Mr. President, when you said "change you can believe in" were you speaking to the people?

[cjbgreen]

According to Politico's Nat Negrin, President Obama met with wealthy donors four times this week. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/40669.html
These meetings were not open to the press. According to Obama's spokesperson, President Obama did not speak to any of the groups as a whole. Many of the donors paid over $30,000 to attend a meeting. For the majority of American's, whose lifetime contributions will never equal this largess, their voice and interests are being traded to the highest bidder. What is the change we can believe in? Where is the transparency we were promised? Democrats cannot rely on blaming Bush's policies (which were disastrous) to motivate voters. If the difference is rhetorical and not substantive Democrats are in trouble. President Obama may be correct in assuming that his shift to politics as usual (spun as pragmatism) will not result in Democrats shifting parties will not happen, but getting out the vote may not be a rallying point. I've heard from young passionate community organizers that they no longer believe it matters who is in power. Only the rhetoric is different, and that the presidency is the corporate face. There is still time for real change we can believe in.

[babylonsister]

1. Hold on.

First off, be very careful in trusting politico; they are an arm of the gop and have been known to skew the truth, often.
Since when are we supposed to be privy to every meeting the president has, and that applies to all presidents?
And do tell us how you know what transpired in these private meetings you're so offended by; if they were so private, I'm guessing you have no idea.

[impik]

2. What a load of crap

Even if he did all that, he's raising money for the Democratic party, in a reality where Wall Street is pouring money into Republicans. He is allowed to do that. This is fake righteous demagogy, and from Politico of all places.

[Spazito]

3. You might not know but Politico is a right-wing propaganda outlet...

bought and paid for by big money rabid right wing repubs so their credibility is non-existent to most DUers.

[LatteLibertine]

4. Honestly

I don't care who gives money to President Obama as long as he does what's right and best for the overwhelming majority of US citizens in the end.

[cjbgreen]

5. I think that is the point!

I think we need to look at his cabinet and policies and not just read the rhetoric or spin. He has asked us to hold him accountable.

[LatteLibertine]

6. I don't completely disagree

and he's working within a fairly corrupt system.

Personally, I'd rather achieve some progressive ends than enjoy posturing as a progressive.

[DFLforever]

18. Me too.

[Whisp]

12. and you should look at your sources.

Politico? surely, you jest.

[SunsetDreams]

14. you said it,

so I don't have to.

:hi:

[Phx_Dem]

7. Barf.

:puke:

[cliffordu]

8. Well, Enjoy your stay!!!!

:hi:

[akbacchus_BC]

9. Mom allowed you to use the computer and instead of typing something

sensible, you had to quote politico. You are so charming!

[WI_DEM]

10. And what president doesn't meet with wealthy donors?

If you find no change since Obama then you're not paying attention or it's not fast enough for you, or you had unrealistic expectations.

[Whisp]

13. the poor black ones?

[mkultra]

11. more hate from the "angry left"

Feels totally organic.

[cjbgreen]

16. Not hate, paying attention

It is important to pay attention and identify concerns, especially with Larry Summers, Salazar, Duncan etc, not to mention Gates, Petraeus. Concerns about issues such as education, war crimes, the environment etc. are not emmanating from hate but from respect for the power of the office and Obama's skills. Discounting concerns by labeling people as left hate, seems to me to be a Republican strategy. I think that there are many valid concerns about the direction Obama is taking and we are being told that only right center is what American's want. I don't believe that Obama was elected because people wanted right of center or they woud have elected Hillary. In fact many were attracted to Obama because he did not support invading Irag. I hope you will re-think your characterization.

[cjbgreen]

17. Not hate, paying attention

It is important to pay attention and identify concerns, especially with Larry Summers, Salazar, Duncan etc, not to mention Gates, Petraeus. Concerns about issues such as education, war crimes, the environment etc. are not emmanating from hate but from respect for the power of the office and Obama's skills. Discounting concerns by labeling people as left hate, seems to me to be a Republican strategy. I think that there are many valid concerns about the direction Obama is taking and we are being told that only right center is what American's want. I don't believe that Obama was elected because people wanted right of center or they woud have elected Hillary. In fact many were attracted to Obama because he did not support invading Irag. I hope you will re-think your characterization.

[Enrique]

15. Politico has big problems, but that's a good story

it's important to know what our president is doing.

[DFLforever]

19. It looks like he's raising money for the Democratic Party

Why would he do something like that..

[denimgirly]

20. I may be disappointed in Obama but you sir sound like a Righty...

I may be wrong but i get the impression you are a right in diguise out to find and say anything to make the president look bad.
I am disappinted in Obama not being a progressive and so i hate his weak sauce healthcare (where the public option that 80%+ people wanted), or strong Financial reform instead of allowing th ebanks to continue to run the place, etc etc. Obama is definitely center (leaning right) but my hope is he will see the light and become progressive in the final two years instead of only preaching progressive stuff during campaign season (like what he is doing now). I think Obama wants to be progressive but gets scared easily by the right and does what they want to easily.