Bush Communications Director Admits They Set “Trap” For Obama That “Feels Pretty Good”
Dan Barlett, the communications director in the George W. Bush administration, admitted to Howard Kurtz at The Daily Beast that making tax cuts temporary was a conscious effort to make a problem for the following administration.
“We knew that, politically, once you get it into law, it becomes almost impossible to remove it,” says Dan Bartlett, Bush’s former communications director. “That’s not a bad legacy. The fact that we were able to lay the trap does feel pretty good, to tell you the truth.”
…
…by moving up the expiration date by nine months, the Bush team saved $100 billion and made the bill’s deficit-busting impact appear smaller.
As an added bonus, the “sunset” provision, in Beltway-speak, was a political time bomb: At some point in the way distant future, Democrats could be accused of raising taxes if they tried to undo the Bush breaks and return to Clinton-era levels of taxation.
As David Di Martino at The Hill put it:
Bartlett feels pretty good. Isn’t that terrific? Here we are, dealing with the worst economy in decades, the worst deficits in history, crippling debt to competitors like China — all brought to America under President Bush’s brand of leadership and economic wisdom, and Bartlett feels pretty good about it. Heck, he’s bragging about it!
Hey it’s all politics right? Let’s start two wars and not pay for them, let’s drive millions of Americans out of their jobs, let’s ignore intelligence warnings about terrorist attacks while we clear brush, let’s lie to the world about WMDs so we can go to war and nation-build in Iraq and Afghanistan and send our troops over there to die, and let’s cut taxes and — most importantly — skyrocket spending so our country’s fiscal house collapses under the weight of all this long after we’ve moved out of the White House so that we can win some elections in 2010. Brilliant!
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247 responses to Bush Communications Director Admits They Set “Trap” For Obama That “Feels Pretty Good”
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carlos Javier May 21st, 2014 at 19:44
GOP 101 do something blame them.the bail outs were a GOP plan then they used it agains the Dems…Out sourcing, Carbon Tax, healthcare mandate, War in middle east, etc. even Benghazi. they cut funding and blame obama for the repricussions. The GOP is DEsinged to cater to ignorant people.
sf49ers80 May 29th, 2014 at 09:28
you made some perfect examples of how they blame Dems for everything and then cry how Dems do nothing but blame everything on Bush. If the facts fit, don’t get mad about them.
Brion Boyles May 21st, 2014 at 21:36
Alan seems to forget in whose Congress these were passed…and the Democrat response was to postpone them even further, along with the tripling of the debt…This is how it’s done, folks, for those who would rather make up funny names to get laffs on Facebook than get serious about reform…
jasperjava May 21st, 2014 at 23:36
It’s pretty revealing when you have to resort to such obvious lies to make your argument.
the B*sh tax cuts to the rich were made under a RepubliKKKan Congress. The repeal was postponed because fanatical RepubliKKKans were ready to sabotage the economy if the tax cuts were repealed.
But I guess you think everyone is as stupid and ignorant as you are.
Brion Boyles May 22nd, 2014 at 02:02
It’s even more revealing that rather than simply correct me, you have to do so with a 2nd grader ‘s schoolyard taunts (RepubliKKKan, stupid, ignorant). Now, put away your purple crayon and take a nap.
jasperjava May 22nd, 2014 at 16:24
Liars and bigots deserve no respect.
Brad May 22nd, 2014 at 23:35
Liberal here, so please don’t attack me xD I’m just wondering… What did he say that was “bigoted”, how do you know from his post that he is a bigot? That seems like an unnecessary and unfounded bit of name calling. And I agree, the use of RepubliKKKan is kind of disgusting.
I agree, with him,if you had corrected him like an adult your argument would be much stronger.
I also agree with you that he is wrong, but I wouldn’t say he doesn’t deserve respect. And there is a difference between being ignorant on a subject (and then admitting as much and accepting new information as he did when it was given), and intentionally lying.
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:21
Thanks, Brad. I belong to many groups in which I am a minority voice, and I refrain from those that all “think like me” (I already KNOW what I think….I want to know what YOU think… :-) ) but I firmly believe we will never solve a thing and the polarization/misunderstanding can only get worse if we continue to send out invitations to the discussion addressed “Dear Asshole”…. LOL…..
freedomnowandhow May 22nd, 2014 at 22:46
Brion, how is it “even more revealing”? Are you writing a mystery, with no facts, and all non-fiction material? Did you say the same to your parents when they caught you lying, as you did in your first post? Should we treat you any different then you have the subject of your first response? I get a kick out of those who use “seems” along with “I’m just saying” to make a quasi-intelligent remark.
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:14
Glad I could be so entertaining. I did not realize I was such a cheap date.
beepath May 23rd, 2014 at 07:28
Say Brion, how about you cons wake up from your 30 year nap?
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:13
My point(s) were: A) It takes two to tango. My original post was unclear in that regard, and the first response was proof of that, for which I thank jasperjava, and…. B) We will solve nothing if we spend our energies coming up with clever but fractious, divisive and adolescent insults to impress our fellow bullies and offend the very people we purport and pretend to invite to the table of compromise, and the first response was also proof of that, for which I thank jasperjava and the rest of the cool people.
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:03
*sigh*….pointless.
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:11
My point(s) were: A) It takes two to tango. My original post was unclear in that regard, and the first response was proof of that, for which I thank jasperjava. B) We will solve nothing if we spend our energies coming up with clever but fractious, divisive and adolescent insults to impress our fellow bullies and offend the very people we purport and pretend to invite to the table of compromise, and the first response was also proof of that, for which I thank jasperjava and the rest of the cool people.
Brion Boyles May 21st, 2014 at 21:36
Alan seems to forget in whose Congress these were passed…and the Democrat response was to postpone them even further, along with the tripling of the debt…This is how it’s done, folks, for those who would rather make up funny names to get laffs on Facebook than get serious about reform…
jasperjava May 21st, 2014 at 23:36
It’s pretty revealing when you have to resort to such obvious lies to make your argument.
the B*sh tax cuts to the rich were made under a RepubliKKKan Congress. The repeal was postponed because fanatical RepubliKKKans were ready to sabotage the economy if the tax cuts were repealed.
But I guess you think everyone is as stupid and ignorant as you are.
Brion Boyles May 22nd, 2014 at 02:02
It’s even more revealing that rather than simply correct me like an adult, you have to do so with a 2nd grader ‘s schoolyard taunts (RepubliKKKan, stupid, ignorant). Now, put away your purple crayon, put your head down and take a nap before Ms. Jones sees you.
jasperjava May 22nd, 2014 at 16:24
Liars and bigots deserve no respect.
Brad May 22nd, 2014 at 23:35
Liberal here, so please don’t attack me xD I’m just wondering… What did he say that was “bigoted”, how do you know from his post that he is a bigot? That seems like an unnecessary and unfounded bit of name calling. And I agree, the use of RepubliKKKan is kind of disgusting.
I agree, with him,if you had corrected him like an adult your argument would be much stronger.
I also agree with you that he is wrong, but I wouldn’t say he doesn’t deserve respect. And there is a difference between being ignorant on a subject (and then admitting as much and accepting new information as he did when it was given), and intentionally lying.
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:21
Thanks, Brad. I belong to many groups in which I am a minority voice, and I refrain from those that all “think like me” (I already KNOW what I think….I want to know what YOU think… :-) ) but I firmly believe we will never solve a thing and the polarization/misunderstanding can only get worse if we continue to send out invitations to the discussion addressed “Dear Asshole”…. LOL…..
robert zawacki May 22nd, 2014 at 22:46
Brion, how is it “even more revealing”? Are you writing a mystery, with no facts, and all non-fiction material? Did you say the same to your parents when they caught you lying, as you did in your first post? Should we treat you any different then you have the subject of your first response? I get a kick out of those who use “seems” along with “I’m just saying” to make a quasi-intelligent remark.
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:14
Glad I could be so entertaining. I did not realize I was such a cheap date.
beepath May 23rd, 2014 at 07:28
Say Brion, how about you cons wake up from your 30 year nap?
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:13
My point(s) were: A) It takes two to tango. My original post was unclear in that regard, and the first response was proof of that, for which I thank jasperjava, and…. B) We will solve nothing if we spend our energies coming up with clever but fractious, divisive and adolescent insults to impress our fellow bullies and offend the very people we purport and pretend to invite to the table of compromise, and the first response was also proof of that, for which I thank jasperjava and the rest of the cool people.
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:03
*sigh*….pointless.
Brion Boyles May 23rd, 2014 at 14:11
My point(s) were: A) It takes two to tango. My original post was unclear in that regard, and the first response was proof of that, for which I thank jasperjava. B) We will solve nothing if we spend our energies coming up with clever but fractious, divisive and adolescent insults to impress our fellow bullies and offend the very people we purport and pretend to invite to the table of compromise, and the first response was also proof of that, for which I thank jasperjava and the rest of the cool people.
CHANELNEUMAN May 22nd, 2014 at 00:01
Thanks for admitting this, we have said all along the recession is Bush’s fault, No President Obama!
lysis777 May 30th, 2014 at 00:17
They both suck.
CHANELNEUMAN May 22nd, 2014 at 00:01
Thanks for admitting this, we have said all along the recession is Bush’s fault, No President Obama!
lysis777 May 30th, 2014 at 00:17
They both suck.
Frank Hoffman May 22nd, 2014 at 10:43
No surprise — simply confirms what was obvious to anyone paying attention. Like the trumped up case for invading Iraq.
W. = Worst
Frank Hoffman May 22nd, 2014 at 10:43
No surprise — simply confirms what was obvious to anyone paying attention. Like the trumped up case for invading Iraq.
W. = Worst
Joe blow May 22nd, 2014 at 11:25
LOVE it when the Republicans confirm they could give a SHIT about America.
Joe blow May 22nd, 2014 at 11:25
LOVE it when the Republicans confirm they could give a SHIT about America.
LauraNo May 23rd, 2014 at 07:35
I don’t disagree with the tactic. I disagree with the purpose of the policy. After seeing all the damage Bushonomics has done, he can’t think it was a good idea and he should slither under a rock in shame. But one thing you can say about conservatives, they really do “make their own reality’. He sounds proud of destroying our economy.
lysis777 May 30th, 2014 at 00:16
Both parties are all about winning elections, feathering their own caps, and throwing the people under the bus. Never fall into the left/right trap. Both sides have blood on their hands.
Willow Silverhawk June 13th, 2014 at 15:05
Don’t fall into that “both sides do it” trap. I only see one party bragging about blowing up the economy. I only see one party stripping health care rights for women, blocking benefits for vets, and taking away food stamps for the poor because their “not paid for” while simultaneously upholding tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. There is only one party that is union busting and blocking medicaid expansion. The right is doing all those things, while the left is fighting for student debt forgiveness and veteran’s benefits. No the left isn’t perfect, but they are the only defense we have against the right.
LauraNo May 23rd, 2014 at 07:35
I don’t disagree with the tactic. I disagree with the purpose of the policy. After seeing all the damage Bushonomics has done, he can’t think it was a good idea and he should slither under a rock in shame. But one thing you can say about conservatives, they really do “make their own reality’. He sounds proud of destroying our economy.
lysis777 May 30th, 2014 at 00:16
Both parties are all about winning elections, feathering their own caps, and throwing the people under the bus. Never fall into the left/right trap. Both sides have blood on their hands.
Willow Silverhawk June 13th, 2014 at 15:05
Don’t fall into that “both sides do it” trap. I only see one party bragging about blowing up the economy. I only see one party stripping health care rights for women, blocking benefits for vets, and taking away food stamps for the poor because their “not paid for” while simultaneously upholding tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. There is only one party that is union busting and blocking medicaid expansion. The right is doing all those things, while the left is fighting for student debt forgiveness and veteran’s benefits. No the left isn’t perfect, but they are the only defense we have against the right.
Stephen Dickens May 27th, 2014 at 18:48
Republicans are keen on quoting Ronald Regan when it is, politically expedient. One of their favorite quotes, of Regan is, “trust but verify. Americans depend on their Government officials and politicians, to tell them the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In general to serve their constituents, in a rational,reliable and mostly in an honorable manner. I propose, and what probably has been proposed before. That Congress enact a law, to require all Government officials, including members of the Supreme court, to submit themselves, annually, to a polygraph machine (lie detector test), and to under go drug testing without notice. .
Stephen Dickens May 27th, 2014 at 18:48
Republicans are keen on quoting Ronald Regan when it is, politically expedient. One of their favorite quotes, of Regan is, “trust but verify. Americans depend on their Government officials and politicians, to tell them the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In general to serve their constituents, in a rational,reliable and mostly in an honorable manner. I propose, and what probably has been proposed before. That Congress enact a law, to require all Government officials, including members of the Supreme court, to submit themselves, annually, to a polygraph machine (lie detector test), and to under go drug testing without notice. .
Freedom'sBell May 27th, 2014 at 23:42
Gee, the Democrats could have agreeded to permanent tax cuts at any time. how stupid must they be to fall for such a simple ‘trap’?
Obewon June 2nd, 2014 at 11:37
The Koch Bros Tea Party terrorists threatened to blow up America by defaulting on USA’s full faith & credit in August 2011. GOP-TP blew themselves up instead with then record low approval &, earned record low 9% Congressional Approval. Today just 15% Approve of the TP. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/us/politics/01FISCAL.html?pagewanted=all
Freedom'sBell June 2nd, 2014 at 12:16
With liars like you, no wonder liberals think they are right. You probably believe the NYT is fair and accurate, just like they were for Stalin.
Why is paying your debts and living within your income so hard for liberals like you to understand? Do you have no understanding of history?
Just remember that Obama says he wants the will of the people, like Western parliaments, where Prime Minister comes from what closest resembles our House. Why don’t he and Biden resign and make Boehner President? Because he, Biden and you are lying sacks of sh!t.
Freedom'sBell May 27th, 2014 at 23:42
Gee, the Democrats could have agreeded to permanent tax cuts at any time. how stupid must they be to fall for such a simple ‘trap’?
Obewon June 2nd, 2014 at 11:37
The Koch Bros Tea Party terrorists threatened to blow up America by defaulting on USA’s full faith & credit in August 2011 unless ‘Leave no billionaire behind’ taxcuts for the wealthiest & GOP’s parent company Big Oil bigots weren’t renewed. GOP-TP blew themselves up instead with then record low approval &, earned record low 9% Congressional Approval. Today just 15% Approve of the TP. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/us/politics/01FISCAL.html?pagewanted=all
sf49ers80 May 29th, 2014 at 09:28
you made some perfect examples of how they blame Dems for everything and then cry how Dems do nothing but blame everything on Bush. If the facts fit, don’t get mad about them.
nitestik June 3rd, 2014 at 18:53
If they had been “permanent,” the law would’ve required Congress to pay for them.
nitestik June 3rd, 2014 at 18:53
If they had been “permanent,” the law would’ve required Congress to pay for them.