The AP Reports ... From Mars

It appears the Associated Press has left the planet in terms of its Obama coverage, or perhaps they've simply outsourced objective coverage to the foreign press. Comparing their assessment of Obama's first week in office with that of the Telegraph makes it impossible to reconcile the fact that they are reporting on the very same thing. But they are.

From the AP:

Obama breaks from Bush, avoids divisive stands

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama opened his presidency by breaking sharply from George W. Bush's unpopular administration, but he mostly avoided divisive partisan and ideological stands. He focused instead on fixing the economy, repairing a battered world image and cleaning up government.

 "What an opportunity we have to change this country," the Democrat told his senior staff after his inauguration. "The American people are really counting on us now. Let's make sure we take advantage of it."

In the highly scripted first days of his administration, Obama overturned a slew of Bush policies with great fanfare. He largely avoided cultural issues; the exception was reversing one abortion-related policy, a predictable move done in a very low-profile way.

Via The Telegraph:

Barack Obama picks a fight with Rush Limbaugh as bipartisan spirit crumbles

Mr Obama has told Republicans in Washington to stop listening to the right-wing talk show host Rush Limbaugh, risking a new culture war with conservative voters.

His exhortation came as he enraged other Republicans by reversing George W Bush's ban on funding international aid to charities that perform or provide information about abortions.

After less than a week in office, Mr Obama's presidency is already encountering the very partisan bickering he had pledged to stamp out during his first 100 days.

He faces mounting criticism over his $825 billion economic stimulus plan, from Republican leaders who say the legislation has been drawn up without the input which Mr Obama had promised to allow them.

The president responded with a clear signal that he is prepared to ram the bill through without the bipartisan consensus he promised to construct, telling Republican leaders from the House of Representatives: "I won. I'm the president."

He then told them to break free of the confrontational mindset epitomised by Mr Limbaugh, the highest paid talk show host in America. "You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," Mr Obama said.

Comments

[Fred Beloit]

Today we tested Compare and Contrast, a common but valuable rhetorical device. Mr. Riehl receives an A.

[Dennis D]

I read this last night in shock any journalist would even attempt such propaganda. The sad part is she is neither insane or dumb. She is a propagandist .

[mary]

Wow, obviously the prez is listening to Rush Linbaugh. If he is going to be an "in your face president" then maybe he should go on Mr. Linbaugh's program and confront him on the issues. One would hope that Mr. Linbuagh would not be as much of a pushover as the "culture warrior". People are looking forward to productive bi partisan civilized discussion and thorough examination of all issues. People want the accountability and extensive communication and explanation which was promised. People want the ability to post their ideas and solutions. People want their say. Everyone seems to have heard that comment by the prez and everyone isn't so thrilled. People never felt communication from GWB and they enjoyed an abundance of communication when the candidate was the candidate. Most assumed that communication would continue. Aren't there websites where anyone can bring an idea, where anyone can comment? Aren't his people reading these websites and bringing the best ideas to him and his team? Those who jumped on his bandwagon are expecting this, they are expecting to have their say. After all, didn't they have their say throughout his campaign?

When you examine this in the context of the prez's visit to the press and his "interaction" with the people from politico, it sort of becomes worrisome.

[Dan]

I've pretty much had it with people who have an adolescent need to use profanity in every comment and for no reason. I'll warn some folks another time or two and delete comments, then I'll just start banning people.

That means you in this case Islamo. Take the cursing to DU if you can't comment without four letter words.

[mark l.]

I think the jharp and islamo are panicking, big time.

If I were them, I'd be happy 'my guy' won. Smugness and arrogance should ensue. Instead they've fallen into the pits of despair.

Was it the current admins support of fisa, the inabiltity to close gitmo without increasing the danger posed to the US, the bombing of civilians in Afghanistan? the escalation of the Afghan war? maybe its the realization that 95 house dems voted agianst the first bailout bill, and the 62 dems who voted aganist it the 2nd time, haven't been replaced with more progressive reps.

Both of them have moved on to a new level of despair, as they have begun to realize their 'hope and change' is gone and not going to happen, respectively.

No word if the obama admin is going to destroy all that illegal surveilance they have collected.

[mark l.]

I did see that obama has an approval rating(68%), between Kennedy's 72% and Carter's 66%...

good company, if you are a fan one termers.

[WBestPresidentEver]

Obamas comment "I Won" reminds me of a child in school. A spoiled brat of sorts. He is a puppet for the democrats. You do as we say or we will come after you, too. He is walking a thin line.
He is nothing more than an appeaser.
Pretty soon the groups he is trying to appease will be on each other when he is not able to appease all of these saddistist groups of folks.
God bless America. Gof help us.
Our country is going downhill fast.
The next 4 years are going to be hard to watch.

[WBestPresidentEver]

Saw this on Rush's site....

Limbaugh Responds to Obama [Byron York]

According to an account in the New York Post, President Barack Obama yesterday told Republican leaders, "You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done." With George W. Bush now off the stage, it may be that Obama and some of his fellow Democrats view Limbaugh, and not John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, or any other elected official, as the true leader of the Republican opposition. This morning I asked Rush for his thoughts on all this, and here is his response:

There are two things going on here. One prong of the Great Unifier's plan is to isolate elected Republicans from their voters and supporters by making the argument about me and not about his plan. He is hoping that these Republicans will also publicly denounce me and thus marginalize me. And who knows? Are ideological and philosophical ties enough to keep the GOP loyal to their voters? Meanwhile, the effort to foist all blame for this mess on the private sector continues unabated when most of the blame for this current debacle can be laid at the feet of the Congress and a couple of former presidents. And there is a strategic reason for this.

Secondly, here is a combo quote from the meeting:

"If we don't get this done we (the Democrats) could lose seats and I could lose re-election. But we can't let people like Rush Limbaugh stall this. That's how things don't get done in this town."

To make the argument about me instead of his plan makes sense from his perspective. Obama's plan would buy votes for the Democrat Party, in the same way FDR's New Deal established majority power for 50 years of Democrat rule, and it would also simultaneously seriously damage any hope of future tax cuts. It would allow a majority of American voters to guarantee no taxes for themselves going forward. It would burden the private sector and put the public sector in permanent and firm control of the economy. Put simply, I believe his stimulus is aimed at re-establishing "eternal" power for the Democrat Party rather than stimulating the economy because anyone with a brain knows this is NOT how you stimulate the economy. If I can be made to serve as a distraction, then there is that much less time debating the merits of this TRILLION dollar debacle.

Obama was angry that Merrill Lynch used $1.2 million of TARP money to remodel an executive suite. Excuse me, but didn't Merrill have to hire a decorator and contractor? Didn't they have to buy the new furnishings? What's the difference in that and Merrill loaning that money to a decorator, contractor and goods supplier to remodel Warren Buffet's office? Either way, stimulus in the private sector occurs. Are we really at the point where the bad PR of Merrill getting a redecorated office in the process is reason to smear them? How much money will the Obamas spend redecorating the White House residence? Whose money will be spent? I have no problem with the Obamas redoing the place. It is tradition. 600 private jets flown by rich Democrats flew into the Inauguration. That's fine but the auto execs using theirs is a crime? In both instances, the people on those jets arrived in Washington wanting something from Washington, not just good will.

If I can be made to serve as a distraction, then there is that much less time debating the merits of the trillion dollar debacle.

One more thing, Byron. Your publication and website have documented Obama's ties to the teachings of Saul Alinksy while he was community organizing in Chicago. Here is Rule 13 of Alinksy's Rules for Radicals:

"Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it."

[WBestPresidentEver]

Limbaugh has it right. Obama has no intention of helping the economy. He simply wants to ensure Democrat majorities for another 50 years regardless of the damage it does to the country. And Republicans are going to go along with it, regardless of the damange it does to either them OR the country, because they are too spineless and afraid to oppose Obama.

Go Limbaugh. You are literally last man standing.

[Todd]

Obama's point is that the polarization of the 2 parties is counterproductive and is killing the country, and he is hopeful bipartisan decisions can be reached. This would require a lot of compromise and centrist solutions. Limbaugh supports none of that, no compromise, no nothing. My way or the highway, the usual toxic crap that spews from him on a daily basis.

Obama is saying that Limbaugh is part of the problem, not part of the solution. If you're part of the problem, get out of the way.

[mark l.]

"If you're part of the problem, get out of the way."

I'm sure hugo chavez has the same opinion.

Obama, on paper, has a far larger advantage in regards to control over both houses than Bush ever had. The gop 'should' be as irrelevant as the dems proved from 02-06. Why court republicans, if they are unneccessary, unless Obama is worried about betting the future of the democratic party on a massive spending hike?

how can limbaugh be in the way, if obama has such a huge advantage in policy support? he does have policy support, doesn't he?

[Philip McDaniel]

"Obama is saying that Limbaugh is part of the problem, not part of the solution. If you're part of the problem, get out of the way."

Uh...Todd, Obama said "I won." I think he's the one saying 'my way or the highway.' Besides, Limbaugh -- last time I checked -- was not in the US Government, just another Citizen of The United States of America. If you don't like what h

[Philip McDaniel]

Sorry, hit wrong key.
To continue...If you don't like what he says, don't listen. But Obama is way out of line suggesting that anyone should stop listening to him.

[templar knight]

Interesting comment by the new President, I would say. I believe it has a split meaning.

1. You need to quit listening to people who would have you oppose what I intend to do. I won the election, and I'll allow you to jump on the bus and take a ride just so long as you agree to do what I say.
2. If you don't agree do go along with what I want to do, then I will do what I want to anyway. Which is fine with me. But there is the hint of a threat in his words, and I believe he has lined up people who will be willing to do his dirty work for him, including intimidation and violence. Of course, this is my opinion, we'll soon see what happens.

But I predict right here, right now, that Obama supporters will silence his critics, using whatever force they deem neccessary. Both in the legislative branch and on the streets. And nothing will be done to stop them, at least in the short run.