Obama urges 'steps' after election, calls GOP stance 'troubling'

[jefferson_dem]

Obama urges 'steps' after election, calls GOP stance 'troubling'
By Vicki Needham - 10/30/10 06:00 AM ET

President Obama urged Republicans and Democrats to work together to solve the nation's economic issues regardless of the outcome of Tuesday's midterm elections.

In his weekly address Saturday, Obama called recent comments made by two Republican leaders “troubling.”

He pointed out comments made by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), who said this week that “this is not the time for compromise.”

He also mentioned a statement made by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that "his main goal after this election is simply to win the next one."

Obama chalked up the comments to heated rhetoric in the final days of a campaign that could see the leadership change in one chamber of Congress.

"Whatever the outcome on Tuesday, we need to come together to help put people who are still looking for jobs back to work," Obama said.

Obama suggested taking "practical steps we can take right away to promote growth and encourage businesses to hire and expand" including tax breaks for middle-class families and investing in infrastructure.

"These are steps we all should be able to agree on, not Democratic or Republican ideas, but proposals that have traditionally been supported by both parties," he said.

He said he's concerned that Republicans and Democrats will spend the "next two years arguing with one another, trapped in stale debates, mired in gridlock, unable to make progress in solving the serious problems facing our country."

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http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/126613-obama-urges-cooperation-after-election-calls-gop-remarks-troubling

VIDEO and TRANSCRIPT here - http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/weekly-address

[droidamus2]

1. Will Obama ever open his eyes?

What Boehner said has been the Republican stance since before Reagan took office. No compromise, our way or no way. Their idea of a compromise is if they let a few Democrats sign onto a Republican written bill so they can say it was 'bipartisan'. The current leadership and makeup of the Republican party means 'bipartisanship' is an impossibility. In one way I admire Obama for trying to reach out to the Republicans but you can only get that hand slapped so many times before you should realize they aren't playing the same game as you are. I think Obama's original idea and hope was that there were still enough moderate Republicans or at least Republicans with a conscience (that species is now on the endangered list) that if he reached out he could help them gain more power within the Republican party. What Obama didn't realize is that the Republican party is really is a perpetual campaign machine and therefore they won't deal with you because everything they do is prefaced on how it will help them gain more power in the next election.

[jefferson_dem]

2. Actually, I believe you are missing the point.

Obama is already trying to set in place the post-election narrative. He is the grown-up in the room full of right-wing nutjobby crazies. Of course, they will not compromise. Boner has already said as much, as Obama mentions here. The goal, therefore, is to marginalize the fucks...to where they belong.

After all, the public claims to want what POTUS is trying to sell - http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20020945-503544.html

[OHdem10]

6. It is my way or the highway!! Republicans believe their Ideiology

is the only way, therefore no compromise.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

14. they believe privatization or bust

[Parker CA]

8. Precisely. nt

[Uben]

4. Obama knows.....

The man is very intelligent. There's a reason he is president. What Obama is doing is just laying it on the republicans to show their obstruction, holding them responsible for not helping the American people. And rightfully so!

[depakid]

7. "just laying it on the republicans to show their obstruction"

Pretty well sums up the last 21 months, don't you think?

[jefferson_dem]

9. Obstructionist fits amidst the historic record of progressive accomplishment.

Have you not been paying attention?

[Uben]

10. What else can he do?

I wonder if he has the authority to arrest all republican house members and keep them incarcerated until 2016? Sounds like a good plan to me!

[Fire1]

11. And that's going to help the american people, how?? n/t

[Uben]

12. Uh, maybe the fact he's pointing it out will enlighten a few people

MAybe not, but what the heck does it hurt? You can't just let them be so obstructive without at least pointing a finger to those who are responsible.

[Fire1]

15. Uh, he's been "pointing it out" since January 2009

(not that it wasn't blatantly obvious)and the attitudes of the blue dog dems and republicans hasn't changed much, now has it? They're still the party of 'NO' and damn proud of it!

[kelly1mm]

13. Is that why they are projected to win the house and pick up 5+ Senate

seats? That is their punishment by the voters for the obstruction in the last 2 years?

[still_one]

3. Grow up Obama, haven't the last two years taught you anything /nt

[Turbineguy]

5. Boner is right.

They would be fools not to take advantage of any win and fail to destroy America.