"No Drama" Obama Doesn't Hold Grudges

[liberalpragmatist]

Just making an observation here -- one thing we see about Obama is that he's ruthlessly pragmatic and rarely gets riled up. He simply does not appear to hold grudges.

His support of a "slap on the wrist" for Lieberman is indicative of this approach -- he simply doesn't seem that upset by Lieberman and is more concerned about "moving forward" and hopefully neutralizing a potential source of opposition. In a sense, this could be like Johnson's dictum about better to have someone "inside the tent pissing out than outside the tent pissing in."

You see the same thing at play with the reported consideration of Clinton as SoS.

I'm not saying I approve of this in this case -- I think Lieberman ought to have been stripped of his chairmanship. Lieberman can call himself an independent if he likes, but there's no obligation for Democrats to indulge his whims if he's operating outside the party structure and openly endorsed the Republican nominee.

All I'm pointing out here is Obama's frame of mind. This is how he's approaching the situation, as I can see it.

[Doityourself]

1. I'm the same. I don't hold grudges...never have! My Grandma once told me...to hold a grudge is

to transfer power from yourself to another...

But I think it's just my nature.

I hit back and then I'm done with it!

[John Q. Citizen]

2. I think Obama should hire Brownie from FEMA and prove he doesn't hold grudges.

it would be a lot like keeping Joe Lieberman in his Chairmanship.

If Obama can hire enough incompetent people then it will prove he's a nice guy and people will love him.

[BzaDem]

9. That is the worst analogy I have seen all day.

First, we are not talking about hiring anyone. We are talking about keeping someone in the position he has held.

Second, while you may vigorously disagree with Lieberman, his competence is a whole separate issue.

Third, Obama doesn't even have a grudge against Brownie. Brownie was completely incompetent -- and that is the reason why no one would ever hire him again for that position. It has nothing to do with a personal grudge.

[stray cat]

3. Churchill: “in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity.”

[jeffrey_X]

4. Part of the "Four Agreements" - #2 Don't Take Things Personally

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

[JuniperLea]

14. Don Miguel Ruiz?

I loved that book... I'll take it off the shelf again tonight... thanks for posting!

[jeffrey_X]

20. Yes!

I might just do the same.

:fistbump:

[Arkana]

5. That's what he's going to pay Rahm Emanuel for.

[anonymous171]

6. He may not, but I do.

[RichGirl]

17. Thank God you're not president.

I for one I'm very tired of the nastiness in Washington and welcome a REAL change...an actual well adjusted, non-neurotic person who truly puts the country first and not his won ego!

And I'm happy that he has the confidence in selecting people from the Clinton administration because they are experienced and qualified and he isn't in fear of being over-shadowed or undermined.

[anonymous171]

21. Oh I agree.

I would be a terrible president. I see the importance of keeping Lieberman, but I do not think I personally could keep him around. I would rather Lieberman join up with the republicans than stay with us. It would make him easier to defeat in 2012. But I, thankfully, am not Obama.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

7. The security of the nation rests on Joe's shoulders.

It's an interesting burden Obama has bestowed upon him...

[LynneSin]

10. I didn't realize Joe was a committee of one

:eyes:

He may control the agenda but he will have a committee that will be 10 democrats, 8 republicans and one Joe which means if Joe wants to fuck around he does NOT have a majority.

And as I've said many times you can run a committee without your chair - Republicans did that to Jeffords for months before he quit.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

28. While I really appreciate the eyebrows GIF,

you are misinterpreting my point. Liarman will be under a microscope and it may provide an avenue for his purging (from the committee and possibly the party) that many of us seek.

Edit for extra word

[QueenOfCalifornia]

8. well....

isn't that special.

Is it too much to ask that all of us who didn't go and campaign for a war monger rat bastard be treated as if we are also part of "the team." Apparently it's okay to throw the loyal people under the bus as long as it makes a traitor feel all warm and cozy.

All I am pointing out is the frame of mind of those of us who expect to be treated like we have an interest in who is representing us and believe me... Joe Lieberman does not speak for ME. I guess if Connecticut LOVES the fucker so much they could elect him as their governor or he could switch parties and be elected there... Oops - already switched parties and ran against the DEMOCRAT there... Uh-oh.

WHEN THE FUCK HEAD DECIDED TO RUN AGAINST THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY... MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE SAID GOOD-BYE.

[LynneSin]

11. take a deep breath

Obama promised to end partisan politics - dumping Joe would have said "Oops, didn't mean that". Don't think Joe has free reign now - we have bigger fish to fry here and hell where are the 20 posts about Kennedy with his new healthcare measure?

[Dr Fate]

19. DEMS could have easily framed it as an issue of competence rather than "partisanship"

Clearly McCain and Lieberman have been wrong on MAJOR security & FP isuues- that is a rgument easily made...

Besides, I have yet to see a poll where "partisanship" over Lieberman is a major concern at all- voters just want whoever can do the best job.

Besides, it's an inter-party dispute, "partisanship" need not even come into the picture. It's not about "revenge" either- again, it's about competency.

In my opinion, words like "partisanship" and "revenge" are being thrown out there as damage control and have little to do with what the real concerns should be- namely Lieberman's competence & trustworthiness...

[RichGirl]

23. If your part is vindictiveness and revenge...then....

NO...your views don't need to be taken into consideration. Most of us didn't vote or work for Obama so that he could waste his power to satisfy the neurotic views of a small segment of his supporters. Get over yourself!!! There are real problems in this country, serious problems....getting even with Lieberman is not one of them!!!

[Dr Fate]

26. Do you think Lieberman has done a good job as chair?

Since this is not about politics as usual, can I assume that you really think Lieberman has done a good job and will continue to do so?

You want to keep Lieberman, and you dont think there is any need to get even with him- fair enough- but based on his JOB PERFORMANCE, why do you think he should retain his chair?

Remember the old model of "politics as usual" cant be part of your answer.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

33. Gee...

How fucking wrong can you be? Bet if you were in my world, the real one, you wouldn't dare have such a big mouth. I love how sitting in a room someplace can make some people really brave and bring out the schoolyard bully.

You think I am neurotic and in the minority? I think you should stop being an armchair psychologist and check out the rest of the blogosphere and see who is in the minority. It isn't me. You remind me of the snotty girls I went to High School with who determined what the "cool thing" to wear was. I was not one of the popular girls because I saw them as pathetic, not cool... guess that makes me part of the minority

In case you missed it, this is a discussion board and all kinds of things called "opinions" are expressed. being a bully is the "cool thing" around here too. But that will eventually wear thin.

Oh... and if you think I am so neurotic and in the minority that I am also myopic and don't see the problems being faced by "this country" you don't know shit about me or haven't read very many of my posts.

Go ahead and keep telling yourself that you are one of the girls who are cool. Some of us know a bully when we see one.

[Dr Fate]

12. Did Obama ever say that Lieberman should retain his chair?

I thought he merely said that Joe should continue to caucus with the DEMS- as his CT constituents expect him to do no matter what his standing as to chairmanships...

I'm not so sure we can say that Obama really wanted this exact outcome.

I might be wrong, but I think Lieberman's retention of his chair has more to do with spineless Senators than Obama.

[Cha]

13. I think there's a lot

more going on here than not holding a grudge.

We should bookmark this day for further down the road. I fooking hate lie-berman because of his bloodthirsty fangs but I have patience..now that Obama Biden are elected.

[WinkyDink]

15. There's grudge-holding, and there's justice-meting-out.

[Dr Fate]

24. Also- competence & trustworthiness MATTER.

I believe that "grudge" "revenge" and "partisanship" are negative words that some Pro-Lieberman DEMS are using as strawmen to avoid the real issues...

[galaxy21]

16. I was surprised he let the RFK remark by Hillary slide...

I remember there were people on her absolutely furious at her after she said that. I'm pretty non shockable when it comes to politics, but even I was appalled when she came out with that one.


Barack's a lot more forgiving than I am, that's for sure. And lieberman and Hillary are just two examples, there are a lot of other people that have behaved badly (the McCains) during the elction, but Barack doesn't hold grudges. Even though, he'd be justified in doing so on certain occasions.

[eshfemme]

18. Yes, the problem was that Bush was the President of the Republicans

Obama is definitely trying to be President of America. So I can understand why he couldn't inset himself into this particular matter as it was something that really needed to be worked out within the party even if it ends up screwing us all. I'd rather he used his political capital on the really important fights rather than simply punishing a turncoat who's gonna get his comeuppance anyway with the constant crap that we're going to keep throwing at Lieberman from now on.

So yeah, No Drama Obama is right. There will be times when he will need to be the leader of the Democratic party but this wasn't one of those times.

[Dr Fate]

22. Did Obama ever say that Lieberman should retain his chair?

Are we 100% sure that this is all Obama's under direction?

There seeems to be an effort to make all anti-Lieberman DEMS anti-Obama DEMS as well, and I'm not sure this is 100% correct...

[liberalpragmatist]

25. No

I don't think any of us know for sure. The "buzz" is that he indicated he was alright with it or may have signaled to allies on Capitol Hill that he was fine with Lieberman keeping his chair -- that would explain Kerry and Durbin (close Obama allies who were privately calling for Lieberman's head just days ago) -- arguing in Lieberman's favor.

But nobody really knows.

[Dr Fate]

27. Exactly- it's an attempt to paint anti-Lieberman DUers as being anti-Obama & anti-change.

I'll bet that DUers are correct to chalk up another cave in to "spineless DEMS"

Blue CT & Blue New England would have forced Joe to caucus with DEMS whether he retained his chair or not, and I think Obama knew this.

[eshfemme]

30. What I'm saying is that Obama didn't insert his opinion into this discussion for a reason

It doesn't make anti-Lieberman people bad Democrats (since I'm one of them) but I'd rather put up a big fight over something more important like universal health care or global warming. My point is that in this case, it's all Democratic infighting that Obama can't afford to dirty his hands with right now because he's trying to put out the image of being an AMERICAN President-Elect, not just a Democratic one.

So, there's probably Lieberman defenders who'd try that tactic but most likely, most of the people who aren't going after this issue anymore are trying to be practical.

[Danmel]

29. He is a very mature man

I know some people who could learn a lot from him

[Skittles]

31. it's not about GRUDGES

it's about f***ing RESPECT and Lieberman has no respect for DEMOCRATS OR AMERICA

[TexasObserver]

32. I suspect his "all is forgiven" attitude will be suspended if anyone breaks a deal prospectively.

He is forgiving of the past, the campaign stuff. But now, going forward, he will expect all to deliver as they agree. If LIEberman reneges on a deal they have, Obama will impose payback.

[Jennicut]

34. Obama doesn't have time for petty grudges, he has lots of problems on his plate thanks to Shrub