Speaking truth to craziness

Obama goes toe-to-toe with House Republicans on their turf. When was the last the last time a Democrat confronted them this way? 

"What happens is that you guys don't have a lot of room to negotiate with me," Obama said. "The fact of the matter is, many of you, if you voted with the administration on something, are politically vulnerable in your own base, in your own party . . . because what you've been telling your constituents is, 'This guy's doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America.' "

And...

"Let's face it," he said, "some of you have been at the ribbon-cuttings of some of these important projects in your communities."

Sure, they got him at least once, totally scored:

Obama was pressed by freshman Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah on why he had not followed through on his pledge that healthcare negotiations would be broadcast on TV. Obama argued that most of the debate had in fact been aired, except for some of the talks close to the Senate vote.

"That was a messy process," Obama said. "I take responsibility."

Oh.

I can't think of any Democratic politician of my lifetime who would have had the courage, or the cool, to do this.