Looking Back, Looking Forward to Obama

[LiveLiberally]

The recent discussions in DU and the MSM over Obama's recent stances & whether they represent a move to the middle, a genuine centrism, a betrayal or at least semi-detachment from progressive principles, a pragmatic strategy for victory etc.. etc.. etc... led me to reread my first OP in DU last February. Having been an Edwards' supporter, I had to make a decision whom to vote for in the primary after he withdrew and it was not an automatic choice for me. In my OP, I laid out a lengthy rationale for my vote, which ended thus:

What Mattered Most: Which democratic candidate could I trust to be President?

Which candidate could I trust to exercise power judiciously, to pursue a progressive platform tenaciously, to engage ordinary Americans in political decision-making, to embrace transparency and accountability, to lead by example, to govern inclusively but give no ground when it comes to fundamental principles, to stand up for human rights while respecting global cultural diversity, to restore our standing in the international community while ensuring that America’s interests and security remain primary?

Answer: Neither One. After seven years of a failed presidency, my heart’s expectations (and I suspect that of the majority of Americans) far exceeds the ability of any candidate to fulfill them. Neither candidate is “a J.F.K”; then again, neither was Jack Kennedy. It is only in historical hindsight that we make heroes of our presidents. Mantles of inevitability and cults of personality rarely last beyond the first 100 days. Our presidents don’t have prime ministers to get down in the trenches while they pontificate at 35,000 ft. Democratic politics is by nature confrontational and compromising; our best candidate is not the one who can soar above the melee, but who can exploit it to the people’s advantage. Our best candidate will not transcend politics, but will make it serve the interests of the many even as it inevitably enhances the political power of the few (a.k.a “our representatives”) Our best candidate will use words and deeds to convince ordinary Americans to believe again that politics and the people’s welfare are not mutually exclusive. Our best candidate is, quite simply, our best politician in the best sense of the word. And that candidate must still earn my trust, but my heart was willing to take the leap of faith.


***Update: None needed. I feel the same today.

[Cha]

1. We've come a long way and we're

not going to stop now! :bounce: :patriot: :kick: :party:

[LiveLiberally]

2. Exactly!

The road hasn't changed; it just gotten more snarled & potholed. Did we (mixing metaphors) expect a cakewalk??

[Cha]

3. No, not after going through "Wright" and

donnie mclurkin and every up and down since Iowa.

And, it was said that the primary was nothing compared to what the General would be.

[LiveLiberally]

4. You're right -- when Wright broke I honestly didn't think...

it could possibly get worse in the general election -- and maybe it won't in terms of a controversy of that proportion. My fear now is that if Obama loses in November it will be due to "death by a thousand cuts." The constant creation of mini-crises, the over-analysis of every comment, all designed to generate "concern" from the left and condemnation from the right.

It's going to be a looooong 4 months.

[Cha]

5. During the Wright onslaught

I was talking to a Black vendor driver at work and I said.."So what do you think, Obama for Prez?" He said, "I thought so until this Wright thing"..I said, "He's going to win".

I haven't seen him since then because I was filling in for somebody on Tues. I'm going to make it a point to get a note to him or if I fill in for any vacationers.. ..I want to give him the Victory Bump.

Obama's got something different in mind..he's got the fire in his belly.

[LiveLiberally]

6. What reassured me recently oddly enough

was Obama's decision to hold a second news conference just hours after the first to clarify his stance on Iraq. He received some flak at the time (and, sure enough, there were whispers that he was letting the Republican meme get to him etc...) But what I took from the incident was that Obama will not passively accept being labeled. Period. As he said recently, "I don't do cower." You're right -- we've got a fighter. And we need one, because I for one don't buy into all these early polls or take too much comfort in McCain's obvious shortcomings. Entrenched power never gives it up easily.