With power shift imminent, Bush pushes agenda

CNN.com · 01-03-2007, 10:21 AM

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tristanrobin · 01-03-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

In the opinion piece, Bush warned that the Democrat-controlled Congress risks stalemate if it resorts to "politics as usual" and tries to "pass bills that are simply political statements."

"It's time to set aside politics and focus on the future," he said in the statement.

I'm confused.
As we have had aRepublican legislature for 6+ years, is he saying that it's the Republicans who use "politics as usual" and "pass bills that are political statements?" Is he saying the Republicans have NOT been focused on the future?

onthefence · 01-03-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tristanrobin

I'm confused.
As we have had aRepublican legislature for 6 years, is he saying that it's the Republicans who use "politics as usual" and "pass bills that are political statements?" Is he saying the Republicans have NOT been focused on the future?

equally confused

cropolis · 01-03-2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

In the opinion piece, Bush warned that the Democrat-controlled Congress risks stalemate if it resorts to "politics as usual" and tries to "pass bills that are simply political statements

Bush is talking about the new congress that will be take over both the house and the senate this month. The democrats will control both houses, but not by wide margins. Stalemate occurs when not much legislation gets passed, and this will probably be the case since neither party will be able to get their agenda into law. Even if the democrats do pass some initiatives, there is always the chance President Bush will veto it. Ergo, stalemate. 'Stalemate' is a term from the game of chess where one side cannot make a move and the game is ended in draw, or tie, without a winner.

tristanrobin · 01-03-2007, 11:55 AM

Yes, LOL, I understand what a stalemate is.

However, he is telling the NEW congress that it's 'TIME to set aside politics and focus on the future.'
The implication of "it's time" is that it has been being handled differently.
Right?

alias · 01-03-2007, 12:00 PM

The democrats are obstructionist. The partisanship is disgusting. Where are the statesmen like Zell Miller?

cropolis · 01-03-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

In the opinion piece, Bush warned that the Democrat-controlled Congress risks stalemate if it resorts to "politics as usual" and tries to "pass bills that are simply political statements."

"It's time to set aside politics and focus on the future," he said in the statement.

Yes, I'm sure he's telling, or 'warning' (LOL) the new congress. When he says "It's time," he'd like to do things differently in the future. That's what I'm reading into it. (By the way, I just thought - LOL = laugh out loud; or lots of luck??)