President Barack Obama has bombarded the GOP with alarmist adjectives throughout the current impasse over the government’s debt-boosting budget and deeply troubled Obamacare program.
In contrast, GOP leaders have tried to soothe public alarm with a calming message and repeated calls for negotiations, conversations and compromises.
The contrast was especially noticeable on Tuesday, when Obama slashed at the GOP during a press conference from the White House.
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He labelled or portrayed the GOP as arsonists, blackmailers, deadbeats, butchers, lunatics, extortionists, obsessives, out-of-touch hostage-takers, nuclear-armed bombers and extremists — and for good measure, hostile to the idea of Americans getting health care.
House Speaker John Boehner promptly replied from a podium in Congress, where he mentioned “negotiation” 10 times, and “conversation” eight times.
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These strongest criticism offered by Boehner was a reminder to Obama that he, as well as Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, negotiated deals during budget stand-offs.
Obama’s extremely negative rhetoric got little push-back from friendly media, which normally scorn critical speeches made by Republicans.
Boehner’s conciliatory response got little praise from established media, which normally applauds any Republicans willing to submit to Democratic power-brokers.