Posted by Tina
The man who came to Washington as the great “uniter” and was described as a great orator failed on both counts today when he insisted he had “not contributed to” dividing the country. Following this eyebrow popping delusion was a rambling, “uh”-filled, attempt to blame shift that defies reality:
“I’ve said at the State of the Union that one of my regrets is the degree to which polarization and the nasty tone of our politics has accelerated rather than waned over the course of the last 7 1/2 years.
I do all kinds of soul searching in terms of, are there things that I can do better to make sure that we are unifying the country. But I also have to say… that objectively it’s fair to say that the Republican political elites and many of the information outlets, social media and news stations, talk radio, television stations have been feeding the Republican base for the last seven years a notion that everything I do is to be opposed, that cooperation or compromise somehow is a betrayal, that maximalist, absolutist positions on issues are politically advantageous, that there is a ‘them’ out there and an ‘us’ and ‘them’ are the folks who are causing whatever the problems you’re experiencing and the tone of that politics, which I certainly have not contributed to.
You know, I don’t think that I was the one to prompt questions about my birth certificate, for example. I don’t remember saying, ‘Hey, why don’t you ask me about that?’ ‘Why don’t you question whether I’m American or whether I’m loyal or whether I have America’s best interests at heart.’ Those aren’t things that were prompted by any actions of mine, and so what you’re seeing within the Republican Party is, to some degree, all of those efforts over a course of time creating an environment where somebody like a Donald Trump can thrive.”
Mr. President you better search that soul for signs of activist thinking in which you pit people against each other as regards class, race, and political position. The birther nonsense is insignificant when compared to the animosity and division you promulgated following incidents in Florida and Missouri, creating hatred toward police officers. Your involvement was very un-presidential. The birther issue is irrelevant when compared to the constant barrage of redistribution policies and blaming the wealthy or “greedy CEO’s” for “income inequality” within a terrible economic atmosphere you furthered through failed tax and regulation policy and a stubborn refusal to change course.
President Obama has been the least presidential and most divisive president we have ever had. I think it flows from his strong experience as a racial and class activist and his lack of executive experience. He had no intention, may not even know how, to serve as the leader of the entire nation. His predecessors did.
Obumble is unable to communicate without a teleprompter (someone else telling him what to say). NOT the sign of a great speaker!
The only part that seems “rambling” to me is the end of the second quoted paragraph. The rest is quite clear, focused, and entirely grammatically correct. What other parts did you see as “rambling?”
I saw this live. Clearly the transcript doesn’t offer the same experience.
The entire second paragraph was filled with uh’s and ah’s and long pauses as if he was deciding whether he should say what he was about to say or how far he should go. The news conference with PM Trudeau morphed into a political speech. In a way it was quite rude the way he went on and on about matters that had nothing to do with our relationship with Canada. Journalists asked questions he couldn’t avoid but he could have given a brief answer and directed the conference back to the subject at hand…he chose politics and division.
In one instance a reporter asked a question of Trudeau and Obama stepped in and rambled on again, leaving Trudeau standing there like an unused teleprompter.
Obama is an activist, by training. He inspired division through his posturing and rhetoric since even before becoming president. Now at the end, to shift all the blame to others is totally off putting.
Chris, I realize I suffer from extreme Obama fatigue. Enduring the last seven years has not been easy. My business is manufacturing and I can tell you it’s been very difficult and not just for me. I talk to others on the phone every week who are concerned about their businesses and cash flow. Accounts receivable are slow, 90 to 120 days, making it difficult to stay current with payables and payroll. Two of my kids have also been greatly affected in this economy, one lost his house.
Then I come to this blog and you give me school kid responses on the state of the economy and play teacher, grading my performance. I am nothing, certainly not important! The man in the WH has created real suffering, he has furthered the false notion that half the country hates the other half based on race and he’s done it for power. That is UNFORGIVABLE! The man furthers the notion that because some people are rich others are poor which is a damn lie. It isn’t other people’s money the people need; it’s the ability to make their own money. All of this blame shifting acts as cover for Obama’s failure to promote the “general” welfare….and it’s damn frustrating!
I realize that most people who vote don’t have a clue about what it takes to build something and make it work. But that’s where it happens, out here with the people who make things. That’s where growth and wealth is created…and yes it trickles, out and down and up and all around town. Americans want everyone to have the opportunity to advance and reach for their dreams…those of us who make things have to be supported or it all falls apart. Sorry, now I’m rambling. Hope and change has been a bust, can you dig it?
I’ll take your word for it on the quality of Obama’s speech.
We disagree on the causes of division, as well as the causes of the decline in the manufacturing industry, which has been happening since Obama was a kid.
I’d love to hear what you think has caused the decline in manufacturing. Also why you think Obama has no cause or little cause over the last seven years.
Obama takes no credit for creating an environment “where somebody like Donald Trump can survive.”
I suppose he also takes no credit for creating an environment where a rapist enabler, serial liar, and national security disaster like Hillary Clinton can survive.
Delusional! The Media is under elite control.
Thanks Obama! If only we could have had 8 more years of GW Bush the unicorns and fairies would have taken me to the great Kingdom in the sky!
So true, Pie. If I had the energy I’d make a list of all the things that fit into that environment. Instead, I’ll say good night.
Speaking of responsibility, John Kasich is campaigning on bringing back jobs to America, yet he cast his vote IN FAVOR of NAFTA which led to the migration of manufacturing jobs outta the US.
See his vote here: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/103-1993/h575
Just might sink him in OH once his rivals find out.
NAFTA has been a controversial trade agreement since Perot attacked it in his presidential bid. It’s foolish to pin the loss of jobs to Mexico solely on this agreement. Manufacturing cost were already impacted by onerous regulations, taxes, and employee perks (especially in the auto industry). Environmental laws deeply impacted the electronics industry. It was estimated in 2014 that America lost 683K jobs after NAFTA, a little more than 60% in manufacturing. Some speculate that even without NAFTA these jobs would have gone off shore given the low cost of labor in emerging countries. Others point to positives NAFTA has brought to America:
More in The Economist:
Perhaps these are some of the areas where Trump believes he could negotiate a better deal for America. More here
We need leadership that can look at all of the contributing factors and make decisions that will give American businesses and workers the opportunity to compete on the world stage. It will not be easily accomplished since there are so many countries that have just begun to embrace capitalism and can beat us every time on employee costs, taxes and regulation under current conditions.
The American worker would benefit greatly from adopting a personal responsibility attitude. the more the individual can provide and plan for himself and his family the less will be spent on useless bloated bureaucracies and onerous paperwork and the more that can be spent growing and building businesses and jobs.
an overhaul of our education system is also in order. Our schools are not meeting the needs of our kids in terms of their ability to become self sustaining and prepared for the job market.
Perot was 100% correct.
These trade deals written by corporations are a disaster.
When a company can sue a country for projected profits even if it kills humans? Stop reading and start living! It’s like you guys have never lived anywhere but Chico!
NAFTA is a CLINTON DISASTER!
I think it goes back a lot further than Obama.
I think “the powers” have spent 40 years cultivating an electorate capable of putting a Trump into the White House.
And I also think they might possibly be regretting it. But it’s too late now.
The Media Created the Environment where trump thrives. Time for Republicans to get real. Without the Media trump would not be where he is. All the “Free media Time”
CBS
“It’s a terrible thing to say,” Leslie Moonves said. “But, bring it on, Donald. Keep going.”
Leslie Moonves on Donald Trump: “It May Not Be Good for America, but It’s Damn Good for CBS”
“Man, who would have expected the ride we’re all having right now? … The money’s rolling in and this is fun,” he said.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/leslie-moonves-donald-trump-may-871464
Everything is about Profits Period.
Try living your life without profits.
Obama fatigue?
Obsession, more like.
A person would think the man hangs from the dome light in your car, whispering “racist” into your ear … which … psychologically speaking, may very well be the case.
But you fight any such epiphany, tooth and nail.
Come on Libby.I’m no more “obsessed” than you were at the end of GWB’s term. You didn’t let go until about a year ago!
So predictable. You cannot defend his presidency or his economy and so you resort to screaming racist…just like the party you embrace.
I did find the, “man hangs from the dome light of your car” thing entertaining. Very nice turn of phrase.