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Obama to House Republican caucus: I'm not an ideologue

by Rory Cripps | January 29, 2010 at 03:25 pm

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Three days after President Obama delivered his State of the Union Address, before the Joint Session of Congress, he spoke to the Republican Congressional caucus on Friday at their annual retreat in Baltimore.

According to the Washington Times, Obama told house Republicans at the caucus, "I'm not suggesting we're going to agree on everything, but if the way these issues are being presented by Republicans is that this is some wild-eyed plot to impose huge government in every aspect of our lives, what happens is you guys then don't have a lot of room to negotiate with me."

Mr. Obama, speaking to the House Republican caucus at their annual retreat in Baltimore, said he is not an ideologue and urged Republicans -- most of whom have voted against every major piece of his agenda -- to set aside politics and help him find common ground.

At one point, Mr. Obama said congressional Republicans were characterizing even moderate, centrist proposals for health care reform as "some kind of Bolshevik plot."

"From the start, I sought out and supported ideas from the Republicans. I even talked about an issue that has been a holy grail for a lot of you, which was tort reform, and said that I'd be willing to work together as part of a comprehensive package to deal with it. I just didn't get a lot of nibbles . . . ."

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Hugh Askew

at 17:32 on January 29th, 2010

Obama isn't an ideologue, and Hillary doesn't have fat ankles is what you really meant to say, wasn't it, Rory?

Rory Cripps

at 18:18 on January 29th, 2010

You've got that right Hugh! Billy Boy doesn't have a thing on you and me and I know that we can show Hillary the way, the light, and the truth. Two dumb hicks like us is what that babe needs . . . . No doubt that we can trim her down and hotten her up for 2012 . . . .

Hugh Askew

at 03:48 on January 30th, 2010

I beg to differ. In no sense of the word does that woman qualify as a "babe".

Shrew perhaps is a better fit, if you find that type exciting.

marianmo

at 19:41 on January 29th, 2010

i listened to mr obamas speech today and his main them appeared to be lets put aside politics and work for the good of the american people....its time to do that

Hugh Askew

at 03:44 on January 30th, 2010

Mr. Obama is only interested in Republicans being bipartisan. He has shown no inclination towards asking for Democrats to work towards passing Republican bills.

Rory Cripps

at 08:52 on January 30th, 2010

Hugh: Why should Obama go along with Republicans on anything? They're nothing but a bunch of bible-thumping homophobes and war mongers! If he did, he'd further alienate has core constituent base.

Everyone knows that Obama's woes and America's woes can be blamed on the Bush Administration. Can you imagine how much better shape America would be in if we had eight years of Obama as opposed to eight years of Bush?

The Republican obstructionists in congress and the senate are nothing but Bush/Cheney puppets bought and paid for by capitalist pigs. So-called "independent thinkers" such as yourself simply don't know what's good for them! I can understand why you're so misguided and confused about politics however, because living out in the Nebraska sticks, you've been culturally and intellectually deprived. I think that if you moved to San Francisco or New York, it would do you a world of good and perhaps you'd stop being so provincial . . . .

Sincerely,

Dr. Cripps, proud small "r" republican

Mike Hoke (not verified)

at 10:12 on January 31st, 2010

Hey Rory, Either everything you wrote is "tongue in cheek" or you are actually David Axelrod! If you believe even 10% of what you wrote, you and Obama are the reasons this country is headed for third world status. I can't believe that...it must simply be a drug induced state of mind. Obama is as dangerous as FDR; he is an idealogue who does not understand what it means to live and work in the US. To him and other communists and socialists, we are the "root of all evil". Thank God, and yes, I can still use that term in this country, the Republicans have finally developed some backbone to oppose and defeat anything this Administration attempts to do to tear down this great country. Democrats are responsible, along with some foolish Republicans for either creating the Laws or repealing the laws that enabled the manipulation of the financial markets. There will always be crooks who will find a way to take advantage of a lack of oversight on the part of a Legislative Branch that cares more about voting themselves raises, pensions and health care for life. Bush focused on keeping the "Bad Guys" at bay instead of getting the communists and socialists out of our educational and government systems. Obama is nothing more than a glib tongue, a clever Liar...the amazingly compassionate and unfortunately "guilt ridden" American people are waking up to that fact and will take steps in November to cripple his ability to do even greater harm to the economy.