Matt Damon: Obama 'Broke Up With Me,'

[damnedifIknow]

Matt Damon and Barack Obama are no longer bros, at least according to Matt Damon."

"He broke up with me," the "Elysium" star said. "There are a lot of things that I really question, you know: the legality of the drone strikes, and these NSA revelations they’re, you know, it’s like, they’re, you know, Jimmy Carter came out and said we don’t live in a democracy. That’s, that’s a little, that’s a little intense when an ex-president says that. So, you know, he’s got some, some explaining to do, particularly for a constitutional law professor."

Damon also ripped into Florida's legal system, blasting George Zimmerman and the verdict in the trial over the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. "We have a police force for that, we should leave the novices at home," he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/09/matt-damon-obama-broke-up-with-me_n_3732426.html

[KoKo]

1. UhOH...Will Bruce Springsteen be next?

I've wondered how he's handling it.

[cyclezealot]

69. about now

He'd probably wished he just gone on the road with another concert season.

[Marr]

2. I think the rubber mask on this DLC-style Democratic Party is falling off these days.

A lot of people seem to be waking up to the fact that the Democratic Party is, at the national level, pretty heavily infiltrated and controlled by the forces that control the Republican Party.

[Enthusiast]

16. I don't think you're supposed to think that out loud.

After Iran-Contra things have been on the sly.

[cascadiance]

106. Yeah, they've been trying to squash the DLC before most Dems discover the Koch brothers history...

... behind funding and running it. Gotta push it aside to be reborn as the "third wavers" to keep that part of it "quiet"...

http://americablog.com/2010/08/koch-industries-gave-funding-to-the-dlc-and-served-on-its-executive-council.html

[Babel_17]

134. I didn't know that, thanks (nt)

[blackspade]

151. Kind of like the movie 'They Live'

[cascadiance]

166. Yep!...

[Egalitarian Thug]

156. It's falling off because it's falling apart, and it's falling apart because in true DLC

form it's a cheap-Chinese-knock-off mask and not a top quality professionally made Hollywood mask, suitable for filming.

[truebrit71]

4. Aaaaand under the bus goes Matt Damon..

...the fact that he makes some valid points won't matter to some...

[damnedifIknow]

10. Yeah and to myself it's good to question and criticize

If not we become Republican like. I remember back in the you know who days most Republicans went along with everything you know who did.

[Warpy]

11. Dunno about that

but I think a lot of us do understand that Obama inherited a lot of this bullshit. Also, being the first anything means you don't want to rock the boat too much and ruin it for others who come after you. He's the first president of color and that makes a huge difference in how radical he is prepared to be. He doesn't dare rock the boat too much, not that a great deal of boat rocking would have gotten through the Clown Congress.

[Enthusiast]

21. That is probably why

they allowed him to be elected.

[grasswire]

38. I saw it put this way:

The powers were in "safe hands" with Obama, in the minds of those who allow people to be president.

[Enthusiast]

43. I'm, er, happy to

know that you see it like I do. I do not like this Machiavellianism. I grew up with an idealized picture of the nation, a real patriotic perspective

[Fantastic Anarchist]

130. Exactly.

[awoke_in_2003]

148. And next in line...

Hillary, a big time DLCer.

[sabrina 1]

52. I hate to disagree but I think 'radical' doesn't apply to ENDING these horrific, Orwellian

Bush/Cheney policies. 'Radical' applies to the POLICIES themselves.

What could be more radical than to destroy the Constitutional Rights of US Citizens?

If he wasn't up to the job, then he should have stepped aside. But I do not believe it has anything to do with his being the first Black President. I believe he BELIEVES in all of this.

I used to think differently, but when a majority of the people are ON YOUR SIDE and you go against them, see the Bailout of Wall St where he had over 70% of the people OPPOSED to the bailouts eg. then you are doing what you believe in.

Sorry, this has zero to do with anything other than politics. He doesn't particularly like Liberals and relates more to Reagan Republicans policy wise, which to give him his due, he told us. I believe he said he would be considered a Moderate Republican a few decades ago.

Just an example of power, money and core beliefs. That's my opinion anyhow.

I do not believe that had the first Black President been John Lewis eg, we would be seeing these policies.

[chimpymustgo]

109. Obama had 70% of the nation, and he chose to be a tool for the 1%. Did they hold a gun to his head?

Was he always Reagan-lite? He did have complimentary words about Reagan, as far as being a "transformational President." But what were Obama's TRUE motivations and views? He spoke out against the Iraq War - from a safe and distant perch. Had he been in the U.S. Senate with a vote - what would he have done?

When has Obama shown any POLITICAL COURAGE?

[awoke_in_2003]

150. It is either a case of...

ensuring a comfortable retirement, or they show the new presidents the Zapruder film over and over again until they get the point.

[MyNameGoesHere]

110. Inherited this bullshit is now an excuse?

I do not buy it. I propose we admit it was a failure and move on to the next candidate, and hope they will actually believe and DO what they say they believe in.

[Warpy]

164. The ship of state is like the Titanic

with oversized engines and an undersized rudder. It is nearly impossible to turn completely around and minor deflections from the course take Herculean effort.

I'm just delighted more people are waking up and smelling the tyranny.

[MyNameGoesHere]

183. Yeah I get your point because picking up a pen and signing your name

to document is really too difficult a task. They really need to make it easier. Lighter pens I think.

[Demeter]

121. After Obama's performance, I have doubts any other non-white stands a chance

Well, maybe an Asian...I expect the next barrier will be broken by Elizabeth Warren, who at least has some Economics AND some Activism in her portfolio (REAL activism, not play, or for show).

[Fringe]

125. What the heck?

Does Jeffery Dahmer represent every white person?

What does race have to do with? We have had white male presidents for the last 220 years. Women and minorities have been effectively barred from the presidency based on prejudice and ignorance.

I have zero problem voting for a Mexican, asian, black person or a woman or any other person I deem qualified.

Also, for the record Obama has been an excellent president.

[Number23]

203. Holy Hell.

After Obama's performance, I have doubts any other non-white stands a chance

Wow.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

129. That makes him a coward, then.

When people look up to you for leadership, especially after the nightmare that was Bush, and you don't want to "rock the boat," then, I'm being generous here, you're a coward.

[Warpy]

162. It makes him anything but

Caution doesn't equal cowardice except to the very young.

[sulphurdunn]

186. Fraud is more like it.

The Obama team beat the progressive wing of the Democratic Party like a cheap drum, and the progressives danced to the beat twice. I was one of the dancers. Since the last election I've given up dancing for fencing.

[99th_Monkey]

154. "He doesn't dare rock the boat too much" <-- major cop-out

The man is POTUS for Christ sake. Yes, he might risk being killed for doing the right
thing, but then again, he shoudn't have taken the oath if he didn't really mean it.

[Warpy]

161. You've never been the first anything, I suppose.

I've been the first woman who's been in a job classification and trust me, it had an effect. I knew that if I screwed it up, there would never be a second woman in that job or any other higher level job in that company.

Think about it.

[99th_Monkey]

165. Well, I thought about it

and still feel like Obama IS "screwing it up" with his kill lists, drone wars, illegal
spying on US citizens, and continuing the insane war on drugs (war on pot mostly).

[grasswire]

208. the problem for us (Democrats) here is this:

...when he chooses those noxious policies, he takes those traditionally Democratic/progressive issues AWAY from Democrats in elections. He "nullifies" decades of activism and policy advocacy that Democrats have worked so very hard to establish support for in the greater electorate.

It could cost us elections. People will says "What the hell do Democrats stand for anymore???"

[99th_Monkey]

210. That's what really burns me

it would be one thing if We the People (i.e the voting public) were +60% in favor of
endless wars on drugs & terror, and in favor of spying on citizens, cutting Soc Security,
continuing to criminalize pot, etc. and the Democrats were "only representing the will
of the people" in supporting these odious policies <-- THAT would be bad enough.

But what we have is Democrats completely bucking the poll numbers, championing wildly
UNpopular policies, to the point where (I think you are right) the public doesn't know
anymore WHAT the Democrats really stand for, because they've been bought and paid
for by Corporate America, which is the REAL reason said odious policies are supported.

[grasswire]

213. I do not want to think that Obama was a trojan horse candidate...

...who was put in place to wreak damage on party values. I am resisting that thought. But..........dammit......

[99th_Monkey]

214. I don't know what to think anymore

personally I spent most of my long life in some quasi-political non-profit activist role,
somehow always managing to get paid to do something good I had a passion for.

but for what? Everything I thought were the foundational ground-rules, somehow
got secretly tortured & disfigured behind closed doors, to the point where they are
unrecognizable anymore, making it pretty clear that all bets are off in a certain way.

but I'm not a pessimist either, as I know EVERYTHING can very easily change in the
twinkling of an eye. Actually, that's all we have time for anyway, so it's all good.

[progressoid]

14. I think he was thrown under when he started ripping on Arne Duncan& the Prez's education policies.

Bad Matt.

[liberal_at_heart]

176. he's my hero. Anyone willing to come out against Duncan and the Obama administrations's

education agenda is great in my book.

[Puglover]

108. My favorite is when folks

deride people for paying attention to what a celebrity has to say and then trot out and praise a celebrity that agrees with their point of view.

The disconnect is precious.

[PowerToThePeople]

5. So, it's not just libertarian infiltrators on DU then?

Or maybe Damon is, in fact, a Paulite.

[mattclearing]

54. That's crazy.

Damon talks up the People's History, he's as progressive as they come. Questioning drones and the NDAA does not a Paul-fan make.

[neverforget]

6. Oh Damon. You never really loved him. You love Rand and wanted a pony.

[LittleBlue]

7. ...

Well said

[Bonobo]

8. It's ONLY because he is a black president. No other possible reason exists for such flaming hair. nt

[Enthusiast]

23. No!

He actually wanted a pony.

[mick063]

9. Too many holes in the dyke

and not enough fingers to plug them.

[indie9197]

22. I think you meant dike? n/t

[mick063]

25. Yes I did.

Thank you for helping me to improve my writing skills.

[loudsue]

123. You mean like PROPOSING chained CPI? Taking money AWAY from seniors the older they get?

That is a dike he created for himself, and it is un-pluggable.

I had read both of Obama's books before he was elected (before I worked for and voted for him), and I KNEW he was a conservative. But I worked & voted for him anyway, because I had HOPE, and RESPECT for him.

That died hard, and only after several right-wing moves. The chained CPI was too much. I'm on social security, and I KNOW how hard it is to live on that, and I'm in pretty darned good health.

[leveymg]

12. Nothing quite like a verbatim transcript to make almost anyone seem like a blithering idiot, even

Will Hunting. The "Why Shouldn't I work for the NSA?" scene (1997). Smart Kid. Very smart, and timeless.

The way that Damon speaks in real life is like most people, how I write without .Word spell-check and grammar check. A little unpolished, sometimes. But, surely more intelligent than this idiot hit-piece in the Puffington Post.

[2Design]

45. Great movies - great values - he lives his life in the real values - at least I like his values

[Ash_F]

73. 1997...everything came true.

Well except gas is over 4$ a gallon. Not 2.50

[AppleBottom]

13. Poor Matt Damon.

He'll be spending his Friday evenings sitting in a bathtub full of Doritos... What that's supposed to mean I don't know.

[malokvale77]

44. I saw that thread

What the hell was that about?

[AppleBottom]

70. I think that it was the deniers way of bullying anybody that doesn't

Subscribe to their propaganda.

[tridim]

182. Deniers?

[backscatter712]

205. I'm using the term McCarthy-bots... n/t

[tridim]

216. That's just super. nt

[Cha]

15. And, whatever Matt Damon. It's not all about you. I'll take

what President Obama has done for our Country and me and others like me.. than you, anytime.

Poor Matt Damon i'm a Ben Affleck kinda girl.

[Egnever]

18. Ben was always the brains in that relationship.

[Cha]

39. mahalo Egnever buddy!

Matt's always whining and moaning about the Prez with his eyes closed.

Ben's a big picture kinda guy.. Loved loved loved Argo!

[Ash_F]

76. bwhahahaha!!!

Also see post #20

[rug]

20. It's complicated.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/click/2012/10/ben-affleck-on-obama-its-complicated-137226.html

[MrMickeysMom]

27. It is all about him...

...and you, and me and about 300 million other people in this country.

This is not what democracy looks like, and I think Ben Affleck would agree.

[neverforget]

37. I know! Matt never loved Obama like Ben did!

[Mojorabbit]

71. Right on cue and under the bus he goes. LOL nt

[chervilant]

114. So,

it's "Mahalo" for those with whom you agree, and a swift kick to the curb for anyone else?

What's with this "Mahalo" craze? Is this a new catch phrase, like IMHO or "iggy"?

[Bluenorthwest]

119. It's just another bit of verbiage to use when utterly lacking any actual counter to points made

A smug and vapid addition to the personal destruction attempts taken toward anyone who does not agree.
'Be just like me or I will taunt you a second time!!! Mahalo!!!!!'

[chervilant]

133. I absolutely LOVE that scene!

I'm often reminded of another from that iconic film: "It's just a flesh wound!" -- whenever I get derided for expressing concern about some of the missteps of this administration.

[Babel_17]

137. Key & Peele: I'm Retired

Looks inspired by that Python bit to me.

They are a genius duo. Watch their videos, thank me later, lol.

[totodeinhere]

140. You have to balance out the good things that Obama has accomplished against the bad

things mentioned by Matt Damon in order to get a true picture. Almost any president has accomplished some good things. Even Bush worked had to fight AIDS in Africa. But does that make him a good president? No it definitely does not because Bush did so many other bad things like starting illegal wars and overseeing this country's biggest economic crash since the great depression. The same applies to Obama. We cannot ignore his negatives and there are many.

[Egnever]

17. Hey Matt

guess what? He isnt up for re election. It doesnt matter if you dont like him.

[MrMickeysMom]

29. So, it only mattered when he was up for re-election...

Thanks for clarifying that for us.

[grasswire]

41. If it doesn't matter what his ratings are....

.....then WHY are people twisting themselves into pretzels defending him like a pack of rotties?

He's not running for anything. Why must his numbers be propped up with this fluffing?

[NorthCarolina]

107. Be careful, asking pertinent questions around here could get you labeled as a Paul-bot. nt

[djean111]

128. I am wildly curious about that, myself.

They do know he cannot run for a third term, right?
And if his policies are unpopular enough, Dem candidates will have to run against them.

[grasswire]

136. exactly -- this rabid defense of Obama ...

.....has already compromised the Democratic core principles. He has taken away some election issues.

[TDale313]

155. Because people get emotionally invested.

When people have spent so much time and energy advocating for a certain position, policy, or especially person, at a certain point it's only partly about the policies or figure in question. It's about what they represent to the person advocating them, and it's about the time and energy the "advocate" has put into defending their attitudes- to others and themselves. It's because when you have put so much of yourself into saying "a is right", admitting "a is wrong" or "I was wrong" can be easier said than done. So people double down. They defend "their guy", no matter what. Cause reevaluating feels like it would be giving in to the bad guys and would be saying something negative about themselves.

[grasswire]

209. I thought we (Democrats) were above that.

I monitored freerepublic during the Bush years and I saw the very thing you describe, in spades.

It's very disheartening to see a cult culture in progressives/Democrats.

[TDale313]

211. Yeah, unfortunately...

I don't think it's strictly a left/right thing (although arguably it's more common on the right)

[DeSwiss]

198. Maybe they just like to fluff! :-/ n/t

[Nedsdag]

19. Oh, Matt Damon, Mr. Pro Public Schools yet he is sending his daughters to private school?

Don't get me started. He and Mr. Obama have more in common than he thinks.

[MrMickeysMom]

31. And, don't for get Clinton...

They thought long and hard, and Chelsea went to private school. People with money have choices.

Which makes me think about democracy... a lost art at DU.

[nolabels]

102. I am proud that i got to go to a public school

The celebs and others have much to risk sending their kids to public schools. I think the biggest one would be their kids learning what phonies mom and dad have become. Really their are a lot of good reasons for them but then again do we really thank goodness enough that a lot of us are so lucky just to be ordinary normal folks, or at least ones that can travel under the radar

[Enthusiast]

34. That's what the righties always say.

They always attack a prominent Democrat because they send their children to private schools. One attack after another. Never noticed that? Funny. You know, that you would never have noticed that before.

[truebrit71]

55. No, not really...

...at least one we know is paid to act...the other one just makes it look that way...

[chervilant]

138. Damon can be pro-public schools,

and still send his children to a private school, given the mess our system of public education has become. The same is true of the Obamas, but our POTUS is responsible for appointing our current suck-ass SecEd AND supporting RTTT.

[knitter4democracy]

159. Private school means privacy.

Public school means media types can have access to his kids without his permission, and FOIA makes any real privacy for his children an issue. Same with the presidents' kids--they choose private schools for the privacy and the ability to have guards there, not for the academics as much, though it's a perk.

[liberal_at_heart]

177. hey, as soon as I have enough money to put my son in private school that is exactly where he will be

going. I will vote for politicians who will fund public education but the educational system is so broken at this point I don't blame anybody for pulling their kids out. My son has suffered terribly in the public school system and as soon as I can put him in private school I will. When the president and other democrats decide to fund public education the way it should be funded and drop Race to the Top then I will gladly keep my son in public education.

[tomg]

188. We have four sons, the youngest 10 years younger

than the first three. The first three all went to public schools. The fourth went to private. We are all teachers in this family: all public school but one, union ( my wife was a union rep; my mom walked a picket line; my sister, my two brothers-in-law, my two sisters-in-law, my ex-wife, a few cousins, all teachers). The first three kids got through before NCLB really came in. As testing and corporatization became worse and worse, as the corporate powers and Pearson and the Republican and the Democratic education vultures took over,( Arne Duncan - piece of shit), we decided that we were pulling our youngest out. It was not that the system was broken ( of course there were problems ); it was that corporatist interests - Republican and Democrats - deliberately broke it, and under the guise of "reform" turned it into one more "business" to be raided and gutted and privatized.

You can be pro public school. You can spend your life supporting public schools, working in them, turning out the vote when it comes to budgets. When we pulled the youngest, it was, at least for us, as hard an emotional decision as it was economic one. My wife and I are at the end of our teaching careers, and it is hard to watch what is being done to public education.

Disclaimer: I currently teach in a private college, having also taught in the SUNY system for years. We also know how goddamn fortunate we are to have been able to make that choice - but it doesn't make us any happier that we made the choice.

[DeSwiss]

199. I-binned!

[Logical]

24. All us real progressives feel his pain! n-t

[mick063]

26. You are no longer a real progressive

You are "Neo DU".

I just discovered this other day.


Regardless, I wear the badge proudly. I welcome the label.

[Logical]

40. Ahhh, nap time? Sorry, not everyone agrees with you! n-t

[MelungeonWoman]

215. I believe that's backwards.

Neolibs believe in chained CPI and eschew single payer. Paleodems quote dead patriots and have a quaint fascination with the constitution. I consider myself the latter. HTH.

[Common Sense Party]

28. I really couldn't care less what actors and musicians think about politics.

They have a right to their opinion, but I fail to see how it's newsworthy that they have one. There are hundreds of millions of Americans with opinions. Why is Matt Damon's so important?

[MrMickeysMom]

33. He's no more important than you or I am...

... which is why you have every right to ignore both of us.

But, I guarantee he'll be heard more...

[burnodo]

99. could

could care less

[dreamnightwind]

178. couldn't

If you could care less, that means you care. Couldn't care less means you don't care at all, simple enough.

Of course maybe you meant it that way, not clear to me, I just assumed you were correcting the poster's use of the idiom, in which case the poster was correct in its use.

Personally I COULD care less, I think a lot of Matt Damon. He could be our Reagan, an actor/leader, if our party was interested in promoting a leader who isn't in bed with the interests of the 1%. He'd do quite well, people would relate to him, he's well-spoken and his belief system fits pretty well with my own, well to the left of Obama and most Democrats in office.

[burnodo]

179. I stand corrected

Thank you

[Common Sense Party]

196. I prefer couldn't.

[Bluenorthwest]

120. Of course Damon is also a producer and writer of films making tens of millions in profit.

It is possible to be just an actor and still be a perfectly valid citizen, but when a person is running multiple projects and generating large chunks of money and culture to the entire world and you still dismiss them I have to ask, do you boldly state that only those who own manufacturing concerns in China qualify as American business people? If Damon ran a factory where folks were paid slave like wages, you'd be happy that he has the ear of government, but because he makes film his opinion is not important like the opinion of a guy running a rare earths mine in some far flung nation?

[totodeinhere]

141. It's because he is a famous celebrity he has a platform that you and I don't have. n/t

[Safetykitten]

30. Uh, Mr.Damon, I would not hang around any Obama lovefests if I were you.

[Dragonfli]

167. I noticed a strange thing about that, those "love" fests appear to be contrived To include

More hate than love.

Here is a Dramatization of what a typical ObamaFest© gathering might look like in the virtual BOG world of internet gatherings.

Now that is just a typical reaction to DUer MannyGoldstein on any given day that he posts criticism of some right Wing DLC policies infesting our party. They get even nastier when they're hatin' on Snowden or the ever vile Glenn Greenwald or perhaps as you pointed out, Matt Damon in near future.

The entire lovefest seems to be nothing more than the ritual above followed by virtual cake with Koolaid and the passing of pictures of Presidents and Puppies and babies and daisies....

[DeSwiss]

200. +1000

[ProSense]

32. LOL!

Matt Damon Joins The GROWING LIST Of Celebrities UNHAPPY With President Obama
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x551584

Matt Damon Blasts Obama: “One-Term President With Balls” Would Be Better
http://www.democraticunderground.com/100256724

[Enthusiast]

46. Yes, many celebrities and non-celebrities are unhappy with Obama.

How could that be? The deranged and uniformed! We must rid our society of this vermin!

[ProSense]

47. Matt and Mitch, wishing for a one-termer

Suckers all!

[damnedifIknow]

50. I think Matt Damon as some legit beefs.

This isn't the way I and probably many more like me thought an Obama second term would go so far. Bring out the progressive arsenal and let her happen capn.....I guess I'm just a very liberal sort but I'm proud of that actually.

[ProSense]

51. Yeah,

"I think Matt Damon as some legit beefs."

...he made that clear in 2011.

Matt Damon Blasts Obama: “One-Term President With Balls” Would Be Better
http://www.democraticunderground.com/100256724

[truebrit71]

53. And he's not wrong with that statement either..

....

[mattclearing]

56. Agreed.

Obama has settled for low-hanging fruit, when he had an opportunity to rally people to progressive causes.

[ProSense]

57. Well, he must be sad that he didn't get his wish.

No doubt Mitch is too.

[dreamnightwind]

181. What he's sad about

is he didn't get a president with balls.

[ProSense]

187. Yes,

"he didn't get a president with balls."

...he did.

I’ve even let down my key core constituency: movie stars. Just the other day, Matt Damon -- I love Matt Damon, love the guy -- Matt Damon said he was disappointed in my performance. Well, Matt, I just saw “The Adjustment Bureau,” so -- (laughter) -- right back atcha, buddy. (Laughter and applause.)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/05/01/president-s-speech-white-house-correspondents-dinner

[Enthusiast]

65. Many of us, as you have noticed, don't

consider this a laughing matter. We know the President's sentiments. He has made his agenda clear, time after time. Oh, not with his words, but with his actions, or inaction. You can only fool so many of us. You would love to silence the rest of us.

[ProSense]

67. I laugh at anyone who wished for Obama to be a one-term President

They're clowns.

[donheld]

74. Saying he wished for a "one term president with some balls" does not mean he wanted Obama

to serve one term. It meant he wanted Obama to grow a pair and use them. I suppose you knew that, but fibbing works better for you.

[ProSense]

75. Evidently, he did "grow a pair and use them" to win.

Now Matt is sad again.

[Ash_F]

78. There is no reason 2012 should have been as close as it was

Mitt Romney was a terrible candidate and we should thank our lucky stars the Republicans were as incompetent as they were. Dem turnout was way below what it could have been. Coddling the elite right wing is not a winning strategy.

2012 was nothing to brag about.

[Enthusiast]

80. "2012 was nothing to brag about."

And it was no accident.

[ProSense]

83. LOL! n/t

[ProSense]

82. President Obama

"There is no reason 2012 should have been as close as it was"

...won re-election by a landslide.

Obama’s Re-Election Formally Certified By Joint Session Of Congress

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were formally re-elected on Friday by a joint session of Congress with a margin of 332 electoral votes to that of 206 for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obamas-re-election-formally-certified-by-joint-session

“Barack Obama is the first president in more than five decades to win at least 51 percent of the national popular vote twice, according to a revised vote count in New York eight weeks after the Nov. 6 election,” Bloomberg writes, adding, “The president nationally won 65.9 million votes -- or 51.1 percent -- against Republican challenger Mitt Romney, who took 60.9 million votes and 47.2 percent of the total cast, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Obama is the first president to achieve the 51 percent mark in two elections since Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, who did it in 1952 and 1956, and the first Democrat to do so since Franklin D. Roosevelt, who won four consecutive White House races. Roosevelt received 53.4 percent of the vote -- his lowest -- in his last race in 1944.”

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/04/16348268-obama-agenda-first-since-ike-to-win-51-back-to-back

[Ash_F]

85. 2012 Election Turnout Dips Below 2008 and 2004

http://bipartisanpolicy.org/news/press-releases/2012/11/2012-election-turnout-dips-below-2008-and-2004-levels-number-eligible

Lets not forget the losses we took in 2010. I don't know about you, but I want Democrats to gain ground.

But by all means, continue to lick Republican boot if that is what you enjoy.

[ProSense]

88. LOL! "Number Of Eligible Voters Increases By Eight Million"

There were 4 million more votes cast in 2012, than 2004.

Lets not forget the losses we took in 2010. I don't know about you, but I want Democrats to gain ground.

But by all means, continue to lick Republican boot if that is what you enjoy.

You seem really angry that the President won re-election by a landslide.

Also, WTF are you talking about?

[Ash_F]

90. The FISA court and NSA leadership is stacked-full of Republicans

And lets not forget this lying Republican running the DNI

I don't trust Republicans. How about you?

[ProSense]

91. What does that have to do with Obama winning by a landslide? n/t

[Ash_F]

92. Nice dodge. /nt

[ProSense]

93. What? You introduced an irrelevant point into a discussion about the President's re-election. n/t

[Ash_F]

94. Did you forget what the OP was about? /nt

[ProSense]

95. No

"Did you forget what the OP was about? "

...it was about Matt Damon's continuing opportunistic drivel aimed at the President.

Did you: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023442719#post78

[Ash_F]

96. Whatever, keep on with that strategy of republican boot-licking

I just know that some day they will respect us.

[dotymed]

111. LOL (??????) WTF?

If a D acts like an R, then WE haven't WON anything!

We NEED a real PROGRESSIVE PARTY, not 1% henchmen that we are allowed to choose from at election time.

Only WE can make that happen. Matt would be a great asset as would many famous people that are true progressives.

LOL 1984 is here..lol....

[MrMickeysMom]

116. Don't hijack the OP

You should know better.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

158. She does ... That's that poster's speciality. Well, that and selfie links.

Engaging with that poster is a useless exercise. I'm continually amazed at how many continue to respond.

Maybe masochistic tendencies?

[bvar22]

160. The goal is NOT to inform or even convince.

"The goal is to disrupt the important public space for liberal thought, discussion, and organization that these boards offer, and to keep the participants busy instead batting off the corporate lies and talking points."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023359801

[MrMickeysMom]

170. You're right, bvar22...

Or, should I say, You're right, woo me with science...

It is to thoroughly hijack, pollute and therefore eliminate public spaces where real discussion and organization can occur. Occupy is disbanded with clubs and pepper spray. Dissent and organization online are disrupted with surveillance and propaganda.

[kath]

171. Bingo!!

[ProSense]

189. Are you pretending to be an "authoritarian"? n/t

[Enthusiast]

79. Damn! Me and you agree on that one!

I'm not a fan of mouth breathers and knuckle draggers.

[Whisp]

143. Turtlers dressed up in clown suits.

[G_j]

149. he didnt say that

but nice try

[sheshe2]

48. Matt, this is not Hollywood.

“You know, a one-term president with some balls who actually got stuff done would have been, in the long run of this country, much better,” argues the We Bought a Zoo star.

You don't wave your magic wand and say.

"Make it so!"

[ProSense]

49. It's movie promoting time and

those who were hoping Obama wouldn't win re-election are up to their opportunisitic ways.

Three and a half years to go.

[Cha]

60. Good response, she! I found the night that

Prez broke up with Matt.. downthread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3443363

[struggle4progress]

35. Carter was referring to the influence of money in politics and the Citizens United decision

If Mr Damon believes Mr Obama is responsible for either, then Mr Damon is an especially stupid man in my opinion

[another_liberal]

61. Defending the NSA, is that really necessary?

I won't even trouble you with with the question of those children killed by our drone strikes (just collateral damage, I'm sure).

[struggle4progress]

66. It's a lot better to make your case based on actual facts: arguing based on facts educates folk,

and helps them think in realistic ways about issues

Arguing on the basis of legends and mythologies and mis-reports merely fucks up people's heads

If you want to win long-term political fights, get in the habit of arguing using real facts

[another_liberal]

68. You support what the NSA is doing?

I respect you, but I am disappointed.

[struggle4progress]

101. I will repeat my advice to you: it really matters to get facts right

Last edited Sun Aug 11, 2013, 07:27 AM - Edit history (1)

The Carter story was engineered by Schmitz of Der Spiegel, who missed together two separate statements made by Carter discussing different topics on different days, to create the impression that Carter's alleged comment about democracy was related to the NSA story

... Der ehemalige US-Präsident Jimmy Carter hat im Nachgang des NSA-Spähskandals das amerikanische politische System heftig kritisiert. "Amerika hat derzeit keine funktionierende Demokratie", sagte Carter am Dienstag ...

In the conversation with CNN, Carter said:

... "He's obviously violated the laws of America, for which he's responsible, but I think the invasion of human rights and American privacy has gone too far ... I think that the secrecy that has been surrounding this invasion of privacy has been excessive, so I think that the bringing of it to the public notice has probably been, in the long term, beneficia ... I think the American people deserve to know what their Congress is doing" ...

The alleged democracy quote came from a meeting at the Carter Center, at which Carter made various remarks about US elections, in the course of receiving an international report on how to strengthen American democracy

Carter: Unchecked contributions 'legal bribery'
Published: July 17, 2013
By RAY HENRY
Associated Press
... "I would say that it's almost impossible for a candidate, like I was back in those early days or others even, to be considered seriously as a candidate to represent the Democratic or Republican parties as nominee if you can't raise $100 million or $200 million from contributors, many of whom know that they are making an investment in how they are going to be treated by the winner after the election is over," Carter said.
Carter said that while elections in the United States once set an example for the world, the country's reputation diminished in 2000 when the U.S. Supreme Court intervened in a Florida vote recount, effectively deciding the election in favor of Republican George W. Bush. He also criticized GOP-led state legislatures for changing polling hours in ways that Carter said were meant to frustrate likely Democratic voters ...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3285742

I'll say it again: folk, who are careless with the facts, fuck up other people's heads and prevent them from thinking clearly

[another_liberal]

115. Parse it however one wants . . .

The fact remains that our President could put a stop to this out-of-control spying on ordinary Americans' communications, if he chose to do so.

[millennialmax]

36. Without that endorsement, he'll never win that 3rd term.

We look forward to your support for the party nominee in 2016, Matt.

[davidpdx]

42. One of the problems with the article/interview

is that the interviewer asked two separate questions and it appears from the way the article is written (if you don't watch the interview) that Damon is criticizing Obama for both. Whether that's just bad journalism or it is intentional I don't know.

[another_liberal]

58. I'm with Matt on this shit.

Like he says . . .

[Cha]

59. Matt Damon was pissing and moaning about PBO in 2010 and Rosario Dawson & Regina King

responded with some reality for mr magic pony and glitter guy..

snip//

Matt Damon recently announced his disappointment in President Barack Obama. "Everyone feels a little let down," he revealed in an interview. But not everyone in Hollywood feels the same way.

The Dish Rag hung out in the star-studded Spirit Awards Elle Green Room with Jeff Bridges, Carey Mulligan, Vera Farmiga Gabourey Sidibe, Jeremy Renner, Twilight's Rachelle Lefevre and "Sex and the City" stud Jason Lewis.

We asked "Southland" star Regina King what she thought about Obama's accomplishments as she perused the sponsors Smashbox cosmetics, White House Black Market scarves and Keds sneakers.

"In all honesty, Obama really walked into a sh*t storm," King told us exclusively. "It takes a whole lot more to clean up this drama. He walked into a trillion dollar debt and two wars going on that weren't his wars and now they're his wars."

"I don't think a year is enough time to judge the man," she adds. "I'm still totally supportive of him. I'm not one of those who jump ship."

snip//

Spirit presenter and V-Day activist Rosario Dawson expressed her views in the Independent Spirits Official Presenters lounge.

I think it's great to have someone saying, 'Hey where's all this change that we were expecting to see,' but we also need to understand that this is going to take some time. We have to be calm and understanding about that. It's just not going to be Obama. We have to inspire more leaders to step up."

http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2010/03/regina-king-rosario-dawson-respond-to-matt-damons-obama-diss.html

Damn straight the Prez broke up with your ass, Matt.

snip//

"On Saturday night, Mr Obama also addressed the recent exodus of some of his Hollywood supporters back in 2008, namely Matt Damon - who claimed he was disappointed that Mr Obama failed to deliver on some of his promises."

"The President said: 'Matt Damon said he was disappointed in my performance. Well, Matt, I just saw The Adjustment Bureau, so right back at you, buddy.'





http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1382385/Obamas-Press-dinner-stand-routine-rips-Trump-birther-issue.html

[sheshe2]

64. Well I am kicking this post, Cha!

The Dish Rag hung out in the star-studded Spirit Awards Elle Green Room with Jeff Bridges, Carey Mulligan, Vera Farmiga Gabourey Sidibe, Jeremy Renner, Twilight's Rachelle Lefevre and "Sex and the City" stud Jason Lewis.

We asked "Southland" star Regina King what she thought about Obama's accomplishments as she perused the sponsors Smashbox cosmetics, White House Black Market scarves and Keds sneakers.

"In all honesty, Obama really walked into a sh*t storm," King told us exclusively. "It takes a whole lot more to clean up this drama. He walked into a trillion dollar debt and two wars going on that weren't his wars and now they're his wars."

"I don't think a year is enough time to judge the man," she adds. "I'm still totally supportive of him. I'm not one of those who jump ship."

Thank you Regina King!

Aaaand!

"The President said: 'Matt Damon said he was disappointed in my performance. Well, Matt, I just saw The Adjustment Bureau, so right back at you, buddy.'

[Cha]

77. Mahalo she! Priceless, eh? :)

And, let's highlight this little revealing sentence here..

"Matt Damon recently announced his disappointment in President Barack Obama. "Everyone feels a little let down," he revealed in an interview. But not everyone in Hollywood feels the same way."

"Everyone", matt damon? He thinks he speaks for 'everyone"? His arrogance and ignorance are astonishing and I can see he hasn't learned a damn thing after 3 years. It's all about him getting attention for whining. I can imagine what some of these people think of MD. LIke Eva Longoria and these artists who are helping to promote Obamacare..

President Obama met Monday with celebrities who are helping him promote his signature healthcare law ahead of the October 1 launch of state insurance exchanges.

The president dropped by a White House meeting with singer Jennifer Hudson and actress Amy Poehler, as well as representatives for Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, and Bon Jovi, according to CNN.

Other attendees included officials from the Grammy awards and the Funny or Die website, which is a brainchild of actor Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay.

"The President stopped by the meeting to engage artists who expressed an interest in helping to educate the public about the benefits of the health law," a White House official told CNN. "The reach of these national stars spreads beyond the beltway to fans of their television shows, movies, and music – and the power of these artists to speak through social media is especially critical."

The Washington Post reported that the meeting was led by senior adviser Valerie Jarrett.

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/danieldoherty/2013/07/23/report-obama-uses-celebrities-to-push-his-health-care-law-n1646947

Matt Damon has made his money but there are millions of people who are depending on Obamacare and everything else that this Democratic President has made possible.

[another_liberal]

87. How will he ever know?

If no one ever tells the President he's wrong when he's wrong, how will he ever know he's been fucking up?

[John2]

169. In all fairness,

the President won a second term, because people were and are willing to give him time. The problem is, he needs to keep his promises, or try his best to keep them.

People want the Troops home. It doesn't mean shift troops in another region for the interests of another country or regime change. He did not run on the Arab Spring. That is the neocon Policy. I think people were very encouraged, when they thought this Administration was actually opening up secret talks with Iran on the nuclear, instead of listening to Netanyahu.


Nobody asked the President to compromise on Social Security or Medicare and Medicaid. He feels he has to do that. If he had just left it alone, the Republicans would have taken all the blame during the mid terms for trying to cut them, instead of them placing blame on Democrats.

The Republican Congress didn't have any mandate Nationally, the President beat their candidate on the issues, so he had a mandate. He is the Commander in Chief of the Arm Forces. Just close Guantanamo bay period. What will Congress do, impeach him for using his powers doing a War? It was the same as Lincoln passing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Sure, the Republicans won the House, but it isn't like they have some super majority in the House. The Republicans would have needed to go back to their Districts and explain to their older constiuents, why they wanted to cut Social Security or enact chained CPI. The reason they got away with it before, was because they lied about it and put it on Obama. They were finally on the record, and the Democrats had them, but they listened to the DLC and corporate media pundits calling for compromise. They placed the Debt on Entitlements rather than numerous Wars, corporate tax breaks for the wealthy, and the military Industrial Complex. All the wealth has went towards the one percent. They had no recession, but they created it. They are the people charged to spend money and create jobs. Instead, they wanted more favorable policies, including privatizing public sector jobs. Eliminating more Public sector jobs eliminated competition, and gives them a monopoly. The President was and is, playing right into their hands.

[grasswire]

212. Yes, a president doesn't win office on HIS OWN

He wins through the grinding hard work of many thousands of party members who give time to THE CAUSE, not necessarily to THE CANDIDATE.

The WH and the powers of the presidency are his because the people LOANED them to him and earned it FOR him based on his utterances.

[Cali_Democrat]

62. Obama has done some things I disagree with, but he's also done things I agree with

Overall, I think he's done a pretty good job as Prez and I'm happy I voted for him.

[ProSense]

63. He is and will be considered one of the best Presidents ever.

When anyone says that, one of the responses is usually: That's not saying much.

Why? Because President Obama shouldn't be judged by the standards of other Presidents.

[reformist2]

103. No he won't, and I voted for him twice. He's mediocre at best.

[ProSense]

112. Yes, he will be. n/t

[mick063]

206. Agreed

A footnote in history.

[kath]

174. Do they pay you time-and-a-half or double-time on Sundays?

'Cuz, man, you're all over the place today.

[ProSense]

175. You shouldn't post bullshit that causes you to puke.

It's not healthy.

[Itchinjim]

72. Matt who?

[Warren DeMontague]

81. Oh, youuuuu. We're not spying on Americans, silly-pants!

[another_liberal]

89. First we'll bust that guy for weed, then it's drinks on me at the bar.

And, of course, promotions all around for a job well done.

[Jesus Malverde]

100. lulz...nt

[MrMickeysMom]

117. Aauuuuhhh....

That's great!

[dreamnightwind]

185. That graphic is excellent!

That's where we're headed, I have no doubt, unless we can stop this B.S.

[bravenak]

86. I totally get it.

I question some things, but I'm pleased overall with his job performance.

[CakeGrrl]

97. WTF with the bizarre romance/bromance analogies?

He's the President, not your boyfriend promising hearts and roses.

FFS.

[burnodo]

98. He's a Libertarian Racist Paulbot!

I tells ya

[Californeeway]

104. Mr. Dreamy Face movie actor no likie Obama

oh shit, argument over.

[Festivito]

105. Every four years we get M. I. Bad versus Much M. Worse.

One of these days we should figure out: who is running this country?

[Civilization2]

113. The drone murders Obama ramped up where a deal breaker for me,. and the rampant banksterism,.

the corporate health plane,. and the Big-Intel budgets/activities,. and the,. . oh dear.

[MineralMan]

118. Whenever I want advice about politics, I always consult actors.

Yes, indeed...

[Bluenorthwest]

122. Interesting statement for a man whose State has as Senator the only actor currently in that

chamber. To be fair, Al is also a gag writer and like Damon has written a film, Stuart Saves His Family. Not as complex as Good Will Hunting but it was a film.
Al Franken never served in any political office, elected or appointed, in any government or Union body. He went directly from Actor/Writer to the US Senate....

[Bonobo]

135. The opinion of an actor is surely as valid as that of a rock collector. nt

[MineralMan]

139. That is true, but I don't see my opinion spread all over the

Internet, do you? BTW, I stopped selling mineral specimens years ago. When I sold all of my remaining stock to another dealer, I also sold my collection with it. So, I'm not a rock collector, as you put it, any more. Actually, I never collected rocks, anyhow. Mineral specimens aren't rocks. Some folks collect rocks, but that wasn't what I collected or sold. Rocks are mixtures of minerals, and aren't of interest to many collectors, who prefer intact crystals of minerals for study.

When people start quoting my opinion all over the place, then I'll take your opinion more seriously.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

144. You are familiar with the work Damon did -

on behalf of Obama in his first election? He was a STAUNCH supporter who went on many campaign events both with Obama and alone on his behalf. He put in serious time and effort to get that man elected, and Obama was more than happy to have his support.

I think he has earned his right to have an opinion on this matter.

[MineralMan]

145. You are familiar with the work I did on behalf of

Democrats in 2008, 2010, and 2012? I was a staunch supporter, and still am. I think I have earned the right to express my opinion of his opinion.

[MrMickeysMom]

172. Hey, don't forget about meee....

... who has earned the right to express my agreement about your opinion of his opinion...

[Hell Hath No Fury]

184. Let's see -

a political activist who is also an actor who puts his money, time, and prestige in the game vs. an anonymous poster who spent years at Free Republics trashing gays -- whose opinion carries more weight with me?

[bvar22]

202. I agree with you on this one.

[JoeyT]

124. K&R

It's amusing to check the recs on an older thread to see the same people screaming about how they don't care what some stupid actor says caring about what some stupid actor says:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=thread&address=10021590921&info=1#recs

So it's really "I don't care what some stupid actor says, unless he praises Him unconditionally!"

[DisgustipatedinCA]

142. Nice find. It won't phase the professional liars, but I'm glad you posted it.

[ProSense]

152. Damon

claiming "Obama 'Broke Up With Me" after launching ridiculous attacks on the President for the last few years (http://www.democraticunderground.com/100256724 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x551584) is utterly disingenuous and opportunistic.

Clooney made a valid point:

[Fringe]

126. I like Matt.

I don't agree with him on every issue, but I do respect him.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

127. I'm jilted, too, Matt.

[TreasonousBastard]

131. BFD. Damon and the other whiners seem to forget about...

Obama's first two years when he and Pelosi got a lot of stuff done and were our heroes.

Then the hammer dropped and we got the teabaggers running the House stopping any hope of progress.

But it's all Obama's fault now. Anything decent, little as there is, is in spite of Obama and everything rotten is because of him.

And Damon goes for the sitting ducks, typical of a self-promoting layabout. Everybody hates spying and killing, but show us the one person in the country who was actually harmed by the NSA stuff or how we all doomed because one guy got off after shooting a black kid.

No, Matt, let's hear your plan to help out those single mothers who won't get their WIC or SNAP money. How about bringing our public school standards at back at least up to the Chinese? Or health care up to the Italians or French? Important stuff.

Any word on that stuff, or is it just easier to blame Obama for the NSA and Zimmerman to get your name in the news when you've got another movie on the way?

Paul Newman's salad dressings outlived him and are still doing more good works than most people do while alive. What does Damon have to offer besides mouth?

[SoapBox]

147. +1000

OMG!!!

Thank you!!!

[totodeinhere]

157. Legitimate criticism is not tantamount to "whining."

When you use a term like that it just shows that you are approaching this with your own agenda.

[TreasonousBastard]

191. When you see "legitimate criticism" let me know...

so far it's mainly been complaining that he didn't get some other people's personal agendas taken care of, no matter how difficult that may have been.

[zentrum]

132. Love Damon's class analysis.

He's always on the most progressive side of issues.

[SoapBox]

146. Dear Matt...Next election, go ahead and vote PukeBagger!

And see how far you get with your freedoms and "rights".

[MrMickeysMom]

173. Yeah.. let's show em by setting that bar real low...

... cause, ya know, it could always be worse by not settling for someone who's smooth talked and become a spelunker!

[Blue Owl]

153. "you and me could have a bad bromance..."

n/t

[totodeinhere]

163. It's really sad that some people are ready and willing to throw absolutely anyone under the

bus who dares to criticize President Obama on any issue. Of course that characterization does not apply to all Obama supporters by any means. But it does apply to some.

Look at some of the snarky comments made in this thread about Matt Damon, who by any objective description is a good progressive. Some were even throwing President Carter under the bus when he did not exactly follow the pro-Obama line in his comments about Snowden. Other good progressives thrown under the bus include Michael Moore, Ezra Klein and Alan Grayson of all people.

[TreasonousBastard]

192. Does that have anything to do with all the people around here throwing Obama under the bus...

He's really the only one under discussion who can actually do something, and he's the one being dumped on here and elsewhere because he doesn't do "exactly what I want"

Everyone else can pretty much kiss my ass unless they have a workable plan that Obama can use.

[totodeinhere]

195. Plenty of constructive proposals have been floated about what can be done about the surveillance

state. A good start to a workable plan would be to issue a pardon in advance to Edward Snowden while at the same time having the Justice Department indict James Clapper for felonious perjury before Congress.

There is plenty that the president could do if he really wanted to besides making some vague suggestions about having a "discussion" about this issue.

[Douglas Carpenter]

168. knr

[marble falls]

180. I agree with him totally.

[Cha]

194. Oh yeah.. well, I think matt damon is full of whiny bullshit, marble falls.

[MrMickeysMom]

207. Cheese

Here's something for the next time you cry over common sense.

[iamthebandfanman]

190. the same people who loved Matt for blasting that reporter over teachers

are now pretending he doesn't matter :p


Gotta love how fickle us Americans are .. even us democrats

[Peacetrain]

193. Its going to be okay Matt

Life goes on..

[uhnope]

197. Damon's heart is in the right place but his head...

...needs to be pulled out of the dark place it's up in

[RetroLounge]

201. Uh, oh, this OP will now spawn 100 I LOVE OBAMA Op's from the usual sources

Now you did it...

RL

[michigandem58]

204. What an ego

He really thinks he's that important?