Posted on 01/28/2012 8:54:27 AM PST by Qbert
President Barack Obama turned up the heat on the GOP Saturday, sounding a now-familiar refrain about obstructionist tactics by congressional Republicans and holding up as an example a pledge by one senator to block presidential nominations until the president gives in to his demands.
“We weren’t sent here to wage perpetual political campaigns against each other. We were sent here to serve the American people. And they deserve better than gridlock and games,” Obama said in his weekly address to the nation. “One senator gumming up the whole works for the entire country is certainly not what our founding fathers envisioned.”
Sen. Mike Lee, a freshman Republican from Utah, made the pledge Thursday, saying he was fuming over the president’s recent recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board and of Richard Cordray to head the new consumer financial protection agency. At a Judiciary Committee hearing, Lee demanded that Obama rescind the appointments.
The president said in his address that all his pending judicial appointments have bipartisan support and blocking them is an unacceptable political tactic.
“The truth is, neither party has been blameless in tactics like these. But it’s time for both parties to put an end to them,” Obama said. “I’m asking Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, to stop this kind of behavior by passing a rule that allows all judicial and public service nominations a simple up-or-down vote within 90 days.”
He also called for Congress to pass bills to prohibit insider trading by members of Congress, and to limit their ownership of stock in industries they impact. Saying he wants to “stem the corrosive influence of money in politics,” Obama also called for laws to ensure that fundraisers who bundle campaign contributions for members of Congress can’t lobby Congress.
The president hammered Congress even when speaking about his State of the Union address, offering thinly veiled jabs at members’ sincerity and dedication.
“During my address on Tuesday night, I spoke about the incredible example set by the men and women of our armed forces. At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations. They’re not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together,” Obama said. “If you agree with me that leaders in Washington should follow their example, then make your voice heard.”
He ended with a reference to the core themes of his State of the Union address that he pushed on a five-state trip.
“Tell your member of Congress that it’s time to end the gridlock, and start tackling the issues that really matter — an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, American skills and education, and a return to American values. An economy built to last.”
Never want to wish time away, but November can’t come soon enough.
Having an anti-American non-American in the White House was certainly not what our founding fathers envisioned, either, Kenyan.
"zero's idea of reducing gridlock is that the gop should just agree to what ever the dims want"
Exactly.
Why is that so difficult for the GOP leaders to say?
“We were sent her to serve the American people.”?
“Elections have consequences.” - Obama
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!! Obama is dumber than donuts.
The Dial Tone President. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Someone remind me how long it has been since the Obama administration has produced a national BUDGET!!!
I think it is over 1000 days. We have been running this government on CR’s, have we not???
No bias from Politico ... they were NOT recess appointments; the senate was NOT in recess.
Again, if you are against grid lock President Dumba$$, GET YOUR BONEY BUTT OUT OF THE WAY.
Liberals need a tyrant.
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