Fournier: Obama’s Attack on GOP’s Budget Not ‘Going to Help’ Reach Independents

Appearing on CNN on Thursday, National Journal editorial director Ron Fournier was asked for his insights into what President Barack Obama’s attack on the House GOP’s budget proposal meant for the president’s party’s political prospects. Fournier and his fellow panel guest, Associated Press White House reporter Julie Pace, said that the president calling the GOP budget a “stinkburger” indicated that he is not focused on appealing to independent voters.

Pace said that Obama attacking the GOP’s budget proposal echoed some of his 2012 campaign themes, indicating that he is hoping to replicate some of those winning campaign themes.

Asked if Obama’s enthusiastic campaign appearances this week were genuine or an effort to project momentum, Fournier said that they were genuine and likely prompted by what the White House is touting as the Affordable Care Act’s good enrollment figures.

RELATED: Obama: Ryan Budget Like Groundhog Day, ‘Except It’s Not Funny’

“He’s going to improve his base by mocking Republicans,” Fournier said, “but he’s not going to help himself with independents or soft Republicans.”

“Mocking the other side is not how you build a coalition,” he concluded.

“But the biggest concern for the White House and Democrats this midterm is getting that base out,” Pace added.

Watch the clip below via CNN:

[Photo via screen grab ]

— —

> >Follow Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!