State of the Union 2010

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Redux

It is called outreach and dialogue with persons who represent numerous interests across the political spectrum.

It is called outreach and dialogue with Lobbyists who represent numerous interests across the political spectrum.

Originally Posted by classicman

It is called outreach and dialogue with Lobbyists who represent numerous interests across the political spectrum.

So the administration should not be briefing any interest groups?

No conversations with industry groups, public interest groups, state/local elected officials, faith based leaders?

Why not? You prefer setting policy in a vacuum?

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Redux

So the administration should not be briefing any interest groups?

No conversations with industry groups, public interest groups, state/local elected officials, faith based leaders?

Where did I say any of that?

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by classicman

It is called outreach and dialogue with Lobbyists who represent numerous interests across the political spectrum.

It is called making back door deals with special interests groups who supported your election and you hope will support you in the next election. It is not about doing the business of the people, for the people. They are pimps.

[tw]

What got the most rousing applause from all aisles? Obama criticized the banks and their obscene bonuses. Even Republicans were appalled at how conservative bankers act.

[classicman]

I was pointing out that the Pres looked rather hypocritical.
And your questions are nothing more than absolutes which we both realize aren't applicable in the real world.

Now that I think about it, perhaps the one who should "Get off the fence and take a stand. " is the president.

Originally Posted by classicman

I was pointing out that the Pres looked rather hypocritical.
And your questions are nothing more than absolutes which we both realize aren't applicable in the real world.

Now that I think about it, perhaps the one who should "Get off the fence and take a stand. " is the president.

IMO, it is only hypocritical if you are unwilling to understand that there is a huge difference between innocuous but helpful briefings to a large and diverse audience of organizations (btw, many of the participants are not lobbyists, but policy analysts) interested in domestic policy issues as opposed to providing lobbyists an "insider" role in developing those policies.

But nice dodge. .

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Redux

opposed to providing lobbyists an "insider" role in developing those policies.

puhlease.

But nice dodge. .

no dodge at all just an honest response to bogus questions.

Perhaps your right again xob. Perhaps its just my impatience coming out.

Originally Posted by classicman

puhlease.


no dodge at all just an honest response to bogus questions.

Perhaps your right again xob. Perhaps its just my impatience coming out.

LOL...I get a "puhlease" and xob gets a "you're right" when we're both basically saying the same thing! (not a back door meeting w/bankers..but a briefing to lots of people representing lots of diverse interests)

And, IMO, you are still sitting on the fence.

Whats wrong with the president/administration officials proving briefings (with a little more detail) to a diverse group of interested organizations following a major policy address?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful. :p


Got to get the power players on board, because the own the lobbyists, that control the congress.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Redux

Whats wrong with the president proving briefings (with a little more detail) to a diverse group of interested organizations following a major policy address?

He lambastes them in public in his SOTU and then has nonpublic nontransparent meetings/video conferences with them the next day?
That seems to be hypocritical to me. I never said he shouldn't get input from them.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by classicman

I was pointing out that the Pres looked rather hypocritical.
And your questions are nothing more than absolutes which we both realize aren't applicable in the real world.
Now that I think about it, perhaps the one who should "Get off the fence and take a stand. " is the president.

I don't see your point? This wasn't a back door meeting with bankers. If a shitload of people are invited to listen to where Obama wants to go, and are invited to put in their 2 cents on how to get there... in front of that all those people... how is this fence sitting?

You know damn well he's not a dictator, he can't just make things happen on his own. He has to drum up support for these ideas. And since the public would rather watch American Idol with a bag of heart attack & dip, he has to do it the hard way, by convincing these policy wonks, and power players. This has always been the way it works, you're just not used to seeing it done in the open.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful. :p

Don't hate me or fear me because I'm a policy wonk.

PolicyWonks are kinda hard to explain. However, you know one when you hear one. Above all else, PolicyWonks are smart…really smart. And they like to talk and listen, but mostly to debate...

PolicyWonks, then, are not always the most well-liked people. But they are respected. Sometimes even feared....

http://www.policywonk.com

[xoxoxoBruce]

Fear? Get serious.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Fear? Get serious.

Policy wonks also know how to network.

I have friends in low places all over the government...in all those alphabet agencies...watch your back.