{"id":5259,"date":"2011-06-30T02:24:21","date_gmt":"2011-06-30T09:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=5259"},"modified":"2011-06-30T02:24:21","modified_gmt":"2011-06-30T09:24:21","slug":"obama-no-fire-down-below","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2011\/06\/30\/obama-no-fire-down-below\/","title":{"rendered":"Obama: No Fire Down Below"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"30Obama\"<\/font><\/p>\n

\"Tom122007_Painting_Painting\"Yesterday I watched Obama\u2019s news conference three times.  I wanted to be certain I understood what he said, before writing this editorial.  The biggest problem is that everyone who decided what their response would be, before the news conference took place, can find support for their point of view.  Obamaphiles saw it as as a proof of his fidelity.  Obamaphobes saw it as proof of his perfidy.  The only people likely to have any difficulty understanding it are those of us who watched with an open mind.  My biggest issue with it is that I wanted him to come out swinging, but he continued to play \u201cthe adult in the room.\u201d  There was no fire down below.  Nevertheless, there were things I liked, and things I did not.<\/font><\/p>\n

He did not address what cuts he was willing to negotiate. He said negotiations have identified what cuts are possible, but did not specify.  However, he did say that he would not accept any reduction in entitlements spending that shifted the burden onto the recipients.  He said that reducing the debt would require revenue enhancements, and that they must come <\/font>out of the pockets of people who are doing extraordinarily well.<\/font><\/p>\n

He gave his best explanation of his view of Libya and the War Powers Act to date.  He said that US forces were out of the combat zone well before the deadline and are providing non-combatant support only.  I still disagree with him and think he should have submitted the request to Congress, but at least I understand his reasoning now.  No American has been killed.<\/font><\/p>\n

On Afghanistan, he expressed no change in position.  He used the safety in Kabul to justify success of the Afghani government.  So did the USSR.  Like them, he is still wrong.<\/font><\/p>\n

He ducked whether or not he personally believes in gay marriage.  That did not bother me.  He has a right to his own religious view, but he does not allow it to dictate policy.  Between repeal of DADT and refusal to defend DOMA, no president has done as much for the LGBT community.<\/font><\/p>\n

On immigration, he insisted on a comprehensive solution, including a path to citizenship for for those without documentation, who are here now.<\/font><\/p>\n

He easily ducked the question on the Constitutionality of the debt ceiling, because it was the last item in a three part question by Chuck Todd.  When reporters question politicians, they are lucky to get two parts acknowledged, let alone three.  Evading it may have been wise, because committing to invoke the Constitution lets Republicans off the hook.  They would love provoking a Constitutional crisis to keep the focus off job creation.<\/font><\/p>\n

His big failure was his stated expectation that Republicans leaders will lead in good faith and do the right thing where the debt is concerned.  There is zero evidence to support the notion that Republicans have the slightest inclination to do the right thing, and overwhelming evidence to the contrary.  When he blamed \u201cCongress\u201d, I have no doubt that he meant Republicans in Congress, but he should have come out and said so.<\/font><\/p>\n

In closing, he focused on the needs of Main Street Americans, and the need to undo the structural changes in our economy in the last decade.  He should have clearly defined that those were Republican changes, the massive upward redistribution of wealth.<\/font><\/p>\n

Overall, I feared far worse and was pleased with most of it, but Obama must overcome his dislike for confrontation and display fire down below.<\/font><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to take my word for it.  If you missed it, here is the complete video.<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/param><\/param><\/param><\/param><\/param><\/embed><\/object><\/font><\/p>\n

If you prefer, the text of Obama\u2019s news conference is here<\/a>.<\/font><\/p>\n

For another perspective here\u2019s Keith Olbermann on Countdown<\/a>.<\/font><\/p>\n