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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: 877
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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#43. To: war (#41)
ROFL!! Call the waaaaaambulance!!! Hurts to see your Fuhrer revealed for what he really is?? _________________________________________________________________________ Hitler killed 6 million Jews. How many million babies will be killed with Obamas blessing while president? That would make him worse then Hitler. He is running a corrupt secret government.
That first video really brings it all together. I hope the idiots who voted for Obummer kill themselves.
_________________________________________________________________________ HItler killed 18MM in the Holocaust...not just Jews. How many million babies will be killed with Obamas blessing while president? Non-sequitur
I don't know the exact numbers. No one does for sure. It was a very large number. Obama is a murderer at heart. He must hate babies to want so many of them dead. He should just take the raft back to Africa from whence he came.
We may have to do that ourselves someday. Hopefully they all just get aids and die. Since most of them are homos anyway.
If you don't want an abortion don't have one. Obama is not forcing anyone to have an abortion. He is not advocating that anyone should have an abortion. Your statement lacks aby kind of underpinning that would make it either logical or true. Abortion was legal at the founding of this nation.
In other words. Who cares. Pathetic Obama is stupider then a 12 year old. Or just plain evil as night is black.
Wrong direction. He's "from" Hawaii...or are you one of those BC Moonbats too?
No he's not advocating it by spendnig millions of taxpayer dollars on it. Are you for killing babies too?
Anyone who spends millions to hide their birth certificate is hiding something. Buy a clue.
IF she doesn't want to have an abortion she doesn't have to have one. What is so hard to understand about that?
How so? Are you for killing babies too? No...just the elderly...
Feel free to buck up where he has spent even 1 dollar let alone millions. Thanks.
Nothing hard to understand about that. It is pure evil. What if the baby wants to live. I guess you don't give a shit about that as long as the money is flowing your way. Pathetic
He has hired a fleet of lawyers to fight it. You know that. They don't work for free.
What in the French underground calling Katherine are you babbling about? What money? Flowing where? Federal money does not pay for abortion on demand.
Yea? What law firm?
I am saying that as long as you are fat and happy who gives a shit about babies being murdered by the truckload.
Doesn't matter which law firm. Go look it up if you want to know their name. I don't give a crap what they are called.
OF: I don't know the exact numbers. No one does for sure. It was a very large number. Old Friend, war is quite correct in the figure he quotes. The International Tracing Service has recently opened its records of death camp victims of Naziis. The Naziis were so compulsive and methodical, they kept perfect records - what a tragic irony but in any event, helpful for historical research. Anyways, the ITS has records of approx. 17.5 Million victims, rounded off it's 18 Million. If 6 Million Jews were killed, then the remainder were 12.5 non-Jews ie. 2x as many Christians were killed as Jews. Fyi, the first people killed in the concentration camps were Catholic priests - a fact that the adl does not talk about much.
I only dispute one thing. We can't assume that everyone killed that wasn't a Jew was a christian.
The general counsel for the DNC, Joe Snadler, has handled the very limited amount of responses to the BS lawsuits that have been filed but only on behalf of the DNC which has been party to the suits. There is no evidence anywhere that Obama has either spent money or even hired, on his own behalf, any lawyer to "fight" these lawsuits. IN point of fact, save for one motion to dismiss which was actually filed by the DNC, there have been 0 responses filed directly by or on behlalf of Obama and, again as a point of fact, Obama has allowed filing dealines in all of these cases lapse without having responded. Your statement that he has spent millions is absolute horeshit and unless you can pony up any proof that he has it flies away on leathery wings towards the lunar surface where it belongs.
So Obama is above the Law. He don't have to respond. How nice. Obama is a thief too. Not just a murderer at heart and deed.
Happy...yes...fat...no...and abortion is a tragedy. It's also a women's right to have absolute domain over every part of her body including the reproductive organs. What other body parts are you willing to cede control over to the government?
Ok maybe he hasn't spent millions. But he has spend money on it. Lots of it. Liars don't work for free.
Oh right...there's all those huge numbers ( NOT) of non-denominational gypsies and homosexuals that the adl wants us to believe died in concentration cams - anyone but Christians - Abe would rather choke than tell the truth about the Polish and Ukrainian and other Slavik Catholics and Greek Orthodox who Hitler rounded up for his camps. ha! just keep on putting your faith in Honest Abe...
No court has ordered him to do so. When a lawsuit is filed againstv you, you have the right to respond to it. You also the right to not respond. He's chosen the latter.
I think if a woman wants an abortion. She should be the one dead not the baby. Execute the cunts. I also support strong enforcement for men who have babies and making them pay. What about the guys sperm. It is his kid too. Killers should be killed. your abortion is a tragedy comment rings very hollow.
I am not saying no christians were killed. Hitler wrote many things about the Jews. He was obsessed with them more then christians or jypsies or queers. They were his primary target.
Abortion was an unknown concept in 1776, women weren't running around having abortions, women who got pregnant carried their BABIES to full-term. Obama wants to abort every baby he can, he's a killer at heart.
_________________________________________________________________________ When you don't respond you are supposed to get a default judgement against you. That is how it works for us citizens.
Lets see. I am a contractor. I use my feet hands lets eyes and brain to earn a living. Why the hell do they think they can get the fruits of my labor. What are they a bunch of commies or something. Oh yeah they call themselves progressives and liberals now.
Hitler wrote many things about the Jews. He was obsessed with them more then christians or jypsies or queers. They were his primary target. What you are saying is that 12.5 Million NON-JEWS snuffed by Hitler in his camps may not be Christians because to admit to that FACT (supported by ITS records) is to dwarf the number of Jews killed by Hitler and is counter to your Zionist agenda. I've got 2 words for you - useful tool.
lol No I am saying that because you can't know if someone was a christian When I say christian I mean as in saved by grace true believers. For example 85 percent or so of Americans claim to be christians. Most of them probably aren't. I'm using the words literally and not figuratively.
When I say christian I mean as in saved by grace true believers. Oh brother. Not this holy roller stuff again. Sheesh.
So you think people who aren't saved are christians? If so that's funny.
Neither. My original ancestor here was Welsh.
""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
Every Christian believes in Jesus Christ, the only son of God who died for our sins, is saved.
Interesting...as were mine ...but they came in the 1660's.
"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
#44. To: war (#42)
#45. To: Old Friend (#40)
"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
#46. To: Old Friend (#44)
Hitler killed 6 million Jews.
#47. To: war (#46)
HItler killed 18MM in the Holocaust...not just Jews.
#48. To: X-15 (#45)
That first video really brings it all together. I hope the idiots who voted for Obummer kill themselves.
#49. To: Old Friend (#47)
Obama is a murderer at heart. He must hate babies to want so many of them dead.
#50. To: war (#46)
Non-sequitur
#51. To: Old Friend (#47)
He should just take the raft back to Africa from whence he came.
#52. To: war (#49)
. He is not advocating that anyone should have an abortion. Your statement lacks aby kind of underpinning that would make it either logical or true.
#53. To: war (#51)
#54. To: Old Friend (#50)
#55. To: Old Friend (#52)
No he's not advocating it by spendnig millions of taxpayer dollars on it.
#56. To: Old Friend (#53)
Anyone who spends millions to hide their birth certificate is hiding something.
#57. To: war (#54)
IF she doesn't want to have an abortion she doesn't have to have one. What is so hard to understand about that?
#58. To: war (#56)
Feel free to buck up where he has spent even 1 dollar let alone millions.
#59. To: Old Friend (#57)
I guess you don't give a shit about that as long as the money is flowing your way.
#60. To: Old Friend (#58)
He has hired a fleet of lawyers to fight it. You know that.
#61. To: war (#59)
#62. To: war (#60)
Yea? What law firm?
#63. To: Old Friend (#47)
war: HItler killed 18MM in the Holocaust...not just Jews.
#64. To: scrapper2 (#63)
12.5 non-Jews ie. 2x as many Christians were killed as Jews.
#65. To: Old Friend (#62)
#66. To: war (#65)
Obama and, again as a point of fact, Obama has allowed filing dealines in all of these cases lapse without having responded.
#67. To: Old Friend (#61)
I am saying that as long as you are fat and happy who gives a shit about babies being murdered by the truckload.
#68. To: war (#65)
Your statement that he has spent millions is absolute horeshit and unless you can pony up any proof that he has it flies away on leathery wings towards the lunar surface where it belongs.
#69. To: Old Friend (#64)
We can't assume that everyone killed that wasn't a Jew was a christian.
#70. To: Old Friend (#66)
So Obama is above the Law. He don't have to respond. How nice.
#71. To: war (#67)
Happy...yes...fat...no...and abortion is a tragedy. It's also a women's right to have absolute domain over every part of her body including the reproductive organs.
#72. To: scrapper2 (#69)
#73. To: war (#49)
Abortion was legal at the founding of this nation.
"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
#74. To: war (#70)
No court has ordered him to do so. When a lawsuit is filed againstv you, you have the right to respond to it. You also the right to not respond. He's chosen the latter.
#75. To: war (#67)
What other body parts are you willing to cede control over to the government?
#76. To: Old Friend (#72)
(Edited)
I am not saying no christians were killed.
#77. To: scrapper2 (#76)
What you are saying is that 12.5 Million NON-JEWS snuffed by Hitler in his camps may not be Christians because to admit to that FACT (supported by ITS records) is to dwarf the number of Jews killed by Hitler and is counter to your Zionist agenda.
#78. To: Old Friend (#77)
No I am saying that because you can't know if someone was a christian
#79. To: scrapper2 (#78)
#80. To: war (#27)
You're either Dutch or the progeny of debtors.
#81. To: Old Friend (#79)
(Edited)
So you think people who aren't saved are christians?
#82. To: Original_Intent (#80)
My original ancestor here was Welsh.
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