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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHe said he can just let 'r rip now that he doesn't have to run for office anymore
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025222634"Cynicism is popular right now --- these days --- thats what passes as wisdom" Barack Obama
I'm the guy doing my job you must be the other guy said the President to the repukes about their not doing anything.
Go to the link and check out the video if you haven't seen it, it is awesome... He is awesome.
The last ten minutes is music to the ears.
Mc Mike
(9,114 posts)Go, Prez O!
madokie
(51,076 posts)some puke ass big time. Let 'r ripe mr President, you said you could now so keep on doing it. It sounds wonderful to my old ear
Mc Mike
(9,114 posts)And a large number of people who voted for him want him to do exactly this.
He tried to work with them and they kept on kicking him in the face. I'm happy that he finally decided that he would take the bull by the horns. I see it as exactly that too.
Mc Mike
(9,114 posts)There are definitely things that I disagree with the Admin on. So I lobby them on these issues. Keystone, Drones, Education, Trade deals, NSA, not prosecuting the repug criminals from the last Admin.
But when he's doing something right, which he often does, I try to say 'Thanks, I back you' to Prez O. and his Admin. When he's using his great speaking skills to blast the do-nothing repugs, and trying to get something done that I agree with, I don't see the use of bringing up un-related issues that I disagree with him on.
This isn't directed at you, mad, just at some of the detractors, whose views on other issues I might respect.
bigtree
(85,996 posts)here: I may be eternally cynical of our government, but I still expect a Renaissance in this presidency - Nov-20-09
and here: Resurrecting Predictions of a Renaissance in This Presidency Jan 22, 2013
I may be eternally cynical of our government, but I still expect a Renaissance in this presidency.
This isn't a jaded and weak old man we've elected, and he's no fool. I'm also not buying the arguments of some that he or his presidency is institutionally and intractably corrupted by industry or the establishment (not yet). So I have a good feeling about the future of this man, Barack Obama, in realizing the power of his office to effect lasting and meaningful good.
I've always understood that this President isn't an operating progressive. He's a pragmatic politician who's made a few proposals and actions contrary to our liberal creed; none of which should cause any Democrat to abandon their comity and start running around with their hair on fire. On balance, this President has held the line on our Democratic agenda; as much as Congress has accommodated his defense of those principles.
He's not going to be satisfied with just fighting and posturing, though; which is basically the heart of much of the earnest criticism from the left; as if the (often necessary) bluster and snark were all it took to manage the balance of power and motivation in the national legislature.
Despite the fact that all of the problems he inherited haven't been brought to some favorable conclusion, or that some seem to be getting worse (some by his own hand), he has made much meaningful progress and has had some historic accomplishments for his young presidency. I like the prospects for our party's agenda in this precarious majority that we've crafted together with our votes, and I'm optimistic about the prospects for the realization of our own (as expressed here at DU) as well.
Something significant is indeed happening here; a bit of a clusterfuck, but, it's definitely happening. Democrats are accustomed to operating against an entrenched opposition party, but it looks like our Democratic Senate leadership is ready to flex their partisan power in a way that no party has had the audacity to in decades.
I'm convinced that the cynicism and frustration often expressed here by war-weary progressives - ready to tear the whole thing down and start afresh - is ultimately going to be the wind underneath this presidency as Barack Obama exercises and demonstrates the historical efficacy of incremental change and dramatically moves our Democratic agenda steadily forward.
I don't see 'capitulations', as some critics have expressed in their opposition. I do see many compromises that have made sense, given the political limitations and the consequence of doing absolutely nothing (as republicans are determined to do in office). I have seen this President act independently when he's convinced there's no legislative remedy available. I've seen him stand firm and win the day. I think we'll see more of that backbone and sense of our Democratic majority..
I think that there were unrealistic expectations and demands that folks are now looking to hold the President accountable for. The only surprising thing to me about his conduct in the past term is how little he's strayed from what he told us he'd do. I do acknowledge that most of us here are fully invested in our views to the point where it feels like betrayal when these politicians do something contrary. Most of our disagreements have been on strategy and degree, rather than substance. Yet, I think we need to continue to accept this presidency for what we always assumed it was: a centrist presidency which has pledged to 'reach across the aisle'. We were never going to realize the entirety of our progressive agenda behind his leadership. I think most folks have accepted that. Stepping away from this presidency right now over these issues just seems a waste.
Our party has always been a coalition of liberal and moderately conservative views. We didn't elect a progressive president (or nominee), we didn't elect a progressive majority in our legislature, and yet, some are still hell-bent on making this pragmatic presidency the bane of that failure. Fair enough, I suppose, to hold him accountable, but he's just one element of any political strategy for advancing our initiatives or concerns into action or law. We shouldn't behave as if there's nothing left that republicans will be compelled to vote for. We shouldn't be whipped back and forth in our steadfastness by this White House by political posturing.
The President is fighting for most of the issues and concerns we care about, even though some may well disagree on his strategy for achieving the same. We want jobs, but we don't agree on how to spur employment. We need revenue, but we're fixated on tax cuts because of the faltering economy and the fragility of the incomes of millions of Americans that would be affected by the expiration of the breaks they have right now. We want to win elections, but we're not certain how to deal with the conservative states and districts. Those are just a few of the needles politicians have to thread.
The President's committed himself to finding a workable balance. He's no more naive about that prospect than anyone else, but he has adhered to that bipartisan rhetoric as part of his strategy. That's certainly a flaw for some, but it's not indefensible; and it's certainly not so far outside of Democratic politics to be characterized as 'capitulation' or betrayal. The President has made what he believes are reasonable compromises where he feels doing nothing isn't the responsible option. That's not always in line with our own expectations, but I don't think he's moved so far from a Democratic agenda to deserve the type of ire we used to reserve for the republican opposition -- the type of tone many critics took before we rallied behind Pres. Obama to defeat republicans in the last election.
There's a little thing called political momentum . . . and our Democratic party has it today!
Can't have watched the President and our Democrats at the Health bill signing and not feel the winds of change; both societal and political. It was gladdening to see our Democratic party on the right side of history (again).
Can't look at this new republican Congress' inability to pass their own bills; and their repeatedly giving up ground on their 'Hastert Rule' obstinacy; and not sense a burgeoning revival of our liberal majority.
Barack Obama is the first fellow to reach the presidency in my lifetime who is so thoroughly connected to the people - from his beginnings as a community organizer to local office and to the Senate. His life experiences and interests give him a unique perspective from the elite, connected pols of (my) past who made their way to the top. He's even more grounded in all of that than Bill Clinton was as a well-connected governor.
I do wonder about his conservative appointments . . . I conclude, however, that his choices reflect the great deal of confidence he has in the strength and character of his own idealism, yet regard enough for the rest of America to check those ideals of his against these establishment catalysts.
I too would like to see him make more progressive acts (as in military and finance matters) which are in line with those aspirations he so eloquently expressed and sold to those who voted for him. But I don't, for a minute, believe that the political balance of this narrow majority in the present legislature he's expected to parry his initiatives and ideas with has been (collectively) any more inclined to effect those bold changes than he's managed in the level and scope of his public support for them. If Congress actually enacted the bulk of his initiatives and proposals, we'd be looking at a national renaissance to match his very determined and pragmatic progressiveness.
I predict a transformation (in the not too distant future) of his presidency from the deference he's given to those in the establishment he's, so far, considered responsible enough serve his interests; to a desire to exercise his own impatience and earnest desire for change. He certainly has enough allies and friends out there who provided the support which enabled him to advance to the WH who represent the best of our citizenry. I fully expect him to advantage his presidency of those when he's finally lost faith in the establishment figures and their recalcitrance to provide the lift he desires for his stepping-stone administration.
I may be eternally cynical of our government, but I still expect a Renaissance in this presidency. I can only hope Mr. Obama's sense of time and place infects our Democratic legislators as well.
sorry for the long post, madokie (god what a big head I have)
madokie
(51,076 posts)I enjoyed the read
I see it like you see it.
The message from him I heard the loudest was when he said he'd be the President for all People, not just us democrats. What that said to me is there will be some things that I probably won't agree with but I felt the package of Barack Obama was well worth keeping as a whole. I've been proven to be right in that too
I know I feel better off today than I did under the dick and w.
I really like a person who takes a stand and then are big enough to change that if shown they were wrong. You have to have a purpose in life and have things to believe in, just be willing to change that as needed when you see the light or find you were wrong, is all.
reflection
(6,286 posts)I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and think you make some wonderful points. Thank you for sharing this.
Rod Beauvex
(564 posts)Cynicism may indeed not be the same thing as wisdom, but it can, and often does, come from past experience.
We'll see what happens in 2014. It's easy to tell the Rs off now that they're stalling everything, but we'll see what the attitude is if the Republicans lose their majorities. If that happens, the President and Dems lose all their excuses and will be expected to walk the walk and continue to tell the Rs to go fuck themselves.
GeorgeGist
(25,321 posts)But it needs to start soon.
madokie
(51,076 posts)Personally I see the glass as half full.
Rod Beauvex
(564 posts)Realistic think is not always the same thing as negative thinking.
madokie
(51,076 posts)But whatever you think
Rod Beauvex
(564 posts)When the president was first elected, we had majorities in both houses, and look what really got accomplished. That's where the cynicism comes from. Some of us prefer cautious optimism.
riqster
(13,986 posts)And were not large:
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/did-the-democrats-ever-really-have-60-votes-in-the-senate-and-for-how-long/
Give the Prexy some FDR-sized majorities and I will raise my expectations.
madokie
(51,076 posts)we had 58 or so dem votes in the senate but the pukes filibustered everything and I mean pretty much everything so it mattered not that we had a 51 plus majority or that we had the house, we never had that magic number of 60 in the senate which was required now that the pukes were in the minority. Thats how that worked. Obama has had to fight an uphill battle the whole way and pretty much is winning in spite of the pukes. I'll take him just how he is any day over any of what he's ran up against.
Rod Beauvex
(564 posts)I believe that was a common complaint.
The fact of the matter is, and my point being, politicians, D, R, or I, will not behave unless their feet are kept to the fire at all times.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not a Republican. Not a teabager, freeper, libertarian, or what have you. I like Obama. I don't believe he has always made the right decisions. I'm more mad at Democrats being weak willed. We didn't get single payer or a public option because DEMOCRATS didn't want it.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)progressive legislation. They are corporatists to the bone.
Rod Beauvex
(564 posts)It's just this person seems to want to peg me as a being a naysayer just for the hell of it.
Romulox
(25,960 posts)it would take to eliminate the filibuster.
It's a pathetic excuse.
fredamae
(4,458 posts)Voted For--Twice!
I love this-We've been waiting so long ....
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)(Will people *ever* @#$%ing learn?)
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)They never will. It's astounding how deluded some are.
Puzzledtraveller
(5,937 posts)Not in this day and age, the age of reality TV, celebrity worship and the cult of personality.
SamKnause
(13,103 posts)That is why we needed 3 Trade Agreements that Obama has already signed. (Panama, Colombia, South Korea)
Colombia is notorious for killing anyone associated with trade unions.
Trade deficit with South Korea 2.3 Billion, 60,000 U.S. jobs lost, South Korea is going after the U.S. steel industry.
Obama didn't think Wall Street did anything "illegal".
Obama couldn't find his "walking shoes" when Wisconsin labor needed his support.
Obama's answer to the Bush administrations atrocities, look forward not backwards.
Maybe his words have a hypnotizing effect on some but, a few of us are immune.
Thank goodness for that.
progressoid
(49,990 posts)I predict passage soon after the November election.
japple
(9,825 posts)japple
(9,825 posts)Si se puede!!!!!!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Livestreams don't last long. The videos go to the White House channel and remain available.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)The last thing we need is "Blazing Saddles:The White House Years".
a kennedy
(29,660 posts)the POTUS is REALLY getting under their skin now...... and I don't think the repubs like it very much. That video of boner yelling like that was just a hoot.
toddwv
(2,830 posts)and let Obama coast out the rest of his term?
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)flamingdem
(39,313 posts)greymattermom
(5,754 posts)or something like that. Let them say no to everything!