[Popman]

That was such a stupid thing for W to have done. Why should any politician pay heed to people who would never vote for him/her?

Well for starters, the POTUS isn't just any politician, he the leader of the free western world.

If he didn't at least give his political opponents a fair say, we will eventually have civil unrest, that's why we are, or were, a "Republic" and not a pure "Democracy" Under Obama we might get civil unrest if he isn't careful since vast number of (conservative) people are being truly disenfranchised

The POTUS represents all the people regardless of their party loyalty. He is the leader of the country and should do what's best for the country.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

” he the leader of the free western world.”

You left out the verb. It should read, “ he be the leader of the free western world.”