We have to have a talk about Barack Obama - Gail Collins NYT

[Kber]

Probably a duplicate, but it made me laugh a couple of times.



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/opinion/10collins.html?ref=opinion

From her oped...


I know, I know. You’re upset. You think the guy you fell in love with last spring is spending the summer flip-flopping his way to the right. Drifting to the center. Going all moderate on you. So you’re withholding the love. Also possibly the money.

I feel your pain. I just don’t know what candidate you’re talking about.

Think back. Why, exactly, did you prefer Obama over Hillary Clinton in the first place? Their policies were almost identical — except his health care proposal was more conservative. You liked Barack because you thought he could get us past the old brain-dead politics, right? He talked — and talked and talked — about how there were going to be no more red states and blue states, how he was going to bring Americans together, including Republicans and Democrats.

Exactly where did everybody think this gathering was going to take place? Left field?

More at link above.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Exactly why I've never fully supported him.

Yes, I will vote for him, but after all these many, many years of being under the thumb of the Right, why do we have to "reach across the aisle" to them now? Have they ever done the same for us? I don't think so. I'm about ready for a full-fledged revolt.

[NattPang]

2. Your revolt will never happen as things stand today. You'd be waiting forever.

meanwhile, our rights are becoming fewer.
The corporate media is not going to allow a revolt from the left,
which is why we need as many willing to work together to change things
including the corporate media.

The key is reaching across the aisle for the voters
that wandered onto the wrong side due to their ignorance and misunderstanding.
That could save this country.
An active citizenry must be built before it can be mobilized.
Uniting American is the only way we can start a leftward lean for the 21st century.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. I know - I've been waiting my whole life

Things haven't changed much since I first became politically aware in the early '60s. I guess I'm just tired of business as usual. I'm sure Barack may be one step forward, but I'll always be expecting the two steps back. That seems to be the way politics works here in the US of A.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Exactly why I DO support him. Gail nailed it.

[Kittycat]

4. Because without at least appearing to do so... The alternative is going further to the right.

I don't understand why that is so difficult for people to understand.

Obama is going to support democratic legislation coming up through the house. Elect your most liberal congresscritters, but be fucking glad that we have a chance to have someone in the white house with a "D" behind his name.

[depakid]

9. "Have they ever done the same for us?"

:rofl:

Why should they?

[Blue_In_AK]

10. They always seem to get their way.

I'm sick of it.

[depakid]

11. Like an abusive relationship

and progressives are the kids watching one of their parents being beaten and verbally berated.

[Submariner]

5. Why, exactly, did you prefer Obama over Hillary Clinton in the first place?

Simple. IWR vote. Period.

[Windy]

7. And Kyl/Lieberman.... and the Patriot Act... nt

[NYC_SKP]

6. There's a hell of a lot more to leadership than policy positions.

Speaking to me like an adult, honesty, optimism, daring to be honest....

[stray cat]

12. Exactly one reason I do support him -