Wearing a bright purple tie, Obama basked at this afternoon’s press conference, held shortly before his scheduled departure to Hawaii.
Talking about today’s bipartisan Senate vote for the ratification of the New START treaty, Obama said that it sent a “powerful signal to the world,” and thanked Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. John Kerry (D, Mass.) and Richard Lugar (R., Ind.) for their “outstanding work” on the treaty. The president mentioned he had just spoken to Lugar on the phone, telling him how much he “appreciated” his help and support and recalling a trip the two had taken to Russia during Obama’s first year as senator. Obama added that the New START treaty was the “most significant arms control agreement in two decades.”
Talking about the lame duck session, Obama noted the legislative successes: the new START treaty, DADT repeal, the food safety and 9/11 first responders bills, and the tax compromise. “[It’s] fair to say this has been the most productive post election period we’ve had in decades,” the president commented, adding that while the midterm elections had been a “shellacking,” the lame duck session had become a “victory” for the American people.
But Obama also remarked that he was “very disappointed” Congress had failed to pass the DREAM Act, saying that his administration would continue to push for the legislation. Talking about GOP opposition to DREAM, Obama speculated that “some of them [Republicans], in their heart of hearts, know that it’s the right thing to do.”
Obama also expressed concern about the long-term budget and the upcoming budget battle. He said that the tax cut debate will continue over the next two years.
And while the president predicted that there will be “tough fights” ahead, he sees the last few weeks as proof that “gridlock” is not the only option. “If we can sustain that spirit . . . American people will be better for it,” the president said.
Speaking about newly empowered GOP, Obama remarked that “Republicans recognize that with greater power comes greater responsibility.”
Asked about the often-used car in the ditch analogy, Obama said that the “car [the economy in the analogy] is on level ground.” He spoke about a new direction for the government’s economic focus: “We now have to pivot and focus on jobs and growth,” and education, innovation, and R & D.
“[The] private sector will be the driving force [of the economy],” the president added.
During the press conference, senior White House adviser David Axelrod and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs stood on the side, looking on. The pair, when not eyeing Obama, was in good spirits, chuckling and smiling.
The auditorium was only about sixty percent full, with numerous empty chairs, most likely because the White House press corps was given short notice about the briefing.
"But Obama also remarked that he was “very disappointed” Congress had failed to pass the DREAM Act, saying that his administration would continue to push for the legislation. Talking about GOP opposition to DREAM, Obama speculated that 'some of them [Republicans], in their heart of hearts, know that it’s the right thing to do.'"
Holy smokes, won't this thing die already? How many times does it have to fail before we can breathe safely?
And how about the Republicans finally get serious about enforcement? My lunch in Manhattan today, as it is every time I don't bring my own food, was served by a ridiculously overstaffed group of illegals (nothing like illegally low wages to destroy productivity!).
As usual, I'm thrilled to know that people who may be carrying all manner of disease and have no doubt impeccable sanitation habits handled my food -- thanks for looking out for us, NYC "Sanctuary City" Health Department. ... All ICE has to do is order a soup in Midtown and it'll catch more violators than it does using millions of dollars each day on the border.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTime to start the amendment process to repeal the first section of the 20th Amendment and establish that:
The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of DECEMBER, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
The new amendment could also rewrite section 2, which establishes a third-day-of-January assembly, but the current section allows them to establish an assembly day by law, so it may not be necessary.
Another possibility would be to make the new term start one week after election day.
I see no point in changing the start date of the President, as it takes much more time to build a governing team.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAparently passing a lot of new legislation is 'productive'. But it's not productive to the cause of liberty.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWow. I'm sure us yokels are all elated over such high productivity. I mean, isn't a bunch of legislation just what people want from politicians who were voted out of office?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRecycling broken promises of pivots and #1 Priorities while quoting...Spiderman! Truly, this is a man of dizzying intellect.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhere do you suppose DADT, The Dream Act and Start was on the list of the most important things voters wanted done this last November? I'll tell you; no where. From and optics stand point this lame duck session has been a disaster for the Obama administration and they don't even know it. My neighbor is unemployed; he asked me what the DADT repeal and the Start treaty would do for him to get a job?? Again, the left focuses on social issues when the economy is the No. 1 issue of Americans.
Democrats never seem to learn...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThat GOP-controlled House that is coming soon is looking better and better. With "solons" like Lugar running the senate, we might as well have seventy Democrats over in that august body.
Nice to know the Republicans in the senate have signed on to a leftist arms control agenda that would have made the 1970s likes of Jimmy Carter and Frank Church proud.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseProductive, destructive; tomato, tomahto.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAfter we, the people spoke so loudly on this last election day, the Republicans let us down. They gave up the fight and allowed Obama to get what the media is calling BIG WINS. All the while, the Republicans had to know that its base was vehemently against DADT repeal and New START. During this same period, the Obama regulators took dead aim at the Internet and are working on crushing environmental regulations to combat a mythical problem (Global Warming). It is all very sad. Is this what we'll have to look forward to the next couple of years; liberal Republicans selling out to Obama? It is shocking that so many Republicans supported the Obama's liberal policies this lame duck.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis lame duck session confirms why many conservatives supported conservative candidates rather than establishment republicans who vote for liberal policies.
Well. There you go then. Presidency saved.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse“car has gone over the cliff, and cannot be stopped. That exhilaration is the increasing speed toward bankruptcy.”
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat a despicable and greasy comment by Obama, that amnesty opponents know in their heart that their opposition to it is wrong. The truth is that amnesty supporters know it is questionable, but they like the politics of it! Senator Graham, who lets us down a lot, seems to be aware of trouble on his right. He criticized other Repub's for giving in to the Dem's. And his voting record this month is pretty good -- no on start, amnesty and DADT repeal.
Maybe there's some hope! The truth is that the Republicans sold us too short by saying no funny business until the tax breaks are approved. They should have said no funny business till January, when the Congress would be accountable, and not a Lame Duck.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWas thinking to self this morning - what with START and all the rest - this must be BHO's best Christmas ever.
All thanks to Republicans who forgot what they said about putting a stop everything but a short-term CR.
So, the beltway bunch is happy, they've done a lot more harm than they could have DREAMed of in early November. (Remember November?)
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBut what about the rest of America?
Forgotten, it seems: this is still the ultra liberal 111th Congress. No big surprise that RINOs did what RINOs do and the Dems gave Obama more wins. But come January, this must change.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseForgotten, it seems: this is still the ultra liberal 111th Congress. No big surprise that RINOs did what RINOs do and the Dems gave Obama more wins. But come January, this must change.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWatched the last 15 minutes of this mess while on the treadmill at the gym. It's hard to keep the blasted machine going when you're trying not to throw up in your mouth at the same time.
So the Republicans need to accept greater responsibility? Brave talk coming from the most irresponsible president in my lifetime - which goes back to Truman's second term. And no, I'm not excluding Carter. Or Nixon.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse@Bernie Gilbert - be careful what you watch, as well as nausea it might make you stop running and that's dangerous!
For an idea of BHO's version of responsible governing (not that he would recognize the real thing, condescending as*) highly recommended is this article over at Pajamas Media, about how even more regulation will be brought into play:
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President Obama was the only winner in this lame duck session. He is being portrayed as a leader and I predict his ratings will be up again after the holidays.
Meanwhile, the Republicans seem bent on snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They surrendered on DADT and START. The tax compromise is a pyrrhic victory at best and I'm skeptical that the next budget will be much better than the one that was recently shot down. The left (MSNBC) is already crowing that DADT is the first step towards nationwide gay marriage. Ultimately, its the cultural issues and moral ambiguity that will be the undoing of this country.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse“[It’s] fair to say this has been the most productive post election period we’ve had in decades,”
This is a phrase I never want to hear uttered again. This lame duck session is immoral, unethical, and goes against the principles of democracy. Something must be done to prevent this from ever happening again.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseVenezuela just had a very 'productive post election period" as well, nothing to brag about.
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