With These Types of Gains, Is it Really A Lame Duck Session?

It seems like Obama has found his Mojoe in the last few weeks passing legislation from DADT repeal to START! Don't really know what's going on here but it is nice to end the year on a high note. Besides, being the party of obstructionism might be fun for the next two years. :0

Obama's stunning turnaround - CNN.com

Obama's stunning turnaround
By David Gergen, CNN Senior Political Analyst
December 22, 2010 3:39 p.m. EST

(CNN) -- Voters who flocked to the Republican banner seven weeks ago are probably scratching their heads, wondering, "Who really won in November?" After handing the president and Congressional Democrats the worst drubbing in more than half a century, they can only watch in disbelief as Obama has reeled off a series of unexpected victories.
A new stimulus bill, repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," and now START -- who would have believed that this shirt-tail session of Congress would have been so triumphant? They call it "lame duck" but it was anything but lame.
What happened? One answer, I would submit, is that the president and his team found a better approach to governing: Instead of relying on the Democratic caucus in each chamber to deliver, they built up coalitions of their own that swayed public opinion in their direction and gave them leverage in Congress.
On the extension of tax breaks -- along with several other tax breaks the president wanted -- the White House cut a deal with Sen. Mitch McConnell and other Republicans. Liberal Democrats naturally cried foul, but the White House-GOP coalition sent a persuasive signal to the public that this was a reasonable compromise. Polls showed the public coming down in favor, and as night follows day, Congress voted the compromise into law. (Contrast how quickly the public turned against the health care reform when it was a Democrats-only bill.)
On "don't ask, don't tell," and on START, the White House had a different, but equally formidable, coalition that helped to turn the tide in the president's direction. The fact that Bob Gates -- one of the most respected defense chiefs in history -- and the chair of the Joint Chiefs, along with the poll of service members, came out in favor of repealing DADT made a huge difference in swaying both public opinion and Congress.

cont'ed

 

You're right. A shout out to Obama for passing the legislation to extend the tax cuts. Glad to know he's on board with us common sense folks that know that lower taxes are the way to grow the economy.

 

The Republicans got their $250k+ Tax Cuts, Inheritance Tax Cuts and Business Tax Cuts so they probably don't care much what else happens for a while. Even DADT.

 

You ever get the feeling that with these social issues that there isn't a real opposition on the Right but it sure makes for a nice barginning chip? Just askin'

 

As far as a lot of the social issues? I think it is more pandering than anything else. How else can you reconcile...Government Should Stay Out Of Our Lives...except for those Gays. Government needs to tell them they can't get married. Or...Government Should Stay Out Of Our Lives...except for those Muslims. The Government needs to tell them they can't build that mosque there. etc.

 

I think this proves which side was really responsible for the log jam in Washington. Once BO realized he had to actually work with Repubs, rather than exclude them from the process, stuff just started to get done. Seems the libs, when they contolled Washington, were just running around bumping into each other..no accomplishments...like a monkey humping a door knob. Bring the other side into the the process & viola!! Funny how that works.

 

Sold out is the more appropriate term.