. To: X-15 (#5)
#7. To: Prefrontal Vortex (#4)
#8. To: war (#0)
“Now, I have to say that given that they were running the show for a pretty long time prior to me getting there, and that their theory was tested pretty thoroughly and it’s landed us in the situation where we’ve got over a trillion-dollars’ worth of debt and the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression, I think I have a better argument in terms of economic thinking.”
Lord Acton
#9. To: Sam Houston (#7)
I will not go to Auschwitz. I have ordered the book. Da-do-run-run-run Da-do-run-run.
#10. To: Prefrontal Vortex (#9)
That hair could be a Jewfro.
#11. To: war (#10)
You silly little libturd world commie America-hater
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#12. To: Rotara (#11)
You silly little libturd world commie America-hater
#13. To: war (#12)
If you love America so much why do you love Americans so little?
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#14. To: war (#12)
PING
#15. To: war (#0)
#16. To: Cynicom (#14)
Not many Americans around, and you aint one.
#17. To: Rotara (#13)
You're no American.
#18. To: Sam Houston (#1)
He had better worry more about market reactions. The longer the market melts down, the closer his federal government comes to not being able to pay its bills, including even his own salary.
#19. To: Rotara (#13)
You're the AmeriKan enemy within.
#20. To: war (#16)
Not many Americans around, and you aint one.
#21. To: war (#17)
#22. To: Original_Intent (#20)
However, residency does not make an American. Being an AMERICAN is a state of mind not longevity of residency.
Lord Acton
#23. To: Original_Intent, war (#20)
#24. To: war (#10)
Welcome to 4um. Let your hair down.
I will not go to Auschwitz. I have ordered the book. Da-do-run-run-run Da-do-run-run.
#25. To: Original_Intent (#20)
Either you support the principles of the Declaration of Independence...
#26. To: Cynicom (#21)
We can tell by the cut of your jib.
#27. To: Original_Intent (#20)
ca. 1626 to 1630 here.
#28. To: Prefrontal Vortex (#24)
Welcome to 4um. Let your hair down.
#29. To: Cynicom, Original_Intent, war (#23)
War like Vast and others are raising their kids to be cannon fodder in the ME for Israel and Obongo.
#30. To: Cynicom (#23)
War like Vast and others are raising their kids to be cannon fodder in the ME for Israel
#31. To: Cynicom (#23)
#32. To: scrapper2 (#29)
#33. To: war (#6)
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#34. To: X-15 (#33)
Listening to President Obama, I was struck by how well he understands that most voters are not driven by ideology and are not searching for politically orthodox leadership. Most want leaders who speak to their needs — especially in this time of economic crisis — and a government that works.
Hitler any politician who succeeds into power during a time of catharis...
#35. To: war (#28)
I tie it back when I eat...
I will not go to Auschwitz. I have ordered the book. Da-do-run-run-run Da-do-run-run.
#36. To: Prefrontal Vortex (#35)
Crew cuts are much better.
#37. To: war (#34)
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#38. To: X-15 (#37)
#39. To: war (#38)
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#40. To: war (#38)
Hitler is nothing like Obama and Obama is nothing like Hitler.
.
.
.