Oppositional

I must agree with Pat. For example Pelosi and Reid are eager blasters of Gitmo. They still live on the spite-Bush venom. Can you imagine their reaction had Obama not ordered Gitmo closed (in a year)? So, Obama acted to close Gitmo to calm the Left though he had no plan. It also helped his image abroad though Europe doesn’t want any detainees…LOL. I assume he had time to consider the legal consequences, but he was told today by the Gitmo judge that his motion to stay the trial of the USS Cole bomber is denied.

Obama supported not seating Burris and also supported on Constitutional grounds the anti-discrimination act Simon talked about and the Union open-voting Bill. There is a little trend here on strange Constitutional thinking and we are only a few weeks into the NEW AGE. There is some Independent reaction to a few of Obama's moves (which he has had a lot of time to think about) like his SECINTER saying the Bush drilling plan is dead, much that is not positive. Seems the Left likes Obama, but Independents are scratching their heads. Listening to Sec Salazar, Pelosi must be laughing having told the American people they have it wrong about drilling. Daschle was picked as campaign payback and so was Richardson. So I see Obama catering Left domestically, when from my point of view, the long term success of the Obama administration will require Republican support. Right now, Obama doesn’t need it which is a good time to cater to your base, especially if your Grand Plan contains much of their ideology.

Again, we do see Obama shoring up his Left now after the Clintonista transplantations with rumors of gays in the military and anger at Wall Street. Clearly, blacks shot down California gay marriage. Americans still want drilling and are nervous about a trillion dollar plan that won’t do much right now, if ever. Think Obama will bring up immigration soon? Unless he is in an Obamabubble, he knows where mainstream American is. Pelosi does not represent majority polling. It would make moderate Democrats more comfortable were Obama to actually create a bipartisan middle, but Obama is playing to the Left on domestic issues for now.

Why? Maybe those Daily Briefings. As Obama tries to move center on national security and foreign affairs in the manner Brian thought he might several months ago (watch out Brian for the Grand Bargain), the price to calm the Left might be teaming up with Pelosi on domestic issues which covers the economy. As far as International issues, he needs the Republicans and put up the Hillary/Biden/Gates firewall. Maybe bipartisan applies to only certain issues…LOL.

The Republicans should oppose the bailout for the reasons Brian states. They need to put forward a better package even if it is less detailed and appears only in national op-ed pages. They also need to explain what parts of the bailout they oppose without the ideology. Pelosi was a product of mindless opposition towards Bush. She simply said Democrats didn't need a coherent alternative because they were not the majority. Now we have to listen to Franken on the Floor of the Senate. The Republicans should be as gracious as Obama, but draw their line and state their principles. Given the weak plays by Obama this last week and with him showing more rage towards Wall Street than he EVER did towards our foes, Obama cannot count on a free media ride. If Obama thinks he can sway Ahmadinejad, he surely must be able to swing some GOP.

Sadly, I think Obama will concede to Democrats in Congress most domestic issues, despite Reid's warning that he doesn't work for Obama. He wants Congress to share the responsibility while winning over those on the Left angry that Obama has not acted like their Political Messiah. As things heat up and Obama feels the fire, he will have to consider who he will throw under the bus next. Right now he spins towards the Left, but don’t be surprised a year out or two, he throws Pelosi and Reid, both under the bus. His followers will have nowhere else to go.

Makes sense to me Pat. And whatever mechanism curbs Pelosi is fine with me.

I thought someone said the abortion funding got cut or reduced. No?

I also don't mind if the left wing relationship suffers. Especially since I've been saying for so long that the sooner they express disappointment and disillusionment, the better. Maybe that can join Nader in the bitter grudge nursery. It's awful hard to have a good relationship with someone incapable of noticing when they are getting more than half of the loaf.

Beside most all will be forgiven by these folks when something like single-payer subsidized healthcare passes. The chances will never be better than in 6 months when the COBRA runs out for all the families of folks who have lost their jobs in the last 3 months. And I know that's anathema to you Pat, not saying it to poke you. I'm just saying the constituency for it will be very high by then, is all.