I'm too lazy to look this up, but has anyone compared the Republican talking points post-election with those of the Tories in the UK following their departure from power?

By European / Canadian / Australian standards, the US is a center-right country. However, by those same standards, the Democrats are center-right while the Republicans are shouldn't-be-allowed-out-in-public-without-a-minder crazed right-wing fringe.

The right lies, the corporate media repeats the lies. Etc.

Quick question: As an Ohioan, when can I vote for Boehner to NOT be re-elected??

*what N.Wells said*

Democrats may have won the White House, expanded their majorities in the House and Senate, and claimed control over a majority of the nation's statehouses, but it's "still a center-right country." Why? Because John Boehner and conservative pundits say so.

If they believe it strongly enough, it will become true! That's the kind of thinking you see in small children, fundamentalists, and the criminally insane.

I think Boner felt he needed to parrot this nonsense because of all the talk of throwing him and the rest of the insufficiently faithful out of leadership positions. Better talk tough or I'll be walking the plank.

Another case of "who are they trying to convince?" Let the GOP keep being the arrogant, ignorant bunch they've been that have turned thinking voters away, bless their hearts.

Like N.Wells said, and as the Bush administration showed, you can do a lot without a "mandate".

"Clap if you believe in fairies!"

it's "still a center-right country." Why? Because John Boehner and conservative pundits say so.

Do Tom Brokaw and Juan Williams count as conservative pundits? They have both signed on to the unsubstatiated "center-right nation" idea in the past few days (post-election).

And voters may have backed Obama by a wide margin, giving him the highest vote total for a non-incumbent in more than a half-century, but that doesn't mean he has a "license" (read: "mandate") to actually implement his policy agenda.

Well, Harry Reid doesnt think Obama has a mandate to implement a progressive agenda, either.

"And tonight, we had a historic mandate; not a mandate for any political party or any ideology, but a mandate to get over those things that divide us and focus on getting things done."

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002983346

Forget about left, right or center. Obama gave a lot of specifics and priorities. The Republicans did not. America said loud and clear, "We'll take the guys with the plan." Boehner is looking for an excuse to obstruct. Boo hoo hoo.

Why, exactly, is John Boehner the House Minority Leader? Now I remember -- no one else wanted the job.

Well, that and the leadership going to jail in bunches.

It seems the repub plan to regain power is to stumble around blindly until they somehow find their way back to reality.

Steve Benen wrote: "This seems to summarize the Republican message of the week quite well, doesn't it?"

I can summarize it more succinctly: 100 percent pure bullshit.

Labor Bosses!
Trial Lawyers!!
Raaaaaaaaaadical Environmentalists!!!!
Oh My.

I have yet to see a reasonable explanation of what "The United States is a center-right country" is even supposed to mean. I sure hope that Boehner isn't trying to claim that the median voter is more conservative than himself, but that's what that sentence sounds like to me.

So, Boehner thinks it was Obama masking his radical liberal agenda in moderate right-wing vestments?

This is what's blowing the minds of the republicans. They've never backed [or even heard of] a politician who says what he means and means what he says. They just can't fathom that Americans would be so easily suckered by something so ridiculous as the truth.

Now if we could get Harry Reid to quit parroting Boehner's bullshit, we'd be in business.

The Republicans said Obama was the most liberal senator, and obviously the American people voted for him overwhelmingly. Now they're saying the American people were tricked into voting for Obama by his wiley use of conservative-talk.

OK, Boner, let's have another vote. Let's see if McDumbfuck and his genius sidekick even get 25% of the vote.

Shut. The. Fuck. Up.

The godless socialist who will ruin the country ran on a moderate ticket even though he cohorts with terrorists ?? I thought Universal Health Care was Marx's gift the the uber-liberals along with redistribution of wealth. So under a Boehner definition, 52% of this country is socialist, wouldn't that make America a socialist country ? Or option B is that Boehner hasn't a clue and he will either lash out or break down crying in order to make his point (that no one seems to be listening to).

I am so down with Boehner. I mean he gets his ass handed to him and yet he stays the course. When they were in power it drove me nuts, now that they are in the minority, it is really something to see a resolute republican leader. Keep up the good work and here's you not faltering one iota.

...but "change" should not be confused with a license to raise taxes, drive up wasteful government spending, weaken our security, or give more power to Washington, Big Labor bosses and the trial bar.

None of those are Democratic platform policies. Strawman of the worst kind.

TG Chicago wrote: "Do Tom Brokaw and Juan Williams count as conservative pundits?"

Yes. Next question?

Like the rest of the vapid "on-air personalities" and vacuous "pundits" of the so-called "mainstream" media, Tom Brokaw and Juan Williams are sycophantic, fawning, obsequious courtiers to right-wing corporate power. They are very, very, very well paid employees of the handful of giant corporations who own and control virtually all of America's mass media. And their job is to propagandize the American people in furtherance of the ruthless, rapacious class warfare of their employers -- America's Ultra-Rich Ruling Class, Inc. -- against everyone else.

Boehner and his ilk are just plain silly in these post election days. Chicken Littles while President-elect Obama was running for office, and now all of a sudden, sentinels allowing Obama to be president because he has come to their "right-of-center" America.

Boehner fails to understand that his and his fellow travellers' extreme rhetoric toward Barack Obama during the campaign does not all of a sudden merit a pass on their antics. My nation is right of center, where ever that may be, but Boehner has no business spouting such balderdash given his extreme measures to cling to power.

It is time to show the Gringrich Republicans the door! -Kevo

Right, Schmight. People voted for Obama's plans. Let's make them into law.

The corporate media really wants to block the Obama admin by tattooing this country as "center right" and then claiming that Obama reached too far to the left. They didn't even wait until all the votes were counted as I heard this Republican talking point sometime around 2am on Tuesday.

Boehner wrote: "Americans did not vote for ... more costly obstacles to American energy production"

He's right about that.

That's why Americans rejected McCain and Palin, both of whom have outspokenly discouraged and disparaged -- and in McCain's case repeatedly voted against -- investment and incentives for expanded production of wind and solar energy.

That's why Americans rejected the Republican Party which blocked the extension of the investment and production tax credits for wind and solar in a deliberate effort to derail the growth of the new energy industries of the 21st century, putting America's urgent need for clean, renewable domestic energy supplies behind the profits of their financial backers in the dinosaur fossil fuel and nuclear industries.

If the R's want to stop being the Stupid Party, they can start by not saying Stupid Things.

>>>"Americans did not vote for higher taxes to fund a redistribution of wealth; drastic cuts in funding for our troops; the end of secret ballots for workers participating in union elections; more costly obstacles to American energy production; or the imposition of government-run health care on employers and working families."

wtf???? that's WHY i voted...and i'm an ohioian....

This was the part of the oped that stood out for me:

Recommitting ourselves to these principles means two things: vigorously fighting a far-left agenda that is out of step with the wishes of the vast majority of Americans and, more important, promoting superior Republican alternatives that prove that we offer a better vision for our country's future.

That is exactly why his party is on the skids, because he believed then and believes now that his party is "more important" than policy.

if we had wanted more right of center policies, more debasement of the constitution, more big business getting away tax free, we would have voted for the party who's candidate promised those things. instead we wanted a return to peace, a return to fiscal integrity, a return to the constitution, and we voted for the party who's candidate promised those things. why would we now want to allow the party we did not vote for to demand that the party we did vote for implement policies that we voted against? am i missing something here? butt out, boner. you lost.

Boner is just getting his digs in before he becomes irrelevant. He's the minority leader yet most of those under him are even crazier far-right than he is. Which means the House leadership will soon be ignoring him & courting the few moderate Republicans left, should they ever be needed. As it is, the House leadership has no use whatsoever for Boner so he can blow it out his ass as much as he likes. He will soon be the least powerful, most ignored minority leader in House history.

It's nice to know the republicans intend on providing gridlock once again. I thought the voters wanted the new Washington to work together. At least the republicans are up front about their intentions.

Tempest-in-a-teapot tyrants are always at their most bellicose it the days just prior to absolute defeat---so my question to the House GOP caucus is this: Is the entire caucus the tyrant, or just Boehner? Boehner led the charge down the road to ruin, and there's just no reason whatsoever to believe that he's of the mind to get off that path. He's forever tainted by his embrace of failed policies; he's forever tied to the GWB WH.

He says Bay-ner, I say Bo-ner

It's nice to know the republicans intend on providing gridlock once again. I thought the voters wanted the new Washington to work together. At least the republicans are up front about their intentions.

I see. Getting out of Iraq, heavy public investment in infrastructure and a green economy, significant health care reform and a tax-hike on the rich are now the American definition of "center-right" mere days after being "socialist".

Fine. Who gives a shit? Call it whatever you want. Obama and the Democrats won with a clear license to implement them. Get on board Johnny, or get the fuck out of the way.

Is there a honest or even vaguely responsible Republican left? It's amazing since Obama was elected, only George Bush and John McCain have shown even an ounce of graciousness. And I wouldn't vote for either of them at gunpoint.

It's nice to know the republicans intend on providing gridlock once again. I thought the voters wanted the new Washington to work together. At least the republicans are up front about their intentions. Posted by: Pattywagn

They sign their own death sentence if they do.

As I wrote elsewhere here, Obama should probably go to the public frequently to explain what he is trying to accomplish and, without naming names, urge the voters to get on their representatives to get these things done. Because, this president, unlike Shrub, actually has something of a mandate and some enormous messes to clean up.

I say let's not disabuse them of their beliefs. If they want to continue to believe their delusions, the better for Dems.

We are center right. The Democrats, and Obama in particular, have surrendered to the notion that government should, unless absolutely necessary, as with the trillions we have already committed to bail out corporations (supply side socialism), limit itself in our affairs and not be proactive. What else do we mean by right or left, except as the role that government might play in our society? Obama's health insurance plan, for example, preserves the private sector's role, and only nominally involves the government.

As for his substantial election victory, I would submit it's due to his upbeat message of hope, and the fact that Bush has been arguably the worst president in our history, and his would-be successor promised only more of the same, and rather incoherently at that.

Obama's agenda is at best center-left. The pendulum swings wildly when things go bad, but in this election it has swung not from extreme right to extreme left, but only radical right to barely left of center.

There are no cries for liberal programs. Only for something new, and an end to the Bush era.

And aren't the bailouts, which Obama supports, nothing but trickle down economics? Indeed, liberals were as enthusiastic about the last one as anybody else. And as we've seen, we got conned. We believed all the trickle down hype. We didn't even question it.

I don't see any evidence the American people have moved past center.

Last night I saw an Arby's ad on television for a 5 for $5.95 special. I went to Arby's for dinner and ordered (3) roast beef sandwiches, (1) curly fry, and (1) drink.

When I got home I found I was given a bag full of potato cakes, presumably because that is what I wanted.

This logic is mind numbing. I feel stupider having read it.

Obama ran on a progressive platform, conversely the republicans tried to paint him as a dangerous socialist. He won and therefore he should not be expected to govern any further right than center.

I would imagine that if no one where willing to have this discussion with these wackos, they'd stop soon enough.

This whole post-morterm republican storyline sounds like an abandoned husband insisting that his wife doesn't really want the other guy, she's just mad and teaching him a lesson.

Let me say also that this encapsulates what truly appealed to me in Obama's campaign: he assumes we're all thinking adults. Most politicians never have, as Boehner illustrates ("voters don't want what they vote for").

This whole post-mortem republican storyline sounds like an abandoned husband insisting that his wife doesn't really want the other guy, she's just mad and teaching him a lesson.

Let me say also that this encapsulates what truly appealed to me in Obama's campaign: he assumes we're all thinking adults. Most politicians never have, as Boehner illustrates ("voters don't want what they vote for").

How far have we drifted to the right over the years?

In 1964, LBJ won a landslide victory against Barry Goldwater, the conservative with a conscience, and a far cry from the right wing crazies who have dominated our politics for thirty years. LBJ took 61% of the popular vote, and amassed 90% of the electoral college. Obama, far to the right of LBJ, by comparison, has taken only 53% of the popular vote, and 68% of the electoral. And this only after eight years of disaster with George Bush.

I just don't see any merit to the argument that this election represents a resurrection of liberal ideology, or anything close to it. Yes, Obama is a bit left of center, but not the nation. It's just that we had no other choice this time. We had almost dropped over the cliff into the abyss with right wing extremism.

TG Chicago wrote: "Do Tom Brokaw and Juan Williams count as conservative pundits?"

Yes. Next question? - the other guys response

Me: Exactly, they all carry a certain amount of water for the status quo, and their fraternal ilk, it is the game.

And Hark says: "We had almost dropped over the cliff into the abyss with right wing extremism"

I agree with much of your comment, but there was no "almost" part...we did, we are, in a right-wing abyss, and we need to fix it soon. Do not for get our State and Justice department's sanctioned torture centers remain open, our troops continue to impede into others realms, and the constituency that just elected "hope" & "change" have also slapped three new indictments down (in three separate state ballots) on gay's and their pursuit of civil rights and parity. This country is addicted to conservatism, it continues to stroke the lizard brain...and most all of those people that cobbled the Bush/co job, are not going anywhere (because our congress does not take their oath of office very seriously these days) and, they will be back re-invented yet again.

You know, i used to think Republicans were just wrong. But now I fear that they are really really stupid.

That loathsome creature Brent Bozelle goes even further in his cynicism and hypocrisy. Pre-election Bozelle was calling Obama a Marxist. Post-election Bozelle was saying that Obama won because he ran as a Reagan conservative. Those who do not read history, or acknowledge it, are doomed to repeat it.

After I read the House leaders column I thought that now was a very bad time for Republicans to dig in their heels by saying the election meant nothing and so nothing about the GOP will change. Except the number of elections it will win.

Isn't there any way we can shut these people up?

Bohner is soooo correct about that evil Trial Bar.

Perhaps, that is why he typed up all of the paper work, delivered it to court, conducted all of the depositions and argued successfully in court against Rep Jim McDermott.

Yeah, John, trial lawyers are evil, unless you have to use them yourself, eh?

In record numbers, Americans voted on Tuesday for a skillful presidential nominee promising change, but "change" should not be confused with a license to raise taxes, drive up wasteful government spending, weaken our security, or give more power to Washington. Yeah, that's the GOP's job.
Do you think if we buy him a new set of golf clubs and a tanning bed he will go back to Hoosierland?
Boner should sit down and shut up.

The most prominent plank of Obama's agenda - blazingly conspicuous rather than shamefully hidden - was that he was going to give the middle class tax breaks and ask the wealthy to pay more. In fact, Obama kind a made a big deal out of it.

So yes, I'd say that pretty much does give him 'a license to raise taxes', as that's what the people voted for. Perhaps people are more down-to-earth and honest than John Boehner, and realize that the things that they want actually have to be paid for.

Or perhaps they were just sick of people such as John Boehner shovelling tax breaks to his wealthy friends and donors.

The cognitive dissonance required to be a loyal Republican is what marks it as a cult, not a political organization. Obama? Both moderate and radical. A covert fundamentalist Muslim and long-time follower of an extreme Christian pastor. A candidate who cynically raised too much money from big business and lobbyists while raising too much money from unaccountable small donors. And so on.

The problem this created for McCain was that, while Fox, Hannity, Limbaugh, etc. shoveled the manure to true believers daily, normally-wired people perceived the dissonance as, well, lies, and tuned it ALL out. It served the cult's purpose of keeping adherents believing unbelievable things, remaining more attached to the group than real life.

Hark's comments are absurd. There was no Civil Right Act in 1964, no Medicare, no Head Start, no Department of Education, the women's and gay right's movements hadn't surfaced, a college education was hard to get. Old white men held virtually every position of power.

Wow, this country has really gotten more conservative!

That's not what hark was arguing.
It's just that, yes, to someone like me here in Denmark, the U.S. is, indeed, very right wing, Obama and the democrats included.
Basically, you're a screwed country.
But at least -somewhat- heading in a better direction.