TheLoop21.com

By: Devona Walker (Add to your loop)
Tue, 02/02/2010 - 15:53

Obama challenged the GOP at a Town Hall in New Hampshire

On several fronts Tuesday, the tables were beginning to turn on the GOP.

• During a Town Hall meeting in New Hampshire, Obama made a very public appeal to small-businesses. In doing so, he called out Republicans, saying his ability to get things done would depend upon the willingness of Republicans in Congress. He pointed to the fact that Congressional Republicans backed away from creating a bipartisan deficit commission as soon as he endorsed -- even though it was their idea.
   
• In Washington at a congressional hearing on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Republicans tried to grill Secretary of Defense Robert Gates about allowing gays to serve in the military. Now, regardless of party affiliation the majority of Americans believe Don’t Ask Don’t Tell should be repealed -- roughly 56 percent according to a Quinnipiac poll conducted last year. Even evangelicals are roughly split down the middle on the issue. But there you had Sen John McCain, the so-called maverick, trying his best to force gays in the military to remain in the closet.  

•  On the same day, the DailyKos released a poll clearly designed to make Republicans look like extreme right wingers. Guess what? It was effective. The DailyKos poll found that 58 percent of Republicans actually believe Barack Obama was either not born in the U.S. or aren’t sure. Only 42 percent of Republicans polled actually believe the President of the U.S. is a citizen of the U.S. Compare that to the 77 percent of Americans overall who think the president is actually an American.

  About 39 percent of Republicans believe President Obama should be impeached. About 63 percent said the President was a socialist. About 21 percent actually said they believed the community organizing group ACORN stole the election for Obama. About 73 percent said gays should not be allowed to teach in public schools.

• Then, further taking wind out of the sails of the GOP, the alleged Chirstmas Day bomber apparently started giving up information. The fact that he was mirandized and then clammed up sparked a massive assault from the GOP, pointing to his silence as just reason for not trying terror suspects in civil court, but by way of military tribunal where they don't have an attorney.
   
• Then you had Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire whining, and it was televised, about re-allocating $30 billion from the hugely unpopular Troubled Asset Relief Program and using it for small-business loan funding. The funds would be distributed through smaller community banks, not the “too big to fail” monstrosities of Wall Street. 

In speaking directly to GOP criticism of the stimulus package, Obama said many Republicans voted against it but go back home to their congressional districts claiming credit for projects that were funded by it.

"They've found a way to have their cake and vote against it too," Obama said.

"It's one thing to have an honest difference of opinion on something," Obama said. "It's another to walk away from your responsibilities to confront the challenges facing this country because you think it's good short-term politics."

During it all, Republicans, who have been getting a free ride for the last year, were forced to deal with the consequences of just how right wing they have become. They were forced to deal with their hypocracy and the fact that they are not in Washington to address our massive economic or national security issues. They are there for one reason and one reason alone: To reclaim power.

Today, they sided with Wall Street over Main Street. Today, they tried to extend an era marred by bigotry. Today, they revealed they have no interest in being a part of American in the 21st century, but choose to remain mired in so many dysfunctions of America’s past.

Devona Walker is theloop21.com's senior financial and political reporter. She has worked for The Associated Press and the New York Times company. She may be reached at devona@theloop21.com.

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