http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/18108.html

 

 

 

"I won."

 

When President Barack Obama used those words to reply to Republican objections to the massive spending bill working its way through Congress, he did much more than deliver a good laugh line and declare the GOP proposals irrelevant.

 

Obama also signaled to us all that the campaign talk about bipartisanship and “a new way” was just the clever rhetoric of a highly choreographed campaign.

 

“I won” is the confident declaration of a leader who doesn’t need his opponents’ approval or votes.

 

“I won” is a little extra measure of contempt, though surely delivered with a grin.

 

“I won” means the Republicans lost and they had better get used to being ignored.

I must admit - I did not like the phrase.

 

However, why did he promote his stimulus package amongst GOP members in the first place, if they are irrelevant?

How's this any different from Bush's "mandate" when he narrowly won in 04? He used that mandate to push through his agenda. Why does this bother you, he did win along with many other democrates so they will push thier agenda. Nothing new here.

The interesting thing to note on the House's passage of the stimulus package (a bill loaded down with unimaginable levels of funding for pork-barrel projects), is that 11 Democrats voted against it. So that makes some Democrats and all Republicans against and only Democrats for it... the nays took the bi-partisan vote.

How's this any different from Bush's "mandate" when he narrowly won in 04? He used that mandate to push through his agenda. Why does this bother you, he did win along with many other democrates so they will push thier agenda. Nothing new here.

 

It's not and I purposely withheld that to see what posters would say.

 

They were upset when Bush did it in 2004.

Now they either have to be upset with O too for doing it or have to now agree that Bush was okay for doing that when he did it.

For some it will be proverbial rock and a hard place and I think they will simply not post.

 

I applaud TB& G for her stance although I don't have a problem with it. With the victor goes the spoils. Although the comment does not match up with his mantra of working across the parties.

The interesting thing to note on the House's passage of the stimulus package (a bill loaded down with unimaginable levels of funding for pork-barrel projects), is that 11 Democrats voted against it. So that makes some Democrats and all Republicans against and only Democrats for it... the nays took the bi-partisan vote.

 

Funny, MSNBC has talked a lot about ZERO Republicans voting for the bill. NO MENTION AT ALL THAT I HAVE HEARD about the 11 Democrats.

Maybe too blunt but essentially his point is correct. A Republican Congressman was trying to explain why his party's plan was better than the Dems. There was not going to be a change of minds by either side. Obama simply said that his and the Dems plan was right because he won.

 

Did it lack style and grace? You could certainly argue that.

 

However, when you win you get to drive policy so was Obama wrong?

Maybe too blunt but essentially his point is correct. A Republican Congressman was trying to explain why his party's plan was better than the Dems. There was not going to be a change of minds by either side. Obama simply said that his and the Dems plan was right because he won.

 

Did it lack style and grace? You could certainly argue that.

 

However, when you win you get to drive policy so was Obama wrong?

 

No, but LBBC's points are also right. Doesn't seem like the way to change the culture in Washington. Maybe it's a new technique he's trying.

I must admit - I did not like the phrase.

 

However, why did he promote his stimulus package amongst GOP members in the first place, if they are irrelevant?

 

Because a bipartisan effort looks a lot better, particularly if it fails you can try to share the blame.

Does "I won" = "political capital"?

I think so.

When I first heard this, my immediate impression was that the Congressmen should have been equally blunt.

 

Obama: "I won.".

Congressman: "Congratulations Mr. President. So did I."

"I won" makes me thing of El Rusbo's comment "I hope he FAILS!"

Everyone, that I have seen talk about ALL have said that while it was a bit biting that it was certainly done in jest, but with a point, that he was the leader.

 

He campaigned on this bailout program. He talked about since november, why is it a surprise to anyone. Those who voted for him expected it and believed that he would get it through, and he did.

Everyone, that I have seen talk about ALL have said that while it was a bit biting that it was certainly done in jest, but with a point, that he was the leader.

 

He campaigned on this bailout program. He talked about since november, why is it a surprise to anyone. Those who voted for him expected it and believed that he would get it through, and he did.

 

Actually those of us who didn't vote for him or the Democrat Congress ALSO expected them to get a pork-laden spending bill through that does a little to address the economy but a lot to get spending through that they would not be able to sell to the American public by itself. It is one of the big reasons why we didn't vote for him.

 

So, we agree with you, too.