President Obama speaking at a Republican House issues conference on January 29, 2010:

We're not gonna be able to do anything about any of this entitlements if what we do is characterize whatever proposals are put out there as, well, you know, that's the other party's being irresponsible, the other party's trying to hurt our senior citizens, that the other party is doing X, Y, Z, that's why I say if we're gonna frame these debates in ways that allow us to solve them, then we can't start off by figuring out, A, who's to blame, B, how can we make the American people afraid of the other side?

We have to attempt to interpret Obama-ese, but he seems to be suggesting to Republicans that it is in the best interest for all Americans if the political parties work together to resolve issues.

What a magnanimous President we have!

Until a few days ago. Scott Pelley of CBS asks President Obama about the status of Social Security payments if the debt ceiling is not raised. Mr. Obama answers:

This is not just a matter of Social Security checks. These are veterans checks, these are folks on disability and their checks. There are about 70 million checks that go out... I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August 3rd if we haven't resolved this issue because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it.

Instead of working together with Republicans and their constituents to resolve the issue, he goes immediately to the liberal playbook to (a) figure out who's to blame and (b) attempt to make the American people afraid of the other side.

Liberal progress: the more things change, the more they remain the same.