Comments on Hope and Change: Waterloo

This story is in agreement: http://www.wtop.com/?...

2009-07-23T22:06:08.481-07:00

This story is in agreement:

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=116&sid=1723996

A president doesn't want to get into the hardcore issues because they will be exposed. The press loves Obama and they have not been doing their jobs looking for issues. Obama has gotten a pass while he's been in office despite his numerous reversals.

If this continues he has the chance to pass his cap and trade and Obamakare. We will be the losers for it but I agree that we do not get good coverage. And when the critical issues are raised, as on Fox News during their hard news shows they are called biased.

Civilized political debate? What a concept. I ca...

2009-07-23T11:47:08.885-07:00

Civilized political debate? What a concept. I can't remember when I saw that happen last. Maybe it's because the media is not really interested in presenting important issues in a civilized way. Last night for example, the President held a one hour press conference in which he spent almost the whole time giving very detailed answers about health care reform. But there wasn't much discussion about the substance of his presentation on tv, and it seemed that all the media could talk about was this stupid Gates incident. And one commentator I heard last night who did talk about the health care presentation and is generally sympathetic to Obama was disappointed that it was so dry and unemotional. I actually think a lot of people are very concerned about how to fix our health insurance system, but at the same time, a lot of people are also very interested in cheap political theatre, and the media is more interested in satisfying the second interest.

Hans, It was also a victory for the French as Nap...

2009-07-23T09:41:51.404-07:00

Hans,

It was also a victory for the French as Napoleon was shown the door... his comeback tour didn't work, either.

Joe, I've never heard of one party blaming the other in case the American people are unhappy... that must be a new tactic!

Playing political games over such an important iss...

2009-07-23T07:26:09.625-07:00

Playing political games over such an important issue as healtcare is not civilized in my opinion.

Waterloo was a victory for the British, Prusian, and Dutch armies over Napoleon. Nothing else.
kindest
hans
dutch in Istanbul

Harrison is right that the Democrats have 60 votes...

2009-07-21T08:47:28.463-07:00

Harrison is right that the Democrats have 60 votes in the Senate (even though that includes some pretty conservative folk who are not totally with the program) so they can't blame the Republicans if health care does not pass. So if the Democrats have the votes, and Republicans are probably not going to be successful in defeating health care reform, what was DeMint talking about? Was the idea of defeating Obama on health care wishful thinking on his part, or was he just trying to rally his base? Or maybe the Republicans just want to make sure that they will be able to blame the Democrats for anything people might be unhappy about next year, whether that is an economy that might still be struggling, or the increasing deficit, or higher taxes, or a new health insurance system that might bring its own problems.

Joe, The Republican's goal probably is not to...

2009-07-21T08:13:53.779-07:00

Joe,

The Republican's goal probably is not to adopt a position that will attract the support of a majority of voters. Most of their major policy positions since 1994 have not enjoyed majority support, but they were able nonetheless to win a lot of elections during that period.

The Reoublican's goal is exactly what DeMint and others are saying: hand President Obama a huge defeat and cut down his popularity. That would not be enough for the Republicans to succeed at the polls, but it might be a necessary first step. On the other hand, if it succeeds, the President probably will emerge stronger and the Democrats could be in a much stronger position next year and in subsequent elections. So in a cynical way, the Republican strategy might make sense. Let's hope they fail.

Regarding Harrison's comment: The result of Waterloo was the replacement of Napoleon with Louis XVIII. It was not a victory for liberty, equality, etc.

Waterloo allowed the French to overthrow a dictato...

2009-07-20T20:33:49.705-07:00

Waterloo allowed the French to overthrow a dictator so it's not all bad. And the Democrats have 60 votes in the Senate so if it doesn't pass their it's their fault.