Obama downplays expectations of GOP support
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/27/art.obamaradio.gj.jpg caption="Obama met with House and Senate Republicans Tuesday."](CNN) - President Obama seemed to lower expectations Tuesday on how many Republicans he expects to vote for his stimulus package, telling CNN Radio he's not sure even 50 percent of GOP caucus will support the bill when it comes to a vote.
“We're not going to get 100 percent agreement, and we might not even get 50 percent agreement, but I do think people appreciate me walking them through my thought process on this," Obama told CNN Radio's Bob Constantini.
"I hope I've communicated a sincere desire to get good ideas from everybody. And my attitude is that this is the first major piece of legislation we've been working on the Hill, and over time some of these habits of consultation and mutual respect will take over. But, you know, old habits die hard."
LISTEN to the full interview
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Okay boys and girls today's 64,000 question is "Can the republicans say "Political Suicide"??? Shows the republican party wants to be history instead of helping to create it!
On to the story....this proves again that Obama gets it. He is trying to get a consensus but knows he will not be able to please everyone. As long as the Republicans are led by obstructionists like John Boehner (did anyone see him sneer when he used the term "liberals" when discussing the stimulus package) there will be problems.
Griff you are a retard....You wish you had the smarts of our new President. Hater.
Lets be real here.
I think the Republicans are just so stuck in the past. They can't see that the future is now. The Republicans seems to be Objective to every Major Fixes that comes their way.
Watching this day in day out I see why we are actually where we're at, the leaders in charge just do not get it and it seems like they will never get it.
Thank God the Democrats won all those seats, wow what a hell it would have been if they didn't...
President Obama.
If possible give the Republicans a few days. If they can't come up with a plan or some ideas, just go ahead if you can without them.
That's how I see it. God Help Us.
LOL, republicans have "ideals" they DO NOT, thus the political LOSE of '08. Please President Obama, come talk with my unBORN grand-children if you want Ideals, I'm sure they have more to offer you then any republican could ever even pretend to come up with. THEY had no ideals for the past 8-years why do you think were in the situation we are in?
Sometimes I think the Republicans don't really care about the American people. They continue to support tax cuts which have not helped at all, block enviornmentally sound legislation which has led to dire consequences from global climate change, , and are undermining the Gitmo closure. Fright tactics and same old threats. Look at the last eight years and where we are now. If the GOP cared about this country and its citizens, they would try to cooperate and support a non-partisan plan to revive our economy. Instead, they are acting like their feelings are hurt and they are going to take the ball and go home and not play anymore. So let them. The American people want action and they want it now.
But, you know, old habits die hard."
Republicans better get on board or you figure.
We can only hope the GOP good old boys won't be GRINCHES to the poor, low income of middle income workers/taxpayers and actually want to see all of America rebound instead of their lobbyists friends and big corporations........maybe this time around you think?
They are of the same mindset as that idiot RUSH.......One trick horse.........cut taxes for the rich
We elected Obama and we need to trust his judgement. I fear too many Republicans share Rush's wish that Obama fail but they are not dumb enough to say it out loud.
Bottom line...Obama WON now let's support him & his ideas.....God knows their ideas have not worked
The GOP better vote party line against any stinulus package. This current financial mess was caused by foolish government intervention in the private market. Any attempt by the GOP to facilitate this horrendous "stimulus" bill will be a betrayal of the 56 million voters who supported them in November. Don't turn your back on the small businessmen and woman of this country GOP. Stand fast against Obama and his legions!
Ya, Mr. Great orator and reach across the aisle guru, speaking down to senior Republicans by arrogantly saying "I won" when they come up with proposals or OTHER IDEAS helps the cause.
And again telling them to stop listening to Rush Limberger, as if they take notes from that nitwit.
If this was Bush, the media would be al over the arrogant remarks made by him, but he is the media loved "messiah" and he can do or say nothing wrong.
How dare ANYONE question this empty , empty vessel.
The republicans are more interested in getting their power back than actually solving the problem this nation faces. After all, if Obama actually managed to get this country back on track, they will have nothing to run on in 2012, or even 2010 mid-term election.
Also, what new ideas does the republican party offers, other than "tax-cut" in good times, and "tax-cut" in hard times? Many people are worried about losing their jobs. Cutting taxes isn't going to do any good when you have no job. What does republican party have to offer on the job creation front, besides the same old tax-cut?
The Repugs are in denial as usual.
GoObama!
Obama is a good man. He should get ideas from all over the political spectrum. To those on the left...remember governing from the left only is just as bad as governing from the right only.
One thing Obama is very good at, much better than his speaking skills, is his uncanny ability to lower expectations. The media is just as good at not calling him on it.
Yes but it's hard to accept a GOP idea when their ideas are always the same...tax cut or tax credit. Unfortunately giving a family a few hundred extra dollars won't stimulate consumer spending when the said consumer doesn't know whether or not they will have a job soon. Now create some jobs through infrastructure building and rebuilding and maybe those people will buy and so on and so on....
The Republicans need to keep reminding themselves that it wasn't their party, responsible for the mess we're in and bankrupt of fresh ideas, that won in November. Obama will listen to them, but if all they have to say is "No!" then he'll ignore them, and rightfully so.
Face it, bipartisanship is a dream. People act like this is the first time that the U.S. has tried it . It didn't work then, and it won't work now. But it sounds like Obama is ready to move on.
The Republicans had 6 years in control of the White House and Congress and another 2 years blocking anything that might have diverted this mess. Where was all their concern then?? I say, come up with a better plan or shut up. They keep blocking and whinning and we'll see how many more of them we can vote out in 2010.
Obama won. McCain and a whole bunch of Republicans lost. I respect the President for the "courtesy call" but that's all it is or has to be. After eight years of do nothing economics and 30 years of trickle down we got what we got. Time to try something new. I noticed when Bush was giving away billions in pork to his buddies so they'd sign on to the Iraq funding bills that there was not a complaint to be heard. Now that the money is being requested to save the American economy the Republicans are squawking like Palin's Thanksgiving turkeys.
And all the media say that Republicans and Conservatives are hate mongering bigots. And now according to these comments – obstructionists. Waht is obstructionist about wanting to keep more of our earned income and not leave an enormaous debt for our grandchildren???? Keep in mind "Mike Dallas" The Democrats have been in control of Congress since the 2006 election, which is just about the time all of this began. If you go back an look and numbers from the 2003 tax cut before and after you will see that the economy grew at a faster rate and more jobs were created in the quarters after the cut. You must be one of the people that thinks Obama is going to pay your mortgage and buy your gasoline.
I hope all of you supporters of anything Obama know that you will be paying for all these gimmicks. Many of us already pay too much taxes. Obama supporters apparently are exempt from paying high taxes? I really can find ways to use my earned money for my own family's needs, can't you?
He isn't a gloater – he's calm and collect and a realist.
I commend him for the way he's conducting business.
Dem or Rep. the problem is this is not a good plan. I appluad Pres. Obama for the effort and I know he wants it to be swift. Problem is from what I read this is just not a good plan... bigger problem, no one has a better one.
I wish Republicans would come up with a solution. President Obama has provided his on the table..It may not be good to some people but at least it is a plan...what do the Republicans have to offer other than resistance?