May 2, 2009
Posted: May 2nd, 2009 12:05 PM ET

From
Republican leaders are trying to show that they are not the 'party of no.'
Republican leaders are trying to show that they are not the 'party of no.'

WASHINGTON (CNN) – It was hardly the newsiest answer at his 100-day prime-time news conference, but President Obama's careful assessment of the state of the Republican Party is noteworthy.

"You know, politics in America changes very quickly and I'm a big believer that things are never as good as they seem and never as bad as they seem," the president said at the East Room event marking his 100th day in office.

It was a big day for the president, for sure. And, perhaps, a big week for the Republican Party as well, as a number of important and interesting players in GOP affairs began new efforts designed to repair the party's sullied brand in time for the 2010 midterm elections and beyond.

The 2006 and 2008 election results offer plenty of evidence of Republican troubles, as have our travels to 18 states since launching State of the Union in January. Adding his voice, Obama couldn't help but suggest he believes the congressional wing of the GOP is not off to a good start in 2009.

"I don't believe in crystal balls," the president said. "I do think that our administration has taken some steps that have restored confidence in the American people that we're moving in the right direction, and that simply opposing our approach on every front is probably not a good political strategy."

Full story

Filed under: President Obama • Republican Party


Texas Teacher   May 2nd, 2009 4:52 pm ET

Who the hell cares? Let them rot in hell for all I care.... SOMEONE start reporting on what Obama is trying to do and who is NOT helping him! That is what I and millions more voters who fought to elect this President WANT to know... not how the Grand ole Party is in trouble! KaRIst! The country is in trouble because of the grand ole party, so stop giving them press and start covering the stories we WANT to hear! Who is helping the President make the changes that will help the middle class and who is throwing him under the bus? The man is a jewel... support him with respect like you did that idiot Bush!

Honorable Kansas Vet   May 2nd, 2009 4:51 pm ET

The GOP is dead, the ideas have been lost, the special interests have become the only interests, party leadership don't even know what they stand for any more with out extreme right wing groups telling them what to say, its one thing to be conservative and a totally other thing to be CONSERVATIVE.

Big Al C.   May 2nd, 2009 4:50 pm ET

It is true republicans are a party of yes they voted yes to war. They voted yes to spending more money for iraqi infrastructure and tax cuts for the wealthy. Republicans have moral values that keep them voting yes to enhanced prices for big oil companies. Like voting yes for the drill baby drill !!!!! After all the republican party are the only ones who are true patroits.

Pat Omaha, NE   May 2nd, 2009 4:50 pm ET

For 100 days+ we have a seen an intelligent, hard-working, competent,
well informed President! The GOP can't stand it! That's OK.......maybe after a few more years of watching the example of leadership, this inclusive, compassionate man, they'll get a clue....??? Naaaaww...
probably not......

Goverment is your Daddy   May 2nd, 2009 4:38 pm ET

Keep the high spending, Trade and Cap [Engery Tax]....normal Americans will open up there eyes and then you will see change...

CDR K.   May 2nd, 2009 4:32 pm ET

Hate. Based on what I see in these insightful commentaries, appear to be the domain of supporters of the current administration.

I am probably not the only one who would like to see a strong national figure, other than radio and tv personalities, who could intelligently explain and educate the masses on the principles of individual freedom, fiscal responsibility, and why protecting and following the Constitution is in the best interests of this country, not in "change".

Enjoy Socialism America..., it's what you asked for.

P. Y.   May 2nd, 2009 4:22 pm ET

The Republican Party will take a long time to get back on track. They are already screaming about Obama's choice for the Supreme Court and he hasn't even picked anyone yet. That is the way they operate. Just push negativity toward anything that Obama does, even before he does it. They just want him to fail, no matter what it does to the country.

Stu in Las Vegas   May 2nd, 2009 4:21 pm ET

John King should be ashamed of himself. He IS NOT a journalist, he is a media microphone for the republican party!

monman   May 2nd, 2009 4:20 pm ET

You can't help but notice something glaring about this Republican picture, except for one white woman, the rest are old, white, men. This pretty much represents what this party is all about, while the country is vastly multi-racial, they continue to perpetuate this exclusionary, status quo, of racial dominance. How can you represent the country with this. Funny thing is, they know what they need to do, but they can't make themselves do it because of their so called 'Republican base', which still abhors a minority president in the white house.

Terri New Orleans   May 2nd, 2009 4:18 pm ET

The REPUBLICANS were doomed when they elected BUSH jr, he spent this country into so much DEBT it will take DECADES to fix, he took us to 2 WARS , We should have never INVADED Iraq, he allowed torture, spread HATE , and made us the most HATED nation ever....The REPUBLICANS will NEVER recover from what GEORGE BUSH jr did to them .............

KR   May 2nd, 2009 4:15 pm ET

I totally agree with Mark.

mw   May 2nd, 2009 4:07 pm ET

The Party of NO has to go.
Rushie worshipers are losers.
Ann Coulter admirers are short sided (like her cute little skirts).
She is hot to some GOPers- that is her appeal.
Nobody trusts GOP - too non supportive. Seem to be against what is best for America just because they are inadequate and so far behind Obama intellilectually. They are intimidated and at a loss in knowing how to be MEN.

Independent   May 2nd, 2009 3:57 pm ET

How can you say it was a good week for the Republicans...they are the party of NO....another bill passed and they all said NO....

Now they are getting in line to make sure who ever President Obama picks for the Supreme Court, they are going to try and block it...The party of NO at work again, they should be so proud of themselves....

Cali Mike   May 2nd, 2009 3:42 pm ET

Good political strategy: Elect a smart guy.

I did.

The Unshrub   May 2nd, 2009 3:10 pm ET

Just because they all agreed to say yes to keep saying no does not make them a party of yes.

The Death of America by Obama   May 2nd, 2009 2:54 pm ET

Don't allow McCain to have any part of this. The American people have had enough of him.

Proud American   May 2nd, 2009 2:54 pm ET

This country has already had a Memorial for the republicans, now is the time to bury them. 2010, 2012 Goodbye hate mungers..

HB   May 2nd, 2009 2:44 pm ET

They aren't the party of "NO", just the party of yesterday. Long Live Palin the sage from Wassilla.

Henry   May 2nd, 2009 2:40 pm ET

Is John King all of a sudden God?

More stories written by him in the Ticker than by anyone else. I count four right now.

John King is the type of guy who makes the news instead of report it. That would be find I guess if he was somewhat unbiased.

Guess we have to fill up State of the Union with something. That is why John is looking under the rocks trying toget the bees moving.

Ken   May 2nd, 2009 2:34 pm ET

Republican leaders are trying to show that they are not the 'party of no'

Then try saying yes or at least put forth alternate ideas other than "lower the taxes on the wealthy and let the effects trickle down"!.
The Middle Class has been waitng a long time for these "crumbs" that you would throw to them – and it is tired of waiting.

rob   May 2nd, 2009 2:34 pm ET

ever notice just about all of CNN's "ticker" tidbits are all about the republicans. Guess it's hard for CNN to be open minded, huh?

Lynn   May 2nd, 2009 2:26 pm ET

And the GOP hack John King will do everything he can do to help them. His "lovefest" with Cantor on the mindless 100 day report card was pathetic for a "journalist".

You can't get back on track with the same old faces, failed policies, using trumped up "fears", attempts at character assassination and obstructionist techniques. Romney's "revolutionaries" want to keep America in the 20th century with its economic policies for the rich and a foreign policy of creating more enemies and reducing allies around the world.

JonDie   May 2nd, 2009 2:24 pm ET

Too bad Republicans NEVER worry about getting the country on the right track.

All they worry about is themselves.

Lori   May 2nd, 2009 2:21 pm ET

GOP tries to get back on track: Ummmm, how about for starters- the GOP embraces diversity. Look at the picture! It looks like my grandfather's high school reunion- like the Million White Man March.

Melissa   May 2nd, 2009 2:16 pm ET

The problem is that the party still doesn't seem to understand what it needs to change and is trying to do the same business as usually but sending out party members to recruit.

It isn't going to work.

They haven't learned anything and still aren't listening.

christine   May 2nd, 2009 1:51 pm ET

Oh please john king we alredy no that you are a republican thats why some of us dont trust in cnn anymore we thought cnn was independent but it looks like its turning into fox news they also have ditto heads like you you are just hannity and his friends on fox cnn is no longer indepedent thats why they sinking in ratings , i amm an independent and i use to get my news from cnn but now i have to watch cbs 11 becasue of people like you john king

Henry   May 2nd, 2009 1:49 pm ET

Why does it seem like John King, and his wife Dana Bash, seem a little slanted to the right. They claim it is probing reporting. RIGHT!!

Enlightened Voter   May 2nd, 2009 1:45 pm ET

Why does't the GOP like the fact that President Obama is spending money to rebuild America? They had no problem giving gwb a blank check to rebuild Iraq.

gary davis   May 2nd, 2009 1:36 pm ET

take a real good look at the picture of the idiot that has his mouth open squaking about the new administration . he needs to shut up and do his job not his party personal issues . what a joke . probably needs physical therapy for his hand and arm from patting himself on the back every day.again what a joke.

arivera   May 2nd, 2009 1:33 pm ET

The republicans are a racist party plain and simple. The rhetoric that I have heard over this flu outbreak is going to kill them among minorities. Their standing was already pretty dismal so I don't think they should be feeling very confident right now.

gary davis   May 2nd, 2009 1:32 pm ET

I have to agree with the presidents assesments on the republican party
also if the republicans want to reset the party dynamics .then by all means do so but stop squaking like chickens and get your winny ass's to work and help all of us get the country back to being functual, and productive . to many americans are out of work and suffering from the last eight years . we really could give a crap about how upset the republicans are, and are going to continue to be .

looks pretty much self centered and greedy . your con game has ended . get over it

President Obama could walk on water and the Party of NO would still complain that he left footprints!   May 2nd, 2009 1:32 pm ET

To get the party of NO back on track, they will have to bull doze the track, way stations, and fire the employees.

Just slapping a new coat of paint on the same train station and putting a black conductor on the train, with a fat, bald drug addicted engineer just is not going to do it.

But I personally, think they are doing a fine job, so just keep on painting!

mike,texas   May 2nd, 2009 1:27 pm ET

They dont get it repackaging old ideals is like the south trying to repackage slavery after the civil war.Its over, move on to what the people (poor,middle class)want.

Hope   May 2nd, 2009 1:27 pm ET

The GOP wants less government so they should leave, first they need to pay the tax payers 5 trillion deficit they created without building as much as one road.

'coiny'   May 2nd, 2009 1:20 pm ET

the first thing they should do is stop saying no to everything.

dittohead using forty names   May 2nd, 2009 1:14 pm ET

There is no track for the GOP to get back on.Just looked at Shaun Hannity saying he would under go waterboarding for charity.He was lying like the GOP has been doing for years.

white woman in Hawaii   May 2nd, 2009 1:13 pm ET

Note to the GOP – if you want a party makeover, don't have Boehner as your front man. He is probably the most divisive man in congress. If you look up the party of NO in the dictionary you would see his picture. You need to get a fresh face with fresh ideas that will actually work and that will appeal to the majority of Americans. Even though I currently consider myself to be a democrat, we do need two viable political parties in this country to keep thing in check. But the GOP is still going down the wrong road...they are totally lost.

Too bad Meghan McCain is still too young an inexperienced to lead her party, because she is a fresh face with some moderate ideas and is tolerant. Maybe the older members of her party can learn from her, or the GOP will have to wait for her to grow up and gain more experience and influence.

IS IT 2012 YET ??   May 2nd, 2009 1:06 pm ET

Americans like Obama personally, but politically they are still much closer to Reagan. The Republicans are far better off than they know.

Mark   May 2nd, 2009 1:00 pm ET

I think it's too late... the world has seen what they are truly about – deception, self serving, discriminatory, and greed.

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