Media Talking Points: Obama's problems will come from the Left.

[FrenchieCat]

I watched This Week, Chris Matthews (Sat show), and Face the Nation this morning (I tivoed some including MTP, which I have yet to watch), and the prominent meme that stood out at me was the talking heads' opining that the Obama's Left Flank will be more of a problem than any others to an Obama presidency.

These talking heads consistently pointed to the "Left Blogosphere" noise as a potential problem to Obama's agenda. Now, as part of the "Left Blogosphere" world, I believe that the Talking Heads are making more noise on this than what is really out there. It is true that Liberal publications have printed opinions that are downright negative about some of Prez Elect's choices to date, but even they are mixed at the end, and most still give Obama the benefit of the doubt. So certainly, I will concede that certain vocal Leftist Bloggers are questionning whether change is coming considering that to some of them, Change is to be interpreted as Changing everything, including the faces that will make up the Obama administration. However, regardless of the dissappointment expressed at some of Obama's cabinet pick to date, it seems to me that these voices are more than still willing to give Obama the chance to "show us" how this will all work out prior to making concrete pronouncements.

And so, I find that the corporate media is again magnifying discord as the majority opinion, this time from the Left, when I find that, for the most part, the Left is being more pragmatic in its judgment of Obama (who has yet to be sworn in) than it is being given credit for. This obvious slant reminds me of the Corporate media's fascination with a small group of Hillary voters that were reported as larger than they really were, or the media's portrayal of Obama's problem with Hard Working Whites up until November 4th. In otherwords, the corporate media continues to be Obama's biggest problem, even as they point to others as being the culprits. I hope that at some point the Corporate media will "get" the fact that they need to stop magnifying issues, and instead report them for what they are. The lumping and painting by a broad brush any one "group" by the media demonstrates that indeed it is they who continue to push divisive and unhelpful politics.

[LWolf]

1. I think they are correct.

Obama has not been particularly responsive to the left, in this leftist's opinion.

It makes sense that he will have more problems with those he has distanced himself from than those he has cozied up to: the moderate republicans, the centrists of all stripes, dlcers, etc..

[FrenchieCat]

3. I believe that the Left is divided on your conclusion......

And that is why I am assuming that you are speaking for yourself and not others.....as I don't believe that Obama has distanced himself from anyone just yet.

I would hope that the plan is to implement a progressive agenda, not so much who the faces will be that propose such. I believe those who are serious about progressive policies are waiting for the policy proposals to come forth, as opposed to the superficiality of who's who in the cabinet, e.g.,
not so much focusing on the fact that it is Sec. Gates who Obama names on Monday for his cabinet, but focusing on whether we get our troops out in the approx 16 months that Obama promised.

[LWolf]

10. I'm speaking for myself

and for other leftists I talk with that also recognize that Obama distanced himself from us a long time ago. Like when he praised Ronald Reagan for "changing the trajectory" of the nation away from the "excesses" of the 60s and 70s. I'm certainly not alone in my perception.

I have to say 2 things about "progressive policies:"

First of all, that's a misleading term. Centrists have co-opted the term "progressive" for centrist policy. Exhibit A: The DLC's "progressive policy institute."

Secondly, if, by "progressive," you mean left-of-center, then I certainly hope you are correct. I would be thrilled to see the enactment of a left-of-center agenda.

[FrenchieCat]

11. Yes, by "progressive," I do mean left-of-center

[LWolf]

16. I'm glad.

That's a hope we share, then, and while I'm not as optimistic as you are, in this case, I sincerely hope that your optimism bears more fruit than my pessimism.

I would be THRILLED to be wrong, in this case.

[DJ13]

2. If Obama tries to be totally middle of the road on all matters they could be right

He campaigned ......and WON..... on a platform far enough to the left of center he shouldnt need to play it safe by having a centrist administration.

People voted for him because they are tired of the typical DC types who are afraid of alienating voters by following through on their campaign promises.

If we wanted safe, middle of the road, more of the same, McCain would have won.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Again, I believe that those who want to be serious about

progressive policies will focus on the actual policy proposals and not so much on the personnel....not to say that Obama isn't naming any progressives, because he is.

[polichick]

8. Is he playing it safe (which I agree he doesn't need to do) or is he...

...just choosing people he thinks can get things done?? I'm not sure at this point.

[DJ13]

13. Im not sure either

But if he's not playing it safe he should choose people more aligned with his campaign promises than the Clinton economic people he's surrounded himself with.

[FrenchieCat]

15. Playing it safe is relative. I don't believe his naming Clinton as SOS

is actually playing it safe....as many on both the Right and the Left and Independents may find that appointment to be odious and against the expected grain; in otherwords, that appointment was a surprise.

Same with his keeping Gates. It might seem "safe", although I tend to view it as pragmatic....since it will be wiser to have someone who has been directing the troops, direct them out of Iraq. However, I don't believe the choice was a safe one understanding that this was a change election, and keeping Gates does not represent "change" per se.

In fact, I don't consider any of Obama's appointments as safe for the very reason that he ran on a platform of change. If anything, it shows that Obama is willing to take a chance on using his judgment to communicate what "Change" is to truly mean.....and it appears that it isn't the window dressing as far as he is concerned.

[Drunken Irishman]

5. Well reading DU since the election, it sounds about right.

[FrenchieCat]

9. I think that there are an equal number of us advocating a different outlook than the

"Oh lookit, Clinton retreads! These people are part of the problem, so how can they be part of the solution" mentality.

You and I for two. :)

[happychatter]

6. lol.... in response, "leftist bloggers" say "The MSM is spot on and has NO hidden agenda on this"

they funny, eh?

am I a "leftist?"

I always thought that was a derogatory term, like a racial epithet or "dirty hippy"

OMG, I'm a dirty hippy... smokin' that dope and badmouthin' my president

"you have come far, grasshopper"

um, nope

[mtnsnake]

7. Isn't that the case for any president?

It's always the Left who are going to hold the president's feet to the fire more than anyone else and why not? Same thing for the Republicans when it's their right wing base who holds their repuke president's feet to the fire all the time.

If Obama lives up to his campaign speeches he shouldn't have any big problems from the Left. If he doesn't live up to it, then he deserves to hear about it, same as anyone. For example, if our troops aren't out of Iraq as promised, then yes, he's gonna have problems from the Left.

[FrenchieCat]

14. That is why I'm not in agreement with the Corporate media's take on the Left

at this time.

I believe that the Left, those who are willing to be patient after 8 years of sheer hell, understand that President Obama must be allowed to "do his thing" prior to them making any pronouncements.

Those who are already voicing disappointment or worse still, buyer's remorse, weren't going to "like" much about Barack Obama anyways, and were ready from the word "Victory" to be unhappy with what followed next. They are the jaded ones who had very little "hope" going into this election, and don't see much "hope" now, and take every micro movement as a sign of betrayal.

[mtnsnake]

17. I agree and

have posted similar sentiments calling for his naysayers to give him a fleeting chance to produce after he's actually sworn in. The bottom line isn't what the press or the Left or the Right thinks about Obama's choices or what he's going to do, the bottom line is what he actually does.

[jenmito]

12. I heard the same thing and thought...

No it won't. We (on the left) are largely trusting his choices, and believing him when he says the change comes from HIM, that his team will implement HIS agenda.

I know that there ARE some here (in the "Left Blogosphere") who are already expressing disappointment in Obama due to his choices for his cabinet, but more of us do trust him to continue making the right decisions like he did during his campaign even though some doubted him. As long as he does as he SAID he's going to do-have the people he chose implement his agenda-he'll have no problem from most of us.

Many Repubs. seem to get joy out of saying THEY'RE happy with Obama's choices so they doubt "the left" is happy with his choices. I don't think they realize many of us trust him to keep his word and I think some of the REPUBS. may be disappointed when they see Obama giving the generals on the ground in Iraq their NEW mission to get our troops out of Iraq in 16 months.

[Jennicut]

18. The"left" is divided between those to the very left and those slightly left

I am more slightly left and like Obama's appointments just fine. Then again, I think Dennis K. is a nut. But I dislike conservative Dems. I guess I am the middle left! That must be it.

[FrenchieCat]

19. I think that it is more complicated than that.....

Because if the very Left are already condemming Barack Obama based on his actions to date, they would can be rightly deemed as unreasonable by any objective standards....as he hasn't really "done" enough to pass judgment as there have been no policy outcomes as of yet. I would prefer to give all factions on the Left more credit than that. I don't think that being a progressive, even extremely liberal means one has to abandon one's reasonability.....so I'm not so sure that the "divide" is as clear cut as you are suggesting. I think that there are many on the extreme Left that still have not passed judgment, and some in the middle that have (some just due to Obama selecting Hillary for SOS).

[Jennicut]

20. Yeah, I hope the divide isn't there. I feel like a reasonable left person.

My parents really treat me like a nutball as I am to the left of them (they voted Bush and McLame)and then I come here and wonder why people have to critize his every move and some people think you are in the DLC. I just want to see Obama suceed. He needs our support at first. He can and should be criticized but sometimes when people dwell on stuff 24/7 it just gets to me.

[FrenchieCat]

21. Find comfort in knowing that those who actually were the voters that put him in office;

the youth, the minorities, the Indies and the Surbanites are not following Obama's every move as are the Leftist political activists and junkies, who make up a much smaller percentage of his support, regardless of how loud we are.

The youth are busy living their lives now that they have their President, and can't wait till Inauguration day (that was evident when I watched the International MTV Music Awards, where every other joyful utterance was in reference to President Elect Obama).

The Minorities aren't going to "look" for anything to criticize Obama on. It will have to be pretty obvious that he has done something quite terrible to get their Ires up.

The Surbanites are good to go as long as there is less gridlock and more progress toward the goals that Obama expressed during the elections....so political appointees doesn't mean much to them.

and even Independents, many who are not into the Clintons, are still willing to admit that she is competent, and as long as Obama runs the show, they'll go with it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

22. 'most of his problems will come from the left' doesn't have to mean 'the left is mainly against him'

You seem to make rather a leap from what you say you observe, in your 1st paragraph, to your 3rd.

[FrenchieCat]

24. My 1st paragraph is indeed what I observed the talking heads stating....

while my third paragraph is my own take....hence the difference in opinion within my OP. I am not in agreement with the talking heads, which is why I say most on the Left are not against him, while they opine that his problems will come from "the Left" which they classify as all inclusive. I thought that my 2nd paragraph served as the bridge. :shrug:

[butterfly77]

23. I don't think that most people who voted for Obama are..

leftist or see themselves that way. I don't consider myself a leftist or most of the people I know. I look at some issues from the left or the right's points of view but I think I am more of a moderate. I also am sick of the media trying to paint a picture of the Democrats or the public in general with their 1950's model of the public. This is why they were wrong throughout the campaign about Obama and everthing else.


What is really irritating me though is the fact that every problem that comes up now they paint as Obama's problem which we all know it will be but, they are letting Bushco off the hook because as long as he is in the driver's seat he can cause Obama a lot of problems that he knows he won't be there to deal with. So for these next few months I think they should be all over Bushco. That is the problem,they always let this ass get away with any and everything while they are blaming Obama for Bush's problems before he is even sworn in. The media can't wait just watch these MF January 21 really they will begin on the 20th just as soon as the swearing in is over, the media is full of shit...

[FrenchieCat]

25. Aye....I agree that....

the media is full of shit.

[bridgit]

26. I always felt that. It's the left's purity police that sink these ships. The RW is just standing...

there as yet; knowing full-well the left will do their job for the most part. And by the time they do engage? A couple little pushes and and it'll be time to start treading water. Said to be it's defining, noteworthy trait; the divisiveness on the left is staggeringly unproductive. And it doesn't need to be concerning Obama...it's concerning everything. Every-fucking-thing. Witness this tiny little sliver of a 'forum' right here; inordinately high percentages of precious little time are utterly wasted with "no I'm sorry that's not right" "I gave you a link, are you too dumb to read!?" "You troll how dare you" "dissent is not hate until *I* say it is or it hurts *my* feelings" over & over round & fucking round & round no end in sight, now, as for Corporate media? They don't make their money selling news to people...

They've always made their money selling people to advertisers. And nothing will change unless & until that changes but something tells me that it likely never will,

[S_E_Fudd]

27. Judging by the way things appear here...that notion is not far off the mark...nt

[FrenchieCat]

28. I think things will get better before they get worse.....

I have faith in Obama...
and I have faith that most on the Left will be just
in the long run.

It takes time to become accustomed to being on the winning side.
It ain't easy after all of these years.

[stillcool]

29. I agree, but don't see it changing anytime soon....

The 'media' have way too much influence..in creating reality. They are excellent at creating division where none exists, and people are more than willing to follow their lead. It needs to end. People need to stop giving the media their power. You can't get apples from a pear tree.