In regards to President Obama's budget negotiation strategy and whatnot [View all]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/opinion/who-can-take-republicans-seriously-on-the-budget.html?_r=0

I'm aware that this article was posted in a GD thread, but part of me felt that that conservation sorta spiraled into a flame war in regards to the president, and I got the sense that neither side (" Obama supporters" vs "to the left of Obama&quot was all that interested in having a conversation, and just seemed more content to start throwing barbs at each other.

I'll confess, I don't approve of the president to the degree that many of the posters in this group do, but I get the sense that this board is full of smart people. And so I ask this particular group of Obama supporters this, as I'm sure a great number of you are more well versed in politics than I am: Is it time for the president to drop the "charm offense" and pursue a more aggressive negotiation style? Or is his current strategy working?

Personally I'm of the impression that the "charm offense" is a noble effort, but an ultimately detrimental strategy, as it alienates the left and does nothing to make the right more reasonable. However, I'd very much like to hear somebody disagree with me on this count.