Why isn't Obama leading the call to get the EFCA passed?

[brentspeak]

Why isn't he publicly calling for the Democrats to get on board with the issue? Why isn't he saying a word about it at all?

[sharp_stick]

1. Maybe because he's at the G-20? n/t

[Political Heretic]

2. Well............

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8308693

[DJ13]

3. Its considered smart politics to stay above the fray

I call it cowardice, but Im not a professional.

[Thrill]

4. It was over the day Specter said NO. The unions know it. Even with all the Democrats

on board. You still don't have Franken seated and even if he was, you would need another Republican. The votes aren't there.

[brentspeak]

8. "No, we can't"

That's Obama's message?

Funny, so he can push the Republicans on other bills but not on this one? Is that what you're saying?

[Barack_America]

12. If you're determined to be unhappy and disappointed...

That's exactly what you'll be.

[brentspeak]

14. Are you here just to muddy every discussion?

[Barack_America]

27. Are you?

What exactly is your point here?

You do realize that it was Specter and Feinstein who killed this, right? I addressed your question as to why Obama is not speaking out on Specter and Feinstein's decision, so you then turned around and blamed Obama for not publicly chastising Specter and Feinstein before they made their decision? And who's job do you think it is to babysit Senate Democrats anyhow?

This is the fault of Specter, Feinstein and Reid, yet you are convinced that the blame lies with Obama. Thus, I concluded that you are determined to be disappointed and unhappy with him.

[brentspeak]

30. My point is that you're either completely dense or completely dishonest

[Barack_America]

34. Care to back that up?

Or are you just enjoying being baselessly nasty?

[redqueen]

13. You do know it's also OUR job to push these sniveling wimpy DEMS who are against it...

right?

Or did you think you were electing someone who said that we could all sit back and complain and he'd do all the legwork?

[brentspeak]

17. ???

There are groups all over the nation who've been pushing the Democrats in Congress on this issue - for years.

But you're waltzing around my OP: Why isn't Obama leading on this issue? Why hasn't he uttered a single peep about the issue?

[redqueen]

21. Why don't you send him an email and ask. (nt)

[Thrill]

16. Its that pesky thing called Reality

[brentspeak]

36. It's that thing called "leadership"

It's kind of why we donated money and walked neighborhoods to get him elected.

[Thrill]

43. Wake Up. You can't pass it without a Republican vote. Thats just the reality

The Unions know it.

[DevonRex]

45. Apparently some folks can't count.

:eyes:

Reality means nothing to some people.

[Barack_America]

9. All the Democrats aren't even on board.

And it's Reid's job to babysit them, not Obama's. Particularly when Obama is abroad.

[AtomicKitten]

5. Why is Dianne Feinstein waffling on EFCA?

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/03/why-is-diane-feinstein-stiffing-labor.html

[avaistheone1]

23. because she really is a covert republican.

[Hutzpa]

6. Why should he do everything??? huh?

what??? all of a sudden we can't walk and chew gum because of some
jackass of a Democrat sucking up to GOP...

[Barack_America]

7. Because he's at a global economic conference.

You honestly expect him to go to the podium in a foreign nation and address domestic politics?

[brentspeak]

10. Can you really be so dense?

Where was he pushing for EFCA before the G-20?

[Barack_America]

31. So you're changing your question from "why ISN'T" to "why HASN'T"?

And I am "dense" for answering the question as you posed it?

Okay then.

[TwilightZone]

37. It does appear that the goalposts are moving.

n/t

[bluestateguy]

11. Right now he has a budget to pass

And the president has to pick and choose which issues he will use at the bully pulpit. EFCA is important, but the budget is just as, if not more important, and it contains many other urgent priorities as well, especially if it is passed by way of reconciliation. The budget reconciliation act contains a blueprint for health care reform, btw.

Having said that, the members of Congress are well within their right to take the lead on getting EFCA passed. Not every bill that passes Congress requires presidential leadership. The Lily Ledbetter Act and SCHIP passed without Obama doing much of anything. They can do it. They are big boys and girls.

[brentspeak]

26. That's a lot of crap

Getting EFCA passed has been the major labor issue for years. Everybody in D.C. and their dog knows that it can only pass with a White House effort.

[Teaser]

15. JUST TO PISS YOU OFF.

.

[NYC_SKP]

44. L.O.L!!!

:rofl:

[CreekDog]

18. because he's trying to get his budget and health care plan passed first

and they are a higher priority for him --i think that's pretty clear.

[ecstatic]

19. ...

[Political Heretic]

24. Good. I plan to blitz EFCA every day from now till its over.

[cali]

20. to fuck you over personally, my dear.

don't you realize WHY you get the kind of responses you do?

[redqueen]

25. What... are you trying to silence honest criticism and dissent?

HOW DARE YOU YOU GOOSESTEPPING FREEPER?

HOW DARE YOU?!

[cali]

29. heh.

I actually need to work on my goosestep.

[liberalsince1968]

22. Because he doesn't give a shit about helping organized labor...only the rich bankers.

[redqueen]

28. There we go!

Mission accomplished.

Chalk up another one for the 'sincere criticism, no... really!' brigade.

[brentspeak]

33. If you disagree, and want to know Obama's true feelings on the subject

why don't you just email Obama? I'm sure he'll send you a personal note.

[redqueen]

38. Did I ask about Obama's opinion there?

:think:

[Darth_Ole]

35. Obama won't push for EFCA until Franken is seated.

Then we'll have 59 senators, and we'd have to work on one more, possibly getting Specter to join us again.

Find a way for Al Franken to be seated in Minnesota, and you'll see Obama come out swinging on this.

Otherwise, I'm curious to know where you're going to find the votes to pass this, and your plan to seat Franken.

[redqueen]

40. You must have intended to address that to someone else.

I'm not the one bleating that he loves bankers and hates workers... that's someone else.

[Darth_Ole]

41. Yes, redqueen, I was referring to the OP

No sweat...

[dionysus]

47. wow, surprised you lasted this many posts....

:eyes:

[liberalsince1968]

48. So tell me - how IS he helping organized labor? *crickets chirping* I rest my case.

[FrenchieCat]

32. Cause he ain't your personal Messiah, and he doesn't walk on water?

It would seem like you would be the first in line understanding this.....considering, that you have clearly communicated that as far as you're concerned, he's not much more than a piece of shit.

[Pirate Smile]

39. Because he is a slacker. He is probably in the basement at the WH playing Guitar Hero.

Wait - he is on my TV giving a press conference in London. Hmmm.

[TwilightZone]

42. What are you going to do about it?

He could get every Democrat in the Senate on board and he still wouldn't have 60 votes.

Perhaps you can get on the phone and get a few Republicans on board.

38 of them voted for McCain's "budget", so they're out because they're obviously voting as a block against anything (D)-related and for anything (R)-related. Maybe the other two or three can be swayed.

At the moment, we need two. Get to work. Be sure to let us know when you have them converted.

[dionysus]

46. if only we elected that poseur hedge fund johnny, we wouldn't be in this mess...

:rofl:

[Spazito]

49. I think it is even deeper than that....

If only the Obama's had chosen more "wisely", the OP wouldn't feel so slighted:

Dog-gate: the West Highland White Terrier gets shafted

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8083228

:rofl:

After that thread, I now know all criticisms of the Obamas, by the OP, is because "The West Highland White Terrier" got shafted!

[brentspeak]

50. kick

:kick: