U.S. Obama
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When it comes to dealing with congressional Republicans, President Obama takes a page from U.S. Grant’s playbook: demand unconditional surrender
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During the American Civil War, Union General U.S. Grant was asked what his terms were for the Confederate-held Fort Donelson that he had under siege. He reportedly said “unconditional surrender.” Henceforth, he earned a reputation as an uncompromising all-out warrior as well as the nickname “Unconditional Surrender Grant.”
President Obama must have studied General Grant (including his presidential foibles).
From the first day he entered office, Mr. Obama has not yielded an inch to Republicans. From his landmark legislation of Obamacare to economic policy, the congressional Republicans were adversaries to be defeated at all cost, and completely. They were not to be worked with.
This has continued with the recent threat of a government shutdown by congressional Republican Pickett’s Chargers. Instead of trying to reconcile with them, the president chose his standard full-artillery approach: “They’re not focused on you. They’re focused on politics,” Mr. Obama said. “They’re focused on trying to mess with me.”
If only Mr. Obama would take such a tough stance and point out the same about Vladimir Putin, Bashar Asaad and the rest of the world’s bad actors.
If President Obama were President during the Civil War, would he have shown tolerance for the Confederates but beaten up his fellow Unionists?
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And the Iranian President’s snubbing of President Obama at the United Nations this week may make President Obama especially acerbic towards congressional Republicans. After all, he must take his frustrations out on someone and it certainly won’t be this country’s foreign enemies.
The most unfortunate aspect is that while he is happily marionetted by Russian President Putin and Syrian President Asaad, he would never think of listening to John Boehner or any other Republican who would have some good advice (certainly in economics) which would help both this country and Mr. Obama.
Still, if given the choice between foreign or domestic matters for this president, the country will benefit immensely if Mr. Obama uses the remainder of his presidency only to battle with what he sees as this country’s true enemy: Republicans.
-I.M. Windee
