NBC's Chuck Todd: Obama 'Taking Comfort' in GOP 'Race to the Right'
On Monday's NBC Today, chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd described liberal wishful thinking as "conventional wisdom" as he explained how: "The Obama team has been taking comfort in the fact that they believe this Republican race is moving to the Right, that it's a race to the Right. And they take comfort in that and they think that's going to help them long term."
At the same time, Todd seemed perplexed that the President's poll numbers had fallen despite the conservative values of the Republican 2012 contenders: "But as that happened – and it was a lot of attention over the last four or five days....the President's numbers have still gone down. And that Gallup number, where it dropped in the daily tracking below 40 for the very first time in the presidency."
Later in the segment, fill-in co-host David Gregory asked Todd about how Obama was "going to run against certain members of Congress" and doubled-down on his attacks on Michele Bachmann during an interview with her on Sunday's Meet the Press.
Gregory played a clip of that interview in which he dismissed Bachmann's opposition to raising the debt ceiling. The Minnesota Congresswoman pointed out that, "All the people out in America said don't raise the debt ceiling. That's the problem with Washington, they're not listening to the people." Gregory fired back: "But why does that make it – why does it make it the right thing to do?"
Turning to Todd on Today, Gregory saw Bachmann's position as something that could be used to go after her: "This issue of public opinion on the debt ceiling driving her vote, is this something that both the President uses as a potential wedge, and even other more mainstream candidates in the Republican Party?" Todd agreed: "It isn't just President Obama that's going to be hitting her on this. She's got a target on her back right now."
Here is a full transcript of Gregory's August 15 exchange with Todd:
7:05AM ET
DAVID GREGORY: Chuck Todd is NBC's chief White House correspondent and political director. Also the host of MSNBC's 'The Daily Rundown.' He's in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, stop number one on President Obama's bus tour, this morning. Hey Chuck, good morning. So the President's got new tracking numbers out. A new low at 39%. He's hitting the road, also in the Midwest, which he knows is an important battleground for him next year. What's the game plan here? Is he talking about what he can do with Congress or does he now just want to turn on the Republicans?
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; What is President Obama's Message to Voters?]
CHUCK TODD: No, it's more of both doing – turning on the Republicans and trying to run against Congress. But I tell you, this is sort of turning conventional wisdom a bit upside-down. You know, the Obama team has been taking comfort in the fact that they believe this Republican race is moving to the Right, that it's a race to the Right. And they take comfort in that and they think that's going to help them long term.
But as that happened – and it was a lot of attention over the last four or five days, David – as that happened the President's numbers have still gone down. And that Gallup number, where it dropped in the daily tracking below 40 for the very first time in the presidency. Yes, it's the Gallup daily tracking poll and it can be kind of like an EKG all the time, but it's the first time dropping below that, just as he's getting here. Look, the Midwest is where the President won his presidential primaries and won his presidency. And he's hitting a low now.
GREGORY: I want to get to another couple quickly here. First of all, those – we're talking about all the Republicans who are now in the race and the top tier has been created there. What about some people who are not in the race? What are you seeing out of that group?
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; Bachmann Wins in Iowa, Perry Joins GOP Race]
TODD: Well, David, as you know, Sarah Palin won't go – you know, she's not saying she's not running. She's still considering herself a potential candidate. And we can tell you that she was acting like one at the state fair and looking very comfortable doing it.
We still know that Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Congressman, Chris Christie, they still have major Republican donors. You know, a lot of those Bush pioneers that have yet to jump in, yet to support Romney, Perry, or Bachmann, that they're calling them saying, 'Hey, are you guys going to consider it, are you going to rethink jumping in?'
And in fact, with Pawlenty getting out, sort of the other establishment candidate against Romney, those calls have already been increasing, I've been told. But it's going to be, 'Let's see how Rick Perry does,' right? If he has staying power, then I don't think you'll hear those calls.
GREGORY: Let me come back to President Obama for a moment and this issue of how he's going to run against certain members of Congress. I had Congresswoman Bachmann, as you know, on Meet the Press yesterday and asked her about her vote on the debt ceiling. She voted against it, adamantly opposed. This is the exchange we had:
BACHMANN: All the people in Washington said we had to raise the debt ceiling. All the people out in America said don't raise the debt ceiling. That's the problem with Washington, they're not listening to the people.
GREGORY: But why does that make it – why does it make it the right thing to do? I mean-
BACHMANN: Because – because representatives are supposed to represent the people that they serve. The people that they're serving are saying, 'You guys don't have it figured out. Stop spending money you don't have.'
GREGORY: But, so public opinion will be the sole determine-
[END OF CLIP]
GREGORY: This issue of public opinion on the debt ceiling driving her vote, is this something that both the President uses as a potential wedge, and even other more mainstream candidates in the Republican Party?
TODD: Yeah, you know, last night at this Waterloo event, you know, Rick Santorum has been hitting Michele Bachmann for that debt ceiling position, saying that's irresponsible, saying, 'What else are you going to cut?' So it isn't just President Obama that's going to be hitting her on this. She's got a target on her back right now, and Santorum, who's still trying to get into the first tier, and trying to be taken as – accepted as a major candidate out here, he's starting to hit her hard. He hit her hard last night.
And I think Tim Pawlenty, when he attacked her at that debate last week, he opened up this line of attack and it is going to make it easier for Rick Perry to do it. But an interesting little game of 3-D chess here going on. Mitt Romney doesn't want to see Michele Bachmann get taken down too quickly because he likes the idea that Michele Bachmann ties up Rick Perry in this fight for Tea Party conservatives.
GREGORY: Alright, Chuck Todd this morning in Minnesota. Chuck, thanks very much.
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Comments
Ya mean, like Gabby Giffords?
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 1:44pm.
Todd agreed: "It isn't just President Obama that's going to be hitting her on this. She's got a target on her back right now."
My, my. Weren't we warned after Tuscon that such images contributed to violence against elected officials?
And leave it to the Left to shoot someone in the back.
Here's another idea geniuses
Submitted by Tomorama on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:01pm.
Newsflash Todd and Dickie, the country is CENTER RIGHT, not cowardly leftist of left.
That may be why the lying, gutless vacationer in chiefs numbers are going down.
Or maybe simply his lack of uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh leadership.
Uh, uh, uh, uh part deux
Submitted by Tomorama on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:02pm.
Again, contrary to the leftists frauds that have "outed themselves" recently as liberals...................
THIS NETWORK with the OCCASIONAL foray by Bucchanon, Steele and Morning Schmoe into Conservative thought, IS GUTLESSLY LEFTIST 24 X 7 - PERIOD.
The NEWS............part and the OPINION part, every thought is framed from the left, 24 X 7 - PERIOD.
CNN is catching up to them daily.
Fwew! I was very concerned
Submitted by forest on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:01pm.
Fwew! I was very concerned about Obama's level of comfort. Now I'll be able to sleep tonight. Thank you Chuck Todd.
Dozens of people were inspired...
Submitted by bigdaddy on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:10pm.
...by the POSOTUS stirring speech in MN this morning.
Which one of you jokers moved the teleprompters so far apart? BO nearly threw his back out spinning his head from left to right, back to left annnnd right again.
F. Chuck
Submitted by AgentAmerican on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:11pm.
F. Chuck Douche Todd. Keeping it douchey.
STATE MEDIA, READING THE TELEPROMTER FOR OBAMA!
Submitted by American Man on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:19pm.
These two hired guns are following the script ,as if it a Left sided commercial for the floundering Presidential campaign .
How long is this journalistic treason going to continue !!
It is such brainwashing to the N'th degree.
How can any of you support a system of government trickle down economics. With all the money getting trapped in the wheels of the machine, nothing comes out of the funnel , and they just want to have more money poured in. This is governmental greed of the leadership , not the spin of the rich being selfish.
True freedom is governed by incentive, not mandate, zero tolerance, this or else mentality.
An old movie about a concentration camp in German, made me realize , the direction of this Administration!
The German Guard was marching the weak, starving to the skeleton ,Jewish men, women and children. If any of them would slow up they whipped them to continue. Others would help those who just couldn't manage.
When those who fell and couldn't keep going, were seen by the guard members, and without hesitation,
the German comrade would Bang BANG right in the back of the head !
The shadow in our society is that the jobs keep leaving the country (only because of government incentive)
and the homes are being forclosured on, and they the govenment want to keep the homes and rent them out.
The government is causing inflation, it's keeping domestic drilling from moving forward, it is keeping borders wide open to take jobs , it is giving money to Palestine in the billions to pay those who have killed our soldiers, and those of Israel. The president would rather give money to South American oil companies for investments in their oil drilling . More and more Americans are in a form of concentration camp, being fed with food stamps, out of their home, living on the streets. They are living an existence, not knowing when that bullet will come from behind.
So we are not about to believe your telepromtor lies, coming from million dollar paid puppets of the GE White house .
"Me Too?"
Submitted by CobraMan on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:20pm.
"The Obama team has been taking comfort in the fact that they believe this Republican race is moving to the Right, that it's a race to the Right."
That would explain Obama's desire to visit Bachmann's "home state" of Minnesota on his "Me Too" tour! He's "comfortable" with how the country is rejecting the Republicans, especially the "far right extremists," like Bachmann, this election cycle. Not that he's doing anything political, mind you. He said that this isn't the reason for the taxpayer funded tour, did he not?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
The fault is Government not the People Nor the Rich
Submitted by American Man on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:24pm.
Subj: Fwd: : INTERESTING: Can you spell 'politicians'?
---
This is a very thoughtful look at our current national problem. It is unbiased and really cuts to the core. Read it to the end.
Food for thought!
Subject: CHARLIE REESE'S FINAL COLUMN A GREAT READ!!!!!
Charley Reese's Final column!
A very interesting column.. COMPLETELY NEUTRAL
Be sure to Read the Poem at the end.
Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel...
He has been a journalist for 49 years.
He is retiring and this is HIS LAST COLUMN.
Be sure to read the Tax List at the end.
This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, neither anti-republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!
545 vs. 300,000,000 People
-By Charlie Reese
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? John Boehner. He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.
What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren't so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...
Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'
I hope this goes around THE USA at least 545 times!!! YOU can help it get there!!!
GO AHEAD. . . BE AN AMERICAN!!!
If so
Submitted by spepper on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:31pm.
If so, then Barry's really gonna be at ease after Election Day, November 2012, when he is (hopefully) kicked to the curb.....
The only time it will matter
Submitted by ex buff e-dub on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:33pm.
The only time it will matter is Wed Nov 7, 2012.
Until then, we can practice..."Na na na na hey hey hey...goodbye!"
If Obama and his court really believe that...
Submitted by Bill Brasky on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 2:36pm.
it just goes to prove how truly out of touch the democrats are. Delusional. Can't wait until 2012 when these a-holes will have to face the music. I suppose they'll exit the Whitehouse scratching their heads and wondering what happened.
Southern Comfort I'm guessing
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 3:20pm.
Gallop has him down below 40. He needs a whole lot of southern comfort.
Obama should practice getting comfortable...
Submitted by c5then on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 3:23pm.
In his home in Chicago.
I really think it doesn't matter too much who the GOP nominee is. The interesting part of the primary will be to see who comes out on top and who the VP nominee is. As far as November 2012 is concerned, The question is will it be only a 5 point victory for the GOP or 10 points or more. And then you have the academic interest of just how many electoral votes the GOP candidate will win and is it possible to win all of them?
Maybe Obama can join Jimmy Carter in Habitat for Humanity? He almost HAS to be a better former President than he was a President.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
"Is it possible to win all of them(electoral votes)?"
Submitted by goodone91 on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 3:43pm.
(As my uninformed opinion)No, Massachusetts is too far left. They will not vote for a real Republican.Sorry.
Ogabe in the 30s.....
Submitted by adamsmith on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 3:36pm.
With his numbers officially in the 30s, Ogabe isn't too comfortable about anything. Unless this Presidency "Thingy" is too much work even for a Community Communist and he just wants the "One Term" I predict his policy for the remainder as he knows he can't win is Slash and Burn the United States and it's citizens. Kind of like Hitler again, hiding in his bunker until the very end and saying the German People were weak and deserved to be destroyed. These lefties sure have a funny way of loving their countries.....
Is Chuck Todd really a reporter?
Submitted by JLin on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 3:51pm.
He seems to operate in a dreamworld. He and the other mainstream Liberals are due a rude awakening very soon. They remind me of the genteel social elites of Washington, who on a warm summer day in 1861, travelled by horse and carriage to Manassas, Virginia to witness the grand spectacle of the Army of the Potomac thrashing the Army of Northern Virginia. With picnic baskets and blankets they reclined and amused themselves as if watching a baseball game. Within a few hours they were screaming and running for their lives as reality set in and they realized that hell had paid them a visit.
These modern socialist elites are due to experience at least a political repeat of this apocalyptic event very shortly, and they are equally oblivious.
@JL
Submitted by Samshile on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 4:39pm.
What a great post!
throwing down a smoke screen
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 4:19pm.
It is absolutely essential obamabots that the 2012 election NOT be a referendum on obama because he has failed. This means the media sycophants will have to have daily reports of real or imagined insights into the Republican challenger. They must fill magazines, newspapers and airtime with anything they can think of so they can try to keep the public from thinking about the miserable state of the country.
'
.
They bitched when Bush went left
Submitted by Samshile on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 4:37pm.
We agree Bush going left sooked. NOw they bitch we went to the ficasl right. THey argue both sides of the argument
Blefuscu and Lilliput continue their useless war...
Submitted by drsamherman on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 4:45pm.
...over which end of the egg should be opened first. Chuck Todd and David Gregory are two examples of how devolution is possible.
Just because the people demanded it is it the right thing to do?
Submitted by nonncom on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 4:48pm.
What a maroon.....I mean, it's only us footing the bill....leftist POS....
So the White House logic is
Submitted by Maestroh on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 4:57pm.
So the White House logic is that the GOP allegedly running right will make people forget their 16% REAL unemplyment, their $3 a gallon gas, and the Empty Suit blaming everybody else?
That logic worked well in 2010, didn't it?
Submitted by CobraMan on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 5:54pm.
Well, that logic worked well in 2010, didn't it? After all, the Democrats managed to hold on to a very slim majority in the Senate, right? Heh.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Obomba is Wrong...Libs flee the Dems....
Submitted by mrwiffle on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 6:33pm.
Let him go on believing that the Republicans are going too far right...When the lights come on...he will be in a near empty room...just him and a few hard lefties...
"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!
Submitted by Rusty Shackleford on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 10:01am.
"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!"
"Hi."
Chucky always looks like he's saying that whenever I see pictures of him. Then I am forced to say that beards are for men and not little boys.
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Chris Matthews: The Joy Behar of MSNBC.
Bill Maher: The Joy Behar of HBO.
Paul Krugman: The Joy Behar of The New York Times.