David Brooks: I'm Soooo Sorry Mr. Obama, Please Don't Be Mad At Me

3 days after reaching the concussion that Obama might actually be a big spending liberal our man Davey has backtracked and decided that Obama is in fact, still pretty damn dreamy.

All it took was a series of calls from "four senior members of the administration" (no mere junior aides for our man Brooksy!) and Hope and Change is restored to it's rightful place in the firmament.

I didn’t finish these conversations feeling chastened exactly. The fact is, after years of economic growth, the White House still projects perpetual deficits of more than $500 billion a year. That’s way too much, especially with the boomers’ retirements looming. Moreover, Congress will likely pass the spending parts of the budget and kill the revenue parts, like the cap-and-trade energy tax and the limits on itemized deductions, thus producing much, much bigger deficits.
Plus, I’m still convinced the administration is trying to do too much too fast and that the hasty planning and execution of these complex policies will lead to untold problems down the road.
Nonetheless, the White House made a case that was sophisticated and fact-based. These people know how to lead a discussion and set a tone of friendly cooperation. I’m more optimistic that if Senate moderates can get their act together and come up with their own proactive plan, they can help shape a budget that allays their anxieties while meeting the president’s goals.

Ah well, it was a 'sophisticated' case they made and that's what really counts. All those messy taxes, gigantic spending increases and intrusions into the private sector? As long as it's done in a sophisticated way, it's all good.

Oh by the way, if you are really banking on Obama's wildly optimistic growth figures and Senate 'moderates' to constrain spending, I have a few bridges in NY I'd like you to buy from me.

Snark aside, if Brooks is backtracking so far, so fast, what exactly was his earlier column based on? You can say it takes a big man to admit a mistake but just three days ago Brooks wrote this.

Those of us who consider ourselves moderates — moderate-conservative, in my case — are forced to confront the reality that Barack Obama is not who we thought he was. His words are responsible; his character is inspiring. But his actions betray a transformational liberalism that should put every centrist on notice.

And now it's all good? Really?

It's almost as if the "four senior members of the administration" each waved their hand in front of Mr. Brooks and said, "these are not the massive government programs you think they are, move along". And he moved along. But in a very sophisticated way no doubt.

Posted by: DrewM. at 11:16 AM

Comments

1 Nice column you have here Mr. Brooks. It would be a shame if something were to happen to it.

Posted by: senior member of the administration at March 06, 2009 11:19 AM (OwIMw)

2 That's what makes a Rara Avis rara.

They're just so damn .... ineffable.

Posted by: BumperStickerist at March 06, 2009 11:19 AM (MKFU7)

3 Good God. Just post the bukkake video and be done with it, Brooks.

Posted by: Warden at March 06, 2009 11:19 AM (KXbGD)

4 #3 You spelt bukkake correctly so you must be into......nevermind

Posted by: steevy at March 06, 2009 11:20 AM (w40E8)

5 Mr. Brooks,

You, Sir, are a goof.

That is all.

Sincerely,

The Huddled Masses

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at March 06, 2009 11:20 AM (swuwV)

6 Mmm... Le repost de autre thread...

Seems Davy has forgiven his boyfriend and unrequited love, Lord Unicorn Fuckstick. Barry's staffers gave him a few phone calls and, uh, straightened him out. So now he's back to literally repeating His Hooves talking points.

With a career like Davy's he's headed up. Perhaps to the Seattle P-I. And I guess this puts the lie to any notion that Obamabots like Brooks and Frum can ever be weaned from the Unicorn Teat Of Milky Balm.

I might add... Baracky? He's a one "teat" pony.

Posted by: George Orwell at March 06, 2009 11:21 AM (AZGON)

7 Okay, Cramer. You're next. Start fawning about how you were mistaken and what an economic genius Obomber is.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at March 06, 2009 11:21 AM (9Cooa)

8 Republican pundits are, with a few exceptions, a disaster the Republican party will be lucky to survive.

Posted by: The Obvious at March 06, 2009 11:21 AM (1g+FW)

9 was he promised Govt provided facial deconstruction surgery?

Posted by: Tushar at March 06, 2009 11:23 AM (gmeRm)

10
Hotel Obama. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

Posted by: The Chewbacca Defense at March 06, 2009 11:24 AM (S/HP/)

11 Jesus Tapdancing Christ, what a cocksucking sycophant Brooks is.

Posted by: ol_dirty_/b/tard at March 06, 2009 11:26 AM (IoUF1)

12 Sith mind powers, has to be.

Posted by: Jean at March 06, 2009 11:26 AM (L64A6)

13 I can't imagine what passes for senior in this administration. Maybe he got a stern talking to from Obama's good luck charm, the campaign trail teleprompter.

Posted by: t-bird at March 06, 2009 11:27 AM (FcR7P)

14 Centrist. So, that's what they call themselves. Funny, sounds nothing at all like spinless, grovelling, buttsniffing jackass.

Posted by: Kae Gregory at March 06, 2009 11:27 AM (RkRxq)

15 Am I the only one that finds this column even more disturbing than when Gibbs called out Santelli and Cramer?

It's like the administration has heard the criticism from the media about calling out journalists and instead stopping this action altogether have instead decided to go about it privately.

They changed tactics, but the objective is the same.

Posted by: Tim B. at March 06, 2009 11:27 AM (WLldW)

16 It's been said before -- If the likes of Brooks is what passes for the republican "intelligentsia" it's no wonder Repubs got their asses kicked the last two election cycles.........

Posted by: sears poncho at March 06, 2009 11:28 AM (uj/0b)

17 sears poncho,

He is. It is, and it ain't getting no better.

Posted by: The Obvious at March 06, 2009 11:29 AM (1g+FW)

18 Most logical explanation: Brooks had a "visit" and was issued his symbiot.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at March 06, 2009 11:32 AM (Ygf78)

19 David Brooks the RuPaul of conservative journalists

Posted by: Admr. Sebastian B. O. Buniontow VI at March 06, 2009 11:35 AM (NLtVk)

20 David Brooks is a 14-year-old girl.

Yesterday:

"That Obama just makes me so mad. He's, like, saying something just to get me to like him and then he goes and totally does the opposite. We are so totally not friends now."

Today:

"Ohmygod! Barry's friends called me up today and told me that he totally still likes me and was just, you know, saying stuff. He's so cool and his friends are so cute! Maybe they'll invite me over! Wouldn't that make those dorks at the RNC jealous? They're such geeks anyway; I don't know why I ever hung out with them. David + Barry: BFF!"

Posted by: Monty at March 06, 2009 11:37 AM (/0a60)

21 OT
Found a black republican who is lining up to kick Specter in the primary
Devon Generally(actual last name)
His Conservative-Fu is strong, and he is a ex-Navy
Can we fix it, yes we can.
AmericasRight has a write-up on him.
(FWIW AR dropped thier birther coverage late last year)

Posted by: Cromagnum at March 06, 2009 11:40 AM (UxAb/)

22 Could some of these brilliant senior aides perhaps show the rest of us the economic analysis that so overwhelmed Brooks. right now, we see Geithner looking like a boob, Obama referring to an economic ratio that doesn't exist and no one offering one policy that gives anyone hope..

Posted by: ed at March 06, 2009 11:40 AM (Urhve)

23 So, has Davey tripled the amount he's got invested in the stock market and his 401ks?

Posted by: andycanuck at March 06, 2009 11:44 AM (TpHGM)

24 Dear Barry,

Please forgive my churlish and unwarranted attacks. I was suffering from a fever. Rickets. Irritable bowel syndrome. My car ran out of gas. I had a flat tire! I didn't have a spare! A friend came in from out of town! It wasn't my fault, I swear to God!

Anyhow, perhaps this will express my feelings better than words: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiGPQVUJqq0">I'm Sorry</a>.

It's not a Rickroll, Mister President. I'd never do that to you.

Your Slavish and Infatuated Admirer,

David Brooks

Posted by: Monty at March 06, 2009 11:44 AM (/0a60)

25 These people know how to lead a discussion and set a tone of friendly cooperation
I see someone above has referred to David Brooks as a 14 year old girl. My thoughts exactly. When, as your average teen age hormonally driven lecher, I was trying to get into Susy Q's pants and violate her in the violet time in the vilest way I knew---well I led the discussion and set a tone of friendly cooperation. Some things, and techniques, never change. Grab your ankles Mr. Brooks.!

Posted by: Mike Myers at March 06, 2009 11:46 AM (UHTK+)

26 #7
He's next. Cramer the Clown has been a lifelong Demotard. He'll learn who signs the paychecks quickly.

The remarkable thing is not the brazen collectivism of The Unicorn Marxist. It's how quickly and easily literal millions of people have surrendered all reason and independence. No one wants to disagree with "the cool kids." And that is indicative of the intellectual shallowness of our new fascist overlords. People respond to the fact that our culture deems him "cool." People let Obastard lead them by the nose, not because of a basic agreement on reasoned policies or even moral considerations. But because he's "cool." You know, not all old, wrinkled and white. The only drawback is that he's male. Theoretically.

Posted by: George Orwell at March 06, 2009 11:54 AM (AZGON)

27 Parsing his three paragraphs, he's predicting disaster if Obama's schemes are carried, but he's okay with it. Moderates in Congress just need to relax and have their fears allayed.

The fact is, after years of economic growth, the White House still projects perpetual deficits of more than $500 billion a year.

WTF?! He says, after the we hit bottom, then after years of recovery, when things finally get good, deficits will be half a trillion per year. That's if Baby Boomers don't retire (he notes later), if the tax revenues increase along with spending (which he doesn't expect), and if we don't run into the untold problems he expects.

"We had such a cordial chat about the disintegration of the country. Really quite lovely, you know."

Posted by: t-bird at March 06, 2009 11:58 AM (FcR7P)

28 He plays 'hard-to-get' to get some attention from the captain of the football team. What a slut.

Posted by: nickless at March 06, 2009 11:58 AM (MMC8r)

29 These people know how to lead a discussion and set a tone of friendly cooperation
Robert Mugabe and Hugo Chavezare really good at that as well.

Posted by: kevlarchick at March 06, 2009 12:05 PM (TNuqz)

30 I think I can see Brooks' vagina from here.

Posted by: Laddy at March 06, 2009 12:06 PM (AUzci)

31 This man is the Walter Duranty of our era.

Posted by: JCELEPHANT at March 06, 2009 12:15 PM (co5dL)

32 No, CNN is the Walter Duranty of our era. What they covered up in Saddam's Iraq is a crime against nature. That no other journalism out fit is willing to so much as mention it is every bit as bad.

Posted by: The Obvious at March 06, 2009 12:18 PM (1g+FW)

33 You know, I think you morons have it all wrong.

Brooks' previous column was
#2 Anger.

This column is
#3 Bargaining.

He's going through the stages of grief pretty fast, so I'm guessing the next column will be
#4 Depression.

As to when David Brooks comes to accept that Obama is a malicious, narcissistic, socialist crapweasel, that's anybody's guess.

Posted by: AmishDude at March 06, 2009 12:22 PM (T0NGe)

34 Every time I see the word "Firmiment," I hear it in the voice of the blonde in "Singin' in the Rain."

Posted by: ushie at March 06, 2009 12:23 PM (1kwr2)

35 Well, it's about time - after eight years of hearing about the White House crushing dissent, I finally get to see it.

Posted by: Dave S. at March 06, 2009 12:27 PM (Ae/PN)

36 It is inspiring to have nominal conservatives with such spines and tough character in prominent positions!

Posted by: dan-O at March 06, 2009 12:32 PM (teb/C)

37 I think ace is spoofing us. This is not an actualy David Brooks column, this is an Iowahawk parody.

Posted by: OregonMuse at March 06, 2009 12:33 PM (FO+YO)

38 George Orwell, that "cool" thing is killing me. Of all the things in the world that are cool--Keef Richards, the cigarette hanging from a private dick's lower lip, Creed perfume bottles, Myrna Loy, a long blonde in a black dress, James Dean, Harley Davidsons in general, young Elvis, Elvis in black leather, Patti Smith, 1964 Corvettes...Obama is the opposite. Teh Opposite.
What are the people who think him cool smoking/ingesting/drinking? I need some.

Posted by: ushie at March 06, 2009 12:34 PM (1kwr2)

39 Andy @24 "So, has Davey tripled the amount he's got invested in the stock market and his 401ks?"

Davey Brooksie might not.
Stoop Davy's gonna be buying like crazy, for as long as our unicorn overlords can hold the Dow down this low. Gotta hurry, though, since this bear market might only last another 3 years and 10.5 months.

Posted by: Stoop Davy Dave at March 06, 2009 12:36 PM (3yynH)

40 #34 for the win

Posted by: Filly at March 06, 2009 12:37 PM (zbtWy)

41 It is troubling that so many American men are in fact wusses. What is up with that?

Posted by: Harry at March 06, 2009 12:44 PM (zFde/)

42 Oh by the way, if you are really banking on Obama's wildly optimistic growth figures and Senate 'moderates' to constrain spending, I have a few bridges in NY I'd like you to buy from me.

I think you meant to say I have a few Senate seats I'd like you to buy from me.

We should always remind people of the corruption that rides so close to this administration.

Posted by: InCali at March 06, 2009 12:49 PM (gUKfo)

43 Nothing wrong with Mr. Brooks - or most lefties, for that matter - that couldn't be cured with a few liberal applications of a blunt instrument to the cranium. I suspect there would be a correlation between the liberal leanings of the recipient and the degree of liberties taken in applying the implement of conversion.

Posted by: Jazz at March 06, 2009 12:51 PM (hnq5i)

44 The Force gives Oba-mon Kenobi power over weak minds. With Brooks, he didn't have to focus all that hard. Could even keep eating his waffle.
Ah, those flinty, resolute moderates.

Posted by: Steve the Pirate at March 06, 2009 12:57 PM (W54Uh)

45 is there anyone who you would rather have watching your back than this guy?

Posted by: ed at March 06, 2009 01:01 PM (Urhve)

46 That 'Ol black magic' is still working it's spell. When the truth finally hits, I hope someone is nearby to keep Brooks from going off the deep end. I hear the 'anger' part can be really hard.

Posted by: GarandFan at March 06, 2009 01:40 PM (237hA)

47 Hmm...let's see. Integrity, professionalism, credibility, self-respect...got anything else ya wanna piss away, Davie?

Flush twice: it's a low-flow toilet.

Posted by: Gen. Sir Harry Flashman, VC at March 06, 2009 02:08 PM (FL9NU)

48 These people know how to lead a discussion and set a tone of friendly cooperation.

Because, you know, if you just close your eyes and think of the fjords while they're cornholing you with the chainsaw, it all goes down so much easier...

Is there anyone who you would rather have watching your back than this guy?

Richard Simmons, for starters. I could make a list.

Posted by: PCachu at March 06, 2009 02:14 PM (r2Oug)

49 How did that Dead Fish taste, Davey?

Posted by: Rahmbo at March 06, 2009 02:39 PM (miw86)

50 When you're reading more criticism of Obamessiah from an openly liberal Maureen Dowd than from supposedly conservative David Brooks, we are truly in the Bizarro World

Me so happy, me want to cry

Posted by: kbdabear at March 06, 2009 02:42 PM (miw86)

51 One word: apparatachik.

Posted by: Mongolian Beef Conservative aka Cousin Dave at March 06, 2009 02:51 PM (WGbtD)

52
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I'm so excited! I knew it would work! The clean, articulate Neibuhr-summarizing ass fucker called me! He called me!

Posted by: Guvnah at March 06, 2009 02:58 PM (Rg8DN)

53 Did Brooks wake up with a horse head in bed or what?

Posted by: pixelflash at March 06, 2009 04:16 PM (5MTmq)

54 Now how could Brooks turn down a midnight dinner invitation from Barney Frank?

Posted by: Thomas Jackson at March 06, 2009 06:10 PM (0Qynq)

55 Only a besotted hermaphrodite could write the drivel that Brooks wrote andtitled Thinking About Obama.
http://tinyurl.com/5f6yk6

Posted by: Cass Andress at March 06, 2009 07:52 PM (n3G/k)

56 Perhaps Mr. Brooks was looking for a good spanking from The One. Perhaps while aboard Air Force One.
Mmmmm.

Posted by: gigi at March 07, 2009 10:38 AM (luFiS)

57 "Uncle Dave" raises his hands from his prostrate position and pleads, "Oh, please don't whup me, Massa 'Bama! I won't be uppity no more!"

Posted by: Bilwick at March 09, 2009 10:33 AM (/Y+Yb)

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