Obama strategy: Marginalize most powerful critics
President Obama is working systematically to marginalize the most powerful forces behind theRepublican Party, setting loose top White Houseofficials to undermine conservatives in the media, business and lobbying worlds.
With a series of private meetings and public taunts, the White House has targeted the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the biggest-spending pro-business lobbying group in the country; Rush Limbaugh, the country’s most-listened-to conservative commentator; and now, with a new volley of combative rhetoric in recent days, the insurance industry, Wall Street executives and Fox News.
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This article was highlighted on Meet the Press today.
NBC uber-libs including Joe Scarborough and Tavis Smiley all agreed that:
- Great presidents aren't born, they are made. They are made by being held accountable. And that is what Fox is doing and that is why other outlets are following their lead.
- The strategy of marginalization is not working. FoxNews ratings are through the roof.
- Taking on your critics is nothing new. All Presidents do it. But Obama is doing it very publicly and too directly. Also, Obama promised to be above this and to change the politics of Washington.
A fascinating final point... Obama's brought on his current health care problems when he bullied through the Stimulus. By passing a $1 trillion stimulus with no bi-partisan support he put his Administrations credibility on the line and there is no results that back up his promises.
Some points on Afghanistan:
- Obama is "dithering" on troop increases
- Obama called this war a "war of necessity"
- Obama removed the commander in Afghanistan and replaced him with McChrystal
- Obama is publicly not supporting McChrystal (who he appointed as part of his new strategy)
- Our allies are supporting the McChrystal plan
More from the Politico article:
ReplyDeleteThe campaign underscores how deeply political the Obama White House is in its daily operations — with a strong focus on redrawing the electoral map and discrediting the personalities and ideas that have powered the conservative movement over the past 20 years.
This determination has manifested itself in small ways: This president has done three times as many fundraisers as President George W. Bush had at this point in his term. And in large ones: Beginning with their contretemps with Limbaugh last winter, Obama’s most important advisers miss few opportunities for public and highly partisan shots at his most influential critics.
It’s too early to tell if the campaign is working, but it’s clearly exacerbating partisan tensions in Washington.