One of the primary reasons the debate over health care reform has gotten out of control is that many (but, fortunately not all) Democrats and their allies in the mainstream media, have by and large focused on the most extreme antics of a handful of the protesters against increased federal involvement in our health care system, drawing our attention to the most hateful and juvenile of the signs at the various protests (while all but ignoring the same conduct from supporters of the President and Democratic plans to overhaul the system).
And these Democrats and pundits, in turn, hyperventilate how horrible, no good, hateful, very astroturfy we are, focusing on the angry rhetoric of a handful, ignoring the concerns of the multitude (which, if current polling trends are correct, reflect an emerging majority of Americans).
Their hyperventilating further debases the debate.
Today, AP, reverting to its fawning coverage of the President, began its article on his latest town hall, suggesting he was trying to change the tone of the debate, “Trying to lower the temperature of the health care fight, President Barack Obama on Friday denounced news media emphasis on angry protesters at town hall meetings.” And, to be sure, in his civil response to the challenging questions he received yesterday in Belgrade, Montana, the President did take a step in the direction of “recalibrating” the debate. But, it was only a step. Still, it represents progress.
He should, however, have dropped the attempt to bait the Republicans by saying that, well, when they voted for the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act in 2003, so they really have no grounds to complain today that he’s proposing a vast and expensive new government bureaucracy with no way to pay for it (just as they did back then).
If Obama really wants to lower the temperature, he needs to mount the bully pulpit as only the President can do and make a plea for civil discourse while praising those of his critics, including many (if not most) Republican congressional critics and a number of pundits, notably Charles Krauthammer, who have expressed their concerns in a thoughtful manner. And when he praises the angry voices, he would do well to note that they have come from both sides of the debate.
While he need not mention his fellow Democrats by name, he need, through his rhetoric, make clear he is addressing the hateful barbs tossed by some of the leading Democrats in both Houses of Congress — as well as the antics of their allied interest groups.
Should he do that, he would both increase his standing with the public and enhance his own credibility in the current debate.
Based on his past performance, I think the chances of President Obama doing what you suggest are pretty slim. I do agree with you, however.
As always, you hit a home run on this article!
And the article contained the very seeds of what the liar is trying to do.
Obama made his latest appearance as a prominent ally, John Podesta, said the high-decibel attacks are designed to destroy his presidency rather than merely defeat health care legislation.
At a breakfast with reporters in Washington, Podesta predicted such tactics would backfire on Republicans and give the president a chance to “capture the center of the debate.”
So what we have is the usual lies in which Barack Obama tries to float Messiah-like above the fray while letting loose his attack dogs behind the scenes, just like he’s done to Sarah Palin.
Obama needs to be held personally accountable for the rhetoric, because he is. Ignore the Podestas and demand that Obama explain why he continues to attack people opposing him as haters. The only way to deal with Obama is to force him into either repudiating his Party or making it obvious how much of a hypocrite he is.
NDT, there’s a line in Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy that reads that the purpose of the presidency isn’t to exercise power, but to draw attention away from power. Which is why the flamboyant but insane Zaphod Beeblebrox was elected president.
I get the same vibe from Obama. He’s an airhead, an empty suit, selected specifically so that his skin color, his narrative, his family, his date nights, even his idiotic running mate were all designed to distract attention while David Axelrod, Rahm Emmanuel, and John Podesta manipulated the real levers of power.
I am looking forward to the day when we have universal health care and people start smacking cheeseburgers out of fat peoples’ hands, screaming, “Stop raising my taxes, lardo!”
One straightforward thing the prez could do to lower the heat is to tell the SEIU to stop beating up people… but he hasn’t done that, has he?
If there is one thing that Obama has been very consistent on it is his total lack of interest in ever correcting any of his followers or people he associates with…..Ayers, Wright, so on and so forth.
#6.
I’m looking forward to the day when people start regulating other peoples’ lives.
Is that what you meant to say, Ash?
I take Ash’s comment as being a good joke. Most excellent!!!
I think that if Obama’s health care plan passes, and taxpayers take on even more responsiblity, it will be difficult to walk down the street and watch obese people and people who smoke without harboring resentment. It will also be hard to look at old people–why don’t you just die and save me money? I’m only half-joking here. I think that if we don’t actually start smacking burgers out of people’s hands, or pulling cigarettes from people’s mouths, we’re going to glare at people in the grocery line when they buy a box of doughnuts.