The Smolerian

Extending the Bush-era tax cuts for all is stupid and a betrayal, Obama doesn’t know what he’s doing, the entire Democratic coalition is at risk, etc., etc. But beyond the obvious idiocy of this latest capitulation, the president managed to completely fuck up twice. The first was when he specifically castigated those people – you know the types – who really liked and respected him and are now disappointed by him. Here’s his loud “fuck you“:

“This is the public-option debate all over again,” Mr. Obama complained, adding: “Now, if that’s the standard by which we are measuring success or core principles, then, let’s face it, we will never get anything done. People will have the satisfaction of having a purist position and no victories for the American people…

“My job is to make sure that we have a North Star out there,” he said. “What is helping the American people live out their lives?”

Here’s something that helps people live: not slashing budgets in order to satisfy the tax demands of fucking millionaires. It would be nice to see some priorities, but asking for some backbone from this president clearly surpasses his abilities. What would you expect from a president who couches his cowardice in these terms:

I’ve said before that I felt that the middle-class tax cuts were being held hostage to the high-end tax cuts.  I think it’s tempting not to negotiate with hostage-takers, unless the hostage gets harmed.  Then people will question the wisdom of that strategy.  In this case, the hostage was the American people and I was not willing to see them get harmed.

So what you’re saying is that you’re willing to negotiate with fucking terrorists? That if you’re threatened enough, you’ll cry uncle and give them whatever the hell they want? Jesus Christ; that’s really inspiring to hear coming from the leader of the free world. That’s it for this president. I mean, seriously, any leadership or conviction this man once showed clearly no longer exists. Would President Marshall have surrendered like that? President Palmer? Hell, would George W. Bush have been such a pussy?