It's become almost a competition within the Obama White House: who cam come up with the best way to blame a problem on the preceding administration. The variations on the theme have become cliche's so quickly:
"We have to clean up this mess..."
"We inherited this mess..."
"This was here when we walked in the door.."
"We have to overcome eight years of..."
"Our predecessors left us a worse mess than we thought..."
"This is a result of eight years of..."
And it's getting tiresome.
Hey, Mr. Obama, you're so damned smart, how come you didn't know any of this when you were running for office? Back then, you had all the solutions if we just trusted you.
You were going to reverse all our failures. Solve all our problems. Bring an end to bitter partisanship. Improve our standing in the world.
But now that you're actually expected to keep those promises, all of a sudden things are far more complicated and involved and challenging and generally worse than you thought.
But not worse than you told us. You made it abundantly clear just how badly eight years of Bush-Cheney had screwed us. It was a hell of a mess, but you were ready to clean it up. To coin a phrase, it was a shovel-ready project, and you had the shovel.
Instead, you've given us a steady stream of excuses and rationales and finger-pointing and more partisan rhetoric.
And how about those promises? "Closing the door to lobbyists." Except the couple of dozen you've appointed to powerful offices. "Closing Guantanamo within a year." Still open. "No tax hikes on people making less than $250,000." Whoops. "Unemployment won't go above 9 percent." That depends on how you define "percent," and if you're still operating on a Base 10 number system. "The most ethical administration ever." Unless you count things like paying your taxes.
Sheesh, you're acting like a guy who's never had a position of leadership or responsibility before, never really been held accountable for anything, never had to meet a payroll or be the boss.
Oh, that's right, you are.
If only someone had pointed that out when you were running for president.
Oh, that's right, a lot of us did.
But you won anyway. You're the president now. You wanted the office, you said you could handle it, you said you could do the job.
Start doing it.
If you can't grow a pair, then, sir, then at least act like it. Fake it if you must.
A lot of people start out faking it, then later discover that they actually can do the job. Give it a whirl.
And retire the "it's not my fault, it's the fault of the guy who had the job before" crap. Nobody forced you to take the job. Hell, there were a lot of other applicants for the job, and you told us all that you were better qualified and would do a better job than any of them.
And, for god's sake, even after the Massachusetts election, you STILL have a bigger majority in Congress than your predecessor ever enjoyed. Hell, in his last two years, your party held both Houses and you're STILL blaming him for everything.
You said you were ready "from day one" to be president. We're closing in on Day 400.
Start proving it.



Comments (38)
Well done Jay. (caps on God... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Pretzel Logic | February 6, 2010 12:31 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Well done Jay. (caps on God)
1. Posted by Pretzel Logic | February 6, 2010 12:31 PM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 12:31
2. Posted by DaveD | February 6, 2010 12:46 PM | Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
Hillary was spot on about this guy (now I must go wash out my mouth with soap).
2. Posted by DaveD | February 6, 2010 12:46 PM |
Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 12:46
3. Posted by 914 | February 6, 2010 12:48 PM | Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
My God Barry is a broken record.. "Bush did it", "We inherited it". Accept it Barry'. You and the lobbyist tax cheats around You are responsible.
3. Posted by 914 | February 6, 2010 12:48 PM |
Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 12:48
4. Posted by Brian The Adequate | February 6, 2010 1:00 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Bravo, Jay, Bravo
4. Posted by Brian The Adequate | February 6, 2010 1:00 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 13:00
5. Posted by apb | February 6, 2010 1:01 PM | Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
I believe the Wookiee has the stones in that family...
5. Posted by apb | February 6, 2010 1:01 PM |
Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 13:01
6. Posted by retired military | February 6, 2010 1:15 PM | Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Hillary has bigger balls in her lockbox than Obama will ever grow.
6. Posted by retired military | February 6, 2010 1:15 PM |
Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 13:15
7. Posted by LiberalNitemare | February 6, 2010 1:33 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Speaking form the conservative point of view, I am glad that Obama is our president.
A competant democratic chief executive might have been able to actually implemant some of the lame brained foolishness that he ran on.
No fear of that with (p)resident Obama
7. Posted by LiberalNitemare | February 6, 2010 1:33 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 13:33
8. Posted by mpw280 | February 6, 2010 2:13 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
NO S^%T. mpw
8. Posted by mpw280 | February 6, 2010 2:13 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 14:13
9. Posted by MichelleIndependent | February 6, 2010 2:27 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
In other words, Barry, stop being a whining putz!
9. Posted by MichelleIndependent | February 6, 2010 2:27 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 14:27
10. Posted by Jim Addison | February 6, 2010 2:29 PM | Score: 11 (15 votes cast)
You forgot to mention the oceans would stop rising and the Earth would begin to heal once The One was elected. The minute the jackass uttered that line in June of 2008, America had its giant clue with bright day-glo arrows around it.
Affirmative action got Obama into Harvard, and far-left activists did everything else for him. His accomplishments were and are nil. Now we are stuck with a petty, pouty, prissy, pissy, prancing, preening peacock for a President.
Ugh.
Pray for our country - and for the freedom-loving people of the world.
10. Posted by Jim Addison | February 6, 2010 2:29 PM |
Score: 11 (15 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 14:29
11. Posted by GarandFan | February 6, 2010 2:31 PM | Score: 8 (10 votes cast)
"A lot of people start out faking it, then later discover that they actually can do the job. Give it a whirl."
He has. We've seen the results. Poor Barry. Never held accountable before. Always looking for the next step up. At least he's consistent. Spends money VERY WELL. No discernible track record of accomplishments. Yep, running true to form.
11. Posted by GarandFan | February 6, 2010 2:31 PM |
Score: 8 (10 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 14:31
12. Posted by Burt | February 6, 2010 2:59 PM | Score: 4 (8 votes cast)
If you hire a man with no resume' and iffy references, don't act surprised when he is incapable of doing the job. In a way, I do blame Bush/Cheney a little. They made it look like anyone could do the job. However, they were "naturals" when compared to Obama.
12. Posted by Burt | February 6, 2010 2:59 PM |
Score: 4 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 14:59
13. Posted by Gmac | February 6, 2010 3:04 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
I have a wish list of things I'd like to see "The Won" accomplish but alas, because of all the aforementioned reasons by JT I do not expect his lamentations to cease.
Of course my fondest wish for this (P)resident *WILL* be fulfilled come January 22, 2012 when he walks out of the office and into ignominy so richly deserved.
PS... I really like "(P)resident" and think I'll start using it in reference to the bumbler in chief.
13. Posted by Gmac | February 6, 2010 3:04 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 15:04
14. Posted by Justrand | February 6, 2010 3:04 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Every day that goes by without him recieving a "Major Award" obviously grates on him.
It's not his fault. He's a VICTIM!
He's gotten so many "Attendance" awards (Senator, POTUS, Nobel, etc) that he come to EXPECT to be fawned over without having to do a damn thing!
Quick, somebody hand the whiney brat a shiney object and tell him he won "Best Turd". Let him guess whether it applies to his bowel movement or his personality!
14. Posted by Justrand | February 6, 2010 3:04 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 15:04
15. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 6, 2010 4:13 PM | Score: -19 (21 votes cast)
I thought Mr Mallow was on medical leave. Why is he posting under Jay Tea's byline?
Seriously, Mr Tea, you can do better than this.
At least throw in a "narcissist-in-chief" or two.
15. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 6, 2010 4:13 PM |
Score: -19 (21 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 16:13
16. Posted by 914 | February 6, 2010 4:16 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
"Grow a pair Mr. President"
Brain cells that is..Thats right I said it!
"Closing the door to lobbyists."
His administration is infested with lobbyists and the only doors He closes are slammed in the face of capitalism and promised transparency. The partisan hack.
16. Posted by 914 | February 6, 2010 4:16 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 16:16
17. Posted by DaveD | February 6, 2010 5:40 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
"Seriously, Mr Tea, you can do better than this"
And clearly Mr Henry so could you. Please be more specific where Mr Tea's post is in error. Otherwise......
17. Posted by DaveD | February 6, 2010 5:40 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 17:40
18. Posted by sarahconnor2 | February 6, 2010 5:50 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Well said, Jay Tea. You've addressed what is exactly wrong with this guy. I would add to "Grow a pair"-"Hey, O, if you can't man up or fake it, then find someone who can and go back to community organizing after 2012."
18. Posted by sarahconnor2 | February 6, 2010 5:50 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 17:50
19. Posted by 914 | February 6, 2010 5:56 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
"Otherwise....."
Otherwise f off "spork".
19. Posted by 914 | February 6, 2010 5:56 PM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 17:56
20. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 6, 2010 6:41 PM | Score: -11 (11 votes cast)
Re # 17:
It's not "in error" as much as it is a lot of rehashed criticisms and generic Obama-bashing, not really worthy of the esteemed Mr Tea. He phoned this one in, I'm afraid.
That's all I'm saying.
20. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 6, 2010 6:41 PM |
Score: -11 (11 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 18:41
21. Posted by Shawn | February 6, 2010 6:57 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Bruce,
Wish something of the same could be said of you.
Man. That hurts, Bruce. It really does.
Pointing out just how inconsistent and incompent this narcissist has been, how he's lied throughout his campaign up through now, is valid, even if you choose not to believe it.
Hmmm. Let's see. Your contributions to most any post you write are:
1) Show up.
2) Bitch about how things are said.
3) Ignore what is being said.
4) Offer nothing.
Ever gonna, you know, make a point, or, like, add stuff?
If you just put a bit more effort and tossed a little race into your posts for absolutley no redeemable reason like your playground buddy Steve Green, you two could pass for twins.
21. Posted by Shawn | February 6, 2010 6:57 PM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 18:57
22. Posted by Michael | February 6, 2010 6:58 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Brucie comes through like clockwork with his useless snark and smarm.
22. Posted by Michael | February 6, 2010 6:58 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 18:58
23. Posted by retired military | February 6, 2010 7:14 PM | Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Jim Addison
"You forgot to mention the oceans would stop rising and the Earth would begin to heal once The One was elected. "
Well after all global warming is pretty much a thing of the past. Can that be considered as the earth healing? I am sure if you ask Obama he will agree.
----------
Bruce
It appears that the criticism of you (regarding your postings on this thread) is correct. I have seen you do better in the past. Maybe it is because you dont have much to work with (not much to praise Obama for anyway) and he has let you down as well.
Gitmo not closed
Bills not on the web for 5 days before signing
Lobbyists in the administration.
Tax cheats and crooks coming out of the woodwork in his appointees.
Still fighting in Afghanistan
He cant take credit for victory in Iraq.
Deficit through the roof (or through the basement depending upon how you look at it).
Cant get his agenda passed with supermajorities when Bush got most of what he wanted with a democratic controlled Senate for 3.5 years and a dem House for 2 hours.
I mean with a resume like that let me ask. In 2012 are you going to vote for him if he even runs again?
23. Posted by retired military | February 6, 2010 7:14 PM |
Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 19:14
24. Posted by retired military | February 6, 2010 7:14 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
that was 2 years on Dem House. Wish we had been lucky enough to only have a dem house for 2 hours.
24. Posted by retired military | February 6, 2010 7:14 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 19:14
25. Posted by DaveD | February 6, 2010 7:16 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Mr Henry,
Give Mr Tea his due. What you interpret as rehashing is simply a post on mistakes Obama himself seems so prone to repeating to his own detriment.
25. Posted by DaveD | February 6, 2010 7:16 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 19:16
26. Posted by Sabba Hillel
| February 6, 2010 7:20 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
I thought that Bruce meant that we all knew these things about the (P)resident already. He wanted to see Jay Tea express things even more descriptive and emphatic. For example the comment from Jim Addison
26. Posted by Sabba Hillel
| February 6, 2010 7:20 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 19:20
27. Posted by WildWillie | February 6, 2010 7:37 PM | Score: 5 (9 votes cast)
Bruce, come on and be honest. This guy is shooting blanks. He doesn't have the depth needed for the job. He surrounded himself with people who "think" they know what the people want. He is becoming delusional in a worrisome way. Call your friends and tell them it is time for an intervention. It is not time to defend his failings of the past year plus. The dems have been in leadership going on four years, time to retire the "the republicans did it" nonsense. They are sounding like little children on the playground. "he did it". ww
27. Posted by WildWillie | February 6, 2010 7:37 PM |
Score: 5 (9 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 19:37
28. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 6, 2010 7:43 PM | Score: -9 (15 votes cast)
I'm pretty sure Mr Tea knows what I mean. He's not as thinskinned as some.
Again, I thought how this works was:
1.An author posts something.
2.Commenters say what they liked or didn't like about the piece, sparking a discussion, or just making a funny, or whatever.
If there is some level of thoughtfulness required for every comment, I can only say, I'll try to do better if you guys will.
28. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 6, 2010 7:43 PM |
Score: -9 (15 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 19:43
29. Posted by Steve Green | February 6, 2010 8:16 PM | Score: -9 (13 votes cast)
Relax, Bruce. All Mr. Tea has done is offer up the usual obligatory "Don't You Just Hate _____" post -- giving the regular commenters an opportunity to snort and winny and grunt and oink their approval.
No "there" there is par.
29. Posted by Steve Green | February 6, 2010 8:16 PM |
Score: -9 (13 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 20:16
30. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 6, 2010 8:20 PM | Score: -8 (10 votes cast)
Mr RM:
I don't know whether I will vote for Obama "if he runs" (ha ha, keep telling yourself that that's in question) until I see who his opponent might be.
I can tell you this. If he runs against Gov Palin there will be a reelection landslide not seen since 1984. Scott Brown might do better, although "former community organizer" has a more dignified ring to it than "former nude model." And of course all the inexperience arguments would be invalidated.
Tell me, RM, who, specifically, do you want to run in 2012 on the GOP side? That is, excluding the two I just named?
30. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 6, 2010 8:20 PM |
Score: -8 (10 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 20:20
31. Posted by epador | February 6, 2010 9:38 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I think he's been growing some audacious boobs. Seems appropriate.
31. Posted by epador | February 6, 2010 9:38 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 21:38
32. Posted by LissaKay
| February 6, 2010 9:52 PM | Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Wow. I can see that the truth hurts, and Bruce and Steve are howling in pain.
Mr. Obama ... frmr SENATOR Obama, currently (P)resident Obama (WPE) ... sir, along with your fellow Democrats sitting in a majority in Congress, you VOTED for this mess!
DEAL with it, mmkay?
32. Posted by LissaKay
| February 6, 2010 9:52 PM |
Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 6, 2010 21:52
33. Posted by 914 | February 7, 2010 12:03 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
spork #28-
Nice comeback spork!
33. Posted by 914 | February 7, 2010 12:03 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2010 00:03
34. Posted by poptoy | February 7, 2010 6:48 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
ONLY people on the right can grow a pair. People on the left cannot. Along with a pair comes first a BACKBONE. Nuff said.
34. Posted by poptoy | February 7, 2010 6:48 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2010 06:48
35. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 7, 2010 8:47 AM | Score: -1 (3 votes cast)
Re # 33:
Translate that for me, 914. Does that mean "Shut up!" or does it mean "Whatever"?
I know it's one or the other.
35. Posted by Bruce Henry | February 7, 2010 8:47 AM |
Score: -1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2010 08:47
36. Posted by olsoljer | February 7, 2010 10:38 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Grow a pair?? I heard he was contemplating a sex change operation.
36. Posted by olsoljer | February 7, 2010 10:38 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2010 10:38
37. Posted by Madalyn | February 7, 2010 11:06 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
JT - You really hit it right with this post. He has no clue and counts on tax evaders, communists, and domestic terrorists to guide him. We are in serious trouble. He also has a habit of flipping the bird to republicans. Nice guy, doncha know?
Madalyn
37. Posted by Madalyn | February 7, 2010 11:06 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2010 11:06
38. Posted by retired military | February 7, 2010 2:03 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Bruce Henry
"Tell me, RM, who, specifically, do you want to run in 2012 on the GOP side? That is, excluding the two I just named?"
Well first I think Obama's chances are iffy if Hillary runs and things dont improve dramatically. Obama is like the brown midas. Everything he touches turns to shit.
To be honest I hadnt really thought about it that much. 3 years is a bit long to name presidential contenders in the party out of power.
I would take just anyone with a R by their name over Obama (hence me swallowing very hard to vote for McCain last time).
IMO Palin cant do worse than Obama and I think can do quite a bit better. I think she has gotten a raw deal from the dems and the press and the 4 years from last election to next may well do her good to get her some seasoning. IMO she was a better pick than Obama for President last election and with more seasoning will be much much better.
I am not fond of Huckabee. Definitely dont want McCain to run (if he is smart he wont even go into the primaries). I would have very much wanted to vote for Powell a few years ago but he has gone on hiatus the past few years (probably due to Obama being black more than anything else).
I would have voted for Newt but he has put his foot in his mouth quite a few times on quite a few subjects so I would prefer someone else. (same as Powell).
Not McConnel. Not Jeb Bush.
I would love to see Condi Rice run. I think she can handily beat Obama and 20 times the job (not that it wouldnt be hard for pinochio to do a better job than Obama). If Hillary takes the dem nomination and Condi runs then Condi would win in a landslide. The minorities would turn out in droves for her over Hillary. If it were Obama vs Condi then I think Condi would wipe the floor with him.
So if I had to choose a nominee for 2012 I would say Condi.
38. Posted by retired military | February 7, 2010 2:03 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2010 14:03