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When Going Gets Tough, Obama Loses His Cool

Prez changes tactics, dials up the heat

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 19, 2009 3:27 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Here's some change you might not believe: President Obama, he of the unflappable political cool, is starting to sweat. And he's also learning to adjust his strategies, writes Politico. Faced with a stagnating economy, troubled foreign relations, and a bogged-down health care bill, the president has (sometimes literally) rolled up his sleeves and dirtied his hands, even doing some light trash talking.

“That honeymoon period is over. Now they’re having to push back, and push back hard," says the chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. Most of the pushing at the moment is aimed at returning the health care bill to its old momentum, but the White House is also changing its playbook on energy policy and the Middle East.

President Barack Obama speaks about health care, Friday, July 17, 2009, in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington.
President Barack Obama speaks about health care, Friday, July 17, 2009, in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama walks off stage following a rally for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, Thursday, July 16, 2009, in Holmdel, NJ.
President Barack Obama walks off stage following a rally for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, Thursday, July 16, 2009, in Holmdel, NJ.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
President Barack Obama departs the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Saturday, July 18, 2009.
President Barack Obama departs the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Saturday, July 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 29 comments
Hip
Jul 23, 2009 1:56 AM CDT
deebles, please read all of the posts below. Again, I'm no brainiac but I AM smart enough to understand when a site has gone to the dogs. Newser was great for a long time, but now Newser's for losers. Too many people who choose to give each other the finger instead of discuss respectfully (like we just did). Friends.
Shannonals
Jul 21, 2009 12:14 PM CDT
Prowlerzee, if you think that the President lied to his constituents because he lfet office AFTER winning the office of TPOTUS, it's hilarious how loud you cheered for Palin who simply quit. Govenors and Senators have been the been leaving their appointed posts longer than your family has been in this country, so get over it, unless you call them all out for doing actually what you are claiming the President did.
Shannonals
Jul 21, 2009 12:11 PM CDT
The GOP has never believed in bi-partisan when they are not in office. the GOP has always behaved like spoiled children when they haven't been in office. If they actually cared about the country they would have solutions to the bill vie fighting it each and every step. Trust me, regardless of how the health care issues goes, there isn't one member of the GOP in DC that is worried about it.

 
health care • Barack Obama • Congress • politics • White House • Washington, DC • President Obama

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