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Obama was never interested in working with Republicans.
At a meeting of congressional leaders from both parties at the White House, Obama's response to a Republican suggestion was simply to dismiss it out of hand, saying "We won."
It was only after a year or so of Democrats cutting Republicans out of the legislative process that Mitch McConnell said his goal was to make Obama a one-term president.
He is in a unique position to return American politics to bi-partisanship. He is politically powerful enough to smack down extremists in both parties if he has a mind to do so. There are any number of areas where his promises on the campaign trail and longstanding Democratic policy would converge.
He actually (I can't believe I am writing this) could turn this presidency into a great one.
Seriously? The guy is being investigated for his campaign's ties to Russia. He failed twice to enact his 'muslim ban', he can't get Republican votes to repeal the ACA. He has tweeted outrageous lies, like claiming it didn't rain during his Inauguration and then doubles down once he's called on it. He claims he's creating thousands of jobs and then we find out a day later that the hiring plans of these corporations have been in place since long before the election. He promised that Mexico would pay for his 'wall' now he's scrambling to rob other agencies of the 15 + million this idiotic project will cost.
Sorry but he is damaged goods and looking worse all the time, it's unlikely any savvy politician would hitch their wagon to him at this point regardless of political affiliation.
'The Art of the Deal' is based on concession and negotiation. 'I will do this if you do that' except Trump is all lies, all the time. He lies to people, if they call him on it, then he laughs at them and tells them they were stupid to believe him to start with. He has lied so much, so often that no one believes him any longer. No one believes he will hold up his end of any bargain. With this, he has given up any leverage, shot himself in the foot, and become the first lame duck president with less than 100 days in office.
The sticking point is the border tax. The tax plan is revenue neutral because of the proposed border tax. The freedom caucus is against the border tax. If Trump gives in to the freedom caucus and removes the border tax, then we increase debt, and now the freedom caucus has a new problem with the tax legislation. There is no winning with them.
The freedom caucus will whine, but that's all. They know that the only way to significantly reduce our national debt is to double our rate of growth, and you can't do that without tax cuts and regulatory reform.
As for what you call "moderates," I can't think of any Republicans in Congress who don't want major cuts in federal programs.
In the abstract, of course. Were there any Repubicans in Congress who did not want to repeal Obamacare? 60 times.
Obama was never interested in working with Republicans.
At a meeting of congressional leaders from both parties at the White House, Obama's response to a Republican suggestion was simply to dismiss it out of hand, saying "We won."
It was only after a year or so of Democrats cutting Republicans out of the legislative process that Mitch McConnell said his goal was to make Obama a one-term president.
And as it should be. Neo-Confederate Republicans should just sit in the back quiet like mice and let the Democrats and adult Republicans handle things
The freedom caucus will whine, but that's all. They know that the only way to significantly reduce our national debt is to double our rate of growth, and you can't do that without tax cuts and regulatory reform.
As for what you call "moderates," I can't think of any Republicans in Congress who don't want major cuts in federal programs.
And there is no evidence whatsoever that stuffing the pockets of billionaires with yet more money will do anything for our economy. We've been down the road of supply side economics a few times now and it has never ended well so I can't really think of anything that has changed that might result in a different outcome
Oh and you are right, all pols want 'cuts in programs' but none of them want cuts to programs that benefit them or their constituents so it just ends up being a circular firing squad and not much of anything of significance gets cut
I think it's going to be very difficult for Donald Trump to get his ideas passed even with a GOP majority in both the House and Senate. It's kind of what happens when you spend a year purposely pissing off people on both sides of the aisle.
Pretty much.
He ran as much against the congressional Rs as against Ds. And hasn't done much to heal wounds and make friends since he won.
He planned on using congressional Rs, assuming that they would kiss his butt because he won the presidency as an R. And congressional Rs intend to use him to do what they want done, not necessarily what he wants done. Neither reluctant partner in this tango trusts the other even a little bit. With good reason.
With their stubbornness on the healthcare bill, it's going to be very difficult to impossible for real tax reform. We could still cut tax rates, but actual tax reform is near impossible now, which is the reason why Trump wanted to address healthcare first. A lot of people who normally wouldn't vote came out this election to support Trump and give him the House and Senate. They are completely letting down Trump.
I hope Trump will bypass the Freedom Caucus and work with Moderate Republicans and Democrats on as many issues possible such as infrastructure.
Wait, what? Now it's Trump's voters' job to make him happy? Or are you saying it's the job of Congress to do Trump's bidding? Either way you're wrong. Congress' job is to do what they feel is best for the American people, not pandering to his hyperinflated balloon of an ego. They did the right thing by saying no to the bad healthcare bill. And America has already done their job, which is voting King Tangerine into office (sort of). I doubt Trump will want to work with anyone. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, and so far his behavior isn't looking promising.
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