Fresh from a stirring State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama, on Friday, followed his talk with a walk into a lion's den - the Republican House Caucus Retreat.
Just as Daniel of the Old Testament emerged unscathed from an actual den of lions, so too did Obama leave the GOP retreat no worse for wear. In fact, one could argue the President even outscored Biblical Daniel, by exposing the Republican lions he faced for the walking, talking point obstructionists they insist on being.
Rather than simply let another eloquent speech fall on deaf ears, Obama took questions - lots of them - from the GOP members of Congress. You can watch the attached video and decide for yourself, but fair to say each inquiry was handled with aplomb and challenged effectively.
The President took all kinds of shots from the right wing firing squad, and like Daniel wrapped in Kevlar, he deflected their verbal bullets, some even ricocheting back at the senders. For over an hour Obama endured what would otherwise be his own private Hell, his Dante's Inferno.
Alas, he embraced it, even seemed to enjoy taking the fight to his opposition. But not merely to expose the flaws in their arguments. This President intends to work with, not against, his opposition. By his actions Friday, it is clear he insists on both sides of the aisle finding common ground.
And he is more than willing to risk any of his own political capital in order to reach these ends. I believe Obama when he says he'd rather be a good one-term President, rather than a poor two-term-er. The very argument against Obama being President in 2008, his lack of experience, is exactly why he's the right man for the job now.
The rest of Washington is indeed cluttered with out-of-touch career politicians whose loyalties lie with lobbyists. Say what you will, but this President is hardly a lifer. Yet he's now closer to the end of his political career than to its start. Just seven years in the Illinois State Senate, and four years as U.S. Senator, Obama is on his way out as public servant. Whether he wins in 2012 or not.
Thus, I suggest Barack Obama is not beholden to the Democratic Party. An argument could even be made he, like other Presidents in the past, is larger than his party. Obama recognized in his appearance Friday it is independents who make up the fastest-growing segment of voters. So, for either party to cater to its extremes now would be ill-advised.
Analogous to Daniel, Obama is being judged for not worshiping what most are loyal. Daniel chose God over king, which got him thrown to the lions. Obama chooses you, the Americans, over political partisanship, but prevailing cynicism won't allow many to believe. But there he was Friday, in the lion's den, our President risking his political neck for you and I.
As of now, the ball is in the Republicans' court. Obama lent an ear to their minority, when another President could simply ignore them and force the agenda of his majority. They now have the opportunity to constructively work with this Administration. But they can't bring their talking points and debatable assertions to the bargaining table.
Also, it's now upon Americans to support bipartisan efforts. Time to turn off the negative talk TV/radio - both left and right - and encourage legislators to get on board or resign their office. Enough of the cynicism and doubt. If you can't conceive of it and believe in it, you most certainly can't achieve it.
Has Obama ever told the truth about anything. I can't find anything that isn't a provable lie.
John Yarmath will make up one excuse after another to keep the public from knowing Obama is dumber than a sack of rocks. No way Obama can pass a fifth grade class.
Buddy
Fresh from a stirring State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama, on Friday, followed his talk with a walk into a lion's den - the Republican House Caucus Retreat.
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Jorge Pancho