Obama is taking the Bully Pulpit right now. "We Need to Pass Unemployment Benefits Extension"

[NYC_SKP]

He does this more often than we know because the media doesn't cover it as much as they could.

It just doesn't "sell" unless they can turn it into some "other" kind of story.

:patriot:

[kirby]

1. The 60th vote holdout is a Dem though...

Which says something about this influence with Congress.

(Sen Nelson of Neb)

[Beetwasher]

2. Yeah, No Kidding, Why Doesn't He Take Him Hunting Cheney Style?

:eyes:

How exactly do you propose he FORCE Nelson to do the right thing? How is Nelson's vote Obama's responsibility?

[kirby]

6. All I can say..

is look at history. The President is not only the President, but the LEADER of the party. Bush got all his votes every time he needed something.

I'm not sure how you 'force' someone, I'm just saying it has been done in the past in politics. My guess is that the administration (and Reid in the Senate) are fine with allowing unemployment benefits to expire in order to have an election year issue. My point is that the problem with pinning it on the Repubs is that the 60th vote is a Dem.

[Beetwasher]

7. No, Your Point Is You Want Him To Force Nelson's Votes But Don't Have A Clue HOW

You have no idea what you're talking about, because you have no mechanism for doing it. You're problem is you think a President is a dictator. Should he threaten Nelson's life?

You think every President except Obama was able to get every Senator in their party to vote the way he wanted them to vote? Really? Are you that naive?

[kirby]

8. Party Unity...

Every heard of it? The Republicans voted lock step with Bush to achieve his agenda. It is not something I am making up. It is part of politics.

[Beetwasher]

9. Yes! That Magical Party Unity! Why Hasn't Obama Shot Nelson In The Face Yet?

Again HOW SHOULD OBAMA FORCE NELSON'S VOTE??? HOW?

You don't want a President, you want a dictator. That's YOUR problem, not Obama's.

[druidity33]

13. well, Sen Reid could

threaten to take him off all the committees he's on. He could also threaten to stall any legislation he puts his name to. He could threaten to withold campaign money from the DSCC.

Actually there are a lot of options. All of which have been used before. I'm not sure how much sway Obama has over Reid though... "leader of the Party" only goes so far.

:shrug:

[Beetwasher]

15. Yes, He Could, So How Is It Obama's Fault?

:shrug:

[Name removed]

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[Beetwasher]

20. So You Want Him To Break The Law?

Yeah, that's a good idea.:eyes:

[Name removed]

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[Beetwasher]

24. Breaking The Law Is Funny?

:shrug:

[Name removed]

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[Beetwasher]

28. You Said Obama Should Bribe (Actually "Bride") People

I assumed that was a typo and you meant "bribe". What is there to "read into"? You realize bribery is illegal, right?

That's not "how the game is played". That's how laws are broken.

[Name removed]

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[Beetwasher]

31. Words Have Meanings, A Bribe Is Illegal

It's not my fault you said bribe.

And if you think that there is'nt already wheeling and dealing going on to get the votes, then sorry, but you're pretty naive.

[Name removed]

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[Beetwasher]

33. You Have Problems With Understanding Sarcasm I See

Umm, ok, let me explain this to you as I would to a 4 year old.

People are complaining Obama is doing enough to keep party discipline. I SARCASTICALLY ask whether they think Obama should shoot people in the face in order to maintain discipline. You know, like Dick Cheney does?

That leads to YOU thinking I really believe Obama should shoot people in the face.

What does this say about your level of intelligence?

[Name removed]

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[Beetwasher]

36. No, You Very Clearly Say Obama Should Bribe People

I'm not a mind reader. If that's not what you meant to say that's not my problem.

" bribe him or whatever. It is how the DC game is played."

Bribes are illegal. A quid quo pro is NOT the same as a bribe. Just because you backpeddle and tell me what you really meant doesn't change your original response.

It's not my problem you don't communicate clearly.

[Name removed]

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[Beetwasher]

38. You Need To Communicate More Clearly, Is English Your First Language?

Just wondering. It doesn't seem like it is. That's really not my problem though. Buh bye! :hi:

[NJmaverick]

41. You know when the President does that, he can't crucifies here at DU

for being just another sleazy politician. comments like "is this the change we can believe in" fly fast and furious.

[sabrina 1]

44. You remove him from any committees he's on, and you let him

know that the Party will not be backing him when he runs for election again, no matter when that is.

That's how politics works. None of them want to lose their power in Congress. That's what 'arm-twisting' means. Nelson needs to be called in for a little chat with the leadership so he can be reminded which party he belongs to.

[Beetwasher]

45. Obama Can't Remove Anyone From Any Committee

He's not the leader of the Senate.

[sabrina 1]

47. Reread my post. I said 'he needs to be called in for a little

chat with the party leadership'. I don't know where you came up with Obama removing him.

And that is all that needs to be done to remind him he is not a Republican and can be relegated to the same status as the minority party if that's how he wishes to behave. It's not that difficult, Republicans do it all the time.

[Beetwasher]

49. What makes u think that hasn't been done

and what makes u think it Would work?

[sabrina 1]

50. What makes you think it has?

And what makes you think it would not work? Got something other than speculation?

[Beetwasher]

52. Do You Really Think Nelson Has NOT Met With Any Party Leadership?

And that he has not been pressured or dealt with AT ALL? Are you that naive?

Gee! You are so fucking brilliant! It's amazing!!! You mean, all he has to do is have a STERN talking to from the party leadership!! HOLY SHIT!! Why didn't I or anyone else think of such a brilliant idea!!! Why, you are a political genius!!! Who could have thought of such a thing???? How original! How stunning! What a concept!! A meeting! With the party leadership! :wow:

[sabrina 1]

53. Thanks for confirming that you don't have anything

other than speculation. And calm down, no need to have raise your BP over a discussion on the internet.

[Beetwasher]

54. Calm Down!!!!????????

Are you crazy!!! Nelson hasn't met with leadership!!!!!!!!!!!! Gahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sabrina 1]

55. Meeting with them, possibly.

Meeting with them and being told he will lose his positions on Committees and will not have party support when he runs again? If you have something to prove that has happened, post it, otherwise you are just speculating.

[Beetwasher]

56. Again, OBAMA Doesn't Assign Or Take Away Commitee Positions

And since the OP is about what Obama is doing, your point is irrelevant.

" Obama is taking the Bully Pulpit right now "

[sabrina 1]

58. You really do need to calm down,

You appear to be so agitated now that you are unable to read or follow the conversation. Take a deep breath. After you calm down, reread my post where there is no mention of Obama, only the party leadership.

Otoh, you may be simply trying to distract from the fact that you were caught speculating and really have no proof of what you attempted to pass off as fact.

[Beetwasher]

59. You Have A Vivid Imagination And Have A Problem Staying On Topic

I'm laughing at your attempt to distract from the OP and I'm mocking you.

[sabrina 1]

60. You made a claim, you were asked to prove it, you failed to do

so. Mock away, I am immune to childish nonsense *yawn* .... you were caught making a false claim, that is the topic you raised, sorry you cannot deal with the results of your own actions.

[Beetwasher]

61. See, Vivid Imagination, Now You Imagine I Made Some Claim

Maybe English is not your first language. Since when is a question, a claim? :rofl:

"What makes u think that hasn't been done
and what makes u think it Would work?"

I'm asking you questions, cupcake, not making any claims.

You also imagine Obama has some magic powers to persuade people to do things they don't want to do and can't provide a single thing he should be doing that he didn't do to make Nelson change his mind.

The simple fact is, you have some idiotic notion that Obama is an emperor who can force his will on people.

[sabrina 1]

62. It's been fun, but

you're boring me now.

I will take this comment of yours as an admission of what I tried to point out to you, that you do not know whether or not the Party Leadership threatened Nelson with a loss of his positions on Committees or with help from the party when he runs again.

I'll let others read the conversation and decide for themselves, 'cupcake'? :rofl: You are funny, I have to admit.

[Beetwasher]

63. Aww, Poor You, Can't Stay On Topic, Imagines Claims That Are Never Made

Then runs away from answering poignant questions! :rofl:

[sabrina 1]

64. I know you want to play

dahlink, and I'm flattered, maybe another time? I have some serious stuff on my mind at the moment so sadly, I will have to leave you to amuse yourself for awhile :hi:

[Beetwasher]

65. *Smooch*

I wait with baited breath!

[Name removed]

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[JNelson6563]

12. You force them by doing what the Rethugs do

threaten their committee standing.

Of course there are less effective/extreme things, like making sure your particular caucus (in this case the DSCC) gives no help, perhaps with-hold party support, stuff like that.

Julie

[Beetwasher]

14. Obama's Not In The Senate

Talk to Reid then. Obama can't take anyone's chairmanship.

[JNelson6563]

19. Yes, of course I know that

I know it wouldn't be Obama himself doing those things, just stating how it's done.

Julie

[NJmaverick]

40. If you look at history you will see trying to lead the Democratic party is like herding cats

[NYC_SKP]

3. PITA Ben Nelson, arrrghh. Going after soft Republicans like Snowe.

Seems like a no-brainer after all the wealth-redistribution toward the top "earners" over the past ten years.

:mad:

[Jennicut]

4. Ben Nelson would not be considered a Dem where I live, in CT.

He is a conservative a-hole. If he is a Dem, I am an alien from outer space. I guess that is what passes as a Democrat in Nebraska.

[NYC_SKP]

39. +1

How they hold their seats is beyond me.

:shrug:

[HughMoran]

46. Yeah, he's more of a butt-hole than a Democrat.

[jaxx]

5. What does it say?

That Nelson is two steps from the red line and the only thing that influences him is money?

[CBR]

10. Jesus H Christ...

U want him to speak out so he speaks out, now it is the Prez's fault that Ben Fucking Nelson is being a asshole. WTF? Absurdity reigns again at DU.

[DCBob]

30. Dont need Nelson.. they have 60 votes..

Snowe, Collins, new WV senator.

[JNelson6563]

11. Not enough! It's about time! What about (insert different issue here)???

[mkultra]

57. wow, you really have their propoganda characterized there..

[Forkboy]

66. Human rights.

They suck.

[laurel46]

34. Has anyone thought about the effect on healthcare?

I thought the government was paying for cobra benefits so if 3 million people are cut off and the gov is paying, oh say, $200/person to the insurance companies, that is about 600 million per month. What will that do to their profits if there are only a handful of companies? I hope bankrupt them. I think it would be better if the unemployed were put in the medicare pool and the premiums paid to that. Anyone heard of an effect on healthcare corporations?

[sandnsea]

42. About damn time he Act Presidential!

Kidding, thanks for the post!

[flamingdem]

43. Onslaught just beginning........... yay! nt

[Scurrilous]

48. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Cha]

51. Yeah, he did!

[Mimosa]

67. How did LBJ get so much done?

Maybe Obama has the wrong people immediately around him. Like Rahm Emanuel????

[Jamastiene]

68. I was happy to hear him say that about the Republicans being obstructionist

in regards to extending the unemployment benefits. Too late to rec, apparently, but I do believe in credit where credit is due. I'm glad he stood up to them this time and we got to hear it. :kick: