You know, this would be a good time for Kucinich and other progressives to rally around Obama.

[NYC_SKP]

This would be a terrific time to find and highlight the common ground rather than divide the party of hope, not to help the party of nope.

High profile progressives like Dennis could join NY Rep. Anthony Weiner in laying out the facts and the best of what the POTUS has embraced.

Because when our side, with all our quirks and subsets, go out and are over the place with "the message" we look like fucking fools who can't get along.

In the meantime, conservatives are united in their rage against what we know in our hearts is the right thing.

And most Americans would agree that the Public Option is the right thing.

But we have to express it cohesively and in a united way.

This will never happen if we can't find a way to come together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To paraphrase an old adage:

"You can be right, or you can be happy (and pass the public option)"

Take your pick.

:shrug:

PS, Thank you Rachel Maddow for standing up against Armey on Meet the Press.

:applause:

[Mz Pip]

1. I would like to think

that if a fraction of the people who turned out for the Obama rallies showed up at some of these townhall meetings in support of health care reform the Democrats would get the message.

BUt now that we got Obama elected we seem to think our work is done and all that's left to do is complain when the Obama Administration doesn't deliver.

Where are the crowds lining the streets in support of health care reform? "We the people..." need to stay involved. NOw is not the time to get complacent or just give up.

[NYC_SKP]

3. It almost makes me wish I lived in a red district....

Almost.

I've got Boxer and Feinstein, and McNerney as my Rep.

The neighboring two reps canceled their town halls.

McNerney's office called me today to remind me to write LTTE's, which I have.

And taken other actions.

:patriot:

[Cha]

9. You got the blue dog dino Feinstein

who doesn't want a Public Option so there's work to be done.:)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8516732

[NYC_SKP]

19. Oooh, yeah, this is true....

I'm on it!

Can't stand her...

[Cha]

20. lol..

None of us can!

[Mz Pip]

14. Barbara Lee is my Rep

but I would definitely show up with a "Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness" sign. I do write letters, for what it's worth. I nver do wuite know what Di Fi is going to do from one minute to the next.

[phleshdef]

2. This is what I've been saying'. We need to get the fire back that we had during the campaign(s).

[NYC_SKP]

5. Right! That passion is the one thing Republicans cannot buy!

They can use money and lies to create faux grass roots teabag efforts.

But nothing is more powerful than when we come together and fight the good side.

Our energy trumps all the fear-based energy of our opponents.

But, sadly, once we won the White House we seem to have gone back to infighting.

Argh!

[Peacetrain]

4. I think we will see alot of "on board" tomorrow.. a LOT

[NYC_SKP]

6. I hope I hope. And Thursday...

NYC_SKP --

David Plouffe sent the note below to Organizing for America supporters today, and I wanted to make sure you saw it.

Organizing for America and President Obama are holding a National Health Care Forum on Thursday at 2:30 Eastern Time. I'll be participating, and I hope you can join us, either on the internet or by calling in.

RSVP and submit a question for President Obama:

Hope you can make it,

Governor Tim Kaine
Chairman

-------- Original message --------
From: David Plouffe, BarackObama.com
Subject: Thursday: Strategy meeting with the President

Friend --

President Obama is holding a live strategy meeting on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time for all Organizing for America supporters. I hope you can join us, online or by phone.

The President will update us on the fight to pass real health insurance reform -- what's happening in D.C. and what's happening around the country. He'll lay out our strategy and message going forward and answer questions from supporters like you. And we'll unveil the next actions we'll organize together.

This is a critical time in this President's administration, and in the history of our country. I hope you can join us.

Here are the details:

What: Organizing for America National Health Care Forum

When: Thursday, August 20th, 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time

RSVP and submit a question for the President.


The President wrote to us a few weeks ago to ask us to go the extra mile this month in the fight for health insurance reform. And so far, you've stepped up in a big way: Last week, an astounding 60,000 Organizing for America volunteers stopped by representatives' and senators' local offices. You told your health care stories to staffers and members of Congress -- of losing insurance after getting laid off, of being denied coverage upon finding out about a serious illness. And you thanked those supporting real health insurance reform for all the work they've done so far.

But these local office visits were only part of the story. The D.C. media has been trumpeting coverage of town halls disrupted by angry opposition to reform. But the reality on the ground is very different. Organizing for America supporters are showing up in huge numbers at these meetings all across the country -- outnumbering opponents of reform, often by overwhelming margins.

You've organized 11,906 local events in all 50 states -- from press conferences to community discussions -- since we launched our big campaign for reform in June. And you've made hundreds of thousands of calls to Congress.

Your work so far has been incredible. But the special interests and partisan attack groups who oppose reform will not let up, and they will tell whatever lies they can to spread fear. There's a lot more work for all of us to do. This Thursday's meeting is our chance to huddle as a team, get the latest information and talk about how we're going to achieve this victory. You don't want to miss it.

Click here to RSVP and submit a question for President Obama:


David Plouffe

[vaberella]

16. Why? n/t

[tridim]

7. Complex thinking sometimes appears foolish.. to the fools.

You know what? I don't give a crap what we look like to the other side. We're the good guys.

That said, the rest of your post is spot on. K&R.

[galloglas]

8. Why doesn't Obama join with US??

The fact is that "the Party", or "all of us", or whatever it is you wish to pull together in unison, will have to decide whether we will have a "Public Option" (if not single payer) or not. It is really a case of either one or the other OR no real reform of any sort whatsoever.

So where is Obama going to decide to stand on this? With us or against us? You say "conservatives are united in their rage". So what, if not total capitulation to corporate interests, can we unite on with Obama? Do you suggest "his way or the highway"?

You say "You can be right, or you can be happy (and pass the public option)". But exactly what is there to be happy about with we are seeing offered to us? To me, this sounds rather like the choice "Either sit down and STFU or we will beat you senseless with these billy clubs. Take your pick."

This, uh, suggestion of yours reads more like a threat or an ultimatum than a suggestion. If it comes to that choice, I will pass and fight some other way with some other forces. After all, the Progressive Left are not indentured servants to the POTUS, despite what you, he or others think.

[Cha]

12. He is if you've been paying attention

and no one is calling you "an indentured servant".

[NYC_SKP]

17. I love watching the recs go up and down. Kucinich fans? No other reason to unrec, IMO.

Honestly, my post is about people being together on at least one fucking concept.

But, true to form, some just want to be divisive...

Oh well.

:P

[Cha]

22. I thought you were being

very very nice with a darn good suggestion but I guess if Kucinich says "The Public Option is Dead" then what's the use?:crazy:

[CakeGrrl]

23. Perhaps they don't support the President?

Other than insecurity, why unrec?

:wtf:

[NYC_SKP]

35. Sometimes it's personal, and other times...

...it's not.

One member has expressly said they will unrec anything they see that they don't think deserves front page.

To each his/her own.

:toast:

[galloglas]

24. I have BEEN paying attention:

So far I have seen a) single payer be refused even a discussion, b) recent backing away from any "Public Option" (via Sebelius and the POTUS) and c) discussion of "Co-ops" as a method of dealing with health insurance reform.

I have made my career in the Financial Planning/Insurance business. I DO know what the three thinks above amount to: Capitulation to the corporate insurance industry. So why don't you tell me where OBAMA has drawn his line in the sand? Or are you asking us to "join in with Obama" in whatever Obama finally settles for?

[Cha]

26. I'm not asking you to do a

damn thing. Good luck with that defeatism.

[galloglas]

31. And good luck on your Kamikazi mission

[treestar]

55. Because he represents everyone, not just us?

I thought it was a Republican thing to tell those who don't disagree that they just should be excluded from society.

[scheming daemons]

10. Kucinich would never do it... because he's invested in defeat

Like Jesse Jackson and others, he only has "power" when he has a grievance to sell.

Once there is Universal Health Care, and we're out of Iraq, Kucinich has no constituency any more.


Obama's election took away Jesse Jackson's power, as small as it was.... Obama's success in advancing progressive causes would take away Kucinich's, as small as it is.

[democracy1st]

38. Jesse Jackson never did have power it was made up totally by corp media

[scheming daemons]

11. Kucinich would never do it... because he's invested in defeat

Like Jesse Jackson and others, he only has "power" when he has a grievance to sell.

Once there is Universal Health Care, and we're out of Iraq, Kucinich has no constituency any more.


Obama's election took away Jesse Jackson's power, as small as it was.... Obama's success in advancing progressive causes would take away Kucinich's, as small as it is.

[leftofthedial]

13. I'm thinking Obama needs to seek help from actual progressives

who know what the fuck they're doing. He is in the midst of an enormous "teachable moment."

[vaberella]

15. I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen. So far Obama can always depend on one person

NANCY PELOSI

[NYC_SKP]

18. True, but also...

you and me!

:grouphug:

[vaberella]

21. No Doubt!!!

:pals:

[jeanpalmer]

25. It's better to rally around ideas

than around personalities. Especially when at best it's unclear what the personality stands for.

We should rally around single payer or full public option. "Medicare for all."

[Oregone]

27. Its a good time for Obama and crew to rally around the progressives

[Clio the Leo]

28. And when Dennis Kucinich is elected President, I'm sure Barack Obama will gladly do that.

In the mean time.....

[firedupdem]

29. Word! n/t

[Clio the Leo]

30. Nah, let's do this one instead......

(because I'd imagine that cheesin' smilin' Obama has to be WAY more annoying to an Obama hater than solemn Obama is lol)

[firedupdem]

34. You know it! You're on a roll tonight!!

:fistbump:

[Clio the Leo]

36. what can I say....

.... the "Obama as Jedi Chess Master" meme ALWAYS gets me all hot and bothered.

*I* always know that's the case .... but when everyone ELSE realizes/remembers it, well, it brings me joy. ;)

http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/lifeandstyle/gallery/2008/oct/06/1/[e-mail]

[Engineer4Obama]

44. Yes yes it brings me joy

[Number23]

70. Thank You! I LOVE these people who act as though Obama is supposed to ignore the people

who put him in office.

You know the Democrats, centrists, independents, people with no political leanings whatsoever, and more than a smattering of conservatives. Screw all of them (us!)! It's ONLY the progressives who matter, only their ideals that are worth considering.

Never mind that this man was elected with the broadest coalition of American votes in modern political history. He has to ignore EVERYONE but the liberal progressives, a few who are doing everything in their power to be obstructionists right now. It would be a fantastic thing for Kucinich and others to openly support Obama. Kucinich is a brilliant man, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was quietly supporting the President in many of his endeavors behind the scenes anyway.

[mkultra]

47. When you win the primary we will, Until then, try to remember the primary is over

If we lose on health care, it will be because of people like you. If we supported the president, He would have the bully pulpit and be able to slap the dino's around. Without support of the constituents, the congressman just meander around.

[Oregone]

48. Look, his pollsters and focus groups are telling him to goto war without the most dedicated people

behind him. They believe there are more votes to be won in the center, than to be lost on the left. This is his choice. He is not entitled to anyone's support.

If you lose on health care, it will be because the Democrats/President picked a hollow reform that stands for almost nothing.

[mkultra]

54. Actually, they just didnt go for Single Payer

And Public Option was a valid meaningful approach that had far greater support. If we lose public option, it will be because of the Single Payer agitators and the RW screamers.

[Oregone]

59. I dont care if you lose it. Its just the bait and means nothing

11-12 million people covered in a decade. You gotta be fuckin kidding me


This whole reform:

"It's really a partnership between the administration and insurance companies...It's not a partnership between patients and doctors of this nation."

[mkultra]

61. Actually, is was coverage that could have helped millions

And people like you are trying to tank it over idealism.

[Oregone]

62. Im concerned with helping everyone

And people like are too scared to try

[mkultra]

64. Everyone or no one huh?

Now that is stupid.

[Oregone]

65. Huh?

Im for everyone. You are for a few, maybe, depending on what the insurers want, and oh, lets not hurt big pharma's feelings.

[LooseWilly]

67. 'If we supported the president' ... Where have I heard that before?

Ohh, right- Britney Spears talking about Bush.

SPEARS: Honestly, I think we should just trust our president in every decision he makes and should just support that, you know, and be faithful in what happens.

And by the way, my progressive congresswoman is representing me if she votes against a "reform" without a public option. All of these attempts to "villify" progressives by association with Kucinich... in some sort of "Personality of Marginalization Ritual"... are just expressions of Personality Cultism as far as I can see.

As far as "rallying together" is concerned... Obama's movement back toward support for a Public Option is the only rational step... as the Public Option is the compromise of progressives. Any movement toward further "compromise" (at which point the line of "capitulation" will be crossed for progressives) will be a sign that Obama is not "rallying together" with progressives... Compromise is a two way street- unless you're Britney Spears, I suppose.

[treestar]

57. When they represent 51% of the population maybe

But now it would just be the equivalent to the repukes rallying around the Palin-worshipping racists shitbags.

I know when I'm in a minority and I'm going to support anything that gets us closer to there, not act as if we're in charge.

[Oregone]

60. Progressives were part of that 51%

Now they are told to shut the fuck up and sit in a corner with a dumce cap

[SwampG8r]

yup

absolutely correct

howdy skip long time no see
i have been doing a study of the canadian system
i think it could be workable as a model

[NYC_SKP]

37. Hey!

nice to hear from ya!

How're you and mrs gator?

:P

[SwampG8r]

66. ok so far

since we last spoke she and i went to alaska and did all kinda cool stuff
i havent been on here alot ...busy time for me
how you doing?

[DU GrovelBot]

32. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

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a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
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[SwampG8r]

33. grovelbot you sexy thing

always nice to see you

[democracy1st]

39. Its the pres that has sent mixed signals on the public option

[Honeycombe8]

40. It was a DK supporter responsible for the "Joker" image of Obama. His supporters

are not, and have never been, supportive of Obama. Or supportive of any other Democrat, that I recall.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

46. DK supporters are one step shy of LaRouchies. (nt)

[galloglas]

68. There's the unity the OP asked for!

:puke:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

71. Yeah, I'm sure that MY remarks are what will prevent Kucinich from heeding the call.

:rolleyes:

[treestar]

58. I am

I voted for Dennis in the primary but now Obama is President and I'm not going to get in the way - I'm too grateful McCook is not President for that shit.

Kucinich would be President if the country was that far left. 30% would still support McStupid and Phailin. No way are those people going to turn into progressives overnight. It's a long road to go to cure the disease that started in the Reagan years.

[unapatriciated]

73. You are wrong.

I supported DK in the primaries because I agreed with his platform. After the primaries, I threw my support to our candidate, campaigned, registered voters, donated and voted for Obama.
I would rather see Single Payer based on personal experience with the Insurance Cartel. Since Single Payer has been taken of the table. I have supported a STRONG Public option with the hope that it will lead to a single payer system in the future.
So please do not believe that one non-voting, bored college kid represents all progressives.
btw I have supported and voted for D's since 1973. (campaigned for them as early as 1968 before I could vote)

[PVnRT]

41. Is this going to be the refrain on every issue now?

Well, progressives, you need to rally around Obama on X even though you don't like it.

Over and over and over again.

At what point are they allowed to get fed up and not rally around the President? Or are you like the DLC, and just demand our votes so long as we shut up?

[NYC_SKP]

49. No, I said rally around the things with which you agree. Maybe DK opposes the public option.

Like I said, you can be right or you can be happy.

In this case being right and insisting on single payer now will get us nowhere.

Or we could rally around the best hope, the best part, the part of Obama's plan that we can pass and rally.

Pretty simple, I thought it was clear in the OP.

:donut:

[PVnRT]

51. My reply had nothing to do with Kucinich

I realize, however, that the Standard Reply has to reference him somewhere, so whatev.

I am rallying around the public option, imperfect though it is. It's the general sentiment that I have a problem with.

[jefferson_dem]

42. Don't count on Kucinich.

He was on FauxNews (he's become their fave Dem as of late) talking about how we need to scrap the existing bill and go back to the drawing board and he was disappointed in the administration... Seems he'll be forever relegated to gadfly status.

[saltpoint]

43. Agree. Dennis Kucinich should help push.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

45. Kucinich is for Kucinich, and nothing more - so in other words, I doubt he'd do that.

I've never seen him rally for anyone but himself.

[Doctor_J]

50. Great idea

Dennis and Weiner and the Progressive Caucus (and the CBC) should say, "We believe the president is a good man who wants to do the right thing, but so far he's been trying to appease a group of hateful, gun-wielding fringe elements. We're going to help him toward the right goal".

[uponit7771]

52. Maddow did an excellent job, VERY prepared and proffessional and direct

[Hatchling]

53. You know, this would be a good time for Obama and his administration to support the Progressives.

My take.

[democracy1st]

72. took the words right out of my mouth !

[Arkana]

56. They won't. They'd rather eat dirt than "sell out to the corporations, man", as they see it.

[Bonobo]

63. I am not sure I agree.

It is important that Obama maintain the illusion that he is a middle of the roader if he wants to actually succeed in doing anything.
In that context, the "left of the left" is an important provider of political coverage for him. He MUST occasionally denounce them. It gives him cover and for all you know, the Kucinich's are well aware of their role in this Democratic Kabuki Theater.

So look and think a little deeper and you might come to some different opiniuons on "what is really going on".

[cleveramerican]

69. theres nothing in it for them

thats whats stopping it from happening.

[polichick]

74. I was thinking it's a good time for the prez to rally around his base. nt

[unapatriciated]

75. While I believe we had a perfect time in history to get single payer started

I have gotten behind public option, in the hopes it would lead to single payer in the future.
What I don't like is hearing that we may not even get that.
So I have written and called the WH and encouraged others to do so in support of a strong public option.
It must be a true public option that offers a government run plan, if it is not than we are just putting more money in the Insurance Cartel's pockets.