Via Newsbusters – this is hilarious:
Several days before taking office, President Obama traveled to George Will’s home to dine with a handful of conservative media elites. The beltway conventional wisdom suggested that Obama’s aim was to “neutralize potential adversaries” by way of a “charm offensive.” After the dinner, Bill Kristol explained on Fox and Friends that while “no one’s mind was changed,” he would “end up supporting [Obama] on some things.” Charles Krauthammer joked about Obama’s apparent goals, “I am brainwashed entirely. I’m in the tank.”
Just one week later, Obama’s right-wing acquaintances have already shown the futility of engaging in a good-faith dialogue with them. While Obama pushes his vision for the economic recovery package — his first real battle against the conservative establishment — the dinner’s attendees are on a no-holds-barred offensive against it:
Charles Krauthammer: “Look, this is one of the worst bills in galactic history. … FDR left behind the Hoover dam and Eisenhower left behind the interstate highway system. We will leave behind, after spending $1 trillion, a dog run in East Potomac Park.” [Fox News, 1/24/09]
David Brooks: “It is an unholy marriage that manages to combine the worst of each approach — rushed short-term planning with expensive long-term fiscal impact.” [New York Times, 1/23/09]
Bill Kristol: “The stimulus has so much bad stuff in it. … They let the House Democrats get out of control in sort of writing a pork-laden bill. Politically, I think the Republicans have more room too argue for changes and ultimately vote against it.” [Fox News Sunday, 1/25/09]
So, because these conservatives failed to ditch a lifetime of conservative economic philosophy, talking with them was a waste of time, according to liberals. We’re supposed to be so awed by Obama that once he talks to us, we’re supposed to switch over to being Obamaniacs, I guess?
Well, no. Look, if I were to meet President Obama I would call him “President Obama” or “Sir”. He would be treated with the respect due to any person holding the office of the President of the United States of America. I would listen carefully to what he had to say, I would not interrupt while he was talking and I would, if asked, give careful consideration to whatever views he urged upon me. But I wouldn’t cease to be conservative because Obama had dinner with me. As he reached out to me, I would give that extra benefit of the doubt, but when Obama did something in clear contravention of my core beliefs – such as apparently being ok with a “stimulus” bill larded up with pork like never before – then I would declare my opposition.
Only a “tolerant” liberal could get upset over this – upset not just over Obama meeting with people from the other side (for which act I do give him great credit for – he didn’t have to do it, and by so doing it he showed a proper respect towards those who disagree with him), but also upset that the other side is still, after all, the other side.
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