November 4, 2009 9:33 AM

Axelrod: Obama Alone Can't Create Bipartisanship

By
Peter Maer
Topics
White House
(AP)
As Barack Obama marks one year since his historic election, one of the architects of his campaign acknowledges the president has not forged the post-partisan atmosphere that he had hoped to achieve.

Senior Adviser David Axelrod said the president "is not a magician. You don't with a wave of a wand make everything different."

The top White House aide said while the president has "extended a hand of cooperation, some in the other party made a political decision that isn't in their interest." Speaking with CBS Radio News in his West Wing office, Axelrod was hard-pressed to specify areas of cooperation with Republicans on any major issues. He pointed to relatively easy areas including national service and child health care.

But on the tough issues including health care reform he noted, "There's an awful lot of pressure from the right wing of the Republican party that has made it more difficult for moderate Republicans to step forward." The longtime Democratic strategist said, "I don't think being in the opposition on every major issue is a winning formula for the Republican Party."

Speaking before the outcome of Tuesday's elections was known, Axelrod discussed the upstate New York Congressional race that saw a moderate Republican bow out after a stiff challenge from a conservative. Axelrod said, "The Palinistas went in and staged what was essentially a hostile takeover of the Republican Party and basically went with a third party candidate and basically said to the moderates there's no place for you in our party." Axelrod said, "Ultimately, that's not a winning strategy."

Axelrod insists that except for being "a little grayer," the president has not changed. He said the president is still the man described as "no drama Obama." He noted Mr. Obama "never gets too high or too low." Reflecting on Oval Office pressures, Axelrod said, "When you're making decisions that deal with life and death and decisions of the magnitude any president has to deal with particularly in difficult times, it carries burdens that impact on you in ways you probably don't even realize."

Axelrod quipped, "If his (the president's) hair is a little grayer we call him more distinguished."

Asked why polls often indicate his boss is more popular than administration policies, Axelrod said Mr. Obama is governing in a very difficult time that has required some "not popular but necessary decisions."

Axelrod, a longtime Obama advisor and confidant, helped lead the tight knit campaign team that moved to the White House. He served as Mr. Obama's top strategist and communications advisor, roles he maintains at the White House.

(CBS)
Peter Maer is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

Add a Comment
by BullRider777 November 4, 2009 1:12 PM EST
Obama is following in the foot step of Jimmy Carter one tem President
Reply to this comment
by ctb4679 November 4, 2009 1:12 PM EST
Obama and Axelrod are wrong. His goal should not be bi-partisanship. Instead, Obama should take his voter-given mandate and push through real change in health care reform with the 51-vote reconciliation process. Shame on Obama for insisting on so-called bi-partisanship! Obama's constituants are the American citizens who voted him into office, NOT the Republicans!!
Reply to this comment
by ctb4679 November 4, 2009 1:11 PM EST
Obama and Axelrod are wrong. His goal should not be bi-partisanship. Instead, Obama should take his voter-given mandate and push through real change in health care reform with the 51-vote reconciliation process. Shame on Obama for insisting on so-called bi-partisanship! Obama's constituants are the American citizens who voted him into office, NOT the Republicans!!
Reply to this comment
by endurorob_5 November 4, 2009 12:19 PM EST
Why am I not seeing liberals on this story or the stimulus job count story defending Obama. Are many of them now realizing they cannot defend these actions?
Reply to this comment
by jdcampbell6 November 4, 2009 10:55 AM EST
The message to Washington is America does not want socialism. America does not want the Obama "change".
Reply to this comment
by whosaid1 November 4, 2009 10:43 AM EST
Like all liberals, Obama and Axelrod's idea of "Bipartisanship" is that you must AGREE with them.....end of message!!
Reply to this comment
by stn_sage November 4, 2009 10:09 AM EST
Misters Axelrod, Gibbs, Plouffe, and anyone else tasked to speak on behalf of the Obama administration...OUGHT to shut their mouths about this election, concentrate on the public's business, and MOVE ON!

Their comments come off...in the least as excuse-mongering...and at the most as insulting the intelligence of the public! Be quiet already!

If you keep it up, don't be surprised if you create an angry BACKLASH against Democrats from Independents who are tired of Mr. Obama NOT keeping his word!
Reply to this comment
by endurorob_5 November 4, 2009 10:06 AM EST
You don't forge bipartisanship by saying the man who said the "republicans want you to die" is a great man. Obama singled this guy out at a fundraiser, after the "republicans want you to die" statement and said he is a great man.
Reply to this comment
by cidaia November 4, 2009 9:57 AM EST
...but obama said he could (create bipartisanship). He said he was (a magician).

now he's telling us what people should have known all along: of course it's ridiculous to believe that one man can create bipartisanship.

"ha ha joke's on those of you who believed in him!"
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