Obama’s Chicago-Style Politics of Demonization
With word that “Barack Obama’s White House has declared war on the largest lobbying organization in the country, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,” we have yet another example of a White House determined to demonize those who dare criticize its policies (or to air said criticism on its news network). He’s now added the Chamber to the Obama enemies’ list. According to the Washington Examiner‘s Timothy P. Carney:
Chamber lobbyist Bruce Josten told me that White House is picking a high-profile fight with his group because, given Democratic supermajorities, Obama “needs an enemy” to blame for the difficulty he’s having in getting his policies approved.
But there’s another reason Obama is running low on enemies: He’s already bought off many of the most powerful industries and businesses.
Look at health care, where Obama has brought the name-brand drug makers on board to his reform with promises of subsidies and pledges not to attack the industry’s special favors. Look at cigarettes, where Obama signed a tobacco regulation bill with the firm backing of Philip Morris.
This White House does seem to have a need to make enemies. Administration officials attack insurance companies, FoxNews and now the U.S. Chamber Commerce. Who will be the next target of Obama’s animus?
This animus stands to distinct contrast to candidate Obama’s rhetoric about “disagreeing without being disagreeable,” and “moving beyond bitterness and pettiness and politics of division” (via Jim Geraghty). Indeed, as Michael Barone notes, this contrasts with what the President said back in February:
I don’t always get my most favorable coverage on Fox, but I think that’s part of how democracy is supposed to work. You know, we’re not supposed to all be in lockstep here.
Instead of “moving beyond bitterness and pettiness,” the President, Barone asserts, responds to disagreement “with classic Chicago brass knuckles,” an assertion Charles Krauthammer echoes in this must-watch video:
Via GatewayPundit.
In short is the difference between Rahm Emanuel’s tactics and candidate Obama’s campaign rhetoric which defines the hypocrisy at the heart of this Administration.
7 Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Well, I`ve nothing good to say about the US Chamber of Commerce, for they`ve been fighting us on illegal immigration.
Comment by Robbie — October 22, 2009 @ 10:11 am - October 22, 2009
The People’s Cube, Obama’s War on Fox News Becomes A Quagmire GRIN.
http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/2009/10/peoples-cube-obamas-war-on-fox-news.html
The People’s Cube nailed it and Anita (Mao Tse) Dunn.
Comment by keyboard Jockey — October 22, 2009 @ 11:09 am - October 22, 2009
Apparently, Bill O’Reilly stated that the Obama Administration is now fighting harder against Fox News than the Taliban. Moonbattery.com mentions it and makes an excellent point:
Populist Blowhard Bill O’Reilly on Chairman Zero’s War on Fox: “The Obama Administration is fighting harder against Fox News than the Taliban” At first I was going to tag this as hyperbole for the benefit of humorless buffoons, then I realized it was literally true. The Obama Regime wants FoxNews utterly defeated, not so the Taliban. The Obama Regime thinks the brutal murderers of the Taliban have a legitimate voice in the government of Afghanistan, but they don’t think FoxNews or its viewers have a legitimate viewpoint, or should be allowed to participate in the American government.
It’s true. Obama wants to negotiate with the “moderate wing of the Taliban” (whatever that is) and believes that the group should have a place at the table regarding the future of Afghanistan. In contrast, Fox News isn’t a legitimate news organization.
http://www.moonbattery.com/
Comment by Sean A — October 22, 2009 @ 11:32 am - October 22, 2009
Pretty much off-topic (sorry), but here’s more on the liberal thought police’s war on politically incorrect viewpoints:
Gay Reversal Advocates Say School Libraries Banning Their ‘Ex-Gay’ Books
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569135,00.html
Comment by Sean A — October 22, 2009 @ 11:59 am - October 22, 2009
Or the bailouts, which artificially and unfairly transfer wealth from the middle class to the largest banks.
Some call it “corporate socialism”. Since corporate socialism is the economic program/aspect of fascism, I call it fascism. Obama’s need to demonize dissenters fits, as merely another aspect of his basic fascism – his desire to be a Dear Leader.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — October 22, 2009 @ 2:01 pm - October 22, 2009
The “Good Old Boy” network of overweight, white southerners has been replaced by Team Obama – Good Old Minorities doing what they used to complain about when they were disenfranchised. How very ironic!!!
Comment by Duffy - Native Intelligence — October 22, 2009 @ 4:29 pm - October 22, 2009
Charles Krauthammer on the issue here.
Comment by The_Livewire — October 23, 2009 @ 8:39 am - October 23, 2009