Gloves Coming Off Already

From the NY Post:

"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," [Obama] told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package...

In an exchange with Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) about the proposal, the president shot back: "I won," according to aides briefed on the meeting.

"I will trump you on that."

Not that Obama was gloating. He was just explaining that he aims to get his way on stimulus package and all other legislation, sources said, noting his unrivaled one-party control of both congressional chambers.

I like the phrasing: "explaining." As in, "Using my middle finger, I explained to the man in the next lane that I would like to pull over."

So it's fighting words already, and childish ones, too. What was it Obama said about bipartisanship at the inauguration? "It's time to put away childish things." Uh-huh. Nice try. "I won," is right up there with, "They're my toys, nyah-nyah-nyah."

Should be interesting. Mr. Obama had better pray that all of his plans go off without a hitch. Words like "I won," and "I will trump you," are great campaign fodder if things don't work out. Mr. Obama has essentially placed all of his eggs in his own basket. No wiggle room. Not to mention that a so-called bi-partisan guy shouldn't toss around words like "trump." People remember words like that. He may not need those people now, but four years is a long time.

As for the Limbaugh line, I remember hearing about an advisor who warned a Limbaugh-hating Bill Clinton, "Rush isn't running for anything." In other words, don't call out a non-politician. You can't hurt him, and can only make him stronger. Imagine if Bush had called out Letterman or Olbermann and you'll get the idea. Best to leave the hacks alone and stay aloof.

Obama should have followed this advice. Too late now. Rush will make this his theme of the week and stir up his listeners.

Incidentally, the USA has reached a very steep precipice in the space of four months. A one trillion dollar spending package - let me repeat that with zeros: $1000000000000.00 - is something you should just take the president's word for? Back in September, the $750 billion bailout package was savaged in the press, and rightly so. Now, it's chump change.

Dangerous.