General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This is what a REAL Democrat sounds like. [View all]JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)"His restraint in the face of point-blank racism and snide disregard (the likes of which hasn't been seen since the Truman Presidency, frankly--everyone hated him because he was a "haberdasher" and he wasn't FDR) is more than admirable, it's frigging HEROIC."
And this:
"He is a bit wonky/didactic/professorial, but that's his way. If people want "a guy they could have a beer with" they might want to go for Porgie's brother--who isn't on the wagon and can actually HAVE that beer. Frankly, I don't particularly want or need a President I can have a beer with; I am not fond of beer and don't feel a yearning to drink with world leaders! I do want a competent POTUS who will weigh a course of action before choosing it--not a wee cowboy who starts wars because some tinpot dictator disrespected his 'deddy.'"
I wish he could get his points across more effectively. It's the professorial personality. I do especially like the fact that he is so thoughtful. But a little more temper would probably be a good thing. That is my major complaint about him. He needs a little more temperament.
Our news is really just disguised product advertisement. Democrats need to play that game a bit more.
The Roosevelts were drama-kings. That was part of their success.
I've been reading a fascinating book about Teddy Roosevelt. The Rise Teddy Roosevelt by Edmund Morris. 2001. It is very long. Great to read while traveling. Well written, but you have to be a history fan to stick with it. It goes into a lot of detail -- even what he ate for breakfast. But what a man. Much as I like Obama, Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt were that rare thing, men with great talent, great wealth and devoted to making the world safer, fairer and less corrupt.
I think Obama has the same goals. Maybe our time is tougher. He pledged to try to get rid of some of the corruption. I'm not sure he has gotten very far in carrying out that pledge. He would have had to appoint a very different attorney general to achieve it.
Anyway, we agree on a lot of basics. But I want Obama to be an even greater president than he is. The last two years have been rough. I think the next two may prove rougher for a person like Obama who wants to be liked and believes he can achieve good things in spite of the fact that powerful people are determined to prevent him from doing anything.
I think the next two years might finally bring out the fighter in Obama. Already on immigration, Obama has thrown the ball in the court of the Republicans. If they don't like his executive order, it's up to them to pass legislation they like. But of course, they will have a tough time pleasing the bullies in their party who don't want immigration by anyone but the already rich and successful and the electorate of recent immigrants they want to woo. Obama's immigration executive order was in my opinion a stroke of genius.
So we agree on much but not everything.