From CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Our sister publication, TIME Magazine, has a great story about how the Republicans are grappling with what they call Obama's "Charm Offensive." The piece says that after President Obama met with Republicans on Capitol Hill Tuesday to discuss the emergency stimulus package, many walked away gushing as if they'd met their favorite rock star and admitting the new Democratic President was paying more attention to them than their own Republican President George W. Bush ever did.
President Barack Obama walks towards the podium to speak to the media at the U.S. Capitol January 27, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama was on the Hill to meet with Congressional Republicans for support to stimulate the economy.
Barack Obama is by no means the first President to meet with leaders of the other party to get a bill passed or to be open and willing to changes. He even made calls to leaders of his own party requesting changes to get this thing through, all in an effort to achieve the bipartisanship he campaigned on.
He even took it a step further, hosting a happy hour at the White House for House and Senate leaders from both sides of the aisle.
But his maneuvering may have backfired. The Republicans are staying away from attacking the popular President, who's only been in office for a little over a week, but they aren't letting him coast on through. The stimulus package that passed the House yesterday did so without a single Republican vote. Perhaps a calculated move so they won't be responsible if things don't turn around. Of course if they do, those same Republicans might as well go stand in front of a bus.
Here’s my question to you: How should Republicans handle President Obama’s "charm offensive"?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Karl from San Francisco, California writes:
Some snakes are just too stupid to be charmed.
Beth from Massachusetts writes:
The Republicans should respond to the President as graciously as he presents himself to them. Rush Limbaugh and company play to the lowest common denominator. Grace and elegance had disappeared from politics and now that President Obama is bringing back gentlemanly behavior those who dwell on the far right do not know how to respond.
Ray from Danville, Virginia writes:
I don't think Republicans need to address Obama's "charm". I think they need to show that Obama is just another liberal Democrat whose only concern is to grow the Federal Government.
David writes:
With a great big smile, saying, "Thanks, but no thanks." Republicans should and must return to their conservative roots by standing for massive tax cuts and greatly reduced Federal spending.
Hitobito from Providence, Rhode Island writes:
The Republicans can get on the Obama train or miss it and remain irrelevant. The choice is theirs. The voters have spoken twice during the past two national elections. They may try listening.
Paula from Albuquerque, New Mexico writes:
The GOP should, although they are probably well out-of-practice, demonstrate as much graciousness and "class", as the President has. Perhaps, I am "old school", and unapologetically so, but I've never been offended by those who can be ladies and gentlemen regardless of the circumstances in which they find themselves.
Ann from Hampton, New Jersey writes:
Jack, you should know about charm. You give us that every night. Maybe you could give the Republicans a few lessons?