Obama Needs a Tip O’Neil
Where will Obama find some statesmen to work with?
Ronald Reagan was fortunate in that Tip O’Neill (Thomas Phillip O’Neill, Jr.) was the Democratic Speaker in the House and at the top of his game during much of the Reagan years. It has been reported and believed by this Irishman that Tip and Ronald could kick back, sit together have a pop or two of Jamison’s or on a special occasion Midelton’s while searching for bridges between their differences.
There was an obvious shared belief by these two Irish politicians that although they disagreed on most things political, there was often a prospect of an agreeable personal path to follow in seeking solutions.
In a previous post I mention that an old friend and distinguished scholar and I shared our hopes for President Elect Obama, but we both feared that his side of the aisle would give him the greatest problems.
There is mounting evidence that our shared discomfort is gaining momentum. The Republicans are lying low for the moment and are generally in a minor key in their public pronouncements. They are dealing with figuring out how to rebound from 8 years of pseudo Republican governance and apparently some have decided to act gracious for the moment.
They also may have done what I have been doing recently. I have stopped reviewing the Republican gaffs and ne’re do wells on the right side of the aisle and am reviewing our now dominant left side.
I think I understand the quietude by the Republican politicians. They realize that they may need to do little to get back in power. If the last six months are any indication of how the powerful democratic politicians, needed by Obama to succeed, will act, he is in big trouble.
Some of the Democratic actions on the sidelines which really don’t help:
Edwards dropping out of the primary because of extramarital allegations
Michigan and Florida: Not having their votes counted in the primary.
Minnesota: Recounts in the Franken race, where 25 precincts turned in more votes than there were certified voters attending
Illinois: The Governor taped by the FBI allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by Obama
The appointed replacement (Roland Burris) is left standing in the rain when the Senate convened because Harry Reed said he would not recognize him, even though this was not Reed’s prerogative.
Burris was allowed into the Senate Chambers out of the rain( but not seated)the next day because President Carter called Reed and said Burris was a good guy
New York: The Governor resigned when it was discovered that he regularly employed a $4,000 a night prostitute. The Lt Governor becomes Governor and then announces his own sexual indiscretions in a NY motel as the first significant gubernatorial pronouncement.
New Mexico: Governor Bill Richardson turns down a cabinet seat because he is undergoing a grand jury investigation for some improper dealings with state contractors.
New York– Again? NY Representative Charles Rangle has been asked by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to step down as Chairman of the House Tax Rules Committee. Rangle Failed to report income from his beach house in the Dominican Republic. It was further disclosed that he had 4 rent controlled apartments in Harlem and owed $10,000 in back taxes. It has been reported in the NY Post that his income tax reporting is riddled with errors and omissions, Rangle is also the Democratic Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee
We are still 13 days away from President elect Osama’s inauguration. I hope the Democrats can learn from the Republicans to space their scandals a little better for his sake.
Obama will be my President even though I am a little nervous about a number of issues. He gets my best wishes because our nation needs leadership. His appointments offer a glimmer of hope not shown by his party stalwarts.
Rom Emanuel* who will be the Presidents Chief of Staff has been advertised as a hard hitting politician. Rom may be the most important man of the moment. Rom, it is time to politically knock heads in your party to get them lined up behind our new President.
The Republican opposition though battered is not eliminated. They need to be challenged by Democratic Party actions to be once again a” loyal opposition” with both parties working issues primarily for the nation’s benefit.
A vain hope? Maybe, but “hope springs eternal in the human heart.”
2010 could be interesting.
* Rahm(Rom) Emmanuel (Emanuel) Spelling varies by Google sources checked. We all know who he is and maybe by the 20th we will get a clarification as to which spelling he prefers
Later this week
Heath Suddleson will once again be doing a guest posting..
It is titled : Is This The Path To Another 9-11.
Heath comments frequently on my posts to be sure that I do not stray too far from the center in my comments. He did some of the research for my use in the current post.
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Buck, Outstanding piece as usual. Brillian points all!
The one thing I would add about the relationship between Tip O’Neil and Ronald Reagan was the public display of respect that no longer exists. Back in the day, a Senator or House Representative would never call the President names during a press conference or on the floor of Congress. The way the Democrats have treated Bush for the past 8 years has greatly diminished the overall professionalism of our politicians. They no longer feel the need to respect the position even if they disagree with the person holding the position. That will contribute greatly to Obama’s frustrations.