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Krauthammer To Boehner: Give Obama The Time He Wants

file this under "profoundly bad ideas."

By: streiff (Diary)  |  August 31st, 2011 at 08:19 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

According to reporting by Allahpundit at Hotair, whom I have no reason to doubt, Charles Krauthammer believes Speaker Boehner should have acquiesced in Obama’s trolling of the GOP debate.

Simple logic: When your opponent’s in the process of making a mistake, get out of his way. Krauthammer’s theory is that letting The One address Congress that night would have made him look petty (or rather, pettier than usual) while setting up the GOP field for a sweet Obama pile-on at the debate immediately afterwards.

I think this is silly on all possible levels.

There really won’t be a GOP response because the debate as the panel, drawn from NBC and Politico, will determine the questions and and the odds of them allowing an Obama pile-on approach zero. They’ll be too interested in baiting candidates with Bill Keller’s questions on religion.

The speech Obama will give will be nothing but platitudes. Having our candidates respond to his dreck will do nothing but elevate his meaningless proposals and reduce the stature of the GOP field… except Ron Paul.

More importantly, Obama’s speech needs to be given undivided scrutiny. Allowing him to appear in opposition to GOP field merely makes the story about who looked better. At some point some brave soul in the mainstream press has to start covering Obama’s AWOL status in regards to the economy.

COMMENTS

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  • jaykali

    I yawn/groan whenever I hear a ‘big Obama speech’ is coming up. He says the same tired lines every time. Near the end of Bush’s last term no one really paid any attention to what he said because he was essentially a lame duck sense 2006 and I feel the same way about Obama now (3 yrs in!).

  • jeffreywturner

    I can’t recall an instance in which Krauthammer offered advice, the advice was followed, and then the person following the advice regretted following it. I have seen him be right on the money in coaching Republicans through a tough spot (ie: Harriet Miers). I have also seen Republicans ignore his advice and live to regret it. However, I have never seen where someone regretted following his advice.

    There has to come a point where someone’s record alone is enough to warrant giving them significant deference on certain things, and I think Krauthammer may be there now. This isn’t to say that he is incapable of error, but I’d think long and hard before ignoring his advice.

    • Scope

      he has developed a following of which some can’t/don’t think for themselves, but rather, if Charles said it it must be the wisest choice. Krauthammer has supported some ideas over the last year that have had some conservatives scratching their heads, and have backed away from thinking he is always right and correct. For me, he has said far less lately that I agree with than what I do agree with. It is my personal opinion that Krauthammer has grown a swelled head, mostly borne of past popularity.

      • Scope

        with respect to giving Obama another chance to belittle himself have to do with a lon ago scheduled Republican debate.

      • pttx333

        one to look to, at least for me, for a good analysis. That ended for me a couple of years ago when he began to make some outlandish statements that left me wondering which side he is on. I hate to think that it is from a swelled head, but it certainly would seem so.

  • vamoose

    I’m glad Krauthammer didn’t get a chance to offer his advice before Boehner responded to the president’s untimely request.

    • bobojake

      Listen to Mark Levin tomorrow for a live interpretation of obama misrepresentations while he is giving this speech for the 33rd time in 32 months in office.

      • carolina

        I’m beginning to think BO’s WH is lost.

      • Scope

        but he will be competing with the opening night of football. Let’s see who wins. Hey, maybe the NFL will reschedule their game, after all, haven’t the owners and players come out in support of him lately?

        • http://www.usdebateboard.com usdebateboard

          First, dissing the Packers at the White House, then expecting Packers fans to chose him over opening night against the Saints.

          Maybe the Scott Walker recall rabble should not hold its breath waiting for more OFA money in 2012.

  • vamoose

    WH statement

    Today, the President asked to address the Congress about the need for urgent action on the economic situation facing the American people as soon as Congress returned from recess. Both Houses will be back in session after their August recess on Wednesday, September 7th, so that was the date that was requested. We consulted with the Speaker about that date before the letter was released, but he determined Thursday would work better. The President is focused on the urgent need to create jobs and grow our economy, so he welcomes the opportunity to address a Joint Session of Congress on Thursday, September 8th and challenge our nation?s leaders to start focusing 100% of their attention on doing whatever they can to help the American people.

    • rkcon

      They came to their senses. Boehner should have grabbed their first request with both hands and run away with it.

    • romeg

      than a full-scale version of the summit that took place at the beginning of his administration wherein the only thing we learned is that Obama won the election and couldn’t even refer to the conferees by their titles.

      It will be another rant about yacht owners and private jets and how everyone must pay their “fair share” of taxes.

      It will be a monumental waste of time for anyone who watches it.

      The time would be much better spent watching re-runs of I Love Lucy or The Andy Griffith Show.

      • bgintn

        A total waste of time.

        Obama’s Job Plan?

        1) Tax Relief: President Obama will propose tax relief incentives for companies that create jobs and hire new workers.

        2) Infrastructure Investment: The president wants the government to invest in clean energy and new construction projects to build schools and transportation.

        3) Assistance for Long Term Unemployed: Obama wants to help those who have been out of work for six months or more, which adds up to about 6 million Americans. Specifically the president is looking at a program such as Georgia Works ? which gives unemployed Americans eight weeks of training at a local company while allowing them to still collect their unemployment benefits. And it?s no cost to the participating company.

        A former White House economic adviser said today that economic ?stimulus? will be part of the package ? but won?t be labeled as such.

        ?You won?t hear the word ?stimulus? ? the ?s word? ? because that just is politically unappealing right now,? Jared Bernstein, who left his post as Vice President Joe Biden?s top economist in June, told us on ABC?s ?Top Line? today. ?But you will hear targeted measures, which I think is actually a more apt description of what I think the president will talk about.? A ?middle-ground? approach of targeted tax relief and additional spending.

        ?He?ll want extend the payroll tax holiday. He?ll want to extend unemployment insurance. He?ll have some ideas for infrastructure. Maybe something to help repair the schools ? that?s an idea that a number of us have been pushing ? a program called FAST: Fix America?s Schools Today, which could get hundreds of thousands of construction workers back to work repairing the backlog of maintenance in the nation?s stock of public schools.?

        Obama’s Plan……. More Spending.

        My question……..Where do you get the money?

  • rkcon

    I find your counter-arguments very unpersuasive.

    1. The simple fact that Obama scheduled the speech to the night of the debate would have become the biggest political issue on all this. Such a transparent ploy makes Obama look bad – he was already losing this battle.

    2. Debate moderators can only command the debate up to a point. Candidates would have plenty of opportunities to attack of Obama, even if they have to shame the moderators as Gingrich did in the last one. In fact, bashing moderators would allow candidates to score additional points.

    3. I’m not sure what your last paragraph means. Do you want Obama’s speech to dominate the MSM news cycle? That will only allow them to spin it endlessly, not to scrutinize it.

    ………….

    Obama’s Administration is the epitome of political incompetence. Those guys around him were great in campaign – which is mostly about advertising – but are brutally incompetent in the political game. It’s breakdown after breakdown.

    Don’t save them from yet another unforced mistake. Let them own this pile of crap they produced on their own.

    • snowshooze

      We are interviewing replacements for Obama right now, and that is the most important job.
      Obama was well aware of the debate and is totally insincere.
      And Obama will have absolutely nothing new to say, except he may tell us how much more money he intends to spend which will land directly on the taxpayers backs.
      Whaddya think… another trillion oughta do it…
      Obama does not need to address a joint session.
      He doesn’t need to do it after hours.
      This is going to be a campaign commercial.
      The most expensive one ever made.

      • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

        is what is so significant. Moreover, Obama’s petty act has occurred. Acquiescing in that presumption would have reduced the pettiness.

        One could make a strong case for not agreeing to have a joint session at all on this issue. Its not as if another 911 occurred.

        Krauthammer is wrong on this and has been on a number of issues over the past 10 years of his domination of conservative punditry. But Krauthammer remains The Master because he is usually right and he formulates conservative arguments better than anyone.

      • rkcon

        How exactly does that make Krauthammer wrong? I don’t think he’d disagree with a single line of what you wrote.

        I’m actually surprised that you wrote that and yet still think Krauthammer is wrong. Doesn’t make sense. What gives?

    • streiff

      1. if Obama had been allowed the time slot it would have made our side look weak and ineffectual. The debate has been scheduled for months and the reason the White House chose that night was pretty obvious. The press was peeing itself with glee over the way Obama had stolen attention from the GOP debates.

      2. Moderators have a great deal of control over the debate and the candidates only have a short amount of time to respond when the field is this large. I don’t think a bunch of GOP candidates bashing moderators is going to score any points with a GOP electorate.

      3. A news cycle is very short these days. We already know what he’s going to propose. I’d rather his call for trade agreements (which he has yet to present to Congress) or whatever to be covered. If the press wants to fawn over them fine, but out guys will own the news cycle they are in.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    indicate that the liberty movement in Iran is growing?

    http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.ee159abe0e0b3f7c4e870162182b6233.2c1&show_article=1

  • Carol Tarasewicz

    I can’t wait for a brave soul to cover Obama’s AWOL status on the economy etc, but I do not think it’s going to happen until after the 2012 election. The MSM helped elect Obama and they are not going to want to lose their status as President Makers.
    I do not watch anythign Obama has to say. It’s all the same, blame someone, anyone else.

  • JSobieski

    Have you ever noticed how he NEVER proposes an aggressive stance on anything. He is the master of retreat and keeping your powder dry. I appreciate a good rope-a-dope as much as the next guy, but if he was in charge of fighting WWII, D-Day would never have happened.

    The guy is the master of avoiding mistakes, but he is a novice at pursuing victory. I often advocate less aggressive tactics/strategy than many Red Staters, but I still believe in offense.

    Krauthammer would have been a great coach for the Baltimore Ravens before they got an offense. He would have called offensive plays to make the defense look that much better.

    I am an attorney by profession, so I can understand how being risk averse and avoiding mistakes can allow someone to achieve a certain magnitude of success. There are however times when you have to pursue victory, not merely non-defeat.

  • snowshooze

    And make it a free for all open game with 5 minute statements and 5 minute rebuttals…
    Wild horses couldn’t drag him into that alligator pit..
    And I bet when it is time to face a GOP contender… he will all the sudden get real too busy…

  • Adjoran

    and he folded like a cheap empty suit.

    Krauthammer was right in what he said, but his conclusion was wrong. Obama must respect the privileges of the Congress as the Legislative branch.

    Sure, Reid’s a toady, but we knew that already. It was up to Boehner to uphold the tradition that Presidential addresses to Joint Sessions are NOT announced until arrangements have been made privately between the President, the House, and the Senate.

    Obama is petty and weak, and seems incapable of correcting either his policies or his practices.

  • Getting_Back_to_Basics

    Objecting to the speech is certainly a rational thing to do, but I don’t think allowing the speech to go ahead would have been all bad. The president all day looked inordinately petty and partisan and it was getting worse by the hour for him — the GOP could have said, “OK, if you are going to abuse your privilege of requesting to address Congress live for what appears to be a political and partisan purpose (and likely a vapid speech), then go ahead — we’ll move the debate by an hour and let the candidates savage the speech during the debate.” The president would have looked very petty giving the speech next Wednesday — now he just looks irrelevant and absurd.

  • californiagold

    Because next week’s debate is being moderated by MSNBC, the opportunity to turn the affair into a mudslinging event will be high. What the hosts will try to do is turn the republicans against each other, while shielding Obama from harm.

    Then the following day the media will present Obama as the commander in chief who is working overtime to create jobs while the republicans sling mud.

  • wbb1950

    There is substantial evidence that Obama and NBC are in cahoots and have been since the beginning of the primary. I can prove it easily, but why waste the space–if you already know then you know and if you don’t already know and the mountain of circumstantial evidence to that effect has for some reason eluded you, then I commend to your attention the recent clip by the former moderator of The Young Turks who was told by the head of MSNBC Phil Griffin that we are insiders, part of the (Obama) Administration. That being the case, it stands to reason that if Obama is allowed to go first, and NBC/Politico runs the debate, then they will use his speech as a template for their questions to the republicans on the stage. This ain’t rocket science.

  • Locke

    [quote]
    More importantly, Obama?s speech needs to be given undivided scrutiny. Allowing him to appear in opposition to GOP field merely makes the story about who looked better. At some point some brave soul in the mainstream press has to start covering Obama?s AWOL status in regards to the economy.[/quote]

    Krauthammer is usually right, in my opinion, and always worth paying attention to. But the 3 points in your quote above are decisive.

  • bobojake

    Real Conservatives gave obama a thumpin he has forgot and now in nov 2012 we have to five his politically geister a thumping he will never FORGET.
    It is time to chose and I chose not to have to listen to the LIES of obama another 4 years.

  • http://punditpawn.wordpress.com punditpawn

    No. Give Obama nothing he wants. If he wants it, it’s bad for the country. It really is that simple.

  • jazzycmk

    Why couldn’t he just do it from the Oval Office, or one of the many press rooms at the White House? That would have also allowed him to do it on Tuesday, 09/06, right after Labor Day.

    At a guess, his handlers thought it would make him look more Presidential. Also, they’ll be able to point to those evil, obstinate Republicans not leaping from their seats to applaud his (retread) ideas every 15 seconds or so.

  • Danielle Davis (ocleverone)

    That’s all I can think of. :-)

  • romeg

    the Republicans in Congress a la Harry Truman in 1948. By calling for a Joint Session he does, indeed, get to play one of the trump cards in his deck. It also gives his cheering section the opportunity to demonstrate their support for him in the most public way available to him.

    Everything he does between now and November, 2012 is designed to diminish the stature of the Republicans in general and the Tea Party in particular. Anything that The Speaker does to appear to disrespect or resist will be exploited for maximum effect to that end.

    Krauthammer may be right. I watched as he responded to Chris Wallace’s question regarding Boehner’s response to the President’s request for the Joint Session. He appeared to be quite thoughtful before responding but then he usually is. I would give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.

    Boehner is not going to get him to move the address. To delay it, even for 14 hours, would allow the President to say the Republicans want to play politics. Krauthammer suggested delaying the debates by an hour to accommodate the President which would have given Boehner to opportunity to look magnanimous rather than making him look weak, as his request to postpone almost certainly has done.

  • romeg

    I’d like an order of grilled ‘possum gizzards on the side.

    I very surprised that Obama caved on this without so much as a return volley.

  • romeg

    I’d like a side order of grilled ‘possum gizzards.

    I very surprised that Obama caved on this without so much as a return volley.