Posted on 12/25/2010 1:36:08 PM PST by smoothsailing
… the ubiquitous political commentator David Gergen. The longtime lib-left Washington establishment mouthpiece who makes his living spewing trite observations and superficial, short-sighted analyses, says President Obama has experienced a “stunning turnaround.” In an op-ed posted at CNN’s website he writes:
Voters who flocked to the Republican banner seven weeks ago are probably scratching their heads, wondering, “Who really won in November?” After handing the president and Congressional Democrats the worst drubbing in more than half a century, they can only watch in disbelief as President Barack Obama has reeled off a series of unexpected victories.
Voters are more likely to be filled with justifiable rage, not confusion. After the electorate overwhelmingly repudiated the Obama agenda on November 2, the president and Democratic lawmakers — aided by a few weak-willed, misguided Republicans — pushed more horrific legislation and deficit spending through. Obama and Democrats extended their middle fingers to America after receiving a richly deserved drubbing at the polls.
Instead of passing a spending bill long before Election Day, Democratic leaders deliberately dragged their heels. They could have easily passed a continuing resolution funding the federal government at current levels into January when the new Congress convenes. But they didn’t want to. They scheduled the lame duck session so they would still have an opportunity to pass items on their unpopular agenda in case they lost the election. It was a political insurance policy.
It is ridiculous for Gergen to say that President Obama has experienced a “turnaround” because his legislative victories in the lame duck congressional session were entirely foreseeable. America’s socialist president had already been winning consistently in terms of his legislative agenda. Although he didn’t get cap-and-trade and card check, he got Obamacare which is something leftists have lusted after for decades. (It was their Holy Grail.) He got bailouts. He took over large chunks of the financial services industry. He took over much of the auto industry. He got a new financial regulator with sweeping new powers.
Obama’s legislative winning streak kept going in the lame duck session of what was the worst Congress of my lifetime. He got the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). He got ratification of the START treaty. He got an extension of current tax rates (which is just about the only good thing he got — and he sought it reluctantly). He got his school lunch legislation which increases the nation’s welfare burden.
Measured by any standard, President Obama and the Democrats had a great Congress, both before last month’s election and after it.
Obama’s only major setback during the current Congress took place on Election Day — but even that setback didn’t affect the president’s ability to ram legislation through Congress. During the lame duck session of the 111th Congress he controlled — as before Election Day — commanding majorities in both chambers. Obama was unstoppable.
The fact that he was able to corral the trained seals from his own party and peel off some RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) who are retiring is hardly a turnaround. Throughout this Congress with the help of leading lawmakers from his own party Obama was able to ram most of his high priority legislative items through the nation’s legislature. When you win when you overwhelmingly outnumber your adversaries there is nothing “stunning” about it. It is expected.
Gergen’s final paragraph is breathtakingly nonsensical: “So, tough, tough fights lie ahead. But the surprise is that Obama now enters 2011 on a more even playing field — and he and his team have shown a fresh approach to governing that could continue to serve them well in the new year.” What exactly is “fresh” about vanquishing your enemies while conceding virtually nothing? What is so impressive about getting squishes who don’t ever have to face the electorate again to support you on a treaty?
Obama will find it difficult to pursue his agenda when the new Congress commences. He’s got no advantage. If anything, the resolve of the Tea Party-energized Republicans will be strengthened. They will be more even more likely to fight the leftist in the White House with everything they’ve got in a bid save the country from socialist ruin.
Gergen’s op-ed is worthless and intellectually vapid. This is nothing new for him. His commentaries, largely left-wing cheerleading, have been tired and useless for years.
Some people don’t know when to call it quits.
“Now for the nut-cutting in January.”
I got a new kitchen tool for peeling and reaming. When you’re done with your nut-cutters I want my turn.
Gurgling finally won something.
That's not necessarily a bad thing.
Apostle Claver tells the world how the real party of racism is the Democrats
Gergen is delusional.
The most absurd Gergen episode I remember is when he was working for the Clinton administration and they interviewed Gergen about the effect that the Lewinsky scandal was having on ol’ Bubba.
Gergen actually cried during the interview, saying it hurt him so bad to see poor Clinton abused so unfairly. His tears were such a bad fake I was embarrassed for him and had to change the channel.
Like a bad movie sequel, David Rodham Gergen is still out there in the punditry, breathing perfectly good air and taking up valuable space.
He's basically saying that he has regained much, if not all, the power he lost due to the “shellacking”.
Let's hope he’s dead wrong.....
Well, Joseph is a far cry from the comedian. Thanks
Add Paul Krugman to that list.
No there will not be another turnaround. The Democrats are gonna run rough shod over the the Republicans. You’ll see them pulling all kind of stunts that the R’s should have done themselves when they were in the minority. They will stifle and stall and do what ever it takes to gum up the works while Boehner and company look on and do nothing but cry. I have no doubt the MSM will be featuring the minority leader Pelosi more then the new Speaker.
We’ve already been given a preview with this fiasco of a lame duck session. The repubs didn’t put up a fight, lost everything, and claimed victory.
Yea I know it sounds pessimistic but I have seen absolutely nothing good come from the Republicans since Reagan. Hell even when they held all the power they were wimps. Oh they’ll make a couple big shows with much grandstanding and chest pounding and may even win 1 or 2 but in the end they’ll get pounded by Pelosi, Reid, and company. Sorry but I won’t be looking for any turnarounds any time soon.
We can and will sit and type on websites, make calls to DC, argue amongst ourselves but the facts are the other side has already won. There is only one way to get out of this and it ain’t the ballot box. Many of us have had that figured out for a long time now. Simple facts are: not enough have!
Our founding Fathers knew what was necessary and although outnumbered militarily and facing almost certain defeat were able to pull a miracle. Their spirit and determination built this nation but that spirit has long since passed. If I could find an inkling of that spirit perhaps my optimism would return.
.....Or George Gobel (deadpan stand-up comedian who
made TV variety show rounds and Tonight Show appearances
in the ‘60s)
Well put and precisely accurate. Especially on homosexualizing the military, the minority leader dropped the ball. EVERYTHING should have been put on hold until the new congress is sworn in. This was a really disgusting display from our GOP senate adulterers (Ensign), closet homosexuals (Collins & Kirk) and intellectual midgets (Murkowski, Snowe, Collins). I STRONGLY suspect Burr's vote had something to do with one or both of those two effeminate looking young males I see on the Christmas cards he sends to me. What a disgrace.
For my money it’s roveR the wonder punk. Backstabbing for “The Party” has to carry more points than a fawning sycophants boot licking.
Not necessarily a good thing either. I prefer politicians who place the good of the United States above all other countries, including Israel.
Indeed, although I can't figure out why Israel was even mentioned.
Hope you're having a blessed Christmas.
Apostle Claver tells the world how the real party of racism is the Democrats
“Lonesome George.” I think that’s who the OP confused Lil’ Joe with.
*chuckle* De nada.
Ditto that.
There is only one way to get out of this and it ain’t the ballot box. Many of us have had that figured out for a long time now. Simple facts are: not enough have!
Not enough would. In fact, NONE will or it would have happened by now.
Our founding Fathers knew what was necessary and although outnumbered militarily and facing almost certain defeat were able to pull a miracle. Their spirit and determination built this nation but that spirit has long since passed.
Ditto that also. I think of the sacrifices they made, and then that so few of the beneficiaries today will get off their asses even to drive somewhere to hold up a sign, never mind holding something that would actually get the attention of the criminals in Washington.
People can whine all they want on the internet (until the govt shuts it off) but it will change nothing. Indeed it's an opium of the people that Marx would have nailed and that Lenin would have appreciated.
I have been hearing his gibberings off and on for years and still await the first rudimentary original insight.
Remember when PBS tried to pass Gergen off as a “conservative”?
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