President Barak Obama and soon-to-be Speaker of the House John Boehner are unlikely to become fast friends; previous encounters include Boehner accusing “the President of advancing a ‘job-killing agenda,’ [while] Mr. Obama has said the lawmaker is ‘scaring the hell out of business.'”
Tension seems to be the constant as partisanship dominated much of their history: “During a White House meeting to negotiate an economic-stimulus package, Mr. Obama and a group of Republicans including Mr. Boehner argued over the balance of tax breaks and spending in the president’s plan. Mr. Obama eventually reminded the gathering, “I won”—a power play noted by all.”
It’d be interesting to see how their dynamic develops; neither side wants to back off or even be the first to extend an olive branch for fear of being snubbed and losing face. Both are under pressure to represent their respective political parties, with neither party united even within itself. Yet political brinksmanship at Washington is unlikely to fruitful for the rest of the US.
2 replies on “Obama and Boehner dynamic”
Wow, this is going to be ugly. But they are also under pressure to deliver something. being speaker is different from being in opposition. My bet: first few months, incredible fighting, then a phase of compromising.
Morten
Is politics about compromise and collaboration? Today Obama accepted that the tax break for the richest Americans will have to continue for another two years. Boehner now must accept to extend unemployment benefits for average Americans.
This is just like being forced into a bad contract. See article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-06/payroll-tax-holiday-on-the-table-as-negotiators-debate-bush-rate-extension.html