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Clearly, the health care debate is exacting a terrible toll on Obama's approval ratings. Now at the low-point of his Presidency, the Chicago style tactics employed by the administration have fractured a once united Democratic caucus. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has canceled all hearings today and instead of her usual press conference, she has ordered all caucus members to another closed door meeting to mend fences and attempt to bring consensus around this failing legislation.
The Bill
Behind closed doors in the secrecy of the caucus, leaders will unveil the final details of the reconciliation package with some expected "gifts" to make the final version more palatable to certain members who have dug their feet into the ground in opposition.
Between the house and senate, there remain substantial differences and the imposing deadline approaches with little chance for reconciliation.
This legislation is now more about saving face than advancing meaningful health care improvements to the American public. Judging by the trending approval ratings, the voters have lost patience.
Could this possibly get any worse? For all the "Bush-ism's" complete with grammatical fumbles, you knew George W. Bush was being himself. Now, President Obama just violated the very trust he had worked so hard to earn with college students at the University of Michigan in his speech yesterday. Obama Caught Lip-Syncing Speech.
The onion network picks up on the drama and takes a little "license" as they finish out the video.
The experts are befuddled and wonder: What could possibly come next?
I remember watching Batman and Robin back in the late 60's when the show first appeared on TV. As you may recall, the fight scenes had screen graphics such as "Pow," "Crash," "Splat!"
I recall this as I watch Representative Paul Ryan take it to President Obama. Talk about a smothering critique. Keep your eye on Paul. He's going places....
This is the John McCain I voted for last November. President Obama and the Democrats have just had a pretty terrible day. See the evidence for yourself...
Progressivism is the "disease" and it lives in BOTH parties. I consider this entire video mandatory for consumption if you value freedom. Revolution or evolution. You decide.
We knew things were dismal at the Culver campaign but this clip shows a virtual free fall by a sitting Governor. It's one thing to read the transcript, the words themselves offer no plan, no positive direction and nothing that would motivate an Iowa voter to support Culver. The most instructive lesson from this video is the body language. Look into Chet's eyes. He is clearly lost. I think we're now to the point where..."All the king's horses and the the king's men, can't put 'Chester Dumpty' back together again."
Posting some good links today. There's no doubt the Republicans are rallying for their party and country. Standing room only last night at the Linn County Republican Central Committee. I hear reports from others who indicate the same trends emerging around the state and the country for that matter.
How Low Can Culver Go? Todd "24 Hour" Dorman chronicles the genesis of Culvers slide into his own personal "political" disaster here.
Speaking of "One term Wonders," the Hill reports today that 52% of Americans don't think President Barack Obama shouldn't be re-elected.
"Fair Share" will be deliberated this evening at a public hearing at the Statehouse. If you want your voice and your input heard, there's still time to participate, contribute and yes, speak. Information here.
This sign now looks down on Wisconsin motorists as they commute to work. Small business owners nationwide have expressed disgust and contempt for the reckless spending and punishing regulations added to the daily burdens faced by small business owners.
Even closer to home. That's downtown Cedar Rapids in the background and this sign just popped up today along 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street S.W. (Hat tip to Bob "Billboard Bob" Klaus for the picture)
It's obvious the strain of the Obama administration is weighing heavily on Democrats. There were rumors circulating this past weekend that longtime Democrat Senators Evan Bayh (Indiana) and Barbara Mikulski (Maryland)would retire instead of running for election. The front page of the Drudgereport has the headline, "Bayh, Bayh" and the embattled Obama administration continues to lose ground in both Washington D.C. and main street USA.
Someday in a store near you, I won't be surprised if we can buy our own Barack Obama doll where you pull the string in his back and out come the words, "It's all George Bush's fault."
Just for the sake of argument today, let's accept that premise. George W. Bush had governed us into the housing meltdown, the banking crisis, massive unemployment and two un-winnable wars overseas.
We have one irreconcilable problem here. In the months and days before the near meltdown of the financial markets, did then candidate Barack Obama identify any of these major issues as problematic to the health, wealth and long term stability of our country? No.
Let me be clear: NO HE DID NOT.
Before the election, the Obama campaign dispensed it's message through the "Organizing for America" platform. House parties were conducted to rally voters and the key issues were free health care for 30 million Americans, bringing transparency and ethics back to our government and don't forget the Obama "green" house parties to save our country from foreign oil by installing new light bulbs. (Yes, in the process of saving our country that evening, you were also to raise $2000 for the campaign checking account). You campaigned against a war that your own Vice President now considers one of your administrations's greatest achievements.
Fact Check WebSite for all issues here. Hat tip to my faithful reader "Smurfy."
To my point: The key reason the Obama administration is severely failing our country is their inability to govern based on "Political Reality" as opposed to "Political Promises."
Exhibit A is the President's Annual Economic Report. My eyes still hurt from pouring through the health care bills this last summer but if you're a glutton for punishment, here's another 462 pages to dive into.
Yes, to save you the pain, I'll simply refer to you a powerful example found on page 40 in the report:
Slowing the growth rate of health care costs will have benefits throughout the economy: it will raise the standards of living for families, help reduce the Federal budget deficit relative to what it otherwise would be, benefit state and local governments and encourage job growth and improved macroeconomic performance.
Did you get that? To paraphrase; the health care bill will remedy all that ills our country, save money and create jobs. Remember the soaring campaign rhetoric? The promises. The transparency?
The critical thinking skills necessary to repair all levels of government is absent from this report. The paradigms contained within this document are the very reason Barack Obama will serve one term as President of the United States.
Even seasoned analysts are starting to agree, it's almost too late for a game change and Obama didn't moderate and move to the center as Bill Clinton did so deftly back in the 90's. Obama fought back and so will the electorate. He'll lose because he's too proud to listen to the common sense members of his own party but more importantly, his own country.
Mrs. George Stephanopolous (Ali Wentworth) truly "punks" her husband yesterday morning on GMA. Dressed up as Diane Sawyer, she really knows how to package and yes, unwrap the surprise.
This simply couldn't wait for the Friday funnies. Enjoy. Can't wait for next year George!
