Progressives for Obama

[ginnyinWI]

The Nation has an article outlining why Obama is the candidate now for Progressives. Former Edwards and Kucinich supporters, and others, please take a look:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080407/hayden_et_al

first paragraph:

All American progressives should unite for Barack Obama. We descend from the proud tradition of independent social movements that have made America a more just and democratic country. We believe that the movement today supporting Barack Obama continues this great tradition of grassroots participation, drawing millions of people out of apathy and into participation in the decisions that affect all our lives. We believe that Barack Obama's very biography reflects the positive potential of the globalization process that also contains such grave threats to our democracy when shaped only by the narrow interests of private corporations in an unregulated global marketplace. We should instead be globalizing the values of equality, a living wage and environmental sustainability in the new world order, not hoping our deepest concerns will be protected by trickle-down economics or charitable billionaires. By its very existence, the Obama campaign will stimulate a vision of globalization from below...

[jsamuel]

1. a "movement" in support of a man is not a "movement" at all

movements are defined by the cause, not the leader

"movements" to support a leader are called something else

[AX10]

2. True. This entire Obama thing is absurd.

It's all about him. Also, I expected the Nation to be more than a propaganda rag for Obama.

[walldude]

16. It is... Only your perception has changed..

You Hillary supporters must be getting tired of having to rag on all the progressives while you are posting missives from Scarborough and Malkin to defend your candidate..

[ginnyinWI]

3. This is that the article says about that--

"We intend to join and engage with our brothers and sisters in the vast rainbow of social movements to come together in support of Obama's unprecedented campaign and candidacy. Even though it is candidate-centered, there is no doubt that the campaign is a social movement, one greater than the candidate himself ever imagined."

[jsamuel]

4. and they show no support of this statement

"there is no doubt that the campaign is a social movement, one greater than the candidate himself ever imagined"

[ginnyinWI]

5. they don't need to

The evidence is in the facts: huge popular turnout at Obama's rallies, and his unprecedented ability to raise funds from small donations. And the volunteers who are getting out the vote in every state. If that's not a social movement, what is?

[jsamuel]

13. that is the definition of a political campaign, not a social movement.

[cliffordu]

8. Of course, paying attention, I realized some time ago

that it was a social movement.

[Sinistrous]

11. Dragging up the old "cult" canard, eh?

Is it projection, or has your hatred/contempt/whatever for Obama blinded you to even the rudiments of logic?

Appreciation for the positions, the policy proposals, and the ideals of a candidate for President of the United States does not equate to hero worship.

[jsamuel]

12. no, it is called a political campaign

[Sinistrous]

15. Oops! Apologies. I misread your post.

:dunce:

[MethuenProgressive]

6. That looks like it was written by a high school junior.

You can almost see the teacher's red pencil marks all over the first draft.

Obama isn't a progressive. Neither is Clinton.

[ginnyinWI]

7. Tom Hayden is no high schooler! n/t

[bigtree]

9. Is Bloomberg a progressive?

Obama is courting him today . . .

Bloomberg, Obama Meeting Fuels Endorsement Rumors
http://wcbstv.com/politics/Bloomberg.Obama.Speculation.2.685850.html

[ginnyinWI]

10. no of course not

That doesn't mean Progressives shouldn't support Obama. Obama always reaches across the aisle. He's a pragmatist interested in getting things done, and reaching out to all sides is one way to do that. Wants to do what's best for the people.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Clinton supporters add The Nation to the bus road kill along with everything else liberal. n/t

[crankychatter]

17. read it on Common Dreams today

excellent

people are listening, even diehard greens