32 Responses to “This Is Pretty Dazzling”

1. Cynic says:

   February 9, 2009 at 11:15 am

   Senate Republicans — or, more precisely, conservatives — need to grow a spine and fight for a more meaningful and reasonable bill. The so-called compromise reached late Friday was no compromise at all, but Republicans rolling over.

   And it is getting a little tiring now hearing about how the Republicans are squabbling with Democrats over tax cuts. That is a gross over-simplification of things meant only to provoke the same limbic, Republicans-are-evil-Democrats-are-good reaction from voters that Obama’s voice and rhetoric were able to during the campaign. Republicans are still suffering from the same affliction that doomed McCain–lack of focus and an effective voice. Contrary to J. Rubin’s belief in another article this morning, Steele’s exchange with Stephanopoulos was weak, to say the least.

   Oh, well.. at least I can sleep well at night knowing that my movie addiction will be supported by the federal government’s funneling of my tax dollars to production companies to buy film — an eminently worthwhile endeavor, particularly in the digital age that we are now in.
2. Andy says:

   February 9, 2009 at 11:31 am

   I think it is very hard to predict the political fallout for Republicans from the stimulus bill. An economic recovery will occur and, although the stimulus bill probably will not have been the reason or even the catalyst for the recovery, Democrats will take the credit. Republicans look smart opposing the bill now, but they may regret it when the recovery comes and spinmeisters attribute it to, say, “bold action taken by the Democrats”.
3. Steven says:

   February 9, 2009 at 12:18 pm

   I guess this is another one of Jennifer Rubin’s “sure his looks like a complete disaster for our side now, but historians 200 years from now might see it very differently” moments.”

   Despite a unified assault from Republicans and the media, Obama prevailed. He’s going to have a package as largs as he wanted on the date he wanted. And he did it within weeks of taking office. That, boys and girls, is a victory. And when Obama signs this thing, the headlines are going to proclaim it loud and clear.

   And the good news will keep on coming: on stem cells, iraq timeline, nukes deal with Russia.

   Remember that the stock market is forward looking. So even if unemployment is still high in 2010, odds are the market will be soaring and consumer confidence will be far better than the trailing indicators suggest.

   When you vote against the stimulus package, you bet against America. And that’s a bad bet.
4. Warpublican Review says:

   February 9, 2009 at 12:24 pm

   When is a win NOT a win? When J-Rube decides that it’s not. never mind that republicans are sinking even LOWER in the public’s mind – as if that was possible – or that Obama has CLEARLY won the stimulus argument with the American people… (see gallup for today’s most recent polls)

   “When the president champions the ” ideological Christmas tree” stimulus bill, the government is awash in red ink, and the economy doesn’t snap back so quickly, the public may not think the president is doing such a good job.”

   And the other side of the coin? Forget the deficit – we’ve been running deficits forever – and I don’t recall ANY rpesident paying too high a price (if they did, reagan would be DESPISED by the J-Rubes) – let’s say the government STARTS to snap back – who wins then? let’s say things DON’T GET WORSE – or Stabilizes – who wins then? Let’s face it J-Rube – you have NO IDEA what the economy will look like next year – much less two or three years down the road. Hell, you don’t know what will happen NEXT MONTH – to be fair – NO ONE DOES – so here’s how I see it: Republicans – who often accused those who wouldn’t play with Bush as TRAITORS – are not only playing a political game – they are playing a game with OUR NATION – and if people think OBAMA is TRYING – as opposed to be traiterous DO NOTHINGS who grand standed on politics – who will REALLY come out on top?

   it shouldn’t be hard to figure out…
5. Dickens says:

   February 9, 2009 at 12:30 pm

   Betting against America is certainly a bad bet, just ask Saddam. But I doubt there will be much celebration on the part of the Dixiecrats in 2010 when they have to explain to the public why deficits are so high, and most of the spending was designed to pay back liberal support. There will be no shortage of “Bridges to Nowhere” to hit the Donks over the head with. Obama’s messianic approval ratings won’t help Congression Dems, just like Clinton’s didn’t.
6. materialist says:

   February 9, 2009 at 1:08 pm

   Surely Barack Obama would not intentionally mislead us, so we can safely assume that he has gone over this mountain of pork “line by line” (or “rasher by rasher and chop by chop”, as the case may be) and personally approves every word of it. So it is only sporting of those hapless, defeated republicans to help him celebrate his victory by making sure the public is aware of some of the particular “line by line”‘s he finds so attractive.

   And, Steven and Warp, thank you so much for your constant and perceptive advice on how we conservatives can survive and prosper by morphing into something else. We recognize that you have only our best interests at heart and deeply appreciate your generosity in sharing your wisdom with us.
7. JEM says:

   February 9, 2009 at 2:21 pm

   Not to beat a dead horse, but if Obama was certain this was a winner it would be done by now. He knows it isn’t and he also knows that winning the vote as Steven likes to note has used up huge amounts of political capital and have damaged what is left. When you are bigger than life, when your persona is all being, showing you too can bleed is very dangerous. The One is no longer. He is now just Mr. President. As such, his ability to do many others things is now in jeopardy thankfully. I mean the two dumbest words he has ever used – “I won” – has cost him much. And the stimulus will cost him more, especially with TARP II. I wonder how many dem seats he has just put into play?
8. elTaosneo says:

   February 9, 2009 at 6:20 pm

   Steven,

   No, the Republicans are not betting against America….they concede that ground to George Soros.