Now, mind you, I believe strongly in compromise. I also feel President Obama has done a lot of very good things including the too weak financial reform, health care reform and stimulus. But, therein lies the problem - it's all been too weak.
I get that Republicans have done everything possible to hurt the Obama presidency, which goes hand in hand with hurting the country. They do this masterfully and without conscience. That said, a bit more negotiating skill like not negotiating with yourself, some extra backbone and a lot of calling Republicans on the mat, could have gone a long way to making all the issues mentioned above much stronger.
With that in mind, I give you my response to the money appeal below the fold.
Mr. President,
I recently received a mailing from you about your kicking off your 2012 campaign. It asked for a donation. I decided to apply the process your administration uses in negotiating with Republicans to determine an amount.
I wanted to give your campaign $1,000. Republicans wanted me to give you $0. I decided to announce that I was willing to compromise and announced a goal of $500. Of course, having negotiated with myself, I had weakened my position. I announced that I might be willing to go as low as $300. Republicans countered that they were holding out for $0. I responded with an offer of $100.
I went to the media and announced the importance of this contribution. Then I leaked that I could go as low as $50. Republicans responded that I was irresponsible and that they also wanted me to come out against abortion. I drew a line in the sand. Then I offered to go to $10.
Finally, in the interests of compromise, I went down to the enclosed $1. Republicans agreed, but warned me that the next time you asked me for a donation, they would be much harder to deal with.
Sincerely,
Scott Wolman