"This is my last election"

[xjx388]

I think Obama is signaling that after the election he is willing to unilaterally disarm and give dictatorial power over the red states to Russia. And that certainly is craven. But really though, that's okay since I live in California.

On the other hand, call me crazy, perhaps Obama is suggesting that this isn't the best time for negotiations as the election gives him less latitude for negotiations. It could be kinda true.

When negotiating with other countries, the President of the United States should always put what is important for The United States above what is important for himself.

Imagine the respect he would earn if he did that . . .

 

[Unabogie]

When negotiating with other countries, the President of the United States should always put what is important for The United States above what is important for himself.

Imagine the respect he would earn if he did that . . .

Agreed. But what on earth did he say that made you think he wasn't?

That is, unless you take the quote as far out of context as possible in order to twist it into something it's not. But I'm open to be convinced. Explain the quote with some context?

 

[RandFan]

When negotiating with other countries, the President of the United States should always put what is important for The United States above what is important for himself.

Imagine the respect he would earn if he did that . . .

That the election would tie his hands doesn't mean that he is putting reelection ahead of what is best for the country. It means that regardless of whether it helps his reelection the GOP can use the election and the negotiations for political purposes.

 

[cwalner]

When negotiating with other countries, the President of the United States should always put what is important for The United States above what is important for himself.

Imagine the respect he would earn if he did that . . .

Which is exactly what he did. He told Mededev that trying to negotiate now, he would be under too much political pressure to do what is best for both parties. However, waiting until after the election he has more freedom to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement.

 

[Halfcentaur]

Politicians make claims based on if they get reelected all the time. Obama left out the qualifier "if" and he get's crucified for being overly confident?

 

[Biscuit]

That the election would tie his hands doesn't mean that he is putting reelection ahead of what is best for the country. It means that regardless of whether it helps his reelection the GOP can use the election and the negotiations for political purposes.

His re-election is what's best for America. So what if he knows it.

 

[Beerina]

Politicans care about elections? My golly!

The public cares about politicians lying about the policies they'll implement before an election? My golly!

 

[Crossbow]

I'm surprised I haven't seen a thread about this yet.

Am I the only one who thinks this was a remarkably stupid thing for Obama to have told Putin's avatar, much less get caught saying it?

I'll bet money this shows up in a campaign ad as we get closer to November.

Sorry, but I still do not see what the big deal is.

First, this will be (win or loose) Obama's last election. In every case, except one, ex-Presidents do not run for public office again; and considering all of the trouble that Obama has had as President, then I am very sure that he will embrace this tradition as well.

Second, if Obama does win, then I expect that he will have more leverage in the Congress when it comes to foregin policy issues. After all, there are quite a few members of Congress who will block Obama on foregin policy issues because the Obama re-election is less than six months away.

Therefore, Obama just said what everyone already knows.

 

[Halfcentaur]

After looking at the details, it seems all Obama was saying is that this sort of issue is not something you negotiate in the middle of a possible change to the head of state. It is too close to an election, and even if he loses this is something best left to his predecessor. Of course he is not going to frame the issue in this context. Leave it to the GOP to pick whatever context they want to here.

 

[Peephole]

The public cares about politicians lying about the policies they'll implement before an election? My golly!

I'm sorry, what policies is anyone lying about?

 

[Unabogie]

I'm sorry, what policies is anyone lying about?

If you start from the premise that Obama is a secret America hater, then everyone fans out from there.

QED

 

[Tricky]

Who, exactly, thought that Obama did not have more flexibility after the election?

Lame Ducks always have the chance to do things that a politician who is standing for office again never can.

If Obama wins the election, he won't be a lame duck. He will be a president who can't run for that office again. If he loses, he'll be a lame duck, i.e. an official whose replacement has already been decided, but not sworn in.

 

[BenBurch]

If Obama wins the election, he won't be a lame duck. He will be a president who can't run for that office again. If he loses, he'll be a lame duck, i.e. an official whose replacement has already been decided, but not sworn in.

You are probably correct, but you get the point. If you are in your last term, and you know it, you can afford political risks you never would have taken otherwise.

 

[Tricky]

You are probably correct, but you get the point. If you are in your last term, and you know it, you can afford political risks you never would have taken otherwise.

Yes of course. I'm being pedantic again. I can't stop myself.

 

[leftysergeant]

I expect Republican's as well as the dim witted, will think exactly along those lines.

Why are you creating two categories?

 

[leftysergeant]

When negotiating with other countries, the President of the United States should always put what is important for The United States above what is important for himself.

Imagine the respect he would earn if he did that . . .

That is exactly what I see him doing. We need a rational treaty regarding missile defenses. We need a rational scaling back of the nuclear arsenals of both countries. He is not going to get it if he tells Putin how things are going to be, like it or lump it. If he offers anything else, a certain cretin from Tennessee will start shrieking like a baby that Obama is trying to unilaterally disarm us and destroy our military capabilities for the next generation or two.

(As if any of the republicon leadership now in congress has a bleeding clue about military strategy!)

Even if Obama negotiated the best deal we could ever dream of, the frothing right wingers will be on his case like ugly on a toad saying it is wrong.

Hopefully, after the election, some grown-ups will come in to replace the whiney refusnik babies and some real work will start getting done again.

 

[eeyore1954]

Originally Posted by DavidJames
I expect Republican's as well as the dim witted, will think exactly along those lines.

Why are you creating two categories?

I was surprised they were two different categories also.

 

[eeyore1954]

Hopefully, after the election, some grown-ups will come in to replace the whiney refusnik babies and some real work will start getting done again.

That word confirms my suspicians that you are actually a Russian spy.

 

[rwguinn]

I was surprised they were two different categories also.

I am gods-damned tired of this ****.
If you think I'm an idiot, come on out and say it.
otherwise stfu with the stereotypes.

 

[BenBurch]

I am gods-damned tired of this ****.
If you think I'm an idiot, come on out and say it.
otherwise stfu with the stereotypes.

Well, it wasn't always the case that the average IQ of GOP voters was so close to room temperature, and we all recognize that there are some hangers-on like yourself who, though of normal intelligence or better have not conceded the party to the Marching Morons.

I admire the tenacity.