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Tuesday's Iran deal confirms something that has been clear for a while now: Barack Obama is one of the most consequential presidents in American history and he will be a particularly towering figure in the history of American progressivism.
Obama has reestablished productive diplomacy as the central task of a progressive foreign policy, and as a viable alternative approach to dealing with countries the GOP foreign policy establishment would rather bomb. He established a viable alternative to the liberal hawks that dominated Democratic thinking during the Bush years, and held positions of influence on Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign. And he developed a cadre of aides who can carry on that legacy to future Democratic administrations, and keep a tradition of dovishness alive.
http://www.vox.com/2015/6/26/8849925/obama-obamacare-history-presidents
shenmue
(38,506 posts)MH1
(17,573 posts)In my opinion.
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)And of course, Iran isn't the only country on Sorta's list with whom Obama has engaged in direct talks. He also ended America's failed policy of isolating Cuba, ending the embargo and allowing for a rapprochement after more than 50 years. His radical openness to dialogue abroad got results in the form of two of the biggest diplomatic breakthroughs since the Oslo Accords in 1994, perhaps since Camp David in 1978.
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)John Kerry has brought gravitas to State. He's risen to the challenges with steely-eyed determination and grace. The Nobel Peace Prize for his work on behalf of peace would be well-deserved. He is THE statesman for the times.
nikto
(3,284 posts)Marshall is a pretty big yardstick to measure by, IMO.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)I'm not disagreeing with you, and I'm not bagging on Kerry. Just that... we don't have an outstanding record of SecStates in this country, y'know? I mean even Thomas Jefferson was an enormous prick.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)uponit7771
(90,301 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)third wayer are accusing a Democratic primary candidate of the same thing.
They were wrong about Obama and they are wrong about that Democratic primary candidate.
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)If sanders got the nomination they would turn on him.
calimary
(81,085 posts)If either makes it to the White House, they will actually have won the election for the next "goddamn used car salesman/woman."
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)But he has dozens of followers.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Fearless
(18,421 posts)And against a smarter populace.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)after Iowa. She thought it would be over by then. She has already rectified that.
So no, you are wrong.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)She is trying to show the world a fake image. And we don't like that image. We don't need another corporate-run candidate. We have over a dozen, and they're all Republicans.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)He can wear many hats but war hawk is still one of them.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Fearless
(18,421 posts)But no. You are very wrong in your assessment.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)And no, I'm right. The entire UN Security Council agrees that Al Qaeda and ISIS are terrorists and have passed multiple resolutions making any kind of material support to them against international law.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)It has used drones without regard to human life or collateral damage. It continues to use them, even though data shows that they are grossly inaccurate in their "strikes" and furthermore very quick to sway public opinion against the US when used in those nations.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Fearless
(18,421 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Fearless
(18,421 posts)It scars our image. And it is a blight. It is no different than bombs or invading forces. It is needless and padding the pockets of no-bid contract companies fleecing billions off of US taxpayers.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Fearless
(18,421 posts)People in these countries despise us because of our actions. Average people. Ordinary people. Not zealots and corrupt leaders. We've created the next generation of terrorists the same as we created the last.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)That people don't like us in those countries is sad, but it's not the fault of the US and the West that law and order in those areas is close to nonexistent and thus international criminals feel (and are) safe there.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)lark
(23,059 posts)Yes, the Iran deal is awesome, one of the best things he's done in 8 years.
However, TPP is a total abomination and he will live on in infamy for this. It's worse than NAFTA and as bad if not worse than the repeal of Glass Steagal. At least GS didn't raise the cost of rx astronomically like TPP does.
He's a complicated person and a very mixed bag.
Hekate
(90,530 posts)....and it is impossible to work out any major international agreement in the full glare of publicity. There is always going to be a period of time for Congressional review and a period of time for the public to review it as well. That's how it works in the U.S.
So far, Obama has not "betrayed" us on any issue, despite the periodic hysteria at DU. I doubt he will do so with the TPP.
uponit7771
(90,301 posts)...president or not.
And this is by politifact which is blaming him for something he can't help.
nikto
(3,284 posts)Last edited Sat Jul 18, 2015, 11:33 PM - Edit history (1)
Obama is very much a mixed-bag (e.g. seeks peace with Iran and opening Cuba, over the attacks of the war-loving
neocons, but does drone-hits on "likely suspects" in Yemen and elsewhere).
Some folks on DU have a desperate need to see Obama as "pure", or something.
That is a false vision, IMO.
Obama is best appreciated without rose-colored glasses, but admittedly, it is hard for some folks
to acknowledge complexity in a public figure, and need to see a "Pure Hero", or something along those lines.
But some folks are able to accept some figures with complexity intact.
For me, a perfect example is FDR----He gave us the New Deal and many other great innovations
for The People (not elites).
But----FDR also would not accept the "Ship of Jews" seeking asylum, and most on that ship,
died in Nazi Germany, in the end.
Also, FDR permitted cannabis to be made illegal by self-serving corporate insiders' shenanigans
during his administration.
In addition, there is the horrendous Japanese Internment.
Those exceptions are bad, for sure.
But they do not keep me from appreciating the great GOOD that FDR did.
IMO, a similar viewpoint is necessary, and appropriate, for Obama.
I guess, like you, I just appreciate reality, with all its blemishes, more than glossing-over unpleasant truths just to
make something more palatable, by superimposing a false sense of "purity".
Heck, even Lincoln suspended Habeas Corpus, and did some other political-hardball stuff to achieve his goals.
Flaws? Yes. But we still celebrate Lincoln as a Great Pres, and he totally deserves it, just like
Obama deserves credit for the best, and gutsiest, things he has done.
stopwastingmymoney
(2,041 posts)As someone with a beloved younger brother who is still in the national guard after 15 years, I'm grateful that this President, while still waging war, is doing it in a way that does not involve sending nearly as many of our soldiers into danger.
Drones may be terrible but they're a tactic, a lesser of evils tactic. Now, if you wanted to talk about whether of not we should be waging that war at all, that's a different conversation.
One I'd be happy to have.
I'll take this President over every other option we've been offered.
nikto
(3,284 posts)The drone attacks' "collateral damage" does not someday influence or inspire a 9-11-type
attack on this country, which could do more to either send large numbers of American youths
overseas to fight, or even bring back the draft, if the attack is severe enough.
In any case, I hope your brother is able to avoid war of any kind while serving.
stopwastingmymoney
(2,041 posts)I agree on both points
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)What's ironic is that they're impacting recruitment here at home too! The US Air Force is going to start offering $15K sign-up bonuses to prospective drone pilots - this because of the attrition rates that are affecting regular drone operations. The pilots "burn out" due to the lingering remorse they have over executing and reviewing the death and destruction they're wreaking via this 21st century warfare.
mentalslavery
(463 posts)but, I'm satisfied. Considering the shit storm he was handed I can argue that another would have done better. Now on to Sanders!!!
AikenYankee
(135 posts)spanone
(135,781 posts)nikto
(3,284 posts)I give full credit to Obama for standing-up to the neocons behind-the-scenes (a super-tough thing to do,
that most Americans have absolutely no awareness or appreciation of).
And to his great credit, Obama is about the most gentlemanly and poised President I have ever seen under attack from partisans.
He's had to be.
Obama is moving in a Progressive direction, in, thank God, at least some areas.
I just wish he were as Progressive in Public Education policy, Wall Street governance and TPP, in which he basically
embodies the philosophy of Milton Friedman.
Milton Friedman's philosophy is about as anti-Progressive and anti-populist as you can get.
If Obama can turn-away from those policies, too, and adopt truly Progressive stands on those issues,
then he will have earned the title of "Progressive bad ass".
But domestic policy (aside from pushing for higher minimum wage, and putting-in a corporate, profit-based
healthcare system, which may possibly evolve into single-payer someday, hopefully), counts too.
It really does.
Not trying to be negative, just realistic.
Hotler
(11,392 posts)Where was his cadre of aids to throw the Wall St. shit stains in prison???? He's good, but not that good.
HassleCat
(6,409 posts)People disagree about what constitutes irony, but most people find it ironic when someone says one thing, then turns around 180 degrees and says the opposite. A couple years ago, conventional wisdom said Obama would have no legacy, no significant accomplishments, and so on. Now they're singing a different tune, aren't they? Good day to be a Democrat.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)for negotiating the SALT and START treaties, respectively?
Response to MannyGoldstein (Reply #27)
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George II
(67,782 posts)Response to George II (Reply #40)
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mefoolonhill
(454 posts)Obama's legacy is going to be destroyed by his position on TPP. That godawful piece of legislation is going to haunt him (and the whole country) for generations.
Response to mefoolonhill (Reply #31)
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arely staircase
(12,482 posts)He has secured a place among the great presidents.
Cha
(296,774 posts)arely staircase
(12,482 posts)Cha
(296,774 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)said about folks he likes http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6924598
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)He was also elected to mend our foreign relations.
The economy crashed just before the election and McCain's first reaction was to say, "The fundamentals of the economy are sound."
Heath care, supreme court appointments, gay rights, stem cell research, saving the auto industry, solar panels on the roof.
All of that was a bonus.
Marr
(20,317 posts)Obama is hardly any sort of 'progressive' hero.