[burger]

Indeed, for each of the listed funerals, there are specific circumstances that presumably dictate whether or not the President can/should attend.  This president, however, is seen by many on the right as extremely divisive and regardless of the circumstances it is unfortunate he will not be attending, just to avoid the inevitable arm-waving that partisans on both sides do in these situations.

I believe this is the second time in this thread you've called Obama "divisive" (yes, you used the passive voice, but come on), and of course, this a common criticism on the right.  A serious question: how exactly is Obama divisive in some way that previous Republican presidents were not?  I see a president who has basically kept to his campaign promises (or even moved more towards the center since then).  Of course the other party disagrees with what he's done.  How is essentially being a moderate Democrat divisive?

I can think of loads of things that Bush the 2nd did that were just as "divisive" in terms of generating animosity by Democrats and the public at large.  Bush was criticized for a lot of his actions, but I don't recall any common refrains of him being too divisive.

Is divisive just a shorthand for "being a democrat"?  Did republicans really think that Obama was going to enact policies that they like?  Other than basically governing as a republican, what could Obama have done to not be called divisive in the current political climate?  And doesn't some of the fault for that perceived divisiveness rest on the Republicans who have steadfastly refused to compromise or negotiate except under a deadline?  I fully expect Obama to be called divisive just for nominating a Supreme Court justice, even if it's a moderate.

[burger]

Indeed, for each of the listed funerals, there are specific circumstances that presumably dictate whether or not the President can/should attend.  This president, however, is seen by many on the right as extremely divisive and regardless of the circumstances it is unfortunate he will not be attending, just to avoid the inevitable arm-waving that partisans on both sides do in these situations.

I believe this is the second time in this thread you've called Obama "divisive" (yes, you used the passive voice, but come on), and of course, this a common criticism on the right.  A serious question: how exactly is Obama divisive in some way that previous Republican presidents were not?  I see a president who has basically kept to his campaign promises (or even moved more towards the center since then).  Of course the other party disagrees with what he's done.  How is essentially being a moderate Democrat divisive?

I can think of loads of things that Bush the 2nd did that were just as "divisive" in terms of generating animosity by Democrats and the public at large.  Bush was criticized for a lot of his actions, but I don't recall any common refrains of him being too divisive.

Is divisive just a shorthand for "being a democrat"?  Did republicans really think that Obama was going to enact policies that they like?  Other than basically governing as a republican, what could Obama have done to not be called divisive in the current political climate?  And doesn't some of the fault for that perceived divisiveness rest on the Republicans who have steadfastly refused to compromise or negotiate except under a deadline?  I fully expect Obama to be called divisive just for nominating a Supreme Court justice, even if it's a moderate.