And I thought he could walk on water....

[Maine-ah]

[spanone]

1. k&r...

[immoderate]

14. Actually it's the people being pulled down, and Obama is helpless...

On edit -- meant for OP, please excuse.

--imm

[Motown_Johnny]

34. that is why there is a life ring within reach of the people on the dock

those assholes need to wake up and throw the guy a line

[immoderate]

66. Why did he ignore them before?

Because he thought the Republicans would "befriend" him?

What does the life ring represent? "We'll save your ass so you can screw us again?"


--imm

[roguevalley]

76. even Obama has said lately he has fucked up. I considered his first mistake not taking billionaire

tax cuts down. Four years of that shit. Inexcusable.

[Lionessa]

2. I get so tired of hearing and reading about how poor ol' Obama can't handle his job.

If he can't handle it, perhaps he shouldn't be running for a second term. If those mean ol' republicans, and DINOs, and BlueDogs, and HIS OWN CHOICE of cabinet and financial positions are so much MORE than Obama can handle, then get TFOOTW.

He said he could lead this country, can he or not? This comic suggests he cannot, I believe he can but will not.

[MH1]

3. "get TFOOTW"? - who did you have in mind, for him to

"get TFOOTW" for?

[Lionessa]

19. the f' out of the way = TFOOTW

Bernie Sanders, Alan Grayson, Elizabeth Warren, hell I'd even take an Anthony Weiner

Thing is they all say no, but they might be saying yes if Obama would just embrace the meaning of this comic and so many similar and accept that he is unwililng to lead this Congress and therefore this country and not run for re-election.

But alas, somehow he is so severely hindered by others and we are supposed to excuse his ineffectiveness, while simultaneous he is a miracle worker that has accomplished more than any other president in history with a long list of accomplishments and we should all get behind his re-election and become cheerleaders for him.

This proves to me beyond a shadow that he's nothing more than a well marketed toy soldier of the 1%, and like a toy soldier, if you have a good enough imagination, you can imagine he's saving the country or the world. Unfortunately, it's just an illusion, and the USA and most of it's citizens are losing their value and Obama is continuing the support the ideas that have caused this slide.

[MH1]

25. Lessee. Grayson couldn't hold his seat. Weiner lost his seat for tweeting his weiner.

Warren couldn't get past obstructionism to head the agency she helped create (but I'll be damn glad for her to take that Senate seat from Brown).

Sanders is IN THE SENATE, yet couldn't get the bills you want to Obama's desk, now, could he? As President how will he make congress get bills to his desk that he couldn't even manage when he was in the Senate himself and in a position to wheel and deal?

Oh and isn't Sanders not even a Democrat?

Not to mention that none of them is running. So again, who is Obama supposed to get TFOOTW for?

(do you REALLY think Sanders would run as a democrat, and have a prayer, if Obama suddenly said, aw shucks I couldn't get it done, someone take over from me, k?)

[Lionessa]

32. Poor Obama supporters.

Can see every others' drawbacks but have blinders on when it comes to Obama's complete failure as a progressive, as a

Obama doesn't get it done for his constituents, instead suckles at the teats of the 1%, and would rather get in bed with (re: dozens of private conferences regarding many recent bills) Republicans and Bankmeisters than Liberals or Progressives.

Rah rah all you want, the only person's informational flow you're interrupting is your own.

[MH1]

39. You still didn't answer the question.

want some popcorn? there's plenty where that came from.

oh and hey, do you see my Obama pom-poms around here? I seem to have mislaid them.

[Old and In the Way]

42. Too funny.

Like anyone of these people would have better legislative outcomes than Obama. What we need is a magical candidate (a progressive Independent!) who can spread pixie dust over Congress and, voila!, perfect progressive legislation, unanimously passed in both House and Senate!

Either we have truly naive posters here who are clueless on how the legislation process works...or they are operatives doing their damnedest to sink the President and get a Republican elected.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

43. Is that a trick question?

[quickesst]

75. Actually....

....as to the post you are responding to asked no question at all. The poster simply stated fact. Your response would have had meaning if you would have said, "Is that a trick statement?" It wasn't, as I understood it perfectly. Thanks.
quickesst

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

81. So I made a mistake. You missed the overall point that the poster raised.

I would argue that many people have no clue what it means to govern. Then again, the hatred that I've witnessed on this forum sometimes leads me to think that there are some who are secretly hoping for the Republicans to win in order to prove some twisted illogical point.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

83. Barney Frank is on Larry O'Donnell tonight speaking on governance!

It would do some here on DU and other folks disappointed in the president/Democrats a hell of a lot of good to listen to what this statesman has to say. It's so easy to whine, write articles, and talk shit about what has and has not been accomplished in less than four years than it is to know and understand about how government actually works! It takes merely one person to halt progress and that is exactly what has happened. I'm not at all suggesting that Democrats/Obama are free from blame. To the contrary, they all too often allowed the Republicans to set the narrative and get away with lies. The Democrats--as a whole--cowardly ran away from all of their accomplishments under Pelosi's leadership while conceding defeat in the Senate without enough fight...

HOWEVER, despite unprecedented obstruction, accompanied by pure hatred and contempt for the American people on behalf of the Repubican party, the Democrats GOVERN!! Republicans are brilliant at politicking; the Democrats are expected to govern. And Republicans bank on the fact that average Americans know little about governing such that things go wrong or nothing get done, people will blame the Democrats/Obama. Sad to see that some here on DU and other Democrats have fallen prey to this tactic, which has worked in favor of the Republicans now for 30, 40 years!!

[Samantha]

87. Did you hear this line uttered by Barney Frank?

"We (Democrats) may not be perfect, but the Republicans are nuts."

Lawrence O'Connell had to control himself to keep from breaking up, but he managed to utter it was the perfect bumper sticker. I think so too.

Sam

[Old and In the Way]

92. Couldn't agree more.

And I did understand the spirit of your question.

[Telly Savalas]

74. It's possible a few of them are Obama operatives

who wish to crowd out legitimate criticism of the President by posting ridiculous bullshit.

It makes Obama look better when the bulk of the criticism against him comes from people that have a limited grasp on reality.

[quickesst]

77. Ha ha ha ha.....

.."Obama operatives"!!! That's funny as hell and reminds me of a simpleton stealing the time proven "Must be a repug troll". Hell, if someone can't see the difference, and if someone has to be led by the hand to see this shit, then I hope they're not on my side. If a viable democrat does not step up, then vote Repug. Until then, Obama is it. Why can't people wake up and smell the fucking coffee? It's because their version of "ideology" makes them in their own minds to be somehow "above" everyone else, and somehow "superior". You're not. Get a grip. Thanks.
quickesst

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

82. I do agree with you here!

[Old and In the Way]

94. I hadn't considered that option.

Fascinating idea....Obama operatives trying to create dissension to help weaken Obama. That's a sign of evil genius!

[Tarheel_Dem]

134. "Sanders would run as a democrat, and have a prayer" Check the polling. Sanders would lose badly..

in a primary against President Obama, in his own homestate. And so would Howard Dean. Mind you, Bernie has huge approval in the state of VT, but that supports evaporates when pitted against the president, in a primary matchup.

[Aleric]

115. YES, YES, YES and YES +4000

ACTUAL liberals. Progressives even.

[snooper2]

117. you are still able to post the word "fuck" on DU3

FYI

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. !

[Edweird]

6. Yep.

[jorno67]

7. I disagree with you!

To me the comic suggests that our expectations of Obama did not take in account the type of foe the Republican Party was going to be...and that maybe our expectations were not all that realistic.

[Phlem]

18. What type of foe?

I knew what type of foe they were when RayGun was in office. If he didn't know that much then I'm real fricken scared.

jeeezuz


-p

[jorno67]

55. not what I am saying...

I think the cartoon is blasting the people on the pier (us) for this - I am not saying that is the truth, but the cartoon is NOT blaming Obama.

[Old and In the Way]

96. The cartoonist probably got his inspiration from reading DU. nt

[Lionessa]

20. Fine I accept your concept that he didn't take into account the reality of politics, but again, then

he should get TFOOTW, and not run for re-election.

[FarLeftFist]

47. For WHOM? And why? He has passed an INCREDIBLE amount of legislation and is doing his job very well.

How come there are no progressives throwing their hat in the ring?

[Number23]

64. Question of the year, no of the last 100 years and for which no one EVER has a good answer

How come there are no progressives throwing their hat in the ring?

If you were a smart, liberal-minded person who has seen the way that "progressives" tore apart this president in some cases before he even set a foot in office, would you be banging down doors to represent these people?

[jorno67]

57. It seems to me that the cartoon is blasting the people and noy Obama

I am not arguing against (or for) your point - this cartoon just doesn't have anything to do with what you are trying to say

[dionysus]

70. this is a very bitter and spiteful statement.

[Old and In the Way]

97. Brilliant idea!

maybe you could ask one of the progressives you mentioned upstream if they'd run? We should probably run someone in the GE, right? Or should Obama jut resign now and we just wing it into November and see what happens?

[spanone]

10. you want a king? dictator?

[a simple pattern]

36. He seems to have no problem obtaining and using that kind of power when it suits him.

Which is to say, when it furthers the agenda of the 1%.

[asjr]

11. I read into this cartoon a little bit differently. I find it

very funny as it shows all that is holding Obama back are the Republicans and poking fun at those who were expecting Superman instead of a human being to be our president. He is very human and I refuse to hold that against him.

[Maine-ah]

16. that's how I interpreted it as well

[Spazito]

30. Exactly! n/t

[GoCubsGo]

31. That is how I saw it, too.

[one_voice]

60. That's how I read it too....

[joshcryer]

106. I see it slightly similarily, the people though are walking away (note the lifeguard tube).

Obama appears to be reaching out to them for help.

So the cartoon signifies, to me, a people who saw Obama as Superman, but when he's drowning, the just throw him under the bus.

I don't think "all that is holding Obama back are the Republicans."

I think the people on the dock are letting him drown, thus contributing to the situation. There even a tube hanging from the dock and no one is even trying to get it for him.

[FSogol]

116. Same here. n/t

[Phlem]

15. Quick! Where's that list!

-p

[girl gone mad]

17. Yep.

He's the one who chose to swim over to the drowning elephant and reach out a hand.

[tabatha]

24. If he could pass the laws, then it is his fault.

However, if the Republicans block every damn thing - what should he do - fire them?

[a simple pattern]

37. Maybe he should have them detained for treason.

Ha, ha.

[treestar]

46. Do his job?

What is that job?

[dionysus]

69. .

[Bonobo]

86. Bush didn't seem to have any problem doing what he WANTED.

Why can't Democrats? Could it be that they really don't want it as bad as some think?

Could there POSSIBLY be some pretending and fake protesting going on?

Because after their political careers are over, they ALL want the same cushy jobs.

[joshcryer]

104. Bush had majorities in both houses for ... more than 49 days?

And Democrats don't vote in a bloc like Republicans?

Elect more progressive democrats that will vote together.

[Skittles]

88. but....but....LONESSA!

he....DOESN'T HAVE A MAGIC WAND! And you need to STOP WISHING FOR A PONY!!!

[joshcryer]

103. Actually, now that he's had 3 years of governing, I think he'll do fine.

Before, when he was being chosen by the American public, I had my doubts, and his style of governing is not to my liking, but I think now that he's running again he'll do just fine.

Particularly if we give him a Congress that is useful.

[TheWraith]

123. Obama's handling his job just fine.

As evidenced by the historic amount of legislation passed despite unprecedented opposition, the growing economic recovery, and his rising poll numbers.

The problem is a few very loud people whining like spoiled two year olds that he hasn't completely fixed everything, enacted a liberal utopia, and given them ice cream.

[MineralMan]

4. Excellent 'toon.

[AtomicKitten]

8. K&R

[MarkCharles]

9. Great cartoon! SO Accurate!

I just think he's a man caught in a situation that he cannot control.

If liberals had had a network as destructive to Republican's idiotic thinking as Fox News, we would not have lost the House, and, of course, if Massachusetts had not had that one moment of thinking they had to screw the Kennedy legacy by voting the an arrogant idiot Brown, we would not have lost the Senate so early into Obama's years.

People need to lay blame where it belongs, and it's only because of Republicans in Congress that Obama has not made more progress than he could have. Millions out of work still only because of Republicans in Congress, and so many anti-abortion bills, so many anti youth-elderly-black suffrage bills, all Republican.

[Phlem]

28. "I just think he's a man caught in a situation that he cannot control."

Then why in the hell is he running for a second term.

I say lead or get the f out of the way.

This crap affects us all, not so much him. He's set for life.

I want someone who's got my back, not the republican's.

Some one who doesn't ignore what's happening outside of his echo chamber.

I'm sure the man means well, but that's not what I want.

I want a fuckin rabid dog lookin out for my back not princess polite, the princess of compromise who gave the crooks all they wanted.

At least get on the fing mike and talk to the country about what the R's are doing. No, not a state by state tour. But a get in front of the Fing TV and inform the public, and maybe a a little bashing of republicans and not his constituents.

Everybody still remembers watching him throw the left under the bus, on FOX news even.

We need to stop apologizing for this man.

Killing Bin Laden, not so high on my priority list.

Getting a decent job so I can send my kids to college and save for retirement , and seeing my friends and family keep their jobs, very high on my priority list.

For F's sake people.

It's time for all of us to pull our heads out and actually see things as they are.

My child needs me to that for her future and her kids future's.

-p

[nobodyspecial]

33. And just who is going to do this without the help of Congress?

Name names and outline the strategy that has them winning in by the the fall.

[Phlem]

40. I thought we did this in 2008

Mr. "change has come to america" has been more of the same instead. And don't think I'm not voting for him. I fully understand the situation. It is this very situation that frustrates me so. I for one am done apologizing for politicians because if we continue that action, we deserve the government we've got.

-p

[MarkCharles]

45. Well, as we both understand this so well....

The Republicans could have helped us out of this mess we are in, no we wouldn't be totally over the worst depression since the Great Depression, but we're better off than in 2009, we're better off than in 2010, and we would be MUCH better off if it were not for the Republicans in Congress screwing Obama every chance they get.

THIS is the message we should be sending to the American voter, everywhere. Republicans are standing in the way, blocking the doors to progress, and wasting our time fighting to keep rich folks from paying a fair share.

[Phlem]

53. Exactly

I bet a lot of people don't even get that. Education quality has declined (no coincidence there) and the network news is also another disaster cause we don't get the real info. You have to dig for that. Even the more "affluent, with time to spare" family members of mine don't get 1% of what's going on. They're independents with open minds and have the means but just don't get it. Anyone working 2 jobs has no time to dig for news.

That's why we need him on the bully pulpit.

Every day would be nice. For those who want more from our government and mostly for a lot of those who just need to get informed sans all the spin.

-p

[dionysus]

72. .

[Phlem]

127. what's this supposed to mean?

...

Am I asking to much from MR. "Change has come to America."?

-p

[freedom fighter jh]

111. Exactly

And I would add a few things:

* We need a president who will do something about climate change. Republicans are sure to vote it down? At least raise the issue and show denialism for the suicidal craziness it is.

* We need a president who will respect the Constitution, rather than sign away our rights in NDAA.

* We need a president who will bring us affordable health care, rather than guarantee business for the health insurance companies -- which guarantees high prices, for us. For many, that means unaffordable prices.

Is it that Obama can't or that Obama won't? I don't know and I don't care. Maybe he's a great, well-intended guy underneath it all. But whatever it is, we don't need four more years of moving in the wrong direction.

[deutsey]

113. I agree.

[Phlem]

143. Totally agreed!

But according to some brilliant people here in this thread he needed 4 years of fucking political seasoning.

That's such an ignorant statement.

Always shoot for the high water mark.

We the people deserve nothing but the best, and don't let the fricken apologists here push you around friend.

Thanks for the input.

-p

[BlueMTexpat]

118. When you say "It's time for all of us to pull our heads out and

actually see things as they are," you might want to do that yourself. That said, I certainly understand, even while I may not completely agree with many of your sentiments.

Things as they are = President Obama as an incumbent President with no feasible primary opponents in 2012 who have already announced or who have the finances or organization to be able to win even against the clown car of GOP candidates who have already been campaigning for months and who do have the finances and organizations.

An incumbent President is almost always the first choice of his (or hopefully someday her) party. For President Obama to step aside now - as President Johnson did in 1968 after a strong primary challenge from Eugene McCarthy (who really screwed things up for decades to come with that ill-advised move) - would most probably result in a GOP victory in 2012.

I am unwilling for that to happen. It's President Obama or a GOP Pres this year. That is "things as they are." I do not have a deathwish for my country. So I acknowledge the facts as they are and I will be supporting President Obama.

I was not an Obama supporter in 2008 until he became the Dem nominee because I believed then that he needed more political seasoning at the national level. I believe that the past four years have mostly proven that point in spades. But the Obama of 2012 now has the political seasoning he formerly lacked. I am supporting his candidacy wholeheartedly in 2012.

[Phlem]

142. Really?

That's what I was doing when I voted for the political scholar, the man who's never heard of obstructionism, what my dad used to call "stone walling" when he was alive. I guess he missed out in history classes. Huh, when I vote for a president I expect him to be ready for the job, not 4 fucking years of "political seasoning", or learning on the job.

"An incumbent President is almost always the first choice of his (or hopefully someday her) party."

Wow, really? tell me something I don't know, who do you think your talking to? Jeeeezuuzzz

Way to shoot for mediocrity.


-p

[Survivoreesta]

12. Too true>

Recommended!

[Edweird]

13. So much straw....

[Jon Ace]

56. Go on...

[stevenleser]

21. Now THIS is an OP that deserves a K&R.

[frazzled]

22. Can't help it if you were living under a delusion

It's your problem if you were.

Most of the rest of us were well aware of the reality of the politician and candidate Obama, voted for him enthusiastically, and have not been disappointed. I guess we're just those boring members of the reality-based community.

ON EDIT: Maybe I didn't read this cartoon closely enough: it seems it acknowledges that Obama is being held back by the Republican sea-monster.

[Maine-ah]

27. I'm glad you went back and looked at it again.

because I was most certainly not "living under a delusion"

[frazzled]

51. Yes, and I apologize

for my hasty reading of your intent.

Keep on keeping on!

[hfojvt]

23. and I thought he would fight Republicans

" Now, I know there are some who would have preferred a protracted political fight, even if it had meant higher taxes for all Americans, even if it had meant an end to unemployment insurance for those who are desperately looking for work.

And I understand the desire for a fight. I’m sympathetic to that. I’m as opposed to the high-end tax cuts today as I’ve been for years. In the long run, we simply can’t afford them. And when they expire in two years, I will fight to end them, just as I suspect the Republican Party may fight to end the middle-class tax cuts that I’ve championed and that they’ve opposed."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/07/press-conference-president


I am opposed to the high end tax cuts, but I am not gonna fight now to end them, instead I will fight two years from now. Today, I am here to surrender, supposedly temporarily. I am also gonna declare that payroll tax cuts are a victory for working people even though over 70% of them goto the richest 40% and only 12% of them goto the poorest 40%.

So basically Obama was trying to fight for lower income working people, but the Republicans put him in a wet paper bag and he couldn't get out of it.

Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!

At least until the election. Then it's I am sympathetic to those who want me to try, but I am not gonna. EVEN. TRY.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

26. I thought he was a centrist politician who would govern like a status-quo centrist.

Which is why I didn't vote for him.

[Robb]

73. Well, hopefully we can count on you this time!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

84. Well, you can count on my voting.

[girl gone mad]

29. The cartoon is inaccurate.

The people are the ones who are drowning, being pulled under by the elephant. Meanwhile the President is standing on the dock making excuses for why he can't help.

[nobodyspecial]

35. What excuses has he made?

Tell me exactly what he can/should do without the approval of Congress. Please be specific.

[girl gone mad]

41. I don't have time to list them all, but..

Excuses for why he couldn't push a bigger stimulus plan. Excuses for his refusal to allow cramdowns as part of HAMP. Excuses for why he dropped support for the public option and broke his promise on the mandate. Excuses for not raising the debt ceiling when we had majorities in Congress. Excuses for not prosecuting Wall Street criminals. Excuses for not appointing Elizabeth Warren. Excuses for not doing more to address the unemployment crisis. Excuses for not prosecuting Bush administration crimes. Excuses for pushing privatization schemes and bad education reforms. Excuses for extending the wars. Excuses for expanding the drug war. Excuses for appointing a cabinet full of neoliberal fools. Excuses for selling out the environment again and again. Etc.

[nobodyspecial]

49. I see a list of things you find fault with.

Please point me to the excuses he has made for all of that.

[girl gone mad]

50. I guess you misunderstood my post.

I said the cartoon should depict Obama as standing on the dock making excuses for why he can't rescue drowning people.

I do believe he has made a number of excuses for the things I listed, however. For instance, he inaccurately claimed that his administration would have a hard time prosecuting Wall Street because what they did wasn't illegal (off the wall absurd!). His excuse for not prosecuting the Bush crimes was that we needed to look forward.I can't remember the excuses for refusing to work with Congress to pass a cramdown provision early in the crisis, but there were several offered up (none of which made any sense).

[treestar]

48. So you think Congress is all powerful?

They can do things they want without the President?

Sorry all this shit boils down to one thing: a childish foot stamping: No! There are no Republicans! All the President has to do it order it! The Congress has no say! Republican voters have no say! The President can just do it by himself! (While at the same time complaining that the POTUS now has power to jail us all at will due to the NDAA). Well that just shows underlying belief - that the POTUS is a King, and whining that he isn't.

[girl gone mad]

52. Congress doesn't control the Justice Department.

Sorry all this shit boils down to one thing: a childish foot stamping: No! The President has no power! The President in incapable of doing anything Republicans don't like! The President has no say! Progressive voters have no say! Congress does it all by itself! (While at the same time complaining that failure to re-elect him will result in immediate, absolute catastrophe). Well that just shows underlying belief - that the POTUS is irrelevant, and whining that he isn't. You want to pretend that the President has no power.

[hfojvt]

89. no, the President certainly DOES have the power to choose to fight

See the quote that I posted where he explains that he is not gonna fight the Republicans, even though people like me want him to.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/07/press-conference-president

I suppose it was Congress and Republican voters that forced Obama to create the Catfood Commission and then embrace its conservative proposals. I suppose Obama is unable to reject the Republican frame on the budget http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/165

Obama does not have THAT power even? Obama does not have the power to say that Republicans are wrong?

He just has to keep going around saying that they are right? They are right about the need to cut spending. They are right about the need to cut social security. They are right about the need for tax cuts to create jobs. Is there any point about the economy where Obama thinks Republicans are wrong?

[stevenleser]

38. The way DU3 handles 'ignored' posters is interesting. I see only 11 comments but apparently 37 have

responded. In the old DU2 I would see all of these posts with "ignored" in the thread heirarchy.

I am guessing you are getting a lot of responses unhappy that you aren't crucifying the President for any and all possible slights, real and imagined. Sad really.

[Union Scribe]

62. Love people who brag about all the people they ignore, lol. nt

[stevenleser]

65. Who is bragging? I'm just saying I am surprised about how it works in DU3. Since I posted this...

I've seen several other folks who marveled at the same thing.

[Old and In the Way]

44. A picture says a thousand words.

I'll bet the average Republican voter can even understand this.

[JitterbugPerfume]

54. It is a shame

That Obama isn't perfect ! A real crying shame.

[rug]

58. It's hard to launch drones from that position.

[krispos42]

59. Walking on water is easy

Just ask any ice fisherman.

[Union Scribe]

61. I think a more accurate cartoon

would have him trying to appease the elephant by throwing the rest of us peanuts.

[Number23]

63. Kick and f*cking rec

[SidDithers]

67. Awesome and so accurate...

Sid

[Bob Wallace]

68. Oh come on...

Don't you remember how when Obama set out to close down Gitmo and Congress tried to block him we turned out in the hundreds of thousands to support his effort?

Or how, when he introduced his bill to create jobs we stormed Congressional offices in support?

How about when he tried to get Elizabeth Warren appointed to head up the new consumer protection agency we marched on Washington - the Million for Warren March?

[uppityperson]

71. k&r

[MellowDem]

78. It's wrong...

the liberal base doesn't control the Democratic Party. The liberal base doesn't have a party. The liberal base is half the size of the conservative base in this country. The liberal base doesn't have the power to push for a liberal agenda even within their own party, much less in the country. The liberal base makes up only 40% of the Democratic Party.

Those fed up with Obama as shown in the cartoon are moderates, and generally are people that know little to next to nothing about our political system and how it works. They don't know about policy, they only vote people out if things are going bad for them in their personal lives.

The liberal base will practically all vote for Obama. The liberal base does disagree with Obama's strategy and tactics at times. The liberal base will go out and work much harder than moderates and conservatives in the Democratic Party for a party that pushes moderate conservatism, just to avoid the Republican extreme conservatism.

But to imply the liberal base, which is still the most solid support Obama has, is somehow to blame for not helping Obama, much less implying they have the power to do so, is just weak. We live in a very conservative nation and have a political system that is outdated and easily controlled. Liberals are powerless to do anything at this point. They are only 20% of the American population. Unless our political system changes or the majority of Americans become liberal overnight, things won't be changing anytime soon.

Liberals are much more informed than moderates that Republican obstructionism is to blame.

[Surya Gayatri]

101. "Liberals are much more informed...

than moderates that Republican obstructionism is to blame."

Are you quite convinced of this? You wouldn't know it from the 'liberal' wailing and gnashing of teeth on this board. SG

[MellowDem]

132. It's all about Obama's tactics...

and political strategy.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

80. a lotta people accuse tea-pukes et al of simplistic thinking

then turn around and hate on Obama for not simplistically addressing everything and fixing it all.

Seems to me every bill he's been given has a truckload of ugly hidden repuke bombs built in blackmailing the President--who is trying to preserve democratic values--into diluting his every intention.

Protecting peoples' interests is much more complex than propagating the repuke interests of war and big business. Protecting people, their health acre, wages, rights to justice, national protection, trade, budgeting, differing demographics and their differing issues-----all of this is infinitely more complex than safeguarding white billionaires and their corporations.

[Surya Gayatri]

100. Tell it, Blanche....+1,000

n/t

[BlancheSplanchnik]

125. thanks

yeah, the obummers were getting to me there, for a while...I felt disappointed and somehow obligated to join the diatribe....and afraid of saying anything that didn't follow suit, because I might get flamed---some of the criticism is valid but like I said here elsewhere, there's a difference between thoughtful critique and Gonzo negativism.

Oversimplified disgust isn't "cool", it's just tunnel vision. Talking points and bumperstickers.

[Surya Gayatri]

129. I'd love to see this quote pinned permanently

on the home page:

..."there's a difference between thoughtful critique and Gonzo negativism.
Oversimplified disgust isn't "cool", it's just tunnel vision. Talking points and bumper stickers."

Right there you've said it all, Blanche! SG

[BlancheSplanchnik]

141. :)

Awww, shucks!

[redqueen]

139. Love your posts on this thread.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

140. Thanks, redqueen!

I appreciate knowing that

[Bonobo]

85. Problem is that he is NOT yelling for help from the ones offering a hand.

For 3 years, he has yelled for help from the very Republicans the are dragging down.

He in fact said to them "I tell you what, I will swim underwater down to the bottom and then just let me come up for a while after that, ok?"

[cherokeeprogressive]

90. Actually that is the PERFECT illustration of a man "in over his head". Good 'toon.

Could it be possible that a person with more political experience (can you say Hillary?) might have seen the writing on the wall and governed differently?

[boxman15]

91. That is laughable in so many ways.

How anybody would be able to do anything with today's Congress is beyond me.

[cherokeeprogressive]

93. Laughable only because it's beyond Him too.

The fork in the road came waaaay back in those heady days after Inauguration Day with his first appointments.

[joshcryer]

108. Those appointments were perfectly in line with his post-partisan campaign.

[Old and In the Way]

98. Exactly.

Bring back Super Democrat President - a combination of JFK/FDR/LBJ/WJC and see how SDP would perform with this Republican Congress. The solution isn't shooting the poor bastard who has to deal with these assholes...the solution is educating the American voter to understand why nothing is getting done in Congress. We need to change Congress, not the White House.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

126. you got it!

Big time!

[quinnox]

95. Recommended

Also, the cartoon does score on a couple of BINGO slots too. RE: the recent cartoon posted by Will Pitt

[joshcryer]

107. The cartoon is showing individuals walking away from a man being forcefully drowned.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

119. insightful point. In reality, if HE drowns,

it's really [font size=10]US[/font] who go down with the ship.

[Surya Gayatri]

99. And the haters on the dock

won't even throw the guy an inner tube.
Boy, some 'liberals' should take a page from the Repuke playbook--"Chapter: Benefits of Showing Solidarity". SG

[joshcryer]

109. Exactly. It's a very very cogent observation.

Remarkable, really, that so much is packed in to such an image.

[Surya Gayatri]

130. Yeah, I believe there's

another chapter in the Repuke
"Politics 101" textbook entitled
"Methods for Dividing and Conquering". SG

[BlancheSplanchnik]

120. there's a whole "Gonzo" flavor to the Obama haters commentary

That's how it feels to me.

Snarky, personal, aggressive and begging to be cool by way of verbose cynicism.

They ain't no Hunter Thompson.





(Such "analysis" is not to be confused with intelligent critique)

[Surya Gayatri]

135. +! Blanche...

"They ain't no Hunter Thompson"...that's for sure damn.
Just spewing talking points they've found on some so-called libertarian or "Puma" blog.
(not to mention right wing trash) SG

[BlancheSplanchnik]

124. Strength in Numbers...a house divided cannot stand.....

Many learned people have put that idea into words throughout history.

If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas if one in body but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable. The more than three thousand volumes of Confucian and Taoist literature are filled with examples. King Chou of Yin led seven hundred thousand soldiers into battle against King Wu of Chou and his eight hundred men.2 Yet King Chou’s army lost because of disunity while King Wu’s men defeated him because of perfect unity. Even an individual at cross purposes with himself is certain to end in failure. Yet a hundred or even a thousand people can definitely attain their goal, if they are of one mind. ---Nichiren Daishonin, 13th century Japanese monk

[Rex]

102. Is that the GOP or just BP?

Looks like a toxic plume has a grip on his leg!

[malaise]

105. Make that the 100th rec

Freaking perfect

[joshcryer]

110. Does anyone have a larger image? The dock and tube appear to say something.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

122. the dock says "Liberal Base"

the life-saver thingy, though.......waaaay too small to tell.

[joshcryer]

131. Oh wow, I thought I read "LIBERAL" but couldn't make out "BASE." You're right!

That has to sting to some of Obama's liberal detractors.

[Laelth]

112. At least the apologists for this President have a sense of humor. n/t

-Laelth

[GeorgeGist]

114. Don't buy the propaganda.

He's a shew in for re-election.

[Corruption Winz]

121. This reminds me of a joke I heard once...

Once, Obama was drowning. He expected a boat to come by, but there was no boat. He expected a life raft and a life guard, but nothing. Finally, Obama drowned and went to Heaven. In Heaven, Obama confronted God.

Obama: God, I was drowning. Why didn't you help me?

God: What? Didn't you get the boat? The guard? The raft?

Obama: ...No.

God: Congress......

[progressoid]

128. Who thought he could walk on water?

[akbacchus_BC]

133. Who? If you mean Obama, he fooled the world, what a disaster!

America is more war mongering under Obama as opposed to Bush. Gawd. Hillary could a been a bit better but dynasty sucks!

[FrenchieCat]

137. I disagree with your war mongering name calling.....

as there is no evidence to that.

Does the US still have enemies in this world? Yes
Did Pres. Obama just end the war in Iraq? Yes
Is Pres. Obama ramping down Afghanistan after doing what he said he would do there while campaigning in 2008? Yes
Is our Defense Spending being put on the table for cuts for the first time in a very long time? Yes
Who started the Afghanistan war? Bush
Who started the Iraq war? Bush
Who saber rattled at Iran? Bush

Who is wrong about their assessement on our current foreign policy as well as whether Hillary would have been better (without offering evidence of this)? akbacchus_BC

Who should be more concerned about the fact that their government in Canada is much more conservative than it has been in a very long time? akbacchus_BC

But thanks for playing! At least you sound coherent in your post this time, even if there are no facts associated with your statements in it.

[Enrique]

136. wait, who's drowning?

is it the most powerful person in the world, who is also very wealthy, or is it the millions of unemployed, foreclosed, in debt, etc.

[redqueen]

138. K&R!