President Obama to meet with Mitt Romney
Source: The Hill
President Obama to meet with Mitt Romney
By Jonathan Easley - 11/28/12 10:04 AM ET
President Obama and Mitt Romney will meet for a private lunch at the White House on Thursday, according to a statement released by the administration on Wednesday.
It will be the first meeting between the two since the election and will be closed to the press.
Following his overwhelming election victory, Obama said he wanted to meet with Romney to discuss how he could work with the GOP nominee and Republican Party leaders on the economic challenges facing the country.
Obama acknowledged that the two had battled fiercely, but said it was only because we love this country deeply.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/269789-president-obama-to-meet-with-mitt-romney
Jumping John
(930 posts)Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)One of us held all the cards, and the other was glad he even got the fifteen minutes of my time.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)onehandle
(51,122 posts)yurbud
(39,405 posts)patrice
(47,992 posts)spinbaby
(15,073 posts)Imagining Obama telling Mitt where to go.
jsr
(7,712 posts)Romney sinks quickly in Republicans esteem
...One of the few people who seems to think Romney should have a future on the national stage is the reelected president, who has said he will seek out his vanquished opponents advice on the economy. There are certain aspects of Governor Romneys record and his ideas that I think could be very helpful, Obama said during his first post-election news conference Wednesday.
Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)just as long as he doesn't follow any of it.
But then again Mittens the Loser has no plans other than to keep his own taxes low.
ETA correct spelling of loser.
Turborama
(22,109 posts)Unless, of course, you're talking about his bowels when his nose is rubbed in all the shit he's been flinging.
Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)I think the President needs to let the people who voted for him, in on Romney's ideas. I certainly didn't get that impression, and he cetainly didn't express any love to 47 percent of the country, that don't fits his life style. So the President can speak for himself. I hope there isn't any back room deals either, and the notion that you can pander for certain people's votes and then trash them as radical extremists. We can be very vocal with our positions too, because whether you know this or not, they certainly love their country too. And I'll submit, even more than Mr Romney. So lets get that out on the table, don't forget that part of your promises. We gave him a mandate, and he should honor it, just as much as his promise to Mitt Romney. I definately expect him to carry those through on all fronts, including getting out of Afghanistan in 2014 regardless. And I'm still steaming over remarks from Mr Plouffe, if he don't think our votes put the President back into office. That is why Romney is where he is today. He doesn't get preferable treatment here.
siligut
(12,272 posts)Just exactly how Mitt and these others skirt the law.
wordpix
(18,652 posts)He only wanted to close the ones benefiting the middle class, like the Earned Income credit.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)his own treasure - treasure on which HE pays no tax. See how that shell game works?
Get the little people to pay for the government that pushes your agenda, protects your booty, and demands no sacrifice from you. Nice work if you can get it.
JudyM
(29,122 posts)loudsue
(14,087 posts)Hell. I don't trust mitt with his own dog.
siligut
(12,272 posts)Mitt is a huge manipulator and he is very good at it.
bluestateguy
(44,173 posts)I recall Al Gore meeting with George W. Bush after he was appointed president, and Bush Sr. (the one who was actually elected) meeting with Michael Dukakis as well.
democrattotheend
(11,605 posts)I knew that Kennedy met with Nixon and FDR met with Wilkie.
Did Bush Jr. ever meet with Kerry? I don't recall, but I kind of tuned out for a while because I was depressed.
kayakjohnny
(5,235 posts)"Now this is where you would've held your press conferences, and over here is where you would've hosted foreign dignitaries.... And this room is where you would've held your victory party and gala..... This next room is where you would've made important decisions about the fate of the world.... And this would've been your awesome Presidential Suite. The original. Would've been cool, huh?"
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)And you just know that's what the President would LIKE to do.
That's okay, Mitt will be thinking it all on his own.
Turborama
(22,109 posts)but you can't go any further due to your security level being reduced to that of an everyday citizen.
Which reminds me, see that enormous briefcase with the... NO! Please back up Mr Romney! You can look but cannot touch."
otohara
(24,135 posts)and patient.
He's the President!
he had shit ideas..
you ran against his shit ideas..
his math never adds up
so why? he's just another shitty republican with bad ideas
MADem
(135,425 posts)Maybe with a bit of mustard on his chin, and a catsup stain on his thousand dollar tie...?
Or maybe to serve up a big ole dish of REVENGE?
The chef says: "Revenge is a dish best served cold!"
1. Its what presidents do (or at least what they've been doing for several decades now).
2. 60 million people voted for Romney (and a majority of voters in 24 states). While its absolutely true that the President acheieved a stunning landslide victory in the electoral college vote, his 3.5 percent margin in the popular vote was substantially less than his popular vote margin of victory over McCain and Romney got more popular votes and won more states than McCain.
Under the circumstances, there is no good reason to break with the recent tradition of victorious presidents hosting their opponent at a lunch at the WH and not following that tradition would undoubtedly become a distraction for which not good explanation would suffice.
Ter
(4,281 posts)Then what's 400 Electoral votes called? How about 500? It was significant, but not what you call it.
relogic
(155 posts)Why is it every time our President meets with rich people who have no shame in promoting the most predatory, venture capitalism he ends up giving away what principles he promised to preserve? Whether it's equitable health care for the lowliest or fair tax rates imposed on those most benefited by working-class employees or earned entitlement programs--Mr. Obama has earned the suspicions of we 47%. Backslapping Romney as if he actually would cultivate the earth of benefits other than for the top millionaire club is a figment of the most-deranged optimist that ever inhabited the mind of vulture capitalists in their unregulated glory.
demwing
(16,916 posts)But you'd love the rest of us to feel that way.
truthisfreedom
(23,113 posts)Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
FailureToCommunicate
(13,989 posts)Pronto.
(Oh, and thanks again for showing America the real Mitt Romney! It really helped millions decide who to vote for.)
SamKnause
(13,043 posts)Why ????
Mitt is nothing more than a citizen of the U.S.
He holds no elected office at the present time.
He was ashamed of passing health care for Massachusetts.
He lied repeatedly during the campaign.
He was and is still associated with vulture capitalists.
He continues to avoid paying taxes and hiding his ill gotten gains in off shore tax havens.
What could he possibly add to any conversation about what is best for this country ????
He will always be part of the problem and never part of any solution.
truthisfreedom
(23,113 posts)sofa king
(10,857 posts)Logically, Romney's tax evasion isn't really in question anymore. He successfully completed an entire Presidential run without ever completely releasing his tax returns. I cannot help wondering if that is why he was denied confidential daily briefs during the vast majority of his run.
He lost his bid for President because of not disclosing his tax returns. If only two out of a hundred voters made their decision based primarily on that issue, that swung the election against him.
So, we can easily conclude, whatever was in those tax returns was more important to conceal than it was important for Mitt to be President--and he really, really wanted to be President. So what does that mean?
Furthermore, you know who can look at Romney's tax returns? The President. We can assume that he did, and I myself can safely guess that this supposedly cordial lunch is actually a negotiation that is going to cost Mitt dearly financially, though I expect he'll be able to easily purchase his own freedom from prison.
demwing
(16,916 posts)and your Republicans closer
onenote
(42,383 posts)Because, as the President said in his Thanksgiving message:
As a nation, weve just emerged from a campaign season that was passionate, noisy, and vital to our democracy. But it also required us to make choices and sometimes those choices led us to focus on what sets us apart instead of what ties us together; on what candidate we support instead of what country we belong to.
Thanksgiving is a chance to put it all in perspective to remember that, despite our differences, we are, and always will be, Americans first and foremost.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)something magnanimous from Obama that comes at little cost to him and will likely end up crediting his record in support of painting him as a leader who is merciful in victory. He doesn't even have to listen to Romney.
Obama can just show up, eat - and if that the end of it, he'll be doing Romney something that others would jump through hoops and eat fire to have the same chance.
struggle4progress
(118,041 posts)Obama and Mitt Romney to meet at White House Thursday
http://www.usatoday.com/story/home/2012/11/28/obama-romney-lunch-white-house/1731635/
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Since this is Obama's "kiss-the-ring" Don Corleone moment...
goclark
(30,404 posts)is careful what he says to that clown.
Rmoney could have what BO says on tape.
Don't trust him.
robinlynne
(15,481 posts)not for this.
onenote
(42,383 posts)and since I don't recall anyone making a fuss about it, I'd say that you did vote for this.
cyclezealot
(4,802 posts)Mitt thinks he a very generous President. What more could he possibly want for Christmas , considering capital gains taxes benefits the 1% receives.
Freddie
(9,232 posts)Or better yet, a case of the President's home brew.
rug
(82,333 posts)He already ate rmoney's lunch.
SamKnause
(13,043 posts)Why does president Obama continue to meet and surround himself with the people who crashed the global economy ???
The 1% are the problem !
The 99% have the answers !!!!
I would like to see president Obama summon the OWS crowd to the White House.
They deserve praise for the Rolling Jubilee, feeding 10,000 people on Thanksgiving Day, the many foreclosures they have prevented and all the help they have been in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy.
They have proven time and time again they know what needs to be done in this country.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)its in Obama's nature to seek to heal.
SpankMe
(2,937 posts)This is bullshit.
Mitt wanted to be president just to be president. He's not genuinely interested in solving America's problems. He lost the election and has moved on to other things (like running his companies). He's a private citizen, now, with no official - or unofficial - involvement with the Republican party or any other public affairs concern. He is no national leader.
Obama shouldn't pretend like he still needs a relationship with Romney in order to get anything done.
He should have a nice social lunch with Romney to show he's a gracious winner, and then should unleash Romney back into the business world to create jobs.
olddad56
(5,732 posts)onenote
(42,383 posts)Were you opposed when Obama invited McCain to the WH.
Were you opposed to the sentiment expressed by the President in his Thanksgiving address:
"As a nation, weve just emerged from a campaign season that was passionate, noisy, and vital to our democracy. But it also required us to make choices and sometimes those choices led us to focus on what sets us apart instead of what ties us together; on what candidate we support instead of what country we belong to.
Thanksgiving is a chance to put it all in perspective to remember that, despite our differences, we are, and always will be, Americans first and foremost."
Response to onenote (Reply #40)
Post removed
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)Hope the WH staff counts the silver.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Lebam in LA
(1,344 posts)lexw
(804 posts)heaven05
(18,124 posts)'nice' obama shit pisses me off. ...to no end. It's time to get ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)Beacool
(30,244 posts)Other presidents have invited their political opponents in the past. It's a way to show that they are past the election. It shows graciousness on both sides, winners and losers.
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Gracious my ass.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)And spare me the "This is what makes our President so great" bullshit. Rmoney is a sociopath who doubled down on his racism and class warfare just days after the election. He is irrelevant. Fuck him.
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)grasswire
(50,130 posts)Remember what he said about Bill Clinton's phone call.
He's desperate to be a player.
GeorgeGist
(25,294 posts)Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)onenote
(42,383 posts)I'd much rather President Obama emulate President Clinton than Bush.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)onenote
(42,383 posts)I just don't know why some other DUers are particularly bothered (or in the words of one post I saw, "scared half to death" by the President doing this. Its completely consistent with (i) what he did after the 2008 election and (ii) what he said in his Thanksgiving message about putting the election behind us and coming together.
The fact that the repubs want to continue to wage all out partisan warfare shouldn't deter the President for taking a conciliatory stance towards Romney at this point. He can still battle the repub Congressional leadership (directly or through surrogates like Harry Reid) and if/when Romney decides to engage the issues (and I wonder whether he will), the President can respond then.
russspeakeasy
(6,539 posts)ReRe
(10,597 posts).... over for lunch? What, a phone call from the defeated candidate isn't enough? Is this to soothe the wounded ones (the secessionists) who voted for Romney? What's to discuss? I'm all for being gracious, but isn't this gesture a wee bit much? PO may be placating Romney and his supporters, but he is scaring his democratic base half to death. What next...they'll come out of their closed lunch to speak to the 1% right wing Press? This is becoming a facepalm day...
onenote
(42,383 posts)Seriously. What do folks who think this is such a bad idea think will happen? That Romney will hypnotize Obama? Obama and his team ran one of the most astute presidential campaigns in history and suddenly a bunch of folks on DUer are getting the vapors that Obama and his team will be seen being civil with Mitt Romney. The President gave a Thanksgiving message to the country that emphasized that the time has come to put the campaign behind us and remember what we have in common -- being Americans. Did that statement "scare" the Democratic base?
This isn't the first or last time that a president will sit down with a defeated opponent. Indeed, if Obama, having done so with McCain, didn't do so again with Romney (who got a greater number of popular votes than McCain and won more states), it would create a phony story that would simply be a distraction. So the benefits (avoiding that distraction) clearly outweigh the harm (imaginary as best I can tell).
ReRe
(10,597 posts)This country is in a world of hurt right now. FORWARD was the motto, right? And let me see...I let slip my mind the many times the Republicans invited the Dems in after defeating them (mostly because I turned off my TV deeply depressed until the New Year arrived.)
And let me see.... here's a memory that IS fresh in my mind: one of the biggest blunders of POs first term was to slap his base down, demoralizing them to the point they didn't show up at the polls in the mid-term, turning the House back to the Repubs. (I WAS NOT one pf them, as a matter of fact.) And here's another fresh memory: how Romney and the wingers treated PO in the campaign. You yourself know they went way over the line.
Look it...everyone has a different way of looking at things. You probably think some of us are being rude to PO, criticizing him, for this diplomatic and "customary" gesture. We're not. We're defending him! Most of us know that you can't be nice to those people, and true to form, and mark my word, they will just slap PO in the face (proverbially) after its over. (I will admit I would feel allot better about this lunch date if Joe was going to attend.)
Peace. OK?
democrattotheend
(11,605 posts)Kennedy invited Nixon to meet with him, Carter met with Gerald Ford (they later became pretty good friends), Bush I apparently met with Dukakis after the 1988 election, and I believe Bush met with Gore very briefly in 2000. I am not aware if he met with Kerry. Obama met with McCain in 2008 after the election.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)olegramps
(8,200 posts)FreedomRain
(413 posts)because the Republicans would rather forget him and quickly. Even it wasn't tradition, it's a smart political move.
Hubert Flottz
(37,726 posts)paying for that sorry motherfucker a meal!
Cha
(295,926 posts)2. "Can I just have a hug, please?"
3. "I brought you a gift."
4. "Are these cookies store-bought?"
5. "Ah, screw it I'll take a beer!"
6. "Is that waiter wearing a wire?"
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/11/mitt-romney-lunch-with-obama-at-white-house.html
President Obama is staying with tradition and being gracious. Whether we like it or not..he's the President of the whole country not just those who voted for him. It wouldn't really be a successful strategy to get all Rude Pundit on mitt's lying a$$.
lalalu
(1,663 posts)Wait, he only gets lunch? I hope it's a baloney sandwich