Obama Turns On Charm To Woo Republicans

Like I said yesterday, this is like a typical abusive relationship. Obama denigrates, insults, and beats Republicans constantly, then for a brief time turns on the charm, buys them dinner, some flowers, a bit of “quality time”, then will soon switch back to floggings when the laundry isn’t done on time

(Washington Post) For more than two years, they have tried to work it out. He went to their place, they came to his. There were moments of hope, but mostly there was strain and heartbreak – the phone call that wasn’t returned, the name-calling on national TV.

Now, once again looking for a way to repair his reality-show relationship with Republicans, President Obama is making the most basic of gentlemanly gestures: a fancy dinner, a lunch date and a promise to come over next week.

Obama is changing course to reset his relationships with Republican lawmakers, hoping for a last chance of breaking Washington’s gridlock before becoming a lame-duck president.

Will Republicans be dopey enough to fall for this?

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said Thursday that he welcomed Obama’s outreach, even though it means the president is sidestepping him and other party leaders.

“We went through months of campaign-style events all over the country,” Boehner told reporters. “It’s really kind of interesting that this week we’ve gone 180. After being in office for four years, he’s actually going to try to talk to members. . . . I hope something will come out of it.”

Yes, yes they just might be that witless.

Obama’s entreaties could all be for show. Even so, the president’s hand could be strengthened if the public concludes that the man who as a candidate once promised to bring Washington together is seen as having made sincere and humble efforts to bridge divides.

But the minute he isn’t able to get his way he’ll switch back to the insults and attacks, because this is all for show. Republicans have been holding fast about tax increases, and do not seem to be any cracks in that armor.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach.

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