GOP takeover of Congress would mean 'hand-to-hand combat,' Obama warns

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

A Republican majority would threaten policies to stabilize the economy, the president says during a radio interview, part of an effort to rally key Democratic constituencies.

Reporting from Washington — A Republican majority in Congress would mean "hand-to-hand combat" on Capitol Hill for the next two years, threatening policies Democrats have enacted to stabilize the economy, President Obama warned Wednesday.

Speaking on Michael Baisden's syndicated radio show, Obama also made a direct appeal to African Americans about the importance of the November vote, even though he's not on the ballot himself.

"The reason we won [in 2008] is because young people, African Americans, Latinos -- people who traditionally don't vote in high numbers -- voted in record numbers. We've got to have that same kind of turnout in this election," he said. "If we think that we can just vote one time, then we have a nice party at Obama's inauguration, and then we can kind of sit back and suddenly everything's going to change – that's just not how it works."

Obama called into Baisden's show, syndicated to 71 radio stations in 21 states, as part of his effort to rally core Democratic constituencies with less than four weeks before the election. Although his campaign itinerary is limited by sagging approval ratings in key states, Obama is making a more-targeted effort focused on supportive venues like Baisden's show.

"Everybody in the barbershops, the beauty shops, and at work -- everybody's got to understand: This is a huge election," he said. "If we turn out in strong numbers, then we will do fine. If we do not, if we are depressed and decide, well, you know, Barack's not running right now, so I'm just going to stay home, then I'm going to have my hands full up here on Capitol Hill."

Days before the release of a key jobs report, Obama said most of the job losses his administration gets blamed for occurred before "any of my economic plans were put into place," and that the country is still "experiencing the hangover from the misguided policies" of the last decade.

Obama said a big voter turnout was vital, both to counter millions of dollars being spent by outside groups and the enthusiasm Republicans have demonstrated.

"They are fired up. They are mobilized. They see an opportunity to take back the House, maybe take back the Senate," he said. "If they're successful in doing that, they've already said they're going to go back to the same policies that were in place during the Bush administration. That means that we are going to have just hand-to-hand combat up here on Capitol Hill."

Obama is returning to the campaign trail Thursday, with an appearance just outside Washington in support of Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's reelection campaign. Later, he'll travel to Chicago for events to raise money for Illinois Democrats, including Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias and Gov. Pat Quinn.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said Thursday that Obama has "no coattails," even in his home state.

"In fact, both the appearance of the president and Rahm Emanuel popping his head up has done a lot to motivate our base," he said.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-base-20101008,0,3160644.story

[Darnell 8,479]

A Republican majority in Congress would mean "hand-to-hand combat" on Capitol Hill for the next two years

Hey - where's the harm in that?

[Heracles 417]

A Republican majority in Congress would mean "hand-to-hand combat" on Capitol Hill for the next two years

Hey - where's the harm in that?

Extremely harmful actually, since while Americans and America is hurting, they will be arguing ideologies.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

0bama proved (again) that he is a chop####!

In Indian Parliament, there actually has been hand-to-hand combat (with some microphones actually being used as coshes)--but no MP so far (and that's in 98 years since New Delhi was constructed) has been killed by another MP.

[Darnell 8,479]

hey - who knows? maybe dueling on the House Floor will get re-instated, then will be true war of attrition, come each time to vote on a bill.

Edited October 8, 2010 by Darnell

[Darnell 8,479]

Extremely harmful actually, since while Americans and America is hurting, they will be arguing ideologies.

ideologies/smidiologies -

this is politics

nothing to do with ideologies, at all.

there is small veil, gauze curtain, to cover -

where visibly it looks like ideologies,

but when you pull this veil away,

it's all politics.

gut-wrenching, pulpit-thumping politics.

[Ban Hammer 13,659]

hey - who knows? maybe dueling on the House Floor will get re-instated, then will be true war of attrition, come each time to vote on a bill.

and we won't have to worry about term limits anymore! it's a win-win for the voters.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

and we won't have to worry about term limits anymore! it's a win-win for the voters.

Maybe Obama can appoint his dog as President Pro Temp of the Senate.

[Heracles 417]

0bama proved (again) that he is a chop####!

In Indian Parliament, there actually has been hand-to-hand combat (with some microphones actually being used as coshes)--but no MP so far (and that's in 98 years since New Delhi was constructed) has been killed by another MP.

Don't even mention Indian, look at the utter failure of the Commonwealth games they willing hosted.

[Heracles 417]

ideologies/smidiologies -

this is politics

nothing to do with ideologies, at all.

there is small veil, gauze curtain, to cover -

where visibly it looks like ideologies,

but when you pull this veil away,

it's all politics.

gut-wrenching, pulpit-thumping politics.

A lot to do with it actually. Repubs are playing a game, at the expense of America. The idiots who follow repubs with less than $50K to their name, as in most repubs, are just foolish to think the party cares about them. The leaders of the party are either retarded or simply puppets for the dirty wealthy in America. Not the Bill Gates Warren Buffet style wealthy, but the acquire wealth regardless of the cost or impact on America or Americans wealthy.

My old man and all of my extended family created and accrued their wealth fair and square. In the process, they paid their dues to the country, in the form of taxes and did not #### over others to amass the wealth. Now they they have reached x, they are giving back to the country and its citizens that essentially gave them the opportunity to earn the wealth.

Edited October 8, 2010 by Heracles

[Heracles 417]

It's essentially called teamwork and it will it always triumph over individuals seeking to create wealth and at any cost. This uber each to their own plaguing 2010 America, is America's Achilles heel.

It's exactly what China is exploiting and using to build an economic powerhouse. You're weak and divided, they are strong and united. And bravo China for outsmarting the stubborn.

Interestingly enough though, during the roaring 40 to 60's, America was renowned for teamwork - its community spirits.

Reminds me of a saying: A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand. Ring a bell?

Edited October 8, 2010 by Heracles

[Sgt. McGee 27]

What a narcissist!

"The reason we won [in 2008] is because young people, African Americans, Latinos -- people who traditionally don't vote in high numbers -- voted in record numbers. We've got to have that same kind of turnout in this election," he said. "If we think that we can just vote one time, then we have a nice party at Obama's inauguration, and then we can kind of sit back and suddenly everything's going to change – that's just not how it works."

<snip>

"Everybody in the barbershops, the beauty shops, and at work -- everybody's got to understand: This is a huge election," he said. "If we turn out in strong numbers, then we will do fine. If we do not, if we are depressed and decide, well, you know, Barack's not running right now, so I'm just going to stay home, then I'm going to have my hands full up here on Capitol Hill."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-base-20101008,0,3160644.story

I don't think I remember another president ever referring to themselves in this fashion...

[SMR 368]

My support of hand-to-hand combat in Washington depends on the lethality of weapons used. As long as swords, maces, and battle-axes are standard issue, I see this as a very positive development. I would also support the introduction of firearms, hand-grenades, and light-sabers. Even proper training in the application of choke-holds could reduce the number of parasitic bureaucrats.

If we do achieve armed combat in the House and Senate, who do you see going the distance? I want predictions.

[Ban Hammer 13,659]

My support of hand-to-hand combat in Washington depends on the lethality of weapons used. As long as swords, maces, and battle-axes are standard issue, I see this as a very positive development. I would also support the introduction of firearms, hand-grenades, and light-sabers. Even proper training in the application of choke-holds could reduce the number of parasitic bureaucrats.

If we do achieve armed combat in the House and Senate, who do you see going the distance? I want predictions.

republicans, because the dems will quickly outlaw anything pointy and sharp.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It's pretty typical rhetoric from an (any) incumbent. Bush did it with the war on terror. It's not news.