First Thoughts: Stuck in the middle

Posted: Friday, September 04, 2009 9:24 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** Stuck in the middle with you: As President Obama prepares to deliver his primetime health-care speech on Wednesday, he’s finding himself boxed in from the left and right -- of his own party. On the one hand, there are those conservative-leaning House Blue Dogs as well as moderate senators (Ben Nelson, Kent Conrad, Blanche Lincoln) who all have reservations about a public option. And on the other hand, the left is demanding it. Yesterday, the House Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, MoveOn, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi all released letters and statements calling for its inclusion in any health-care bill. "A bill without a strong public option will not pass the House. Eliminating the public option would be a major victory for the insurance companies who have rationed care, increased premiums and denied coverage," Pelosi said. No one ever said governing was easy, even when your own party controls both chambers of Congress…

*** Obama’s message to the left: So how is Obama going to try to fix this conundrum? NBC’s David Gregory reports that the president is preparing to tell liberals in Congress that it's time to be good soldiers. “While he is expected to stand behind the idea of a public option, he is also expected to stress that it can't be MORE important than some of the other reforms that are possible this year, including insurance reform that would guarantee coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions,” Gregory says. “He'll argue that as with Social Security, Democrats should start with an achievable foundation and build on it from there.” We’ll see how liberals react to that. Meanwhile, on Sunday, “Meet the Press” has an exclusive interview with White House senior adviser David Axelrod.

*** Trigger happy? The middle ground that Obama might try to find on the public option versus no public option is with a trigger, something that Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe (R) backs. Pelosi has hinted she's against the trigger, but will she be against the trigger after Wednesday’s speech? And won't the argument to her and other house Dems be, "Well, if you are right about the private insurance industry's ability to create competition and lower costs, then you'll get your public option. So why not give me this leeway to get something passed?” But for now, it appears there is greater pressure coming from the president’s left on this issue, than the right.

*** The divide over Afghanistan: Speaking of being pushed from the right and left, The New York Times has a fascinating breakdown of those who are pushing for more troops in Afghanistan versus those who are wary about that. Among those supporting more troops: Hillary Clinton and Richard Holbrooke. Among those expressing concerns: Vice President Biden and Robert Gates (although the Defense secretary expressed more support for the prospect of more troops yesterday).

*** Today’s job report: Today’s monthly jobs report is good news, bad news for the Obama administration. The bad news: The unemployment rate for August has increased from 9.4% last month to 9.7%, the highest level in 26 years. The good news: Employers cut 216,000 jobs in August, which is the lowest number since Aug. 2008, providing further proof that the economy bottomed out last winter. So cue all of today’s press releases -- from Republicans and Democrats! In fact, the RNC and Eric Cantor have already released theirs. On her 1:00 pm ET show on MSNBC, NBC’s Andrea Mitchell will interview Labor Secretary Hilda Solis on the job numbers. Mitchell today also will interview former Homeland Security head Tom Ridge.

*** Harry Reid’s in trouble: Republicans have yet to find a top-tier challenger to take on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2010, but that doesn’t mean he’s safe from trouble. A new DailyKos/Research 2000 poll shows Reid trailing relatively no-name GOP candidates Danny Tarkanian and Sue Lowden (who announced she’s exploring a bid). Could Democrats really see a second-straight Senate majority leader lose re-election? Right now, Reid’s best assets are the fact the GOP brand in Nevada is just atrocious (see Gibbons/Ensign). Still, it won't be easy for him to make a campaign about his opponent. Considering his leadership post, he runs a big risk of being the referendum for voters. Reid's folks point to his enormous warchest and are taking the long view. Still, if he loses, don't expect to see a swing state senator to lead the caucus anytime soon...

*** 2010 -- the year of the angry white senior? Some House Democrats are in trouble, too. The Cook Political Report’s David Wasserman publishes a comprehensive overview of the 2010 congressional battlefield, and writes that Democrats could find a backlash from angry white seniors. For starters, older voters make up a disproportionate share of the midterm electorate, he writes. “According to exit poll data, voters over 45 comprised 54 percent of the total electorate in 2004 and just 53 percent of the electorate in 2008, but they were 63 percent of all voters in 2006.” And he adds that a recent Pew poll showing seniors, “who gave Democrats a 50 percent to 39 percent edge on the generic ballot in November 2006, giving Republicans a 51 percent to 43 percent edge now. If that reversal holds, Democrats could be ruing the ‘year of the angry white senior’ at the polling place, not just the town hall.”

*** Remind us again how the media is biased…: Finally, here’s one more thought about the entire controversy over Obama’s education speech on Tuesday: Since the White House has said the text of the speech will be available for 24 hours before he delivers it and since they altered the lesson plan language, why is this still a controversy? The ability of the conservative media machine to generate a controversy for this White House is amazing. In fact, this is an example of a story that percolates where it becomes harder and harder for some to claim there's some knee-jerk liberal media bias. (Does anyone remember these kinds of controversies in the summer of 2001?) The ability of some conservatives to create media firestorms is still much greater than liberals these days. How effective is the conservative media machine? Just ask Van Jones…

Countdown to Election Day 2009: 60 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 424 days

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Comments

What Is Snow Worth?

The President is courting the Senator Olympia Snow from Maine to get one Republican vote. So what is her vote worth? It’s not worth gutting healthcare reform and losing 80 + house progressive votes!!! Obama has attempted to reach across the isle to get Republican votes. Enough of the nonsense about the president not trying to be bipartisan.

So where are the seats of power in this contest? There are many crosscurrents but I distill it down to 80 + House progressives who want the public option and can halt Nancy Pelosi from getting a House majority. Pelosi supports the progressives and that will likely be enough for Obama to include the public option in his speech next week.

The other seat of power is the Democrat blue dogs; most of whom are bought and paid for by the health insurance industry. The private health insurance companies will insist that the blue dogs vote against the public option. Herein lies the President’s dilemma.

The President’s speech will be full of passion and include the public option. He has to have the support of the House progressives. If he hasn’t decided already, within the next ten days he will conclude that he will not get any support from Republican senators…and reconciliation is his only option. This fight could take a while.

Spin, Spin, Spin:

Regardless of the outcome of HCR legislation, the spinning will increase. I have a lot of respect for Charlie Cook as his batting average is much higher than mine. Charlie thinks the Democrats will lose seats in 2010. He is probably right in the House, but the Senate is a different story. I still think the Democrats will pick up at least one seat in the Senate.

Thus far, I don’t buy the argument that the Democrats do not know how to lead, thus they will lose seats. The counter spin is that the Party of No opposed the stimulus package, health care, and all other programs that benefit average Americans thus they don’t deserve to be back in office. Moderates, by definition are not so much into ideology, and are not ready to elect Republicans. The bottom line or major factor in determining the winners in 2010 will be, “who is the better candidate?” That’s where the action is in the House. In the Senate Joe Sestak is the guy who will beat both Specter and Toomey in PA.

Ron Indiana (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:33 AM)

As we close out another fierce & fabulous week (and summer) here at FR it occurred to me why the rhetoric from the right has been more LOUDER & absurd than usual…

Last night was a full moon!

The right wing loons have been out in full force the past couple of days attempting to ‘enlighten’ educated Americans with one conspiracy theory after another.

Let’s see… you got the birther’s – the deather’s – the Nazi’s – the Teabaggers and now new to the list… the home schooler’s!

Looking back at the Summer of 2009 despite the crazzee’s above, Us progressives have had a pretty good overall couple of months.

Yes we’ve hit a couple of speed bumps along the way… but now it’s nothing but open highway and full speed ahead to get HCR done!

Many thanks for the crew here at FR for your hard work & determination to keep this site the best place on the web for political discussion! Being able to express & read what others are thinking is some of the best ‘therapy’ around! :0) Enjoy your holiday!

And to the rest of my ‘friends’ around here (who are to numerous to mention) I wish you a Happy & Safe Labor Day!

Ps; If that crazy Bachman wants to slit her wrists why doesn’t she do us all a favor and GO ahead &do it! To my friends of the State of 1000 Lakes – do you cringe every time she opens her mouth? Sheeesh… that broad the epitome of Psychotic!

Gotcha Gregory has GOT TO GO…
Replace him NOW with Lawrence O’…

Hey Mark/Domenico… quick question… doesn’t Gotcha have some vacation time or something coming?

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:34 AM)

What will healthcare reform do for the unemployed? What coverage will they receive? Why will the bill not take effect until 2013 in a time of 9.7% (and likely to go higher) unemployment?

Alan, NJ (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:36 AM)

When Barack Obama, then an unknown, was running for the Senate, he was so forceful in his judgment that Iraq was the wrong war. He put his political future on the line at a time when going into Iraq was a popular view throughout the country. He went right up against Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld, etc. He went against the tide of the inside the beltway media, who truly thought it was anti-American to think differently than what we were being told by the Bush Administration.

It was this intellectual, independent mindset that set him on course to where he is now. When he won the election last November, we all looked at each other with a look that said yes, this time we got it right. Here we had a president from a whole new generation. Who understood the wrong course our country had taken over the years. Has he changed since then? People are asking this question everywhere. We are left to wonder - will the president tell members of the Democratic Party what he wants, what he demands in this health care legislation? That this isn't about compromise; that it is about a health industry that is broken and will only get worse as the years go on. Will the conservative democrats realize that this is the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of millions of Americans? That it is their obligation and responsibility to change what has been broken for generations?

The large majority of Americans in this country want reform in the health care industry. Real reform. Will the President speak on behalf of us when he goes in front of Congress. Will he succeed in getting what we the American people want in this bill? What we voted for back in November?

We will know soon enough.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:37 AM)

It's simple President Obama let the blue dogs know in no uncertain terms that voting against public options will bring the wrath onto their heads vis-a-vis not getting a penny from the party to run in their re-election. The Rethuglicans had no problems w/ partisanship when they ran the show i.e., Bush tax cuts and allowing Democrats to interject. To bad we liberals/progressives are the majority now. Get over it.Obama now better grow a spine and start channeling LBJ.

Juan,Ft Lauderdale, Fl (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:38 AM)

What? No news about Obama killing all those innocent civillians in Afghanistan yesterday??

Barry's War (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:39 AM)

First Read, please tell me you're not blaming the 'conservative media' (oxymoron) for Van Jones' problems. Do you really think a 9-11 truther, name caller of Republicans, and professional race baiter 'white people are purposely polluting black communities' hasn't perhaps created his own problems?

Erin, Chesapeake VA (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:40 AM)

" As President Obama prepares to deliver his primetime health-care speech on Wednesday, he’s finding himself boxed in from the left and right -- of his own party. "

Finally figured that one out First Read? You've been whining and complaining about the Republicans all summer, and guess what, they don't matter! The problem is a split Democratic party. That's what happens when your tent gets too big. And that's especially what happens when you have such big majorities, the party splits. Obama left the ding-dong twins Nancy and Harry write the extremely liberal health care bills, and the moderate Democrats themselves cannot stomach that pain. The centrist Dems are entenched and their minds are pretty much made up, an now Obama will lose his health care bill.

Nice going Obama, you're a lame duck after less then 7 months in office.

Alex Diexter, NYC (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:40 AM)

I would love to hear what Mr. Axelrod has to say but I will never watch MTP as long as 'Got-Ya' Gregory is on it.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:41 AM)

And in ACTUAL news;

Unemployment up to 9.7%

2 more dead in Afghanistan

Generals call for escalation IN Afghanistan

Renditions (and torture) continue, with "supervision"

NYT call on President to RAISE TAXES...

But bring on the daily shouting match, as extremists on both sides scream insults making a mockery of intelligent political discourse. You see, their opponents are too stupid to understand that they are not just 100% correct, but their opponents are "EVIL"

...Give them bread and circuses...

Diogenes (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:41 AM)

Sounds like Anita has been drinking the blueberry Kool-Aid today. Yesterday's rants had a hint of strawberry to them. Hope she lays off the juice over the weekend.

31 Flavors (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:42 AM)

The Kabul Debacle

Good morning everyone and happy Friday to all. Feisty Redhead, I didn’t know that you had a family emergency this week and I wish you well, and am sorry for not responding until now.

Beverly in Chicago, welcome back, we’ve missed you. I won’t be out here very long on today because it’s Friday and it has become one of my busiest days, however I must leave this thought.

Rachel Maddow has been talking about the conduct of the contractors in Kabul. The pictures I’ve seen are disgusting and shameful to say the least and because of the actions of those “dogs” all and any funding, be it contractual or whatever, should be suspended immediately.

Where in the hell did they find those animals? After viewing those photo’s I can easily understand why the people in the Middle East view us as they do.
Countdown with Keith Olbermann featured the Glenn Beck meltdown and it was hysterical. I can’t believe that people actually watch his show and take the s**t he say’s seriously. He’s not even “good” entertainment.

The President Address To The Children

WTF? Anyone with an once of common sense recognize what the right wing wacks are doing to the President. I am ashamed to be called an American citizen. As a child growing up during the Civil Rights era and having been shipped away because of the violence; once upon a time I had always been ashamed to even let people know that I was from Birmingham, Alabama, because of the violence against blacks.

What the right wing and the elected Republican lawmakers are allowing to take place (giving a silent nod) is un-American They don’t love this country, they have any pride in this nation and they don’t respect laws. They want power. They want to be in charge of something that they can’t master and it’s been established.

They are inexperienced (proven fact after eight years of Bush and republican control of both houses) the very idea that we elected a “black” man over one of them is eating their hearts out.

The fear they have of him his success. Because if he succeeds, then they can no longer claim that black men or any other minority is capable of leadership. After all, they are the only people capable of understanding the complex problems of running a nation and by birth right they are suppose to rule over us.

Well I’m serving notice this day to you ingnorant masses that we won and we will continue to win.

What you are doing is only resinating in your circle of wing nuts. The “majority of American disown you.

My country tears of thee, sweet land of liberty of thee I sing. Land where "my" fathers died, land of thy pilgrims pride, from every mountain side. Let freedom ring!

Have a great weekend every one.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:42 AM)

Can anyone name anything that has happened in heaven or here on Earth that is NOT President's Obama's fault?

I mean, before he was elected, everything was perfect, and now, 7 months into his first term he has managed to f#@$ up the entire world.

Amazing.

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:42 AM)

Well another Fun Friday here at First Read the best place for political discourse on the internet. Thanks to the FR crew of Chuck, Mark, Domenico and Ali for giving us our perpetual townhall meeting where we can act like the Hatfields and McCoys and spew hate at each other. Thanks to all the great Obama supporters for all of your great witty comments. Even thanks to the dopes of nope for making this such a popular site.

It's really a pity how the limpwristed conservative crybabies always fall back on blaming the Liberal media instead of blaming themselves for their many screwups. We Liberals need to blast the wicked fox and freaks propaganda channel for spreading so many lies. I sure enjoyed Keith Olbermann's comedic spiel on Glenn Henpecked and his commie architecture nonsense, a welcome bit of comedy during a week of no Daily Show or Colbert Report shows.

Is Harry Reid being in trouble really bad news for Democrats? Considering his weak leadership in the Senate, especially allowing the Cabal of 6 to stall health care reform, it would actually be good to get this wimp out so we can get a stronger leader like Barbara Boxer. It's his cowardly leadership that has allowed HCR with the public option to become so contentious as he has allowed 6 freaks to screw up everything for the public option for HCR.

Democrats need Leaders with a Spine!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:42 AM)

'...Yesterday, the House Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, MoveOn, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi all released letters and statements calling for its inclusion in any health-care bill. "A bill without a strong public option will not pass the House....'

THANK YOU, Nancy
You may yet save President Obama from himself

WHY give up the Public Option ?
For ONE Republican VOTE ?
For ONE ?

Use Reconciliation to pass HCR with the Public Option
It only takes 51 votes

Why give up the Public Option for ONE REPUBLICAN VOTE ?
Obama wants to be the 'Transformational Leader', like Reagan
It ain't happening, Forget it
BE A DEMOCRAT

FR: Are there 51 votes in the Senate for HCR wiht the Public Option ?

Sign the MoveOn petition demanding the Public Option
Email the White House and demand the Public Option

'...“He'll argue that as with Social Security, Democrats should start with an achievable foundation and build on it from there.”...'

The Public Option IS ACHIEVABLE with Reconciliation
Why surrender to Tea Baggers, Fix Noise and the RNC ??

'...2010 -- the year of the angry white senior?...'

It could be if you demoralize the Democratic Party
Remind me again, why do I support the Obama Administration ?
Because they helped those poor little banks and Wall Street traders ?
Is THAT WHY?

President Obama has to be a real Democrat if he wants enthusiastic Democratic support

DON'T WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY !!

And tell the Secret Servic to ARREST any gun carrier who shows up at a Presidential event

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:44 AM)

Harry Reid thinks he's 10 feet tall and bulletproof
(it's just a saying if you live on the left coast)
as do most of those in Obie's raucous administration.
His career, as he once knew it, is over. Gone.

Angry white people. Don't you just love 'em? Especially the old guys and gals. Obie just doesn't get it. Never will.

Unemployment going up? Thanks, Obie.

And, oh yes, the media is biased. Too bad FR and the rest of the circus won't admit it, but it's getting a little bit better. The bedfellows are starting to fight.

And finally, EVERYONE knows Obie is so far left he almost falls off the page. People won't fall for his occasional "touch" of conservatism.

And his numbers continue to fall.

Moon Dawg (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:44 AM)

Van Jones. Finally someone is taking a look at the lefty loon czars Obama has surrounded himself with. This Jones character is as whacky as they come, A avowed communist, he signed a petition that stated that 9/11 was an inside job. Now that the spotlight is on him, he's backing away from that signature saying he didn't know what he was signing. Right. Sure.

The media needs to start digging into the background of these czars. More Reverend Wright type guys like Jones will show up if they do.

Czar Hunter (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:44 AM)

NBC’s David Gregory reports that the president is preparing to tell liberals in Congress that it's time to be good soldiers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yeah… SO?

Like I would believe anything that came out of his Republican’t mouth! Good Old Gotcha’s got about as much credibility as PET ROCK!

Note to FR Crew: In my previous post I praised you for a job well done and then you throw THIS out here!

Meanwhile, on Sunday, “Meet the Press” has an exclusive interview with White House senior adviser David Axelrod…

THANKS BUT NO THANKS!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ability of the conservative media machine to generate a controversy for this White House is amazing. In fact, this is an example of a story that percolates where it becomes harder and harder for some to claim there's some knee-jerk liberal media bias.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Really? Who knew??? *snark*

The conservative media walks all over the MSM and instead of you growing a pair and actually doing some to CHANGE it – you sit back and report on it!

Unbelievable! ***shakes head***

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:44 AM)

It would be too funny if the speech for school kids got mixed up with the speech for Congress. And, congress could do the homework (now removed) and write the President a letter saying what they could do for the President. Once again, Obama's arrogance cost him . Even John Kennedy had the sense to say "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Note: he didn't ask folks to write a letter of laudatory praise to Comrade Kennedy; he asked them to commit to making their country better. Government may get away with a lot of things but they cross the line when they start messing with people's kids, demanding they listen to political idealogy and demanding they write a letter pledging to support Comrade Obama. Let him speak and say "study hard"; it will take two minutes and get him off the air.

keep the change, Obama (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:47 AM)

The job loss number for August is not all that good. consider this: included in the BLS release was the adjustment number for both June and July(it took them long enough).

The June number was adjusted from 443,000 jobs lost to 463,000 jobs lost-the number economists predicted.

The July jobs lost number was adjusted from 247,000 jobs lost to 276,000 jobs lost. Again, what had been predicted.

Economists expected August job losses to be at 233,000. Care to speculate what the adjustment will be?

In addition, the adjustment to the unemployment rate that includes discouraged workers and those who want full-time employment but are forced to accept part time employment rose from 16.3% to 16.8%. Typically, that number is broken out to show discouraged workers as a separate number. It has not been reported yet.

In July, the unemployment rate edged down one tenth of one per cent, but the number of discouraged workers edged up by that exact amount-from 10.1% to 10.2%. Discouraged workers are those who are ready, willing, and able to work, but have not actively sought a job in four weeks prior to the survey.

What is most disturbing about this number is that July and August are typically flat - fewer people seek employment in these months.

September looks to be really ugly.

Somebody needs to tell Joe Biden. He thinks the stimulous bill stimulated something other than the federal deficit.

no joe, no bo,nj (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:47 AM)

We campaign finance reform so the insurance companies won't own the politicians.

Hope for the future (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:47 AM)

I am sick of Obama and his dems constantly making everything about race. A lot of people are angry and it's not just white seniors.

If you want to talk about racists, lets report on Barry's green jobs czar, Van Jones, who says white people are poisoning the water supply to kill black people. That is not only racist, but very stupid.

Keep the Change (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:48 AM)

So the Wednesday Obama speech is shaping up to be, . . . , more of the same? He's for the Public Option, but it's not necessary? Obama needs to be a big boy and take a stand on something, anything. On the Public Option, he first said it was "Necessary part of any reform". Then. later, after he say the majority of people turn on him, the Public Option was "Just a sliver, a small portion of the plan". Now Pelosi says any bill she produces must have it, and the Senate says it won't have it. Looks like the debate and the message have gotten away from Obama because of all his dithering.

KT Benson, Ohio (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:48 AM)

FR --> The ability of the conservative media machine to generate a controversy for this White House is amazing. In fact, this is an example of a story that percolates where it becomes harder and harder for some to claim there's some knee-jerk liberal media bias. (Does anyone remember these kinds of controversies in the summer of 2001?) The ability of some conservatives to create media firestorms is still much greater than liberals these days. How effective is the conservative media machine? Just ask Van Jones…

------------------------------------
Excuse me guys are you just realizing this NOW, after birthers, deathers, and riled up town halls!

I can not believe the junk that is being treated like news. All these stories going around now about mind control over children, death squads, socialism are nothing but fluff to fill tv time.

The story should be how incredulous(sp) the conservative talking points are. Not the stubstance of any of the unbelievable stories.

If a story came out that Pres Obama had offed his own grandmother, it would be give the same coverage as if it were true.

Enough already!!!

Carole, San Diego (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:48 AM)

Just remember kiddies, Politics is like a dog sled team, no matter who you decide to get behind, the view and the smell never changes! The fertlizer make for strong grass roots though.

Confucius (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:49 AM)

President Obama had better get some cajones on the public option or he's going to lose health care reform as Liberals will shoot down any wimped out version. We Liberals have compromised too much already on too many bills and we're sick and tired of being taken for granted by the White House. If Barack runs away from us Liberals then he'll see us run away from him in 2012, and any Blue Dogs in 2010 who don't support the public option.

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:28 AM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My thoughts EXACTLY Eric… Thanks!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:49 AM)

I support, applaud, praise ANY president, Republican or Democrat, who talks directly to our young students about the importance of education. Our country is ranked too low internationally, in education. Our nationasl drop-out rates continue to skyrocket. Why then all this stupid, ignorant, baseless, head-in-the-sand response from "some" parents & school faculties condemning our President from talking education to our youngest citizens. What are they afraid of? Are they afraid that some of their children might actually LIKE this president and then might question all the silly prejudices and ideological stagnations of the adults in the house? Nothing President Obama seems to try to do can penetrate all this pre-conditioned hatred and venom that has been so pervasive since he's come onto the American political scene, even before he was ever elected. Every action, every comment, every breath he takes it seems, is the subject of ridicule and condemnation. I've never seen this kind of hatred towards ANY US President, and it just never seems to let up. And isn't everyone tired of the word SOCIALIST being bandied about so freely . . . as if it sums up all the hatred in one neat & tidy word? It's like folks are fishing around in their minds, trying to explain & defend their hatred and when they can't figure out how to illustrate their hatred in words, they just blurt out SOCIALIST and that is supposed to sum up "Why we hate him so much" and that's that. It's like that old woman at the McCain rally that time. She was filled with so much hate and she stammered & stumbled around for a good word to explain her hatred and she said "He's a . . . He's a . . . He's an Arab!" What in the world is this country coming to? It is indeed a dark cloud of ignorance that will eventually collapse our American political system. Maybe if those students were allowed to have "open minds" instead of minds shielded from positive things like a President's words of wisdom . . . we could start to break these chains of hatred once & for all.

xavier jude, missouri (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:50 AM)

The war in Afghanistan is another part of George Bush's toxic legacy

Bush started this war, and then BUNGLED IT
Afghanistan, along with Iraq, WMDs, torture and War Crimes are all Bush's TOXIC LEGACY

Look at those 'guards' of the Afghan Embassy
Contractors hired by Bush
WHY hire contractors ?
They were Republican Party Contributors

Stay the course in Afghanistan
'I'll be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were RECKLESS getting in'

by 'we' Obama meant BUSH/CHENEY

The same has to hold true for Afghanistan
We have to finish the job and leave (hopefully) a stable Afghanistan

As for the Republicans including George Will, 'Country First' was clearly a PR slogan without meaning
But, then you knew that all along

Let's try Reconciliation for HCR with the Public Option
Thank you, Nancy Pelosi

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:50 AM)

President Obama is president of the United States. When he gives an address, he gives it to the entire country. One problem with the current cable news stations is that it gives people the impression that news is plastic -- it creates the illusion of two "realities". There is, however, only one reality and only one president. People who would keep their children out of school rather than let them hear an address from the President are un-American. This president was voted into office in a democratic election and no one eligible was barred from participating in the election. Everyone (children included) deserves to hear what the President says == not what analysts or parents "interpret" him to be saying.

let it be (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:50 AM)

A bill without a strong public option will not pass the House. Eliminating the public option would be a major victory for the insurance companies who have rationed care, increased premiums and denied coverage,"

Now wonder why there are some who don't want the public option, they must be in the pocket of the insurance companies.
hey folks we are being taken, the insurance companies are the reason why we are fighting with each other. there are the ones who really don't want this to go through, and the lawmakers who are in there pockets are yelling the loudest. Now i don't want to point fingers but we need to research and find out how much our reps are getting from them, it only makes since. for me, if the public option is there i'm droping me insurance at work, permiums are 100.00 a week(2 years ago it was 65.00 a week) and look at the public option. if i can keep my same doctor, what difference does it make!! right!!!!
so please lets stop arguing and look at our reps in the congress and senate and see how much they are getting!!!!

Jeff Westmont IL (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:51 AM)

Atleast the job losses are going down from the past month even if the unempoyment rate went up to 9.7%. While the dopes of nope whine to Obama about where's the jobs the more relevant question is to the selfish CEO's of private industry about when they're going to stop cutting jobs or shipping them overseas and start hiring more workers. So party of sore losers where's your vaunted private industry at hiring new employees? Oh your precious selfish captains of industry are cutting workers so they can maintain their immoral overcompensation.

The problem with the angry old white voter is that they tend to be the ignorant lot who don't pay attention to the facts and are scared by every hateful lie the repugnant ones spew. Too many are just plain racists and can't stand that a black man is our president. Time for these angry old white voters to get a clue or shut up.

If President Obama bows down to Olympia Snowe Job and gives away the public option with her bogus trigger option then he doesn't deserve to be reelected. Candidate Obama talked a good game during the campaign about having affordable health insurance for all and if he gives it away to get one or two votes from the dopes of nope then he's going to face the backlash of us Liberals who are going to drop him like a bad habit. If he thinks it's a tough political climate now then just watch what happens if he disappoints us Liberals one too many times on the most important issue of all.

Just Say No to Co-op Copouts and Trigger Options!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:51 AM)

The nimrods on the right and their apologists on this blog are going to start w/ the job numbers. The best decrease in job loss since 3/08;however; unemployment rate to 9.7%. They will conviently not mention the fact that the unemployment rate was doing a nose dive the last 6 months of the Bush's administration. Their whole argument is now it Obama's economy. It's like taking over a new position from somebody who did a very lousy job and then have the audacity to moan and complain that the mess has not been cleaned up IN 8 MONTHS. SOUNDS FAMILIAR!

Juan, Ft Lauderdale, Fl (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:52 AM)

The true nature of the liberals in congress is coming out. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois (where else?) on Softboil (aka Hardball) said that yes, she is for Single Payer health care in the US. She's said this before, and now she and other socialists in congress are showing their true colors (Red). And they way Schakowsky gets there is through single payer.

Just say no to socialists. Just say no to Obama, Pelosi, and Schakowsky.

Gary Steele, Hobart IN (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:52 AM)

Education Speech: I can't believe there is a controversy! This is another Rethug made tempest that the media gobbles up eagerly, complete with foaming at the mouth conservatives spewing spittle about the President brainwashing their kids. I'm more concerned about a child in a home ripe with hate filled soundbites from right wingnuts than anything the President can say or do. The President only means to help and heal while the conservative only mean to hate and spread their venom.

I'm ashamed sometimes at how hateful we are to each other and I wonder what other countries think about our behaviour. If there are any foreign countries that are paying attention to us, I would love to know what they think about this "land of this free and home of the brave."

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:52 AM)

Seriously folks.

Have you ever seen the Dems screw it up so fast and furious?

The Chosen One was gonna fix everything yet he's the biggest disappointment in the lib/Dem party.

And almost every player, from Biden to Rangel to Pelosi to Reid, have said outrageous things to piss off Americans in general, singling out various groups in their name-calling rage.

Stupid, aren't they?
And they won't win anyone back.

The Tea Parties are through the roof.
Public sentiment against the fool regime.
Can't wait til 2010.

Moon Dawg (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:52 AM)

Pawning off responsibility for these "media firestorms," on the "conservative media machine," is a pretty facile argument, and lamenting it borders on ridiculous.

Here's an idea for you. If it isn't news and it's a falsely generated controversy, don't cover it. Don't mention it. Don't give it the attention it needs to become a firestorm.

Used to be journalist knew how to do that.

wappinne, NYC (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:52 AM)

Media Biased: You bet!!

Never in our political history has a wing of a political party controlled, or been controlled, by a news outlet. This is a serious issue for it distorts the information the American public receives. Fox News, with the commentators like Beck, Hannity, O’Reilly are doing a great disservice to this country.

The very existence of Fox News requires that all other media sources report fact-based stories. The influence of Fox News on the political scene is something historians will write about. They will also discuss why Non-Fox media did very little to nothing

Ron Indiana (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:53 AM)

My prediction: Obama will abandon the public option and lose a lot of capital with the left: but then he will rebuild that capital with some easy victories.

First, he'll get rid of DADT which will be an easy victory and rebuild cred with moderates and the left and should even get bipartisan support The subsequent prosecution of some CIa agents will also get support of the left and some moderates. Then in this quarter the GDP sees 3% growth, showing recession is over, and the next quarter we see about 5% growth and the unemployment goes down, very much due to stimulus(most of which starts rolling out this quarter) and the phased withdrawal from Iraq begins in earnest.

I think health care is going to be failure but will be made up for with a lot of small victories.

Paul, Huntsville, AL (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:53 AM)

HEADLINES:

WRONG WAY --- UNEMPLOYMENT AT 26-YEAR HIGH.

BIDEN SAYS STIMULUS WORKING AS PLANNED!

OBAMA'S AMAZING DECLINE CONTINUES.

WRONG WAY --- UNEMPLOYMENT AT 26-YEAR HIGH. (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:53 AM)

Quite the blowback on Obama propaganda for the children! There is hope for the country!!Only 6 months in office, and many parents hvae figured out that they have to put up with Obama's nutty ideas, but for sure their children don't. Hanging Ob's picture on the wall in the school is one thing. Letting him lecture the little minds full of mush is another. Pure indoctrination! So Obama - Leave Our Kids Alone!!

Jane Seymore, Texas (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:55 AM)

Do the extremists on the right KNOW that they are simply (and I do mean simple-y) the opposite side of the coin to their counterparts on the left?...

Diogenes (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:55 AM)

The protests against health care reform and the tea bag protesters take me back to another era. 1948, Truman signs Executive Order 9981 desegregating the military, 1954, Brown v. Board of Education, 1955, Emmitt Till murdered and Rosa Parks arrested. I could go on, but I hope you see where this is going.
Growing up in the fifty's and sixty's in the deep south and living through what happened then, I cannot help but see the similarities of what is occurring today.
People are opposed to a change in their way of life. The status quo is forever gone and nothing is ever going to change that fact.
The culture of the United States of America has been, is and will forever be changing. It will never go back to the way is was.
There are now too many people from too many other cultures affecting this change to the old culture of the USA and now nothing is going to stop this. Some may call this tragedy; others call this progress.
The winds of change will always be blowing.

Steven, Delaware (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:56 AM)

Obama would not feel boxed in from the left and right, if he would just remember his campaign promeses he made, and what got him elected. He is catering to much to the Right Wingers and stabbing his own party in the back, and that will get him nowhere fast. I don't know if he is afraid og the Repubs or what, but he is kissing their a$$ big time. He is acting like an "Uncle Tom" of the 1800
s era. The Repubs are even making jokes about getting back to the "Great White Way"-unbelievable-. Obama better wake up & take countrol & Act like a President or he will never get re-elected.--With the majority he has in the House & Senate if he does't get Health Reform passed now, there will never be a time this favorable to get it done ever again. Obama has to get tough and grow a pair of balls.

gepa (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:56 AM)

Obama is weak and indecisive, period.
That is why healthcare is failing and that is why his term will be a failure.

Repub 4 life (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:57 AM)

The ability of the conservative media machine to generate a controversy for this White House is amazing. In fact, this is an example of a story that percolates where it becomes harder and harder for some to claim there's some knee-jerk liberal media bias.

It helps a lot when the controversies the Republcians point out turn out to be true. Take Van Jones for example.

Conservative Chuck (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:57 AM)

The American people have been trying to tell the socialists like obama, pelosi, and reid that we DON'T WANT GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED HEALTH CARE! This isn't about healhcare, its about socialism and government control of our lives and the reduction of our freedom and our liberty. Socialism is the cancer that kills the spirit of man!

Mike Thompson (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:58 AM)

What this healthcare "reform" is going to boil down to is the following: "expanded" coverage for the uninsured which will essentially amount to forcing young people who don't have insurance to get it. This is PRECISELY what the insurance companies want. This whole charade will end up being a big giveaway to the insurance companies like United Healthcare, whose CEO made $750 million the past 10 years. And Obama will try to spin it as some big achievement. This comment is NOT coming from the left by the way. It's coming from one of those Independents increasing disillusioned with the utter lack of leadership from Obama.

Michigan Independent (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:58 AM)

--- The middle ground that Obama might try to find on the public option versus no public option is with a trigger,

A public option with a trigger is a public option. That's not middle ground, and it won't fly.

Roy Rodgers (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:59 AM)

When are the confirmation hearings for all those czars????

Chippy (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:59 AM)

the blogs and Glenn Beck broke the story on
Van Jones. The statist media was as absent - as usual.

John Doe (Sent Friday, September 04, 2009 9:59 AM)

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