Bye-Bye bipartisanship
Jay Cost is worried about Obama’s lack of bipartisanship:
I am worried because I thought partisan reconciliation was an animating force of Obama’s candidacy, a big reason why he thought he—rather than one of the 306 million other Americans—should be President. I am worried that, amidst a credit crisis, two wars, and a lack of confidence in our nation’s institutions, we have installed as President a man apparently willing to abandon a foundational premise of his candidacy not three months into his tenure.
We should all be worried.
But where was Cost when Obama abandoned one of the fundamental premises of his candidacy when he was still a candidate? I’m talking about his broken campaign financing pledge way back in June of 2008. It exposed Obama not only as a hypocrite, but as a pass-the-buck hypocrite as well.
…Obama’s been running as the business-as-unusual candidate, not just another hypocritical, lying pol who, as Obama’s former mentor the Rev. Wright said, “does what politicians do.” And yet as soon as Obama saw that the money flowing his way was far beyond what he could get if he adhered to his agreement, he reneged.
It’s not just that he reneged, either”“it’s how he reneged. Who’s to blame, according to Obama? Why, John McCain and the nasty Republicans, that’s who. James Joyner writes that this charge of Obama’s does take “a bit of gall.” I’d say it takes substantially more than a bit, as well as a heavy dose of the whining, blaming, audacity in which the holier-than-thou Obama tends to specialize…
This move, more than any other, was the tipoff as to what sort of politician Obama was and is. Many American voters ignored the facts that were staring them in the face, hoping against audacious hope that Obama’s words were what he really meant, rather than his acts. But it doesn’t usually work that way, does it?
Oh, and should anyone on earth be surprised that this flagrant violation of bipartisanship is being considered in a move to force Obama’s energy and health initiatives down the already-engorged throats of the American people?
And it ain’t foie gras we’ll all be eating.
As I was watching footage of Obama at his town hall in Kalee-four-knee-ya yesterday and the grip and grin afterword many of these people were either swooning or had a beatific look. They just don’t care what he does – whether or not he keeps his promises. This morning I saw an interview with Fran Drescher (she publicly lobbied to be named senator to fill Hillary’s seat) who apparently has been named some kind of specail diplomat on women’s health issues. (Geez she must have said “As a diplomat” ten times in a four minute interview – so pleased with herself). Anyway – near the end of the interview (with all this confusion going on in Washington) she said, “I am SO pleased with this administration. They are going to do such great things.” People just don’t care.
No contradiction. In progressive-speak, bi-partisan means “our way, with symbolic gestures in your direction.” Hence the sincerity of delivery during the campaign, and the outrage at opposition now.
Not quite, AVI. Bipartisanship means the “opposition” agreeing to do things the Progressive way. If they don’t, then they are being “divisive.”