I disagree. This made me think of Michael Bloomberg, who was really not ideological, but pragmatic. For example, he came into office thinking that recycling was a dumb waste of money and ordered it stopped. Before long he realized that our landfills were being overwhelmed. He changed course 180 degrees. We started recycling in a way that wasn’t directly cost-effective (i.e., not making the most money per unit sold) but recycled the most stuff. I think and hope that Trump can do this as well. Ryan, on the other hand, would refuse to hear that his policies were backfiring and would continue them into the grave.
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But there’s a difference between pragmatism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder flailing for adulation, and I don’t think “I’m unpredictable, so I’m better than Sam Brownback!” should be the bar for a presidency.
Above all, Obama respects the American people. They made their choice. As much as some of us would like for him to go off on Trump and the idiots that elected him, that is not and has never been his way. He respects that the people have made their choice and he will do what he needs to to peacefully transition power. It is that simple.
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I agree, but I’m a pull the bandaid off quickly as opposed to pulling it slowly.
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As someone who is non-ideological with a passion I think Trump, even though he is a horse’s ass, is a much better choice than any other Republican. We Americans, at our best, are pragmatic problem solvers. Bernie Sanders on one side and Ted Cruz on the other can leave the stage if it was up to me.
Replace it with a Fracking RIg.
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For a Kenyan, Obama sure is committed to doing everything he possibly can to help this country. Too bad the same can’t be said for the Real 'Murcans.
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[quote=“matthew1961, post:20, topic:47157”]
But the way [Obama] is here dealing with Trump is, I think, actually his preferred modus operandi. And I suspect he would have some success with it–if he were around for the next 4 years.
[/quote]Perhaps by subtly complimenting Trump, President Obama is angling for a job in the Trump administration so he can keep an eye on things. White House Intern, perhaps, so he can try to be the last one to talk to Trump before a decision is made.
is it really possible to have any respect for obama after seeing him react to the man and the party that doesn’t consider HIM to be an american…therefore by extension don’t believe his CHILDREN are american…and cant wait to undermine any and all of his achievements the last 8 years?
this certainly shows obama holds in contempt not trump and his ilk but the rest of us who he is trying to influence
by legitimizing trump he is telling African Americans that racism is ok,telling women that treating them with no respect is ok…telling gays that THEY are not worthy of their rights…telling jews that the nazis were their friends…and telling the real owners of this country that HE has always been their …man
SHAME on you obama…for never standing up when it mattered!
And so did every single GOP poliician. And so did every single person who voted for him. And they all knew what kind of human being he is too.
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I’ll see your “‘I Don’t Think He’s Ideological’”
and raise you a
“I Don’t Think he’s Human”
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Good god what ridiculous nonsense.
Trump is a “pragmatic problem solver”?
Did you just awaken from a year-long coma?
God.
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Chapter 1,093 of Obama’s theory:
"If I’m nice to them, they’ll eventually be decent to me, right?"
Sorry Mr. President…that’s still not how they roll.
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As President of the United States, Obama must see to the peaceful transfer of power. He’s honor bound to do this; it’s part of his job. He’s not showing contempt for anyone here.
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I don’t think Obama expects them to be nice to him, nor do I think he gives a damn about that.
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as long as he’s got good people around him and he has a clear sense of direction
That’s a goddamn mightily Mt Everest high bar. Remember, the MSM was trying everything to set HO’s bar under the ground…
For all our sakes, I hope Trump sets up another desk in the Oval Office for Obama ( and that Obama accepts).
I really don’t trust Trump’s inner circle.
“…as long as he’s got good people around him and he has a clear sense of direction.”
HAW HAW HAW HAW HAW HAW ha ha aha haw haw haw
Dear God that Obama has a dry sense of humor.
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I think President Obama is right. Trump isn’t ideological, he’s tribal. This doesn’t mean we’re any better off, though. Hitler wasn’t really ideological, either. He was tribal, too.
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I totally agree. I get people’s frustration, I really do, but Obama’s got the responsibility gene to fulfill his constitutional duty as the sitting President.
I don’t think he will mince his words once he leaves the White House.
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