I think a bigger screw-up was forgetting that its '11, not '08, at the Abbey.

Dumb question: Why isn't this done more often? (I mean aside from the need for over-orchestrated photo-Ops?)



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43180202/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

Why does the Queen carry a purse when she isn't leaving the palace?

I really know nothing of Royal etiquette, but it appeared that the President had just started his toast and the band played. I took it as they started playing too soon, but only they continued to play over his toast.


TIS

I thought the band started playing too soon, but then when Obama finished the toast he had to put his glass down because they were playing God Save The Queen.

Yea, and he did the toast and they both put the glass down. Nobody actually took a drink.

Of course it'll never happen, but I'm sure I'd mess up "royally" if I were ever with the Queen.



TIS

I want to know if he drank that whole pint of Guiness. Maybe thats why he thought it was 2008, and had the issue with the toast!

“The Other Barack: The Bold and Reckless Life of President Obama’s Father” is slated for release on Tuesday, July 12 by Public Affairs Press. In it, Boston Globe reporter Sally H. Jacobs takes a candid look at Barack Obama Sr. and paints a portrait in sharp contrast to the one provided by the president in his own memoir, “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance,” published in 2004.

Through exhaustive interviews, Jacobs assembles a complex depiction of the elder Obama as a brilliant but troubled man. One of the most notable revelations she offers is that when Barack Obama Sr. was a 24-year-old college sophomore, he and Ann Dunham — his second wife and the mother of President Obama — initially planned to give their unborn child up for adoption via the Salvation Army.

Check out how being President ages our Presidents:

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1872168,00.html

I've always been intrigued by how little Nixon aged. He seemed to thrive on the stress.

For some reason I can't open the link but I have seen various before/after pics of Presidents. Just the other day they showed an old clip of GW Bush and he looked so young. It's almost as if you forgot they were once younger but it really wasn't that long ago since they looked that way. I can see President Obama is getting gray hair (he'll be 50 next month)and by the time he leaves the White House he'll probably be totally gray.

TIS

The link wouldn't copy.

Did anyone watch Obama and Boehner address the nation back to back last night?

Like kids in a schoolyard. I'm honestly getting tired of all the finger pointing by BOTH parties.

I took my Dad to the senior center this morning up in Westchester. Here's the collective reasoning among the seniors up there: If we miss even ONE SINGLE social security check prior to the next Presidential election, then President Obama has lost us.

I know, try reasoning with the elderly. But the thing is, they turn out to vote in droves.

On an unrelated note: How about Obama calling the USA the "greatest country in the world," and closing by saying "God bless America"?

I never thought I'd see the day. Anyone think he was pandering a bit?

Are you kidding? I see one adult and a class of kindergarteners. Obama can give away the ranch and it's still not enough for the GOP. I won't say no politics are involved, of course their is, but anyone who thinks the Dems aren't kissing the R's asses to avoid shutdown for our country can't be following closely.


I don't know about his "greatest country" comment, but he always ends with "God Bless the United States of America."

TIS

Oh, and to Oli or anyone familiar with Constitutional law, what about this 14th Amendment clause that some want the President to use? Is that feasible?


TIS

I'm following very closely, Tis. And I agree that Obama has been forced to kiss ass. I'm just tired of all the sniping. That's all.

PB,

I hear you!!! I wasn't getting personal but it does get frustrating doesn't it?

I heard today that Donald Trump (not that he's really anybody) was on Fox (I think) encouraging the GOP to LET us default because the public will remember who the president was and Obama will not get re-elected. I know that McConnell said that was their number one goal. I'm beginning to believe it really is.

TIS

It's Section 4 of the Amendment and it would appear to preclude the questioning of the federal government's public debt, whatever questioning means. The drafters of the Amendment used that language to distinguish legitimate US debt from that incurred by the Confederate states during the Civil War. If I were the President, I wouldn't hang my hat on it. Per the Constitution, he is required to make sure that the laws are faithfully executed. So, there is some basis for his increasing the debt limit, but that's a stretch.

If he tries it the GOP will try to impeach him.

Yes I heard that. They are likely salivating at the thought.



TIS

It's a disgrace. They are playing games with people's lives. And it's isn't just the US economy, it's the world's economy. The saying goes, "When the US sneezes, the world catches a cold." And they ain't kidding. If the US defaults on its debt, the entire global economy faces collapse.

Thanks for the info Oli.

I don't know. IF the president invoked it, I think as far as the public goes, most will be relieved cause this game has ended. He's been pretty firm however, saying he doesn't plan to do that.

I have no doubt the other side would want to impeach him should he do this, yet I wouldn't be surprised that if we default they'll try to impeach him as well no?

TIS

I heard today that the USA credit rating might be downgraded; Germany, Canada and (can't remember the third one) would be the top rated. Obamaandboner, Bonerandobama, obamaandboner, Bonerandobama...maybe if we all chant it the boys will play nice and be non-partisan playmates and quit jerking us around for the sake of their respective parties.

You want to get some stuff done? Don't be scared of raising the taxes a little. You think that means automatically big govermnment? Nonsense!
All the western countries have a higher per capita tax rate than the US.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_tax_revenue_as_percentage_of_GDP

"I saw Obama walkin' with the Queen...and they were doin' the Werewolves of London.."

Someone posted this clip on Twitter. Now, I have not (surprisingly even to myself) seen The West Wing but I know SB and others have. For those who don't know it was written (at least partially) by Lawrence O'Donnell (MSNBC Talk show) who was on the budget committee (or such) in one of the White House Administrations. He's been mentioning this exact scenario as a possibility, holding up one sheet piece of paper showing only the figure needs to be filled in AND he says can be done the last couple minutes to the deadline.

FWIW







TIS

I've kept my head out of this dumb "debate" because its not a debate, its a game of chicken. I can't stick with that 24/7 for months as it feels like its been.

But this clusterfuck, I don't blame the Democrats. I don't even blame the Republicans. Right now, I'm blaming the Tea Party. Boehner as leader of the Minority Party in power has gained concessions from the Democrats, about as much money grabbed from the boat before it sinks. Probably even more if he and Reid meet down the middle for a 11th hour deal. Its shitty, but its politics and in that way, I don't blame them. Get what you can with the cards you have.

But the ideological purity-driven TP, they're not holding the economy at gunpoint for some prizes. They're suicide bombers demanding the impossible ransom that will never be agreed upon by the Democrats or White House. And they know that. They demand it because in their minds a debt default is acceptable because at the very least, Obama will be blamed for it.

Country fucked into a Depression (not Recession) and drag the world as well? Well that's fine as long as "that guy" loses the White House.

Jesus Christ. What the Tea Party is doing isn't politics. This is economical terrorism. If you ask me, someone should call up Guantanamo, set up some more beds because this would be legal under the Patriot Act.

And that's the thing. I think Boehner knows his base revolting on the GOP's plan (not even a final compromise deal with the Dems) is making his Party THIS CLOSE to getting the public blame if the debt defaults.

If the Teabaggers don't budge, Boehner has two options. (1)Tell that Caucus to fuck off and without forge a compromise between the GOP establishment and the Dems, or (2) Accept default as inevitable.

First one may cost him (soon or down the line) his Speakership as Romney/Palin/Bachmann/Limbaugh/Malkin all point their fingers and fundraising money against him, but it would save his Party from losing the blame game.

The second one, well it might cost him his job anyway because he'll be seen as a weak figurehead can't even speak for his own party. No more respected by the right-wing than the previous RNC Chairman that looked like a Muppet.

But the Party gets fucked.

Good points Rocket....the tea baggers ought to be ashamed of thmselves, and how dare they wear those American flag lapel pins. They don't care about the country, they are obsessed with gaining power. It is Eric Cantor who is maneuvering to get Boehner out as speaker.

If Boehner and the reasonable Republicans make a deal with the Dems, Boehner will lose the speakership, but will go down in history as a "Profile in Courage." It will also expose the fact that the GOP is badly divided. The dirty little secret is when they nominate Romney, the teabaggers will take a walk and nominate one of their own handing Obama reelection.

The TP would rather the country go into default than compromise their ideological “purity.”
Boehner wants a two-phase deal so he can use the six months to drum up support for more cuts. Obama is hoping that Boehner can’t deliver now, so the House will accept the Senate bill, which is (barely) less onerous. Problem is, there’s every probability that the regular GOP, which is dedicated to giving Obama nothing, will reject it, Tea Party or no.
This whole mess is a terrible, terrible commentary on government dysfunction. Looks bad to all the world, and especially to the American people. I bet a lot of Americans will sit out the 2012 election. That’ll mean the big business lobbyists, religious nuts and ideologues will have the Congress to themselves.

President Mitt Romney, everybody!