Reporting on Obama’s appearance before GOP House members at their retreat in Baltimore, Chip Reid was in awe of Obama and delivered lines that might as well have been formulated by White House Press Secretary Roberts Gibbs:
♦ It was extraordinary. And it was a command performance by the President. In fact, some Republicans are wondering if they made a mistake by allowing TV cameras in the room.
♦ It was on health care reform where he finally revealed his exasperation with Republican attacks.
♦ Throughout what was essentially a policy debate, the President demonstrated intimate knowledge of the issues....And deep familiarity with Republican positions.
♦ Republicans were on their best behavior. There were no “you lie” moments. But when the President thought the last question was unfair, he let him know it.
♦ Here at the White House, some believe this could be a game-changer for the President. As one official put it, this is the best thing the President has done in a very long time.
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ABC and NBC were equally excited by the event, but Jake Tapper and Savannah Guthrie were not so in the tank for Obama. “Into the fray. An extraordinary and unprecedented encounter. President Obama goes toe-to-toe with a room full of Republican Congressmen with the cameras rolling,” fill-in ABC anchor Dan Harris teased World News while NBC’s Brian Williams announced: “Question time. It was a first. President Obama on live TV, no script, taking on the party that opposes him on almost everything.”
(MSNBC was so enthralled that it replaced Countdown and Rachel Maddow’s show with an 8-10 PM EST special Friday night, re-run at noon EST on Saturday, “President’s Question Time,” re-playing the event intermixed with laudatory comments for Obama from Keith Olbermann, Maddow and Chris Matthews.)
The lead story on the Friday, January 29 CBS Evening News:
KATIE COURIC: Good evening, everyone. In his State of the Union, President Obama called on Democrats and Republicans to work out their differences. Today, they hashed them out at an extraordinary meeting in Baltimore. The Democratic President was invited to appear at a gathering of House Republicans and he accepted. He started by addressing them and then he debated them. Chip Reid is at the White House and, Chip, we've never seen a face-off quite like this between a President and members of the opposition party.
CHIP REID: That's right, Katie. It was extraordinary. And it was a command performance by the President. In fact, some Republicans are wondering if they made a mistake by allowing TV cameras in the room. House Republicans welcomed the President with a standing ovation and went out of their way to set a respectful tone.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BOEHNER: Mr. President, we really are grateful that you've come.
REID: The questions, though, went straight to the heart of their fundamental disagreements.
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE PENCE: Will you consider supporting across-the-board tax relief as President Kennedy did?
REID: Throughout, the President stood his ground.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: What you may consider across-the-board tax cuts could be, for example, greater tax cuts for people who are making a billion dollars. I may not agree to a tax cut for Warren Buffett.
REID: But it was on health care reform where he finally revealed his exasperation with Republican attacks.
OBAMA: But if you were to listen to debate and, frankly, how some of you went after this bill, you'd think that this thing was some Bolshevik plot. No, I mean, that's how you guys presented it.
REID: He blamed them for destroying any real chance of working together.
OBAMA: You've given yourselves very little room to work in a bipartisan fashion because what you've been telling your constituents is “this guy's doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America.”
REID: But an old friend noted that when they both served in the Illinois legislature, Obama was known for reaching across the aisle.
REPRESENTATIVE PETER ROSKAM: Over the past year, in my view, that attribute hasn't been in full bloom.
REID: The President then conceded both sides are at fault.
OBAMA: Just a tone of civility instead of slash-and-burn would be helpful.
REID: Throughout what was essentially a policy debate, the President demonstrated intimate knowledge of the issues.
OBAMA: We'd refund part of your payroll tax for every dollar you increase those wages faster than inflation. It's a simple concept.
REID: And deep familiarity with Republican positions.
OBAMA: I understand that. I've read your bills. I've read your legislation.
REID: When the scheduled 45 minutes was up, the President said “let's keep going.”
OBAMA: You know, I'm having fun.
REID: Republicans were on their best behavior. There were no “you lie” moments. But when the President thought the last question was unfair, he let him know it.
REPRESENTATIVE JEB HENSARLING: Will that new budget, like your old budget, triple the national debt?
OBAMA: That's factually just not true. And you know it's not true.
REID: Hensarling, though, didn't back down, though. Obama talks a good game, he said, but:
HENSARLING: I find myself agreeing with about 80 percent of what he says, I just tend to disagree with about 80 percent of what he does.
REID: Here at the White House, some believe this could be a game-changer for the President. As one official put it, this is the best thing the President has done in a very long time. Katie?
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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The few minutes I watched
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:08 ET by MrSnugglesThe few minutes I watched was more of the same. Blame Bush, act like a petulant child, and accuse Republicans of being too partisan.
Does Chip Reid even know what a "command performance" is?
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 21:25 ET by motherbelt♦ It was extraordinary. And it was a command performance by the President. In fact, some Republicans are wondering if they made a mistake by allowing TV cameras in the room.
Chip: I don't not think it means what you think it means. -Inigo Montoya
A "command performance" is not a "commanding performance." It is when someone puts on a performance at the "command" or request of royalty.
Reid is essentially saying that the Republicans commanded Obama to "perform" and he complied.
Is Chip Reid racist???
Miss carriage speaks again!........
Sun, 01/31/2010 - 09:11 ET by Patriot IIAnd his 'intimate knowledge" is in speaking too......errr that is when someone else tells him what to say via a monitor!!
When I hear Obama call for
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:11 ET by Radical1979When I hear Obama call for bipartisanship all I hear is him saying "I won" to Congressmen who disagreed with him. How can you work with that?
You know...these people are
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:13 ET by bigtimerYou know...these people are simply delusional...period.
It's like they didn't watch what the majority of Americans watched, whether it's the State of the Union or yesterdays back-and-forth...
Let them keep ignoring reality...the mid-terms may, or may not wake them up in Nov. at this point I don't care one way or the other....with the exception of watching their heads explode that night, next day...they will be needing Kleenex.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Americans are becoming all
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:30 ET by d1carterAmericans are becoming all too aware of the fawning press for this POTUS. Once they lost their credibility, no one believes them. I watched the entire program and enjoyed it, but not for the reasons CBS reported.
d1... Same here, watched
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 21:33 ET by bigtimerd1...
Same here, watched just about all of it, the freshmen congressman Chaffetz was the absolute best for me, Blackburn was great as well, 'O' was not a happy-camper, whatsoever, and it showed if you're a political junkie....it makes me furious the way they are reporting this, knowing the majority of most people didn't catch this.
Can you imagine if this had been reversed....the msm would have a field day...with glee.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Does anyone think Katie
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:16 ET by ThoreauDoes anyone think Katie Couric couldn't be replaced by a 10 dollar Thai hooker? What value does she add besides when she swallows nightly?
Thai hookers are UP to 10
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:23 ET by jkwtradingThai hookers are UP to 10 bucks now...wow..
good analysis Thoreau..
Only thing Katie Cupcake is
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:22 ET by bigtimerOnly thing Katie Cupcake is good for is her lying 24/7 spin, spin. spin...that machine-cycle is getting worn out.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Hey
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:39 ET by jaydeee007Don't give CBS ideas.
The Ten Dollar Thai Hooker could get better ratings.
Never Forget: Climate Change is what you call Global Warming when your Global Warming Summit/Conference/Protest is Snowed Out!
hey dingbat Couric... It is
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:21 ET by jkwtradinghey dingbat Couric... It is the American people he has to convince not the r's. Obama and the R's simply keep missing the entire essence of the matter.
I think America gets it,
Sun, 01/31/2010 - 21:37 ET by djm159I think America gets it, even if Katie refuses too. Everyone Obama campaigns for loses. Now that's good news. He as the same touch Clinton had. Everyone Clinton campaigned for lost also, including his frau. Let's hope Barry keeps on campaigning. Can't wait till 11/02/2010. What a glorious day that will be.
Key Quote
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:21 ET by exLibHere is Obama in a nutshell:
HENSARLING: I find myself agreeing with about 80 percent of what he says, I just tend to disagree with about 80 percent of what he does.
It's amazing to me how the media continues to drink the Kool-Aid.
Wow, we are just so amazed at how he "Acts" Bi-Partisan. No credit to Republicans for inviting him over, no mention of the fact that Reid and Pelosi and every Democrat that gets an interview says the GOP has no plans or bills submitted. Obama just admitted that the Republicans have submitted proposals, case closed.
Perfect
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:43 ET by DemonhunterThat Hensarling quote was the exact thing I was going to post. That was absolutely brilliant.
If it's not the Crusades, it's the cartoons
Reid: An old friend says....
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:23 ET by exLibIn other words, the DNC needed a talking point.
How can anyone conclude Obama was known for reaching across the aisle?
Maybe to grab a piece of paper being handed down a row or something.
Only
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 17:50 ET by UpNorthwhen he bothered to show up. More likely, to grab someone's wallet.
I confess though, I must have watched something different than the alphabets did. I though that, like was said up thread, he was petulant, arrogant and dismissive. And, actually, 0, your health care bill does reek of bolshevism.
When talking about
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:26 ET by GregEWhen talking about healthcare, he continues to say "this bill," as if there's only one, which right from the start tells us he doesn't know what he's talking about.
http://bellalu0.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/rewind-obamas-first-message-to-...
____________________
* Get Out of Our House! * www.goooh.com
'O' made a boo-boo....
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:56 ET by bigtimerGreg....
Uh-Oh, oopsie......this is not going to make the leftist msm...you can be sure Kate Cupcake won't lead with this story, let alone report anything about it...if she or anyone does, it will be spun to death.
http://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/2010/01/stunning-admission-obama-says-...
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
The "R" Word
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 17:38 ET by miss911ninjaOMG. Now we know what the Dems were doing when they were "sneaking" around behind closed doors! You're darn right Her Perkiness won't lead with this story. I doubt we'll hear anything from the old media about how B.O. busted the Dems!
There's another remark in this clip which is also revealing, but in a subtle way. When referring to how some earlier proposals by Bob Dole, Tom Daschle, and Howard Baker could be seen as supporting his agenda, B.O. said "that's not a radical bunch."
I think using the word "radical" counts as another oopsie. What does it say when you point to guys who aren't radical to defend your agenda? Aren't you trying to distance yourself from being radical?
Also, did you notice the look in his eyes right after he made the "radical" comment? The video ends there, so the frame freezes. It's frightening!
Obama plays politics with
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:38 ET by rbosqueObama plays politics with our lives. Many of us are unemployed, the least he can do is cut taxes on businesses to promote a real economic stimulus and stop increasing the size of government.
The only people who are getting "woodies" from Obama are unions, communists, and an assortment of other misfits.
Obama's command of the
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:48 ET by celatorObama's command of the issues????
Sheer baloney.
His own words and actions reveal he does not grasp basic economic principles, is not particularly well versed in the basic concepts of the US Constitution, does not understand whence the source of US exceptionalism, does not seem to be well grounded in US or world history, does not understand the proper role of a US president, does not accept the separation of powers as mandated by the US Constitution.
He has been a complete disaster on US security issues. He knows nothing about the subject.
He is so ashamed of his past activities that he has mandated all personal records be sealed.
By his own behavior, we all can observe that Obama is thinned skinned, petulant, childish, personalizes politics, becomes vindictive toward those who dare disagree with him.
I mean, really, this guy is the ultimate empty suit. We can do much better.
He is by no means ashamed
Sun, 01/31/2010 - 12:59 ET by Jeff StoneHe just knows that, since his past has been kept hidden for so long, if the public were to see the real 0bama, there will be hell to pay.
Today President Obama tied his own shoes.
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:52 ET by needleIt was stupendous event.
His agility was almost Olympian.
The bow was better than that on any Christmas package from Tiffany’s.
The strings were incredibly neat and simply glorious to behold.
When he was done he still was not able to walk on water, but almost.
[It is as if these “journalists” are channeling Harry Caray.]
- Relying upon the Liberal Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
Talking Heads like Katie
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 15:51 ET by bigtimerTalking Heads like Katie Cupcake and Chip Reid have a point of view like this pathetic congress-critter.
http://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/2010/01/psychopathic-dem-rep-alan-gray...
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
I'm still waiting for
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 16:15 ET by G. MayI'm still waiting for someone to explain how Republicans can obstruct Democrats that hold the Executive Branch and unobstructable supermajorities in the legislative branch.
Perhaps the smartest, most eloquent President to ever walk on water could use his incredible command of the issues to exaplin such an incredulous claim.
A recent episode of the
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 16:31 ET by celatorA recent episode of the Teletubbies explained all that stuff, but I still didn't get it. ;+}
How Repubs can obstruct
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 17:14 ET by exLibRead this one today:
They blocked Franken by contesting the election so they didn't have 60 votes until "recently".
Wasn't it Franken
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 19:24 ET by red_dragon311Wasn't it Franken himself who contested the election??
then "found" 250 filled out ballots, voting for him, in the trunk of sombody's car
Even the Bible argees Psalm 109:8 "Let his days be few; and let another take office."
Reid's telepathy
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 16:19 ET by JakeMoReid: "In fact, some Republicans are wondering if they made a mistake by allowing TV cameras in the room."
I'm sure Reid can list the names of Republicans who expressed that concern.
Or maybe Reid, like most liberals, believes he knows what people think without actually talking to them.
The teleprompter president
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 16:39 ET by awffp1890‘Intimate Knowledge of the Issues’
Isn't he the same guy that used a teleprompter in front of a group of 6th graders?
"Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity. But in simple obedience to duty." - From the barracks at Ft. Benning
Is it a wonder she has the
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 17:03 ET by smgxIs it a wonder she has the lowest rating of any MSM network.
Words mean things...
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 17:07 ET by Tom1969ca...by definition is a performance one is commanded to make. I'm sure what Chip meant was it was "a commanding performance". Sure, I'm nitpicking, but if you're going to make your career in a job where you're required to speak, then at least learn to the grammar of the language you're speaking!
I don't think this was much of a revelation.
This is the "best thing" Obama's done in a very long time?
Doesn't say much, does it...?
=====
"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views."
-- William F. Buckley
Someone has been lying
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 17:17 ET by Jerry MackPresident demonstrated intimate knowledge of the issues....And deep familiarity with Republican positions.
I have heard 1000s of times from the administration,house members,senators and talking heads that the Republicans do not have a plan. Simply a party of no. If this is true how does the Messiah have the above?
President visit with Republicans
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 19:31 ET by SeeksTruthExposing YOUR Media Bias
Fortunately the official FACT checkers tooks on President's comment that he welcomed a fact check of his answers. Guess what, contrary to the Faux News coverage, his answers were factually correct. Sadly, most of the "facts" being thrown into those loaded questions were found to not be true.
Why don't your readers just do themselves a favor and read independent fact checkers like FactCheck.org or Politifact.com? Could it be because all of this hate has nothing to do with facts? Both FactCheck and Politifact call out the untruths of Democrats as well as Republicans. Unfortunately, the Republicans seem to be earned the lion's share of the "pants on fire" ratings this past year.
It is one thing to be critical of policies and legislation when you have the facts to back it up; but that is just not the case with most conservatives these days.
Uh-oh...
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 19:35 ET by BO STINKSThis one came out of the closet about 'facts' and 'truth' with his pants on fire! Well, at least we don't have to expose the creature as pretending to be something he's not.
Liberal Hypocrites: Change the channel when the Super Bowl comes on. We don't want to offend your delicate sensibilities.
SeeksTruth---
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 19:55 ET by matthewdean"Fortunately the official FACT checkers tooks on ---."
Typo? Ah, that does happen on occasion.
Your username, however, reminds me of that song, "Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places."
"Could it be because all of this hate has nothing to do with facts?"
As a Liberal, you're seeking neither the truth nor facts, as your theme song is "Looking for Chances to slime Conservatives, or Anyone Else who will not go along to Get Along." **
MD
"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
** Popularly known as the "Kool Aid" song.
mmmm-mmmm-mmmm
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 19:57 ET by BO STINKSGood post, matthew!
Liberal Hypocrites: Change the channel when the Super Bowl comes on. We don't want to offend your delicate sensibilities.
I suspect you were just driving by taking in the sights
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 21:05 ET by ahusserand to prevent your little liberal head from exploding at seeing all this dissing of the messiah which you love and adore. You just had to add your 2 cents and that is way more than your comments are worth. You are seeking truth on the wrong side of the aisle.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
You mean like when he
Sun, 01/31/2010 - 00:46 ET by jaydeee007Insisted that the Health Care debate actually did take place on CSPAN. You know, the debate that Baucus held in the back rooms of the senate to create the bill in the first place, but had a few ammendment trashing days on CSPAN, then went back behind closed doors to reconcile with the house?
Yep his facts are without peer.
Never Forget: Climate Change is what you call Global Warming when your Global Warming Summit/Conference/Protest is Snowed Out!
Couric and her other
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 20:07 ET by SlyrrCouric and her other like-minded Obama worshippers in the dinosaur media say sickening stuff like this every time Obama does.... well, anything.
He could be passing gas, barfing or visiting the mens' room at a pancake house in Iowa, and Couric, Olberman, Matthews, Maddow et. al would STILL say it was 'masterful', 'god-like', 'super-intelligent' or any other ridiculous pap you want to throw in.
Is it any wonder their networks are all vying for LAST place? Only question I suppose is which one of them will die out first? With viewers abandoning them in record numbers every month, it's only a matter of time.
Air America: R.I.P.
Seriously libs - if you think you lefties are just 'too smart' to enjoy programs where the hosts are shrill and shouting at each other (the excuse libs have given for Air America's predictable death), then which of your TV networks will be the first to join your failed radio cabal on the dung heap of media history? Given that they're all full of shrill, shouting, frothing hosts who you lefties are simply 'too smart' to enjoy watching?
I thought Republicans only had a "No" position
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 20:19 ET by TheHistorianRemember that this is what the Dems and the media have claimed for months; that the Republicans have no position on health care other than "die soon". Now they talk aboout how Obama knew all of the Republican positions.
First, every one of them were not included in the legislation. Second, if the Republicans have positions, was Reid lying, was Pelosi lying, or was the media lying? Any way you slice it, someone was lying and the others were covering it up.
It is amazing that Republicans and conservatives get out their message despite the media covering up the facts.
Not to know what has been transacted in former times is
to be always a child. If no use is made of the labors of past ages, the
world must remain always in the infancy of knowledge.
Cicero
But Jer was just telling us, the Dems were all about inclusion
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 20:59 ET by general companyFirst, every one of them were not included in the legislation. Second,
if the Republicans have positions, was Reid lying, was Pelosi lying, or
was the media lying? Any way you slice it, someone was lying and the
others were covering it up.
Thats what I told him?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Whole Lotta Nothing Going Down!
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 21:09 ET by jaydeee007Let's see,
The Republicans offered Nothing excep Die Soon....
H.R. 77; H.R. 109; H.R. 198; H.R. 270; H.R. 321; H.R. 464; H.R. 502; H.R. 544; H.R. 917; H.R. 1086; H.R. 1118; H.R. 1441; H.R. 1458; H.R. 1468; H.R. 1658; H.R. 1891; H.R. 2520; H.R. 2607; H.R. 2692; H.R. 2784; H.R. 2785; H.R. 2786; H.R. 2787; H.R. 3141; H.R. 3217; H.R. 3218; H.R. 3356; H.R. 3372; H.R. 3400; H.R. 3438; H.R. 3454; and H.R. 3478
Man That there is a Whole Lot of Nothing.
Never Forget: Climate Change is what you call Global Warming when your Global Warming Summit/Conference/Protest is Snowed Out!
Is Katie the ex-keutie
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 20:52 ET by ohiochiligetting chapped lips and chin from all that drooling over the messiah?
I keep hoping one of these spin artists gags over the words of adoration some day.
Don't tell Obama what comes after a trillion. --- bumper sticker
His Extent Of ''Intimate Knowledge'' . . . .
Sat, 01/30/2010 - 22:57 ET by DoktorFranken. . . . is centered on being able to give his doctor complete directional details during 'His' own colonoscopy.
Sarah Palin: The Most Dangerous Conservative In America
"...you've been telling your
Sun, 01/31/2010 - 07:13 ET by ProudAmerican58"...you've been telling your constituents...this guy's doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America.”
He mocks but it's still true.
it only looks that way for those wearing Obama shades
Sun, 01/31/2010 - 12:13 ET by jksiscoObama, "I'm not an ideologue" to Republicans at the Republican retreat.
Obama, "I won" to Republicans speaking to Obama on healthcare reform.
The only thing the MSM has gotten right over the last 18 months was calling Obama the winner in the '08 Presidential election, this retreat appearance was all political show, like the SOTU address, in hopes of showing to Independants that he is bi-partisan. Of course Obama's cheerleaders could never admit he was taken to the woodshed by the Republicans, which he was.