Obama's More Aggressive Style Won't Help His Agenda, GOP Insiders Agree
Will President Obama's new confrontational style be helpful in enacting his agenda?
DEMOCRATS (109 VOTES)
Very helpful: 46%
Helpful: 41%
Not helpful: 13%
Very helpful
"While I would call it an "˜aggressive' style rather than "˜confrontational' style, either way, POTUS learned from health care reform that it is better to engage than be enraged on the sidelines."
"Most Americans feel the need for a strong leader at the helm: Someone who stands for something, fights for what he believes is best for them, and, at the end of the day, drives tough bargains to get things done."
"Memo to GOP: It's not confrontation if you are merely reciting your campaign pledges."
"Appeasement didn't produce results — this can only help."
"He always had the pulpit, and he has finally learned he has to become a bully to get anything done. Lyndon Johnson would be smiling."
"The president, in order to lead the nation, first needs to lead his caucus. He just did that."
"Fight, fight, fight — then compromise."
"Bullies and obstructionists only understand power. The president must be resolute while always willing to talk."
Helpful
"Are we assuming it's a new confrontational style? What about calling it "˜bold leadership?' "
"Well, being nice sure worked well, didn't it? Only way to fight right-wing fire is with fire."
"It will help, in the sense that Republicans have little leverage, and Obama is finally calling them out on this fact."
"POTUS is emerging as a strong executive. This will strengthen his "˜bully pulpit' and help maintain public support for his initiatives. Whether public support will translate into congressional action, however, remains to be seen."
"It gives clearer direction to congressional Dems but has to be met with the reality that compromise is still necessary to actually move legislation."
Not helpful
"We have to get things through the asylum, and his style is going to make it harder for [Speaker John] Boehner to do what he needs to."
"Liberal is a four-letter word in modern politics."
Will President Obama's new confrontational style be helpful in enacting his agenda?
REPUBLICANS (99 VOTES)
Very helpful: 2%
Helpful: 11%
Not helpful: 87%
Very helpful
"He's got the wind at his back, and he's consolidating his growing base."
Helpful
"The president has figured out how to exploit the divide within the Republican House. Not until the Republicans stand united will the president need to shift strategy."
"No one on the Hill likes him, so he might as well fight."
Not helpful
"If you don't have the House, you can't govern like you do."
"Insulting your adversaries is seldom a "˜helpful' start to negotiations."
"He's a terrible negotiator and compromiser, and this style gives Republicans every incentive to make him miserable: all the fun of Clinton term two without the impeachment."
"Obama's liberal agenda is not a prescription for success in the midterms. If Republicans are smart, they'll adopt a "˜rope-a-dope' [strategy] and let Obama overplay his hand."
"His strength through his career has been personal likability. Anything that diminishes that hurts his brand."
"There is no big-government majority in America."
"Reagan said the purpose of a negotiation is to get an agreement. With this White House, the purpose of a negotiation is to posture."
"Can you spell "˜overreach?' Careful, Mr. President. Your hubris is showing."
"Obama's arrogant, condescending treatment of his opponents does nothing to further an agenda, but it certainly feeds his ambition to be known as the Democratic Reagan."
"All he wants to do is score political points. He isn't really concerned about getting things done."
"Obama's Achilles' heel has always been his incredible arrogance, and his recent press conference and Inaugural Address were pure hubris. Winning by 2.9 percent does not give him a mandate to roll over 48 percent of the country. Especially when he's essentially pulled a bait and switch about his true aims."
Has climate change become a winning issue for Democrats?
DEMOCRATS (101 VOTES)
Yes: 64%
No: 36%
Yes
"Every public poll on the issue has demonstrated the American people support action on climate change, like EPA, and want the U.S. to take action. People are starting to believe their eyes instead of the deniers."
"Younger voters will reward Democrats on climate change now. The economy is getting better, and Republicans' scare tactics won't be as effective."
"Especially if they figure out how to turn the issue into a job creator to offset attacks from the right."
"As long as gas stays below $4 a gallon and natural gas keeps growing in domestic supply, there is room to run for Democrats on this issue."
"Not only is this an important issue on the merits, but the Republicans who continue to deny the existence of climate change will look like the troglodytes they are."
"Just as with gay rights, the train has left the station on the politics of climate change."
"The nation is far ahead of Washington on this."
"Acceptance that the climate has changed — regardless of what you think has caused it — has altered the public's attitude about what must be done. As long as Democrats continue to appeal to the sensible center, we'll win more than we lose."
No
"It's still a difficult issue for Democrats, but Obama is right to try to make at least some progress on it."
"Not until we have an alternative that isn't cap-and-trade."
"Democrats, don't get distracted! People care about jobs and improving the economy."
"Voters are skeptical about climate change because environmentalists have been too tendentious in promoting their cause."
Has climate change become a winning issue for Democrats?
REPUBLICANS (92 VOTES)
Yes: 12%
No: 88%
Yes
"It rallies their base, and independents are generally favorable on the issue of climate change."
"A large portion of the voters seem to support high-sounding concepts without understanding the negative by-product of their practical implementation. This may be one of those."
No
"The economy is the top issue, and people view energy as an economic concern, not a climate-change concern."
"We've spent billions of government-backed "˜green-energy' projects and little to show for it in terms of jobs or technology."
"Far too many more important issues. Republicans should be happy if Democrats go out on a limb on global warming "¦ and saw it off."
"Americans still prefer affordable energy over pie-in-the-sky, Al Gore-inspired happy talk."
"Even the language change designed to divert attention from the reality of false and hysterical claims of "˜global warming' (remember that?) will fail to galvanize any but those predisposed to look to government rather than to God for what to believe. You know — Democrats."
"People want jobs, jobs, jobs. Um, should I say it again? Jobs."
"Energy resonates more than rising oceans."
"Even those who believe we have a climate-change problem can't abide Obama's climate-change solutions. No matter how many hurricanes, floods, or tsunamis, it will not be a winning issue."
"Ask Max Baucus, Mark Warner, Kay Hagan, Mark Pryor, Mary Landrieu, and the eventual West Virginia Democrat Senate nominee — not to mention new members like Heidi Heidkamp."
"Not yet, but it will be in five years. The country is still hungry for jobs."
"¦"¦"¦"¦"¦.
Democratic Political Insiders Jill Alper, John Anzalone, Brad Bannon, Dave Beattie, Andy Bechhoefer, Cornell Belcher, Matt Bennett, Mitchell W. Berger, Mike Berman, Stephanie Bosh, Paul Brathwaite, Donna Brazile, Mark Brewer, Ed Bruley, George Bruno, Bonnie Campbell, Bill Carrick, Guy Cecil, Martin J. Chavez, Tony Coelho, Larry Cohen, Jerry Crawford, Brendan Daly, Jeff Danielson, Peter Daou, Howard Dean, Scott DeFife, Jim Demers, Tad Devine, David Di Martino, Debbie Dingell, Monica Dixon, Patrick Dorton, Pat Dujakovich, Anita Dunn, Jeff Eller, Steve Elmendorf, Carter Eskew, Vic Fazio, Peter Fenn, Scott Ferson, Jim Fleischmann, Tina Flournoy, Don Foley, Jeffrey Forbes, Vincent Frillici, Gina Glantz, Niles Godes, John Michael Gonzalez, Joe Grandmaison, Anna Greenberg, Stan Greenberg, Pat Griffin, Larry Grisolano, Michael Gronstal, Lisa Grove, Marcia Hale, Jill Hanauer, Dick Harpootlian, Paul Harstad, Laura Hartigan, Doug Hattaway, Mike Henry, Karen Hicks, Leo Hindery Jr., Harold Ickes, Marcus Jadotte, John Jameson, Steve Jarding, Jonathon Jones, Jim Jordan, Gale Kaufman, Lisa Kountoupes, Celinda Lake, David Lang, Penny Lee, Chris Lehane, Jeff Link, Bob Maloney, Jim Manley, Steve Marchand, Jim Margolis, Paul Maslin, Keith Mason, Susan McCue, Gerald McEntee, Steve McMahon, Tom McMahon, Phil McNamara, David Medina, Michael Meehan, Mark Mellman, John Merrigan, Michael Monroe, Steve Murphy, Janet Napolitano, David Nassar, Marcia Nichols, John Norris, Tom Ochs, Tom O'Donnell, Jeffrey Peck, Debora Pignatelli, Tony Podesta, Jefrey Pollock, Jack Quinn, Larry Rasky, Mame Reiley, Ed Rendell, Steve Ricchetti, Will Robinson, Steve Rosenthal, David Rudd, Ryan Rudominer, John Ryan, Michael Sargeant, Stephanie Schriock, Terry Shumaker, Sean Sinclair, Phil Singer, Erik Smith, Doug Sosnik, Greg Speed, Darry Sragow, Ken Strasma, Doug Thornell, Jeffrey Trammell, Ed Turlington, Rick Wiener, James Williams, JoDee Winterhof, Brian Wolff, Jon Youngdahl, and Jim Zogby.
GOP Political Insiders Dan Allen, Stan Anderson, Gary Andres, Saulius (Saul) Anuzis, Rich Ashooh, Whit Ayres, Brett Bader, Mitch Bainwol, Brian Baker, Gary Bauer, David Beckwith, Paul Bennecke, Clark Benson, Wayne Berman, Brian Bieron, Charlie Black, Kirk Blalock, Carmine Boal, Jeff Boeyink, Ron Bonjean, Jeff Buley, Luke Byars, Nick Calio, Al Cardenas, Danny Carroll, Alex Castellanos, Ron Christie, Jim Cicconi, Jonathan Collegio, Rob Collins, Cesar Conda, Jake Corman, Scott Cottington, Jay Cranford, Greg Crist, Diane Crookham-Johnson, Fergus Cullen, Tom Davis, Mike Dennehy, Ken Duberstein, Debi Durham, Sara Fagen, Frank Fahrenkopf, John Feehery, Don Fierce, Mindy Finn, Carl Forti, Alex Gage, Bruce A. Gates, Sam Geduldig, Adam Geller, Benjamin Ginsberg, David Girard-diCarlo, Bill Greener, Jonathan Grella, Lanny Griffith, Janet Mullins Grissom, Doug Gross, Todd Harris, Steve Hart, Christopher Healy, Ralph Hellmann, Chris Henick, Terry Holt, David Iannelli, Ed Ingle, Jim Innocenzi, Clark Judge, David Keating, David Kensinger, Bob Kjellander, Ed Kutler, Chris LaCivita, Jim Lake, Steven Law, Steve Lombardo, Kevin Madden, Joel Maiola, Gary Maloney, David Marin, Mary Matalin, Dan Mattoon, Brian McCormack, Mark McKinnon, Kyle McSlarrow, Ken Mehlman, Jim Merrill, Lisa Camooso Miller, Tim Morrison, Mike Murphy, Phil Musser, Ron Nehring, Terry Nelson, Neil Newhouse, David Norcross, Ziad Ojakli, Jack Oliver, Todd Olsen, Kevin O'Neill, Connie Partoyan, Billy Piper, Van B. Poole, Tom Rath, Scott Reed, David Rehr, Tom Reynolds, Steve Roberts, Jason Roe, David Roederer, Dan Schnur, Russ Schriefer, Rich Schwarm, Brent Seaborn, Rick Shelby, Andrew Shore, Kevin Shuvalov, Don Sipple, Ken Spain, Fred Steeper, Bob Stevenson, Terry Sullivan, David Tamasi, Eric Tanenblatt, Richard Temple, Heath Thompson, Jay Timmons, Warren Tompkins, Ted Van Der Meid, Dirk van Dongen, Jan van Lohuizen, Stewart Verdery, Dick Wadhams, John Weaver, Lezlee Westine, Dave Winston, Ginny Wolfe, Fred Wszolek, and Matthew Zablud.
Has climate change become a winning issue for Democrats?
REPUBLICANS (92 VOTES)
Yes: 12%
No: 88%
Yes
"It rallies their base, and independents are generally favorable on the issue of climate change."
"A large portion of the voters seem to support high-sounding concepts without understanding the negative by-product of their practical implementation. This may be one of those."
No
"The economy is the top issue, and people view energy as an economic concern, not a climate-change concern."
"We've spent billions of government-backed "˜green-energy' projects and little to show for it in terms of jobs or technology."
"Far too many more important issues. Republicans should be happy if Democrats go out on a limb on global warming "¦ and saw it off."
"Americans still prefer affordable energy over pie-in-the-sky, Al Gore-inspired happy talk."
"Even the language change designed to divert attention from the reality of false and hysterical claims of "˜global warming' (remember that?) will fail to galvanize any but those predisposed to look to government rather than to God for what to believe. You know — Democrats."
"People want jobs, jobs, jobs. Um, should I say it again? Jobs."
"Energy resonates more than rising oceans."
"Even those who believe we have a climate-change problem can't abide Obama's climate-change solutions. No matter how many hurricanes, floods, or tsunamis, it will not be a winning issue."
"Ask Max Baucus, Mark Warner, Kay Hagan, Mark Pryor, Mary Landrieu, and the eventual West Virginia Democrat Senate nominee — not to mention new members like Heidi Heidkamp."
"Not yet, but it will be in five years. The country is still hungry for jobs."
"¦"¦"¦"¦"¦.
Democratic Political Insiders Jill Alper, John Anzalone, Brad Bannon, Dave Beattie, Andy Bechhoefer, Cornell Belcher, Matt Bennett, Mitchell W. Berger, Mike Berman, Stephanie Bosh, Paul Brathwaite, Donna Brazile, Mark Brewer, Ed Bruley, George Bruno, Bonnie Campbell, Bill Carrick, Guy Cecil, Martin J. Chavez, Tony Coelho, Larry Cohen, Jerry Crawford, Brendan Daly, Jeff Danielson, Peter Daou, Howard Dean, Scott DeFife, Jim Demers, Tad Devine, David Di Martino, Debbie Dingell, Monica Dixon, Patrick Dorton, Pat Dujakovich, Anita Dunn, Jeff Eller, Steve Elmendorf, Carter Eskew, Vic Fazio, Peter Fenn, Scott Ferson, Jim Fleischmann, Tina Flournoy, Don Foley, Jeffrey Forbes, Vincent Frillici, Gina Glantz, Niles Godes, John Michael Gonzalez, Joe Grandmaison, Anna Greenberg, Stan Greenberg, Pat Griffin, Larry Grisolano, Michael Gronstal, Lisa Grove, Marcia Hale, Jill Hanauer, Dick Harpootlian, Paul Harstad, Laura Hartigan, Doug Hattaway, Mike Henry, Karen Hicks, Leo Hindery Jr., Harold Ickes, Marcus Jadotte, John Jameson, Steve Jarding, Jonathon Jones, Jim Jordan, Gale Kaufman, Lisa Kountoupes, Celinda Lake, David Lang, Penny Lee, Chris Lehane, Jeff Link, Bob Maloney, Jim Manley, Steve Marchand, Jim Margolis, Paul Maslin, Keith Mason, Susan McCue, Gerald McEntee, Steve McMahon, Tom McMahon, Phil McNamara, David Medina, Michael Meehan, Mark Mellman, John Merrigan, Michael Monroe, Steve Murphy, Janet Napolitano, David Nassar, Marcia Nichols, John Norris, Tom Ochs, Tom O'Donnell, Jeffrey Peck, Debora Pignatelli, Tony Podesta, Jefrey Pollock, Jack Quinn, Larry Rasky, Mame Reiley, Ed Rendell, Steve Ricchetti, Will Robinson, Steve Rosenthal, David Rudd, Ryan Rudominer, John Ryan, Michael Sargeant, Stephanie Schriock, Terry Shumaker, Sean Sinclair, Phil Singer, Erik Smith, Doug Sosnik, Greg Speed, Darry Sragow, Ken Strasma, Doug Thornell, Jeffrey Trammell, Ed Turlington, Rick Wiener, James Williams, JoDee Winterhof, Brian Wolff, Jon Youngdahl, and Jim Zogby.
GOP Political Insiders Dan Allen, Stan Anderson, Gary Andres, Saulius (Saul) Anuzis, Rich Ashooh, Whit Ayres, Brett Bader, Mitch Bainwol, Brian Baker, Gary Bauer, David Beckwith, Paul Bennecke, Clark Benson, Wayne Berman, Brian Bieron, Charlie Black, Kirk Blalock, Carmine Boal, Jeff Boeyink, Ron Bonjean, Jeff Buley, Luke Byars, Nick Calio, Al Cardenas, Danny Carroll, Alex Castellanos, Ron Christie, Jim Cicconi, Jonathan Collegio, Rob Collins, Cesar Conda, Jake Corman, Scott Cottington, Jay Cranford, Greg Crist, Diane Crookham-Johnson, Fergus Cullen, Tom Davis, Mike Dennehy, Ken Duberstein, Debi Durham, Sara Fagen, Frank Fahrenkopf, John Feehery, Don Fierce, Mindy Finn, Carl Forti, Alex Gage, Bruce A. Gates, Sam Geduldig, Adam Geller, Benjamin Ginsberg, David Girard-diCarlo, Bill Greener, Jonathan Grella, Lanny Griffith, Janet Mullins Grissom, Doug Gross, Todd Harris, Steve Hart, Christopher Healy, Ralph Hellmann, Chris Henick, Terry Holt, David Iannelli, Ed Ingle, Jim Innocenzi, Clark Judge, David Keating, David Kensinger, Bob Kjellander, Ed Kutler, Chris LaCivita, Jim Lake, Steven Law, Steve Lombardo, Kevin Madden, Joel Maiola, Gary Maloney, David Marin, Mary Matalin, Dan Mattoon, Brian McCormack, Mark McKinnon, Kyle McSlarrow, Ken Mehlman, Jim Merrill, Lisa Camooso Miller, Tim Morrison, Mike Murphy, Phil Musser, Ron Nehring, Terry Nelson, Neil Newhouse, David Norcross, Ziad Ojakli, Jack Oliver, Todd Olsen, Kevin O'Neill, Connie Partoyan, Billy Piper, Van B. Poole, Tom Rath, Scott Reed, David Rehr, Tom Reynolds, Steve Roberts, Jason Roe, David Roederer, Dan Schnur, Russ Schriefer, Rich Schwarm, Brent Seaborn, Rick Shelby, Andrew Shore, Kevin Shuvalov, Don Sipple, Ken Spain, Fred Steeper, Bob Stevenson, Terry Sullivan, David Tamasi, Eric Tanenblatt, Richard Temple, Heath Thompson, Jay Timmons, Warren Tompkins, Ted Van Der Meid, Dirk van Dongen, Jan van Lohuizen, Stewart Verdery, Dick Wadhams, John Weaver, Lezlee Westine, Dave Winston, Ginny Wolfe, Fred Wszolek, and Matthew Zablud.
Will President Obama's new confrontational style be helpful in enacting his agenda?
DEMOCRATS (109 VOTES)
Very helpful: 46%
Helpful: 41%
Not helpful: 13%
Very helpful
"While I would call it an "˜aggressive' style rather than "˜confrontational' style, either way, POTUS learned from health care reform that it is better to engage than be enraged on the sidelines."
"Most Americans feel the need for a strong leader at the helm: Someone who stands for something, fights for what he believes is best for them, and, at the end of the day, drives tough bargains to get things done."
"Memo to GOP: It's not confrontation if you are merely reciting your campaign pledges."
"Appeasement didn't produce results — this can only help."
"He always had the pulpit, and he has finally learned he has to become a bully to get anything done. Lyndon Johnson would be smiling."
"The president, in order to lead the nation, first needs to lead his caucus. He just did that."
"Fight, fight, fight — then compromise."
"Bullies and obstructionists only understand power. The president must be resolute while always willing to talk."
Helpful
"Are we assuming it's a new confrontational style? What about calling it "˜bold leadership?' "
"Well, being nice sure worked well, didn't it? Only way to fight right-wing fire is with fire."
"It will help, in the sense that Republicans have little leverage, and Obama is finally calling them out on this fact."
"POTUS is emerging as a strong executive. This will strengthen his "˜bully pulpit' and help maintain public support for his initiatives. Whether public support will translate into congressional action, however, remains to be seen."
"It gives clearer direction to congressional Dems but has to be met with the reality that compromise is still necessary to actually move legislation."
Not helpful
"We have to get things through the asylum, and his style is going to make it harder for [Speaker John] Boehner to do what he needs to."
"Liberal is a four-letter word in modern politics."
Will President Obama's new confrontational style be helpful in enacting his agenda?
REPUBLICANS (99 VOTES)
Very helpful: 2%
Helpful: 11%
Not helpful: 87%
Very helpful
"He's got the wind at his back, and he's consolidating his growing base."
Helpful
"The president has figured out how to exploit the divide within the Republican House. Not until the Republicans stand united will the president need to shift strategy."
"No one on the Hill likes him, so he might as well fight."
Not helpful
"If you don't have the House, you can't govern like you do."
"Insulting your adversaries is seldom a "˜helpful' start to negotiations."
"He's a terrible negotiator and compromiser, and this style gives Republicans every incentive to make him miserable: all the fun of Clinton term two without the impeachment."
"Obama's liberal agenda is not a prescription for success in the midterms. If Republicans are smart, they'll adopt a "˜rope-a-dope' [strategy] and let Obama overplay his hand."
"His strength through his career has been personal likability. Anything that diminishes that hurts his brand."
"There is no big-government majority in America."
"Reagan said the purpose of a negotiation is to get an agreement. With this White House, the purpose of a negotiation is to posture."
"Can you spell "˜overreach?' Careful, Mr. President. Your hubris is showing."
"Obama's arrogant, condescending treatment of his opponents does nothing to further an agenda, but it certainly feeds his ambition to be known as the Democratic Reagan."
"All he wants to do is score political points. He isn't really concerned about getting things done."
"Obama's Achilles' heel has always been his incredible arrogance, and his recent press conference and Inaugural Address were pure hubris. Winning by 2.9 percent does not give him a mandate to roll over 48 percent of the country. Especially when he's essentially pulled a bait and switch about his true aims."
Has climate change become a winning issue for Democrats?
DEMOCRATS (101 VOTES)
Yes: 64%
No: 36%
Yes