Obama Calls Speaker Boehner To Congratulate Him; Boehner Uses Call to Make Political Points

Will This President Ever Understand the Animosity Republicans Hold for Him?

Recently the Congress passed a series of long stalled bi-lateral trade bills.  The hold up had been the insistence by Democrats that assistance for workers harmed or displaced by the new agreements be part of any ratification of the trade agreements.  Ultimately this was worked out in a bi-partisan fashion and the Congress passed the trade legislation.

In a spirit of generosity and co-operation the President called the Speaker of the House John Boehner (R, Oh) to congratulate him.  Since the trade agreements were primarily supported by Republicans and opposed by a large number of Democrats, the support of the President should have been welcomed by Republicans.  Instead

Barack Obama calls John Boehner, gets earful

Mr. Boehner was apparently unhappy that the President criticized Republicans for not having a jobs plan, which they don’t.  Note to Mr. Boehner:  Just calling your plan a "jobs plan" does not make it so.  A "jobs plan" has to have the actual possibility of creating jobs.

President Barack Obama called House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) Thursday to congratulate him for passing three trade agreements — but ended up getting an earful on the jobs debate.

According to an unusually detailed account released by the speaker’s office, Boehner “respectfully challenged” the president for saying Thursday that he has not yet seen a jobs plan from Republicans.

So not only did Mr. Boehner take a gracious gesture on the part of Mr. Obama and turn it into a partisan attack, he also released details of the conversation to the press, just to increase the partisan, political nature of the conversation.

Mr. Obama has spent almost three years trying to work with Republicans.  He has absolutely nothing to show for this effort. The country is worse off than it should be because Republicans will not support anything the President proposes, will not try to compromise with him and will not do anything to help the country for fear it will strengthen Mr. Obama’s re-election chances. 

Mr. Obama’s only rational choice at this time is to take the issue to the public and the voters.  He may lose, but if he does not he and the country will certainly lose.  One wonders if and when Mr. Obama will realize this.