Obama's 2010 "Shellacking" is Like Bush's 2006 "Thumping"

In a rare display of vulnerability, President Obama spoke openly today about last night's Democratic "shellacking" in the midterm elections, and took responsibility for what he described as "humbling" losses.

In a press conference addressing the aftermath of an election that has been framed by many as a referendum on Mr. Obama's presidency, the president confessed that the lessons learned during Tuesday night's election - during which Republicans gained an incredible amount of political ground nationwide - would guide him in the future.

"This is something that I think every president needs to go through, because you know, the responsibilities of this office are so enormous and so many people are depending on what we do," Mr. Obama said, pointing out that former Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan both found themselves in similar positions at this point in their first terms. "In the rush of activity, sometimes we lose track of... the ways that we connected with folks that got us here in the first place."

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"Now, I'm not recommending for every future president that they take a shellacking like I did last night," he continued with a laugh. "I'm sure there are easier ways to learn these lessons. But I do think that, you know, this is a growth process. And an evolution."

Former president George W. Bush made a similar concession in 2006, after Republicans took what he called a "thumping" in the congressional midterm elections.

Still, Mr. Obama said that seeing so many of his allies defeated was difficult. "It feels bad," Mr. Obama said to ABC's Jake Tapper. "You know, the toughest thing over the last couple of days is seeing really terrific public servants not have the opportunity to serve anymore... There are just some terrific members of congress who took really tough votes, because they thought it was the right thing, even though they knew this could cause them political problems."

"The amount of courage that they showed and conviction that they showed is something that I admire so much. I can't overstate it," Mr. Obama continued. "There's also a lot of questioning on my part in terms of could I have done something differently or done something more so that those folks would still be here. It's hard. And I take responsibility for it in a lot of ways."

Mr. Obama also said that he struggled to get out of what he described as the White House "bubble."

"You know, there is an inherent danger in being in the White House," he said to a Reuters reporter who asked Mr. Obama whether or not he might consider changing his leadership in light of the perception that he was out of touch with the electorate.

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"The track record has been that when I'm out of this place, that's not an issue," he said. "When you're in this place, it is hard not to seem removed."

"I mean, folks didn't have any complaints about my leadership style when I was running around Iowa," Mr. Obama continued. "They got a pretty good look at me up close and personal. And they were able to lift the hood and kick the tires and, you know, I think they understood that my story was theirs."

Below, watch a discussion of the moment on today's episode of "Washington Unplugged."

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Lucy Madison is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.

[jplim]

I disagree with the president that every president has to go through what happened Tuesday. In fact, among all presidents, I don't think president Obama had to go through it, which is actually the most disappointing part. That's because he had two warning shots as early as one year ago and again in January. He chose to think VA, NJ and ME were largely red because of local issues.

It's also sad to see the President dodging the question if he got the message. To be fair to President Bush, he said he heard the voters.

[bajajohn1]

Americans have been dumbed-down by the media. As a result millions of dumbed-down people in America voted for Republicans. They will get the government they truly deserve.

[bajajohn1]

The media must not and cannot be allowed to wash their hands regarding the election results. CBS, CNN, Fox and MSNBC have been trupmenting Republican gains since July. Everyday, the incessant predictions came into the living rooms of Americans, influencing their vote and convincing them to vote Republican. Please do not force me to address the issue of who has a very large stake in mass media. It is the same bunch that runs Wall Street and its banks. Their home base is in the Middle East. Guess.

[rwsmith29456]

"Shellacking". No matter what you think of Obama he does have a way with words. HA HA HA

[oldbasicgal]

I'm not sure why you're asking, but Jesus would not have been either. He would have told the liberals to quit wasting and wanting, and he would have told the conservatives to quit hoarding and relax.

[wjksea]

deohgee November 3, 2010 7:37 PM EDT
Obammy, do you know the reest of the world is listening to this weak talk!?!?
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Yes, they do watch this. They know more about our politics than many of us and they are not impressed with the insanity exemplified by the likes of you and your dumbed down name calling of a democratically elected president. The U.S. is a failing state. It is appearing more and more the case. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The plutocracy keeps the ignorant masses in a state of finely tuned gridlock. You are free alright, free to go back to your Saudi prince owned Fox Faux propaganda and see how long you can keep your hand above your belt.

[oldbasicgal]

wjksea: You're always too gloomy. Short of a nuclear bomb, we'll all be ok. And if that happens, well, most of us won't know what hit us! Now that the Dems don't own the House and Senate both, there is no absolute power. Stop the gridlock talk. Relax and go have a beer.

[billkol]

Would Jesus be a liberal or a conservative?

[wfw3536]

I watched today's news conference and it is clear Obama does not have a clue about what this historic election means. He still cannot blame himself for wasting over a year on a health care bill most folks did not want, or for cutting deals with democrats to pass it when everyone was asking him to work on jobs and the economy. It took him almost an hour to even admit that the democrats took a historic beating. It is time for the democrats to find someone else to run in 2012.

[tmittelstaed]

What Obama did with the health care bill was save money in the long run, not the short run.

It is something like this. Bob gets a job that is 50 miles away. He currently owns a car that gets 15mpg. He can either pay $20 a day in fuel costs, or he can drop $2,000.00 now on a used car that gets 30mpg and pay $10 a day in fuel costs.

Over a years time Bob save MORE than the $2000 the used car costs - but right now, he has to come up with the $2K.

That is what the health care bill is like. Right now there's a big cost to it - but over the long run we will save more money than the big cost is now.

unfortunately, most Americans will keep their existing car at 15mpg in similar circumstances and spend the $2K on a big screen TV. You are in that group which is why you think the work on the health care bill is a waste. Hope you like your TV.

[oldbasicgal]

TM: I haven't "done the math" on your little calculation, but assuming he does save money, what if that "lower gas usage used car that gets 30mpg" has a bum transmission that goes out 6 months after he purchased it? Wow, expensive repair job! And after that, the water pump goes out, and he has to replace that? Oh yea, he forgot to check the tires for wear when he bought the car...they're nearly bald...oops! now his little project is costing his rent money, his grocery money, and his wife is furious at him for being such an idiot for trading in the first place (she wanted to keep the old car). By the way, his old car, which he gave to his son, is still running fine.

[RobAla]

In this election, Americans placed Republicans in Congress in such a massive manner that nothing has been seen like this since the 1940?s. Although the Republicans did not take control of the Senate, they made strong gains. In the Governor races across the nation, the Republicans won 27 seats to the Democrats win of 17 ? giving the Republicans an 11 seat gain. The Republicans gained more than 500 members in state legislatures. In my state of Alabama, Democrats have controlled the state senate and house since 1876. In this election, the Republicans soundly took both houses. Americans did not put these Republicans in office to bow down to President Obama or to kiss Harry Reid?s ring. THEY WERE PUT IN OFFICE TO STOP THE DAMAGING PROGRESSIVE POLICIES OF THE DEMOCRATS. If they don?t do it, Americans will find someone else who will. I have no interest in these Republicans making concessions to progressive Democrats. Americans have revolted against the progressives in this country, and it is the progressives who must make concessions

[MurdochSucks]

Rob, your memory is short. Do you remember the swift overthrow of Republican dominance in 2006 when people were fed up with your leaders? Oh, and are you going to post this on all of the boards, or just the three that I've seen it on.

[RobAla]

MurdochSucks: I am going to post this to my hearts content. I am a conservative independent, who until this election has always voted a mixed ticket. The recent damaging policies of these group of Democrats is disgusting, and I am greatly encouraged that the newly elected leaders will put a stop to it. Like I said, if they don't - Americans will find others who will in 2012. Our nation has suffered too much at the hands of progressives.

[LIBERALS-lie]

leg tingles ?