The pettiness of petit fours

Having, I suppose, so little else to cover--inconsequentials such as massive unemployment whose remedial jobs bill is still going nowhere; a looming, threefold threat to the economy (sequestration as well as a continuing resolution and a debt-lift not improbably denied); an utterly dysfunctional Senate--the full-Mitch and all; and a GOP House so recklessly feckless it has virtually down-defined 'kakistocracy'--the Beltway press, a.k.a. Politico, has chosen to headline that "Hill Dems want more love from Obama."

I don't recall the precise moment when this became "the story"; but the Washington story it is, replete with juicy quotes: "One of the most well-connected Democrats in the capital said he came away from a recent meeting with Hill Democrats 'astonished at the contempt they have for our president.' "

Western civilization's future hinges, it seems, on more petit fours being served in the Roosevelt room.

The White House's rather reasonable defense:

Obama loyalists often roll their eyes at such grumbles and suggest that questions about who Obama golfs or lunches with are a tedious Washington fixation that’s much more about ego than policymaking and is all but moot in an era of intense political polarization.

Still, there's a quite reasonable counterargument, too. Remember your pragmatism, Mr. Obama. Just do it. For God's sake just do it. Just schmooze, now and then. It may be silly and largely unproductive but it'll make 'em happy and maybe then they'll stop whining to the press about what a cold fish you are and how they can't possibly vote for a vulgar assault weapons bill when you won't even serve tea at 4.

Comments

[Janicket]

Given the large and in charge egos required to run for higher office, I suppose it's no surprise that said egos feel cruelly bruised when not sufficiently (in their jealous eyes) stroked.

[Robert Lipscomb]

Today is Quote Day for me.

Politico's and (God help me) PM's suggestions remind me of Squiggy on "Laverne and Shirley" asking the girls out for "tea and strumpets".

[majii]

This proves it-politicians on the Hill don't need to be in Congress but in a sandbox at the nearest park with lollipops sticking out of their mouths. No, make that pacifiers.