WASHINGTON (CNN) – A prominent Democratic strategist said Sunday that Republicans are trying to turn President Barack Obama’s administration into another “failed presidency” like that of former Democratic president Jimmy Carter.
“They’re going to keep gunning,” Democratic strategist Joe Trippi said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, referring to conservatives’ recent - and ultimately successful efforts - to target Obama’s green jobs adviser Van Jones over controversial comments he made before becoming a part of Obama’s White House team.
Related: White House adviser resigns amid 9/11 controversy
“This administration has the potential to be FDR or Jimmy Carter and I think the Republicans are going to do everything they can to make him Jimmy Carter, to create a failed presidency. That’s, unfortunately, what many of them want.”
Trippi, who served as the campaign manager for Gov. Howard Dean’s bid for the White House, also said he believed that Obama was genuinely interested in bipartisanship but that Republicans are not likely to respond to Obama’s efforts to reach across the aisle.
Obama has to “realize he’s sticking his hand out but many Republicans are just not ready to embrace it,” Trippi told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King.
Republican strategist Ed Rollins disagreed with Trippi’s assessment of Obama’s relationship with the GOP.
“Presidents don’t come down by what the opposition party [does] and that’s what we are, we’re an opposition party,” Rollins said on State of the Union, “There are many things that Obama is offering that we don’t believe in, so why should we compromise on our principles? [Democrats] have got all the votes, you can do whatever you want.”
Rollins also said that Jones was right to resign from his post as an Obama adviser.
“When you embarrass the president as [Jones did] and become part of the focus, . . . he did the right thing, he got out of there.”
From CNN Politics
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Go watch the videos of Van Jones speaking, it is unbelieveable that he was appointed to a position in the federal government. You make the call, Obama either agrees with Jone's retoric, or is just totally incompetent. for appointing him. This administration doesn't need to be attacked by the republicans, it will destroy itself .
obama does not need anyone's help to fail. He is doing fine on his own!
If you do not play by their rules then they will rule you.
Obama is hanging himself, the Reps don't have to do anything at all.
Call it what you want, but I applaud Republicans standing up and saying enough is enough. There have been so many mistakes made that have already produced failed results that it's inevitable that this administration is going to lose a few cheerleaders. By the way, you are now hearing resistance from Republicans, Independents and Democrats as well.
The Rush Limbaugh Party has already made it clear that they want America to fail. No secret or surprise.
We have become the most pitiness, simple-minded, ignorant country in the World. I wish my children generation was running the country because they seem to have more sense then we do.
It's not going to work bringing him down ,because they didn't put him there.What dems. need to do is learn how to fight without violence.You already know Reps. are always going to have something up there sleeves.Hit them first you already know the yare going to opose it.
Yes, the republicans are intent on marginalizing or destroying President Obama and the Democrats; Because, if the president and the Democrats are successful in tackling the many problems that were ignored by the republicans when they controlled the government, the republicans know that they will never regain control.
Van Jones should have been encouraged to stay in his position. He has done good work for the Democrats in the past. Signing one of thousands of petions that appear on our computers because we agree with them shouldn't cost anyone their job. Are we really in office or are the Republicans still steering the U.S.A. in every dispicable way they can?
Sad but true Mr. Trippi. Barack Obama is the best thing that's happened to Washington in decades. He's smart; personable; a bridge-builder; educated; can speak and make sense; can rebuild our destoyed image abroad-yet there are those determined to bring him down no matter what the cost to our country. I hope people are watching and when it comes time for these destroyers of the process to be re-elected they vote them Out!
BRING IT ON. The conservative underground should expose ALL of Obama's "czars"–the inmates are running the asylum and the president's staff needs to be exposed.
Yes republican are evil what fact presented about van jones is hateful his remark about white people poisoning colored communities? isn't that racist or only those evil devil worshipping republicans are racists. stop playing your race cards only you believe it. you guys are so full of hate and bitterness its truely sad you can't think for yourself.
The fascist party doesn't believe in democracy or they would stand aside and not obstruct the will of the people.
Corporate fascism means just that. This is still a dictatorship!
Wynter, you are right. Everyone seems to want to blame Obama for everything. Not like in the good ol' days when the loony libs just bit their lip and supported President Bush thick and thin...
Where were these Journalists when George Bush was in the white house?
Didn't we elect bush second term even after starting war in false pretence?
I feel bad for President obama that he is being rewarded with such hate and vitrial. My God bless the work of his hands!
I am just tired of people wanting free hand outs. I am tired of government taking from some and giving to others without our permission. I am tired of people calling me a racist and in the very next breath asking for preferential treatment because they are a different color or gender than me. Work hard and raise your own kids to do the same. Get some self respect.
So the Dems are upset because the Republicans are "gunning" for Obama. Do they forget how they treated Bush? Turn about is fair play.
The Republicans don't need to work very hard at making Obama's presidency look like a failure, he is doing a great job all by himself.
What do you expect from someone from a radical background with no experience other than being a community organizer.
I disagree. Obama is doing it all by himeself.
So in other words Republicans are doing exactly what Democrats did to Bush, and now suddenly Democrats have had a change of heart and think that's wrong.
Say it ain't so Joe Trippi, you should keep defending Howard Dean who has been shafted by President Obama and Rahm Emanuel. So you need a WH job and this is how you get it. Shame on you my fellow democrat, politics is a two edged sword, fall on it.
Get real. Obama is doing this to himself by inaction and by advocating tax and spend policies and by surrounding himself with people of questionable character and beliefs. Van Jones was not just a 9-11 conspiracy theorist...worse, he is a communista and a racist.
No surprise. The right wing only cares about the end, and will use any means – including illegal, untruthful and immoral – to get to it.