more musings
Jan. 2nd, 2011 06:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
novapsycheI think part of President Obama's problem was that he was not in Congress during the time when Republicans controlled both houses of Congress & the Presidency. He did not see what a strongheaded executive branch could accomplish with such wind at his back.
He also did not personally witness the Republicans threaten "the nuclear option" with regards to the filibuster. Basically, for those who need a refresher, they were willing to get rid of the filibuster without going through what Democrats are trying to do now, which is rewrite the rules during the first day of the Congressional term. This is permitted by clauses in the Constitution itself. The "nuclear option" would have destroyed any goodwill on either side of the aisle.
Obama didn't see hardball politics at work. Now he mistakes the softballs that Republicans throw him as such. Unfortunately, he may not see the hardball when it really comes flying.
He also did not personally witness the Republicans threaten "the nuclear option" with regards to the filibuster. Basically, for those who need a refresher, they were willing to get rid of the filibuster without going through what Democrats are trying to do now, which is rewrite the rules during the first day of the Congressional term. This is permitted by clauses in the Constitution itself. The "nuclear option" would have destroyed any goodwill on either side of the aisle.
Obama didn't see hardball politics at work. Now he mistakes the softballs that Republicans throw him as such. Unfortunately, he may not see the hardball when it really comes flying.