Obama lambasts Republicans for ‘hatin’ all the time’
Updated 1:31 p.m. ET, 7/30/2014
Kansas City, Missouri (CNN) – Days before Congress' summer break begins, President Barack Obama used a Wednesday morning speech here to lambast Republicans who are preparing to sue him rather than take action on some of his agenda items.
“Stop being mad all the time,” Obama chided Republicans during rowdy, campaign-style remarks. “Stop just hatin’ all the time.”
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Democrats think they've struck fundraising gold with the Republican threat of a lawsuit against the White House, as well as the specter of impeachment some members of the party have raised. Since Friday, Democratic electoral committees sent more than a dozen e-mails using the issues to stir their supporters into donating money.
Top House Democrat: 'you bet we're going to run' on lawsuit and impeachment
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, tasked with electing Democrats to the House, said they'd raised more than a million dollars in online donations using the tactic.
House Speaker John Boehner announced plans earlier this summer to file suit against Obama for circumventing Congress on changes to his health care law, which some Republicans said was unconstitutional.
Obama has slammed the move as a political stunt, egging Republicans on with the quip "so sue me" during a speech in early July.
“They’re mad because I’m doing my job,” Obama said on Wednesday, calling on lawmakers to instead take action on closing tax loopholes and pass new laws he said will spur job creation.
“We can do so much more if Congress would just come on and help out a little bit,” he said. “Just come on. Come on and help out a little bit.”
Separately, some Republicans have suggested Obama could be impeached for exceeding his authority as president, including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and others in the conservative wing of the GOP.
Boehner wrote off any talk of impeachment as a Democratic fundraising ploy on Tuesday.
"They're trying to rally their people to give money and to show up in this year's elections," he said.
The White House was quick to cite a list of Republicans who have floated impeaching Obama, saying Boehner's description of the idea as simply a Democratic talking point ignored the statements of some of his members.
"If that's the case, then I suspect that there may be members of the Republican conference that didn't receive the memo," Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.
During his remarks on Wednesday at a historic theater, Obama cast the Republican lawsuit as a distraction from the real work he wants Congress to be doing, including closing a legal loophole that allows big corporations to incorporate overseas to avoid paying U.S. taxes.
Obama cast such tactics as unpatriotic.
“They've always been American companies. They took advantage of all the benefits of being an American company but now their accountant has convinced them maybe they can get out of paying some taxes,” he said.
“It ain't right. Not only is it not right, it ain't right.”
While he was in Missouri Obama met with four people who'd written him letters detailing their struggles and successes in the uncertain economy. The President met the Kansas Citians over ribs and pulled pork at Arthur Bryant's restaurant, which has served the city’s signature barbecue to former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Its vinegar-based sauce is labeled "The President's Choice."
Obama hopes to highlight the issues facing the middle class by scheduling meetings with Americans who have written him. This summer he's shared meals with people in Minnesota, Colorado, Texas and elsewhere.
At Arthur Bryant's on Tuesday, Obama ordered a half slab of ribs and a Bud Light, though when he asked for cole slaw the restaurant's staff told him they had run out.
"You didn't save me some?" he joked.
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Yes, he should continue to criticize the "do-nothing" Congress while he....does nothing. What happened to his pen and his phone? It must be a land-line and he can only use it when he's at the office. Too bad he doesn't like to actually be there.
So President Obama is going to continue to be divisive, and make public arguements against the GOP. So glad after 6 years he's learned how to cross the aisle and get things done.
Obama has always demonized or blasted " the GOP nothing new there
Blast away. I guess more of his usual immature, vindictive punishments are on the way.
this arrogant a555 popping on on anyone is laughable. do your job. secure the border. where are the `shovel ready jobs`? your foreign poolicy has made the entire world east and south of europe a friggin war zone
If Obama would stop overreaching there would be no suit – someone has to stop this man
Let the chips fall where they may.
No one gave any president the right to break our nation's laws...........and Obama is breaking them every DAY!
Obama will make the Republicans look like fools. The GOP has been losing every battle they have tried fighting. The best thing for their party was Ron Paul. NOT Mitt Romney or Sarah Palin
I wouldn't count on the Repubs doing anything against big corporations; otherwise, who would pay their campaigning bills
Obama is already a lame duck. I doubt many are listening.
during the Bush years... CNN articles always addressed him with the title of President...but since 2008 they address our current presdient throughout their articles as just "Obama"... its so telling..
oh, obama, why is it that you are such a joke, you cannot control the true patriots of freedom so maybe you should just try to crawl in a hole whine some more, ohhhh you are bashing me, want some cheese with your whine,, and yes you should be impeached and tried for treason.
Maybe he can draw a red line.
As well he should.
Boehner seems to have conveniently forgotten all of the members of his party who have been clamoring for Impeachment..
Obama... Shut your Hole! Go play some more Golf..... the more you play Golf the less damage you do to the country!
Half Slab of Ribs, Jokes, Golf, and Fundraisers. Nice.
I'm tired of this guy. Everytime I watch the news he's ALWAYS doing something that leads me to believe we're heading in the wrong direction. With so MANY issues in the world that threaten our country, why does this guy assume projecting apathy is the best way to lead. I can't really think of a worse person to have leading our country. Maybe Nancy Pelosi....I'm I wrong? Anyone that pays attention see the same thing?
"some Republicans have suggested Obama could be impeached for exceeding his authority as president, including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin "
How cute. It's totally damaging to Republicans to say it truthfully so CNN has to soften it. They didn't "suggest" and they didn't talk about "could." Jabberwocky Barbie and numerous others DEMANDED that he actually be impeached.
This needs to be filed as an emergency writ.
Obama has slammed the move as a political stunt, egging Republicans on with the quip "so sue me" during a speech in early July.
I am KING, bow before me, I can do as I want, everything you say is a farce, made up, or a lie. I can do no wrong.
Go get them President Obama. They have it coming to them. Lamblast away!
Anyone want to start a petition revoking Congress' privilege to go on summer vacation? Does anyone think they've earned that privilege? I come to work every day, perform to the best of my ability and I dont get rewarded with a summer vacation. My reward is a weekend off and then its back to the grind on Monday morning. I think I deserve that vacation more than they do. I at least did real work.
Oh boy! Another epic finger-wagging and tongue-lashing! Certain to be just as effective in solving problems and building bridges as it has been since he was first elected. Way to lead!