:lol: Well stated.

It is called outreach and dialogue with Lobbyists who represent numerous interests across the political spectrum.

So the administration should not be briefing any interest groups?

No conversations with industry groups, public interest groups, state/local elected officials, faith based leaders?

Why not? You prefer setting policy in a vacuum?

It is called making back door deals with special interests groups who supported your election and you hope will support you in the next election. It is not about doing the business of the people, for the people. They are pimps.

Where did I say any of that?

Relax.....I simply asked you questions to better understand your earlier critical (?) comment in light of the fact that numerous interest groups across the political spectrum, not just bankers, were invited and participated in the conference calls.

So the administration should not be briefing any interest groups?

No conversations with industry groups, public interest groups, state/local elected officials, faith based leaders?

Why not? You prefer setting policy in a vacuum?

Get off the fence and take a stand.

I was pointing out that the Pres looked rather hypocritical.
And your questions are nothing more than absolutes which we both realize aren't applicable in the real world.

Now that I think about it, perhaps the one who should "Get off the fence and take a stand. " is the president.

IMO, it is only hypocritical if you are unwilling to understand that there is a huge difference between innocuous but helpful briefings to a large and diverse audience of organizations (btw, many of the participants are not lobbyists, but policy analysts) interested in domestic policy issues as opposed to providing lobbyists an "insider" role in developing those policies.

But nice dodge. :thumb:.

I don't see your point? This wasn't a back door meeting with bankers. If a shitload of people are invited to listen to where Obama wants to go, and are invited to put in their 2 cents on how to get there... in front of that all those people... how is this fence sitting?

You know damn well he's not a dictator, he can't just make things happen on his own. He has to drum up support for these ideas. And since the public would rather watch American Idol with a bag of heart attack & dip, he has to do it the hard way, by convincing these policy wonks, and power players. This has always been the way it works, you're just not used to seeing it done in the open.

puhlease. :headshake

no dodge at all just an honest response to bogus questions.

Perhaps your right again xob. Perhaps its just my impatience coming out.

LOL...I get a "puhlease" and xob gets a "you're right" when we're both basically saying the same thing! (not a back door meeting w/bankers..but a briefing to lots of people representing lots of diverse interests)

And, IMO, you are still sitting on the fence.

Whats wrong with the president/administration officials proving briefings (with a little more detail) to a diverse group of interested organizations following a major policy address?

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful. :p


Got to get the power players on board, because the own the lobbyists, that control the congress.

Don't hate me or fear me because I'm a policy wonk.;)

Fear? :haha: :lol: :lol2: Get serious.

Policy wonks also know how to network.

I have friends in low places all over the government...in all those alphabet agencies...watch your back. :D