Is anybody buying 0bama's new "outreach to Republicans"?

[MastaG8r]

Last night 0bama bought dinner - at his own expense, which I guess means at our expense, unless he paid with book royalties - for a group of about 12 influential Republican Senators at the swanky Plume Restaurant in D.C.'s Jefferson Hotel:

Lawmakers emerged from the powwow describing it as a positive meeting and a friendly gathering that focused on the possibility of eventually reaching a deal on the budget and deficit reduction. But the meeting does not appear to have been any kind of a negotiating session – rather more of a way to build trust and relationships that have been absent for much of Obama’s term.

The meeting is part of Obama’s sudden new outreach to Republicans. He invited the senators to the dinner, and he has also asked House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) to have lunch with him at the White House today. The committee’s ranking member, Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, will also join them.

As much as I don't like 0bama or his policies I don't think anyone could or should object to face-to-face interaction that might ultimately lead to some sort of movement on the budget and other gridlocked issues, hopefully in a direction that everyone can live with.

Sorry, though - I find it hard to believe that 0bama is sincerely interested in legitimate dialog and compromise. More likely it's just a setup so he can claim that he made a good faith effort but the obstinate, obstructive Republicans refused to budge. Meaning of course that they refused to grab their ankles and give in to all his demands.

[108]

Do you equally object to Republicans being sincere?

[wgbgator]

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2...o-senates?lite

As for Obama’s dinner last night, it went very well, according to various NBC conversations with the GOP participants. It was serious. It was respectful. And it was informative. (In fact, one senator told us that he learned, for the first time, the actual cuts that the president has put on the table. Leadership hadn’t shared that list with them before) And the overall suggestion from the dinner was that Obama would have to give cover for any cuts to Medicare, while Republicans would have to pony up additional revenue to get it. But here are the questions no one was able to answer: How do you get to the next step? How do these talks become legislation? And after working around leadership, how do you bring them back into the fold to ultimately try to pass any deal? A final point: You can tell that last night’s dinner had new Chief of Staff Denis McDonough’s fingerprints on it. Yes, the expansive dinner was Sen. Lindsey Graham’s idea, and the guest list was also his. But don’t forget that McDonough had a great relationship with Graham (and McCain) when he served as Obama’s deputy national security adviser. Oh, want more evidence the damage the sequester debate had on Obama? He has just a 45%-46% approval rating in the latest Quinnipiac poll.

Maybe the bolded part is why he's meeting with them? I mean, if they were unaware of his actual proposal, no wonder stuff isnt getting done.

[MastaG8r]

If I was an influential Republican Senator - and it's truly unfortunate for America that I'm not - this is what I would have said at last night's dinner, which evidently had an $85.00 prixe fixe menu for the evening:

For my appetizer, the Rabbit Charcuterie (Gallantine, Rillette, Grain Mustard, Crostini). Although the Foie Gras Terrine with Huckleberry Marmalade, Red Wine and Spice-Poached Pear looks interesting too, and I don't mind the $5.00 supplement for that one since Big O is picking up the tab. What the hell - bring me both!

The entree choice is really tough and I was leaning toward the Roasted Striped Bass but for some reason I'm afraid that might be a little dry. I guess I'll do the Filet of Prime Beef with Truffled Potato Mousseline, Bone Marrow, Madeira Jus. That's got a supplemental charge too, $10.00, but that's okay. Hey Mr. President - talk is cheap but not if you want to do it in this joint, buddy.

For desert, in honor of our host and his Indonesian upbringing I'll go with the Heart of Guanaja Chocolate Tart, which has Passionata Cremeux and also "Sumatra Coffee" Ice Cream.

Keep the Nolet's Silver Dry Gin and tonics coming until my entree arrives, then I'll have a full bottle of the Williams Selyem "Weir Vineyard" Yorkville Highlands pinot noir, from Mendocino. God bless America!

[dangolegators]

I don't buy it. Obama's got to be up to something.

[Gatorrick22]

I think it's a trick.

[MastaG8r]

Originally Posted by 108

Do you equally object to Republicans being sincere?

Say what, now? I don't object to anyone being sincere.

[MastaG8r]

Originally Posted by dangolegators

I don't buy it. Obama's got to be up to something.

Agreed.

[PSGator66]

That is a negative ghost rider!

[dangolegators]

Originally Posted by MastaG8r

Agreed.

You think he's finally implementing his plan to take over the government and become dictator for life? Or is it part of his plan to turn over US sovereignty to the UN? Or some devious scheme that we haven't even discovered yet? I figure those 12 senators got brainwashed last night and are now Obama's zombie senators and will do his bidding on his command. I think we should be watching the behavior of those 12 senators very carefully.

OR, and I just thought of it, maybe Obama is unleashing a scheme to release a deadly virus that will kill off almost the entire world population. The 12 senators were infected with the virus last night at dinner. Then in the future, Bruce Willis will come back in time to try to prevent Obama's evil scheme from happening, but instead he will be killed at an airport while his younger self watches. I bet that's it.

[MastaG8r]

Originally Posted by dangolegators

You think he's finally implementing his plan to take over the government and become dictator for life? Or is it part of his plan to turn over US sovereignty to the UN? Or some devious scheme that we haven't even discovered yet? I figure those 12 senators got brainwashed last night and are now Obama's zombie senators and will do his bidding on his command. I think we should be watching the behavior of those 12 senators very carefully.

OR, and I just thought of it, maybe Obama is unleashing a scheme to release a deadly virus that will kill off almost the entire world population. The 12 senators were infected with the virus last night at dinner. Then in the future, Bruce Willis will come back in time to try to prevent Obama's evil scheme from happening, but instead he will be killed at an airport while his younger self watches. I bet that's it.

No, it's not as nefarious as all that. Like I said earlier, I think it's nothing more complicated than 0bama simply trying to appear like he is open to bipartisan compromise when in reality he is not.

Now if these "outreach" meetings result in him giving in on significant spending cuts to go along with some of the tax increases he wants, then I'll be happy to stand corrected.

[gatordowneast]

Transparency....both the dinner Wed night and lunch Thursday with Paul Ryan were strictly for the media so Obama can say he reached out. But as others have pointed out, all previous US presidents have made it a point to have one on ones in the oval office with members of the other party to hear their point of view, build relationships and sell the president's agenda. THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED UNDER OBAMA. Why...Roger Ailes said it...others have whispered it...we all know it...OBAMA IS LAZY. He's a SLACKER.