Obama: I Don't Lose Sleep over David Brooks

CBS News' Katie Couric used part of her exclusive interview with President Barack Obama today to ask him about a David Brooks column in today's New York Times. Brooks argues that the president has over-interpreted his mandate and is letting Nancy Pelosi lead the Democrats on a "suicide march."

Mr. Obama's response – besides a bit of a ribbing of Couric for excerpting so much of the Brooks column in her question – was that he's not too worried about what Brooks thinks.

Couric: President Obama, there was a stinging column in the New York Times today written by David Brooks. He says Democrats are losing touch with America – because, quote, "The party is led by insular liberals from big cities and the coast who neither understand nor sympathize with moderates. They have their own cherry picking pollsters, their own media and activist cocoon. Their own plans to lavishly spend borrowed money to buy votes." He goes on to say that you have, basically, been co-opted by Nancy Pelosi. And you've deferred to the, what he calls, "old bulls on Capitol Hill…"

Obama: This was a really aggressive –

Couric: "…on issue after issue." There was a pretty…

Obama: Are we gonna – are we gonna read the whole column here?

Couric: No, I'm not gonna read – I'm – I'm not. … But the performance of government generally. … But it was – it was a tough column. And I'm just curious, A, have you read it? And, B, what's your response?

Obama: I, you know, I don't spend a lot of time reading columns, Katie. The fact is that – you know, I am confident in the work that we're doing.

Mr. Obama went on to say that he thought his administration had passed a lot of long-shelved legislative priorities in its first few months and that, in any case, it would be the second- and third-year report cards that would really count.

"Reforming this town, and working through these problems – they have been unattended to for decades," he said. That's not an overnight process. It certainly doesn't get – completed in six months."

[endurorob]

"Reforming this town, and working through these problems ? they have been unattended to for decades,"




What reform is he talking about. It is politics as usual at the white house. He is using recycled Clinton people and lobbyists. Where is the reform?

[babooph]

Brooks must feel destroying the last of the middle class with more tax cuts for the rich,& a coup;e more endless lost wars are more "IN TUNE"?

[USSAmerikan]

When a president stops listening to his base, things start to go awry... Just look at Zelaya. No, I am not suggesting people start sending pj's to president O, but the fact that he is not listening to the NYTimes is just a little scary. The beautiful thing is that over here, we will get a chance to change the dirty diapers next year, during midterm elections... We'll see if they pay attention then, or even if it makes any difference, as it may be too late... Spending like drunken sailors is no way to get out of a recession. Intelligent investing would be, but that is not what we are seeing. God save us all from the mistake we made by hiring this newbie!!!!

[1notrub11]

"Mr. Obama went on to say that he thought his administration had passed a lot of long-shelved legislative priorities in its first few months......"

You know, I might give credit here, IF I thought the legislation had been well thought out, adequately reviewed and debated by legislators and then passed sometime other than the apparent "dark of night". But based on what I have seen and heard, I doubt anyone that signed those bills actually knows what they say, in depth.

It seems too much like the check box approach of accomplishment, for things so important.

[velma179]

If ANY president read all the articles about them, took to heart every poll or opinion piece and spent even one percent of the time those of us who like to read and comment on boards/blogs, cheering and hi-fivin', dissing and moaning, agreeing and disagreeing like we all do --- when? would they have time to sleep, much less preside over the nation.

Please, if you like whomever is the current prez.. you give them room to do the job... if you don't, you give 'em disdain and dire prediction. And then the next one comes along.... four or eight years just isn't that long and America is stronger than any one individual. THAT is a fact.

[skipptowne]

Ha! David "Desperate to Be Part of the Conversation" Brooks thinks Democrats are "losing touch with America". When was the NY Times ever IN touch with America? The Times didn't permit use of the word "gay" until 1987. This regressive old print rag deserves to fade away with the rest of them -- and Brooks' ersatz insight right along with it.

[1notrub11]

Who keeps track of when a media outlet printed the word "gay". It hardly seems a bellwether event. Use a better argument.

[DoubleHappiness88]

I do not know about you folks but I do not care what David Brooks thinks or says.

[proudmilvet]

Rush Limbaugh is a FAT Arrogant Idiot! An even worse combination!!

[gramljon]

David Brooks claiming President Barack Obama is out of touch with America's heartland is like the pot calling the kettle black.

[proudmilvet]

After 8 years of the worst Administration in history, I also support this President. I just wish he would stop being so damn nice to all the people who wish he would fail!! Respect has to be a two way street!!!

[velma179]

And I will inform you darth...

That "14,000 Dow" you speak of was nothing more than an empty pocket in a shiny suit, a house of cards that had to fall.. and I guess you may have noticed -- it did!

The current administration -- as well as ALL Americans -- are now working to get our economy back on solid ground.

Your predictions have as much substance as that 14,000.

Hey! ... Remember your gang saying the country would be destroyed by summer time...? Dang! July 21st and we're still here and moving forward.