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White House Cocktail Party Must Have Been AWK-ward!
According to several reports, President Barack Obama was to host a bipartisan cocktail party at the Wh
ite House last night. From Jake Tapper:
Who wouldn't love to have been a fly on the wall at that gathering? "Hey Boehner, could you pass me a...oh, never mind, I'll do it without your help."
There is the kernel of a good idea here, but I question the execution a little bit. Wouldn't it have been better to get the House Republicans trashed before the stimulus vote? And, while the red meat was a good idea, announcing that you're serving jillion-dollar-a-pound Wagyu beef on the day you pass recession-fighting legislation is kinda dissonant.
I think the idea of the Republicans and Democrats drinking together is a good one, but maybe not in this setting. Standing around sipping martinis and snarfing pricey appetizers doesn't really engender the kind of bro-code camaraderie that these troubled times require.
Maybe they should've ordered up a keg and spent the evening playing "quarters" and "beer pong." It might lack decorum, but it's also a lot more likely to result in an evening-ending chorus of "I love you, man!" Of course, it could also end with Obama and Boehner in the parking lot slurring "What's your problem?" at each other.
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ite House last night. From Jake Tapper:Here's the list of President Obama's invited guests to the White House cocktail party tonight -- essentially the bipartisan bicameral leadership of the House and Senate.
Six House Democrats, six House Republicans, six Senate Democrats, six Senate Republicans. Their spouses are invited as well.
Hors d'œuvres -- chicken curry, wagyu steak -- will be served in addition to drinks.
Who wouldn't love to have been a fly on the wall at that gathering? "Hey Boehner, could you pass me a...oh, never mind, I'll do it without your help."
There is the kernel of a good idea here, but I question the execution a little bit. Wouldn't it have been better to get the House Republicans trashed before the stimulus vote? And, while the red meat was a good idea, announcing that you're serving jillion-dollar-a-pound Wagyu beef on the day you pass recession-fighting legislation is kinda dissonant.
I think the idea of the Republicans and Democrats drinking together is a good one, but maybe not in this setting. Standing around sipping martinis and snarfing pricey appetizers doesn't really engender the kind of bro-code camaraderie that these troubled times require.
Maybe they should've ordered up a keg and spent the evening playing "quarters" and "beer pong." It might lack decorum, but it's also a lot more likely to result in an evening-ending chorus of "I love you, man!" Of course, it could also end with Obama and Boehner in the parking lot slurring "What's your problem?" at each other.
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Tommy Christopher
Tommy Christopher is a freelance writer, blogger, and online journalist based out of New Jersey and Washington, DC...moreRelated Articles
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Comments (4)
joedenver60
9:32AM Jan 29th 2009
I'm impressed, with your observation
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Debra S.
9:56AM Jan 29th 2009
I agree that the optics are really, really bad. Perhaps Obama will now take a long weekend and go with his entourage to the "Western White House" in Hawaii ....
Sorry to add a heavier note to your piece (personally I would prefer Boehner & Obama taking it to the parking lot, or perhaps WH bowling alley!), but to what purpose did Obama compromise with the Republicans (addition of tax credits which have been shown to be ineffective in the past)? It is not in Republicans' interest to see this President succeed. In their small, cynical minds, they do not understand why they were voted out of office (Presidency/Congress), and think they can easily slide back in in 2010/12. He needs to confer with his advisors, do what's right, and let Republicans sink into the irrelevance and oblivion they deserve.
Note: Republican politicians and "scholars" do not even believe in bipartisanship, and the Republican and Democratic notions of what the "common good" is is so far apart that it is folly to pretend (and a major distraction) that it can even occur. Perhaps some time in the future, as Democrats solidify their power and Republicans soften, but not now; after the Bush II experience, we have too many problems to address.
Sorry to add a heavier note to your piece (personally I would prefer Boehner & Obama taking it to the parking lot, or perhaps WH bowling alley!), but to what purpose did Obama compromise with the Republicans (addition of tax credits which have been shown to be ineffective in the past)? It is not in Republicans' interest to see this President succeed. In their small, cynical minds, they do not understand why they were voted out of office (Presidency/Congress), and think they can easily slide back in in 2010/12. He needs to confer with his advisors, do what's right, and let Republicans sink into the irrelevance and oblivion they deserve.
Note: Republican politicians and "scholars" do not even believe in bipartisanship, and the Republican and Democratic notions of what the "common good" is is so far apart that it is folly to pretend (and a major distraction) that it can even occur. Perhaps some time in the future, as Democrats solidify their power and Republicans soften, but not now; after the Bush II experience, we have too many problems to address.
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(0) Professional Woman
10:08AM Jan 29th 2009
Not sure why he would do this or even if it is true, but I know the repub's would not come if he didn't serve the best beef. LOL
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(0) Angiebaby
10:14AM Jan 29th 2009
Hey, Tommyboy! If you want people to be receptive to your ideas, do you serve Wagyu appetizers and upscale martinis, shaken, not stirred? Or do you unscrew a bottle of Ripple and break out the Cheez Whiz? It's not rocket science... for most of us.
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