In yesterday’s Impromptus, I had a note on some of President Obama’s boners — his gaffes, his “misspeaks”: 57 states, the “Austrian” language, and all that. This morning, I had a letter from a reader in Richmond, who was steaming about Obama’s latest. Apparently, the president said to Rep. Eric Cantor, “Don’t call my bluff.”
Jay,
Will no one call Obama on his tough-sounding “Don’t call my bluff”? What kind of threat is “Don’t call my bluff”? In saying that, Obama is admitting he’s bluffing. A sensible threat might be, “Don’t assume I’m bluffing!” But no: Obama warns my congressman not to call his bluff. That’s not a threat — that’s a plea for mercy.
Does no one listen to the nonsense that tumbles out of this president’s mouth?
We’re listening, sir, and thank you.
P.S. If George W. Bush or Dan Quayle or Ronald Reagan or Sarah Palin had said “Don’t call my bluff” . . . Or had cited a language called “Austrian” . . .
Potatoe City, is all I can say.
No poker bracelet for the one.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFor once Dear Leader shows transparency in several ways:
1)His thin skin;2)His lack of professionalism and/or negotiating skills;3)Uncontrolled temper, which he has managed to fake until now;4)His apparent obsession with Reagan, and craving that type of respect;5)Classic narcissism: stalking off, ending conversation when confronted and/or opposed;6)He is bluffing himself to get the GOP to fold.
On, and Mrs. Pelosi: a 2.5 hour meeting is nothing, by the way. That is laughable.
I do hope the GOP will tell him, if this "summit" at Camp David is suggested: "Thank you, sir, but we have work to do here in DC. We will meet with you on Monday after your trip."
GOP: Do not turn this into a summit on his own terms. He is now dreaming of a grand summit ala Clinton of Camp David and Arafat. Do not give an inch. Heck, Clinton probably suggested it after Obama called wailing.
GOP: Do keep telling the American public, in any outlet you can (and we, the people will do the same)which party has not had a budget in over two years. Keep telling the American public who is threatening to not send Social Security checks on August 3rd----and go further and explain how these checks are not his to hold (and how many times this year he has made this threat). Keep telling the American public which party has tried to control cuts and our national debt. Keep beating this drum. Reverse the Alinsky rules. Turn the tables on the bluffer himself.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse1. He obviously doesn't know what he is talking about
2. He obviously is not serious
3. He obviously doesn't think the GOP is serious.
4. He obviously thinks the GOP is posturing and will eventually cave because they are basically big-spending statists just like him.
On #4, I think he is right. The GOP will eventually cave. If they were serious about cutting spending they would just do it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat are you talking about ? The House voted yes to cut the budget ... the GOP did ALL THAT THEY can do ...
They would just do it ??? as if they control the Senate and the veto pen ... can you really be that clueless ?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNo, you are incorrect about #4. First, the GOP already passed a budget, so their cuts are already in public view. Second, they cannot act too preemptively, or Obama WOULD veto a short-term extension. Assuming there is not going to be a deal, the House is smart to wait circumstances and push Obama's decision to the edge of cutting off Social Security payments.
The House will be voting in the coming days on plenty of related matters, such as the constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget.
Timing is very important here. I am heartened that the GOP thus far has not panicked.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNope, you're engaging in wishful thinking.
Language isn't syllogistic.
To any native English speaker, "Don't call my bluff" means: "Don't test my resolve. You'll find out I'm not bluffing."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseExcept he is, as evidenced by what he cited as his go-to option.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNo, wpa, that's not what it means to any English speaker. Calling a bluff is what the *other* person does when they think *you're* bluffing. If you're bluffing you _don't want_ them to "call your bluff". If you're *not* bluffing, you _want_ them to call, so you can prevail in that hand. Most Americans probably know that.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell that all depends on the situation and the matter at hand.
What is his "bluff?" That he'll veto a smaller measure thus showing him willing to play out the doomsday senarios he's pushing and denying grandma her SS checks?
I would hardly call that resolve, more like idiocy. He is bluffing and the republicans should call him. It would make for great theatre.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf you have to tell people how strong your resolve is, then it probably isn't very strong to begin with. It may be that Obama is trying to convince himself of his steely nerve.
BTW, my captcha was 'crash and burn.'
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRight before our eyes!
If you have to tell people how strong your resolve is, then it probably isn't very strong to begin with. It may be that Obama is trying to convince himself of his steely nerve.
BTW, my captcha was "crash and burn"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRight before our eyes
then he should have said, "think I'm bluffing, try me..."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's amazing, the level of mental gymnastics that liberals are willing to go through in order to find a way to deflect from their leader's incompetance.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's a shame the President's "tough talk" is always directed at Republicans, as there are a few bad actors in the world who are more deserving of that treatment than Eric Cantor.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThat much is true. Reagan could be dismissive of Democrats, but he was almost always jovial. They were opposed to him, but they were still his fellow countrymen. The actual tough talk, he reserved for America's enemies. Mr. Obama, if you'd really like to emulate Reagan . . .
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA POTUS POUTUS moment from The World's Greatest Orator™
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseObama is projecting. It's what dems do.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe economy is NOT going to recover before Nov. 2012 and the President knows it. He thinks he can get re-elected by screwing things up further and somehow pinning the blame on the GOP. (In fact, that's probably the ONLY way he can get re-elected). All these 'talks' are a set up for pinning the overall bad economy on the Republicans. If the GOP sticks to their guns, we'll all come out better in the end. If they cave, we're doomed.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Don't call my bluff" is a perfectly standard expression. The amount of whiny twaddle about Obama on this website is astonishing.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI've never heard it in my life. It sounds like something Costello would say to Abbott.
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