I'll be honest with you -- It's not quite as cool to be on the Obama bandwagon . . .

[bigtree]

from President Obama's speech in LA: blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2012/02/obamas_speech_la.php


. . . we've got enormous work to do. And the main message I've got for you tonight is it's not going to be easier this time, it's going to be harder this time. We're not going to have to just have as much energy as we did last time, we've got to have more energy than we did last time. It's not going to be enough for us to just sit back and say, look at all the great things we've done -- because people out there are hurting and they need us to do more.

So I'm going to need you. You are going to have to carry this thing the same way that you did in 2008. And part of what's going to make it more difficult -- I'll be honest with you -- is look, I'm older now. I'm gray. (Laughter.) I've been a little dinged up. It's not quite as cool to be on the Obama bandwagon. Back in 2008, it was the new thing. (Laughter.) Everybody had their poster, and you'd be talking to your co-workers, oh, have you heard about Obama? Yeah! Oh, no, you haven't? Let me tell you about him. (Laughter.) Now, everybody can pronounce my name. They don't always say it nicely, but -- (laughter.)

But that determination, the values that got us this far, are undiminished. I believe even more in the possibility of change now than I did when I first got into office, not only because we've made those changes -- (applause) -- but also because as President, I have a chance to travel all across the country and meet people of every walk of life -- black, white, Latino, Asian, gay, straight, rich, poor, north, south, east, west. And what's remarkable to me is, as hard as these last three years have been, that core decency, that sense that we can overcome whatever challenges are ahead of us, that we are still a nation full of possibility, that we still have the best workers on Earth, and we have the best universities on Earth, and we've got the best entrepreneurs on Earth, and we've got a democracy that, as flawed and as frustrating as it can be sometimes, still gives everybody a chance to make their voices heard and we work things out. As bitter and tough as they seem sometimes, we work it out, and we end up on the other side stronger and more unified than we were before -- that's what gives me confidence. That's what inspires me. You inspire me . . .


read speech: blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2012/02/obamas_speech_la.php

[Enrique]

1. even Obama is sick of the List

It's not going to be enough for us to just sit back and say, look at all the great things we've done -- because people out there are hurting and they need us to do more.

[MineralMan]

2. I doubt that very much. You will hear all the items

in that list used as campaign facts from now until November. Why would he be sick of that list? He'll be adding new things to accomplish to it and giving hope to American voters again. Watch, and you'll see. He'll mention an accomplishment and then propose something completely new for his second term. For example:

He'll say something like, "During my first term, my administration worked with Congress to end Don't Ask Don't Tell and make military service available to all Americans, not just heterosexual Americans. In my second term, we will work to repeal DOMA and let the states get on with the business of making marriage available to all couples, regardless of the gender of the two people. Already, seven states and the District of Columbia have taken this step, and it's a step that has found its time. Watch for more and more states to provide marriage equality for its citizens. My administration will work to equalize marriages from all states which take this step by removing obstacles on the federal level that prevent couples from enjoying all the legal benefits of marriage. Make no mistake, marriage is a matter for each state to regulate, but the federal government, under an Obama administration, will not stand in the way of marriage equality."

Like that. You watch.

[JDPriestly]

3. I think he will win because his opposition will seem more and more

behind the times, out of touch and just downright nasty. Plus, Obama is ridding himself of some of the bad appointments he made over the past years. I have heard that Geithner will be leaving.

And he is getting the consumer protection agency going. I hope that will get a big profile in coming months. It could help win a lot of voters for Obama.

People who used to vote Republican have wised up because of the money they lost in 2007-2008.

I hope the Schneiderman investigation comes up with some interesting information and that it gets a lot of publicity very soon. That could help Obama a lot.

[msongs]

4. I'm on the liberal democrats bandwagon. Not sure what bandwagon obama is on, if any nt

[FarLeftFist]

5. Are you kidding me Obama?! I can't wait to vote for you again. Looking forward to election day.

Let's FINALLY shut the republiCons up for good. I want to see Andrew Breitbart cry and Michelle Malkin and Annthrax Coultergeist have a nervous breakdown. And RUSH! I can't WAIT to hear from Rush the day after you are re-elected!

[bigtree]

9. right on!

[dreamnightwind]

6. No, it's not as cool. He's been a huge disappointment to many of us

It's beyond pathetic we couldn't even mount a serious primary run from the left of Obama. But now we're stuck with someone many of us can barely hold our nose to punch a ballot for.

Here's just one of many many examples.

Obama's War on Pot
In a shocking about-face, the administration has launched a government-wide crackdown on medical marijuana

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/obamas-war-on-pot-20120216?link=

Gee, thanks Obama! And nice job your Dept of Homeland Security is doing on the Occupy camps.

[bigtree]

13. sure, on some issues he's been a disappointment

I wouldn't personally put pot legalization at the top of my list . . .

If you're a progressive you'll be holding your nose in presidential elections from here to eternity.

[Romulox]

7. So it was OUR fault, Mr. President, for believing you?

Hate when people try to redirect blame. It's maddening.

[bigtree]

10. meh

[The Genealogist]

8. I'll take a sadder Obama bandwagon over the Repuke clown car, any day. n/t

[Dreamer Tatum]

11. How much did it cost to hear these humble words in person?

Something like $30,000?

[bigtree]

12. yet, these folks were fine with giving

All of the donations are up front and accounted for. If you have some specific problem with some specific donor then out with it, Otherwise, you're barking up the wrong tree if this is some statement about the campaign financing. That's not going to resolve itself in this election and I'm quite certain this president or his supporters are NOT willing to lay down in the road and get run over by the republican opposition just to satisfy someone's ideal notion of what the law should be. We all know who's standing in the way of reform. Maybe when they get their asses whipped by their own game, they'll consider trying something different.

[flexnor]

14. happens to all of us - even 'The Fonz' Henry WInkler is pitching reverse mortgages on TV

AYYYYYYYYYYYYYY, going back into debt is COOL!