Why do I distrust BO's use of the word "consensus?" - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Can't Know · #1 08-07-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

But when asked whether he would push for further gun-control measures in the wake of the shootings, Obama said only that he wanted to bring together leaders at all levels of American society to examine ways to curb gun violence.

That echoed his pledge last month in a speech in New Orleans to work broadly to "arrive at a consensus" on the contentious issue after a deadly Colorado shooting spree highlighted the problem in an election year.

(Full Article here)

Other than the fact that he's a consummate politician, I think my distrust probably is because it's the context he used for before abandoning the idea and working with like-minded dems to cram obamacare through the budget-reconciliation process. No consensus became utterly irrelevant.

It seems that often when BO speaks of "consensus," what he really means is "you coming alongside my (correct) thinking."

And the only question remaining is of course the cat that ate the canary: What is he really thinking and what is his position?

And as the consummate politician, you don't get to know until later...like, after the election.

Air&Road · #2 08-07-2012, 02:24 PM

Yeah, the biggest problem with what he said was that his lips were moving, and we all know what THAT means.

BTW, I'm just curious. Does anyone know the last time that B.O. took any SERIOUS questions from the press corps? I don't mean his poor spokesperson, but I mean B.O. himself?

MTI · #3 08-07-2012, 02:27 PM

Consensus, if by which you also mean "compromise", is a rare event in modern politics. It did occur during the last "lame duck" session of Congress, however not much since.

MTI · #4 08-07-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air&Road

Does anyone know the last time that B.O. took any SERIOUS questions from the press corps? I don't mean his poor spokesperson, but I mean B.O. himself?

I do know that President Obama has had televised interviews with Fox News' Brett Baer and another with Bill O'Reilly

davidmash · #5 08-07-2012, 02:39 PM

Compromise is some what difficult with this understanding of what compromise means.

Quote:

I certainly think bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view,” Mourdock declared. “If we [win the House, Senate, and White House], bipartisanship means they have to come our way, and if we’re successful in getting the numbers, we’ll work towards that.”

Dudesky · #6 08-07-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can't Know

(Full Article here)

Other than the fact that he's a consummate politician, I think my distrust probably is because it's the context he used for before abandoning the idea and working with like-minded dems to cram obamacare through the budget-reconciliation process. No consensus became utterly irrelevant.

It seems that often when BO speaks of "consensus," what he really means is "you coming alongside my (correct) thinking."

And the only question remaining is of course the cat that ate the canary: What is he really thinking and what is his position?

And as the consummate politician, you don't get to know until later...like, after the election.

I heard on Communist Talk Radio that after the election Obama will sign the UN Arms treaty which would have to be ratified in Senate and if he wins, Reid won't bring it to the floor for four years and something regarding the supremacy clause and an end around on the 2nd?

Dudesky · #7 08-07-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Compromise is some what difficult with this understanding of what compromise means.

Oh you mean before 2010?

Can't Know · #8 08-07-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Compromise is some what difficult with this understanding of what compromise means.

Curious you should post that, because that's exactly what the Dems did when they had control. They closed the door and did what they wanted. No compromise, except within their own ranks to accommodate various special interests.

Neither of those is compromise, it's politics as usual. No matter who is in what seat under which room, if they are playing politics as usual it eventually gets around to the same tired horse manure.

tbomachines · #9 08-07-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can't Know

Curious you should post that, because that's exactly what the Dems did when they had control. They closed the door and did what they wanted. No compromise, except within their own ranks to accommodate various special interests.

Neither of those is compromise, it's politics as usual. No matter who is in what seat under which room, if they are playing politics as usual it eventually gets around to the same tired horse manure.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

MTI · #10 08-07-2012, 03:13 PM

Journal Essay Examining Partisanship Over the Healthcare Bill

This Article argues that the highly partisan healthcare reform debate
highlighted the transition to a new political reality marked by an unwillingness
to compromise, and the root causes of this change include: (1) increased
availability of partisan news coverage; (2) a lack of transparency; (3) a difficult
economic environment; and with limited exceptions, (4) an unwillingness
to incorporate ideas from both political parties into the final product.

cullennewsom · #11 08-07-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air&Road

Yeah, the biggest problem with what he said was that his lips were moving, and we all know what THAT means.

Politicians lie? I'm shocked! SHOCKED! to learn that...

Quote:

BTW, I'm just curious. Does anyone know the last time that B.O. took any SERIOUS questions from the press corps? I don't mean his poor spokesperson, but I mean B.O. himself?

Does Larry know the last time that any politician took any SERIOUS questions from anyone?

Pooka · #12 08-07-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can't Know

(Full Article here)

Other than the fact that he's a consummate politician, I think my distrust probably is because it's the context he used for before abandoning the idea and working with like-minded dems to cram obamacare through the budget-reconciliation process. No consensus became utterly irrelevant.

It seems that often when BO speaks of "consensus," what he really means is "you coming alongside my (correct) thinking."

And the only question remaining is of course the cat that ate the canary: What is he really thinking and what is his position?

And as the consummate politician, you don't get to know until later...like, after the election.

I just thought he was saying he was making nice on the issue until it goes away.

I think all of our gun laws are pretty good just the way they are, and just because someone goes nuts is no excuse to rip up the Constitution.

I do think a lot of radio commentators could help out by turning the hate level down to eleven from infinity. Urging people to respect their fellow Americans would be rather more helpful than raging on about how 'someone should take those people out'.

t walgamuth · #13 08-07-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

No, he's not the same as the old boss.

t walgamuth · #14 08-07-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooka

I just thought he was saying he was making nice on the issue until it goes away.

I think all of our gun laws are pretty good just the way they are, and just because someone goes nuts is no excuse to rip up the Constitution.

I do think a lot of radio commentators could help out by turning the hate level down to eleven from infinity. Urging people to respect their fellow Americans would be rather more helpful than raging on about how 'someone should take those people out'.

I especially like your last statement.

tbomachines · #15 08-07-2012, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

No, he's not the same as the old boss.

It was pointed more toward the congress comment, but politicians are not drastically different. Their interests may change but their methods rarely do.