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05 Mar 2011 10:00

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Politics: Obama meets Jeb Bush: Not as successful as it could’ve been

  • As surreal moments go, Obama chillin’ with Jeb Bush in Miami on the education tip could have been a pretty cool one. We think he probably wins some points with the moderates for being willing to give a Bush – and not the unpopular one – the time of day. Unfortunately, it was a moment with flaws – the meeting itself was a tad awkward. And a speech he gave afterwards (in which he mentioned the meeting) actually drew boos for the bipartisanship attempt. It was a calculated political move, yeah, but you have to give the man credit for trying. He’s had relatively little luck pushing through the right side of the aisle, and he made an effort yesterday. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Feb 2011 15:43

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Politics: Another day, another call to compromise from President Obama

  • I expect that all sides will have to do a little bit of posturing on television and speak to their constituencies, and rally the troops and so forth. But ultimately, what we need is a reasonable, responsible, and initially, probably, somewhat quiet and toned-down conversation about… ‘where can we compromise and get something done?’
  • President Barack Obama • Setting the stage for the looming budget kerfuffle breaking out in Washington, the President urged measured and bipartisan conversation with the ultimate goal of compromise. If this ends up looking anything like his previous calls for bipartisan rigor, though, you’re likely to see Republicans get a pretty generous compromise that liberals will be asked to stomach, followed by the Republicans insisting that President Obama is a far-left Spendocrat who didn’t really compromise on anything. Which, it bears mentioning, is infuriating to watch once, let alone over and over again. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Jan 2011 22:13

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Politics: Mitch McConnell won’t participate in bipartisan seating arrangements

  • yes In a rare show of unity, Republicans and Democrats are pairing together at the State of the Union address.
  • no Senator Mitch McConnell won’t be partaking in the festivities; “I’m going to sit where I usually sit,” he told Fox News.
  • maybe If a Democratic legislator walks up to McConnell’s table and sits next to him anyway, will he change seats? source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Jan 2011 12:48

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Politics: Obama hoping for bipartisanship in wake of Arizona shooting

  • As business resumes, I look forward to working together in that same spirit of common cause with members of Congress from both parties — because before we are Democrats or Republicans, we are Americans.
  • President Obama • Looking to emphasize bipartisan goodwill in the wake of last week’s Gabrielle Giffords shooting. He made the statement during his weekly address, which was followed by a response from Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake, who said that the incident should not force Congress to be afraid of doing its job. “And so it is our duty to uphold our oath, to listen and to represent,” he said. “We will not let this inhumane act cow us into doing otherwise.” In other Arizona news, Obama literally wrote the memorable “Gabby opened her eyes” bit on the way to the basketball arena just before he spoke at the memorial earlier this week. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Dec 2010 22:08

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Politics, U.S.: McConnell explains Republican approach to legislating

  • There’s much for [Democrats] to be angst-ridden about. If they think it’s bad now, wait ’till next year.
  • Senator Mitch McConnell • Salivating at the prospect of continuing to make life unpleasant for Democrats in the next Congress. McConnell stated in November that the “single most important thing” for Senate Republicans to accomplish was defeating Barack Obama in 2012. Not to overstate the obvious, but man, this guy really gets a kick out of antagonizing Democrats. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Nov 2010 22:30

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Politics: Obama: Sorry I’ve dropped the ball on bipartisanship

  • I neglected some things that matter to a lot of people, and rightly so: maintaining a bipartisan tone in Washington. I think, moving forward, I’m going to redouble my efforts to go back to some of those first principles. And the fact that we are out of crisis – although still, obviously, in a difficult time – I think will give me the capacity to do that.
  • Barack Obama • Explaining the other day how he managed to lose his grip on bipartisanship during his first two years in office, and his desire to regroup and find it again. It’s OK man, and kind of understandable. The other side wasn’t looking for bipartisanship, either. Though we do admit that we kinda hoped that you would’ve kept more of a level head going into office. Get your fresh start dude. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Nov 2010 10:43

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Politics: Bipartisanship: Harry Reid promises things will be different this time

  • We know that the Republicans of this last Congress picked up the name ‘The Party of No.’ I think that Democrats have to work with Republicans, and Republicans have to work with Democrats. It’s not a one-sided deal.
  • Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid • Promising to offer more opportunities for collaboration with the more-evenly-divided Senate and Republican-leaning House. Reid continues: “We need to stop using words like ‘chastened’ and I think what we have to do is recognize that all of us, all of us who are going to be in Senate, have to work together. That’s the message from the American people.” There’s a difference between Harry saying it and it actually happening. Remember that, dudes. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

26 Feb 2010 23:15

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Politics: Dear Coffee Party: Pushing for civil discourse a great idea

Coffee

  • The Coffee Party is an interesting idea. An alternative approach to the Tea Party that switches drinks along with tones (a pro-bipartisanship political movement!) is really welcome in the political climate. While we’re not saying this will change the world, it’s good to have an alternative voice that can’t be dismissed as “liberal” or “socialist” so quickly. As regular watchers of the political sphere, we have a couple thoughts for you guys:
  • Calm but firm The reason this idea is gaining any sort of traction whatsoever is because the political discourse is too angry for some. But being calm and respectful doesn’t mean not having a backbone, though. Tell politicians what you want to see. Bring new ideas and red meat. Skip both the granola and the nuts.
  • Don’t align with anyoneWe really hope that the Coffee Party doesn’t side specifically with Democratic interests just because they’re in conflict with Tea Party interests. What we see with Tea Partiers is that they actively push against moderates on both sides, not just liberals. A big open tent is a much better idea.
  • Get a rally together! The Tea Party movement went from zero to 60 because they were well-organized and got themselves on TV frequently. You need to do the same. Get a rally together in D.C. – invite everyone you can, get a bunch of local coffee companies involved and bring low key to a big scale. Good luck. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Feb 2010 10:49

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Politics: Partisanship tally: GOP most to blame, but Dems should bend

  • 67% of Americans don’t think that the GOP is doing enough to work with Obama
  • 52% say the same thing about Obama working together with the Republican Party
  • 54% say Democrats, not Republicans have to take the first step to mend the rift source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Dec 2009 11:27

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Politics: Arlen Specter wins a cookie for this point on bipartisanship

  • Obviously playing politics As you might have noticed, we’ve been hard on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell over the last couple of months because of his seemingly obvious attempts to stonewall progress on health care, not offer any real solutions, and really just try to kill Obama dead in in the water. Which is why it’s nice to hear Arlen Specter, who caucused with the GOP at the beginning of 2009 only to switch sides, basically say it.
  • What the Senate needs The Senate needs some reforms, because right now it’s clearly weighted against the majority party too much. The House can get things done with a simple majority; the Senate, however, has all these useless votes and filibusters, and needs a two-thirds majority to even be useful. Arlen’s been on both sides, and he’s been a Senator long enough that his words should be heeded. Good show, man.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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