Do you ever get the feeling that you're the only person on DU who's STILL glad that Obama's Prez?

[ColesCountyDem]

I read-- well, I actually just read the topic line, usually, to be honest--- so freakin' many posts here that seem to bitch, whine, piss and/or moan about every single, itty-bitty thing President Obama does or even doesn't do that I begin to wonder if I'm the only person left on DU who still gets that little frisson of happiness at the thought that Barack Obama is President of the United States and not that slug, John McCain. Actually, I'm still thanking God/Yahweh/Allah/The Goddess/Insert Your Favorite Deity or Entity Here on a daily basis for this fact.

Am I alone in getting this feeling, occasionally, or do some of you feel that way, too?

:hi::shrug::dem:

[tridim]

1. Every Democrat I know outside of DU is extremely happy with Obama

I'm extremely happy as well. He couldn't be doing a better job.

[ColesCountyDem]

7. Same here.

I'm a precinct committeeman, and every single Democrat I know still gets that goofy, happy grin on their faces when they hear the phrase 'President Obama'.

Thanks for the reassurance!

:hi:

[treestar]

33. Yes. You know those I-slapped-down-a-freeper stories?

I have a reverse of that. I heard a guy in a store today talking to somebody complaining about obstructionists in Congress getting in Obama's way!

[Number23]

65. It's not just Democrats. It is literally people all over the world.

[ElboRuum]

2. Every damn day around here...

...I feel that way.

[Pirate Smile]

24. Yep.

[YvonneCa]

59. Maybe we need our own forum...say... GDPP-Positive Presidential...

...Discussion Group. :7

[ElboRuum]

96. It's the way of the world.

Negativism always trumps the positive. The people inured of negativity shout louder and more often than those who are reasonably content with a situation.

Of course, saying that I am "reasonably content with a situation", given the current context probably qualifies that statement as flamebait.

[mvd]

3. I support him big time

He hasn't been perfect (Gregg appointment, cabinet appointment withdrawals,) but I am proud that he is my President. I think most of DU is, too.

[Cha]

4. No, there's a lot of

big pic DUers who are really happy Obama is Prez. And, I just talked to an owner of store in town who is deliriously happy we are dealing in Reality now.

[ColesCountyDem]

9. Or, as my aunt says...

"Thank God the adults are back in charge!"

:)

[damonm]

5. Ok, yeah. I COULD be happier about a couple things,

BUT:

The right guy is in office. No Doubt.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. Naw

Then again, I try to remind myself that the clinically insane are very adept at screaming, so I realize DU isn't as bad as it seems.

[Betsy Ross]

8. I love our President.

I don't expect to agree with everything he does. Heck, I don't agree with everything I do! As I said after the election: If he runs the country as well as he ran his campaign, we will all be better for it.

[JuniperLea]

10. Sorta... But it is far, far worse at dKos!

The Obama hate is disgusting over there.

[LSparkle]

14. Wow! I don't go there frequently and will now avoid ...

Paraphrasing our president in one of his speeches today,
"Let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good."

Face it, folks -- you're not likely to get President
Dennis Kucinich. I wish it were different but there's
an entire red swath of this country that will NEVER
be converted to progressivism.

[John Q. Citizen]

25. I disagree. i think with time we will even convert you.

[Enrique]

11. actually he gets tons of support on DU

he's been getting some criticism, but at the same time a lot of people are bending over backwards to excuse things in Obama that they wouldn't excuse in other dems. Some are even blaming other dems for Obama's own failings.

[Solomon]

41. LOL

"He getting tons of suppport" but just "some criticism". LOL Right.

[JanusAscending]

12. ABSOLUTELY !!!

I get so sick of the petty pissing and moaning on GD, that I basically just skim the threads as you do, and think,what little faith these folks have in the man whom they elected. He's been in office 16 days, and has done more than Bush did in 8 yrs.!!! He warned us that he might do some things we disagreed with, so why can't we disagree silently instead of tearing him a new one??? I guess it's the only way some of us can feel important. I have a special forum that I go to when I've had enough. If you're interested, feel free to PM me!!:fistbump:

[Starry Messenger]

60. How does someone "disagree silently" on a message board?

This isn't psychic underground.

[JanusAscending]

67. Silently.................

meaning not so VEHEMENTLY!! And who's to say who's psychic or not???

[Starry Messenger]

68. LOL.

Silently means without sound. And the second part was a joke. But I don't believe in psychics.

[tekisui]

13. My first bit of advice is to read past the subject line. You might learn

something.

We need criticism. Democracy depends on it. It doesn't mean someone doesn't support President Obama. It means we have just begun. We worked our asses off to get a receptive, popular Democrat in the White House. We did this for many reasons, but most importantly, IMO, to have a seat at the table. We now have to real possibility of being heard. Now is not the time to be quiet.

As W.E.B. DuBois wrote:

But the hushing of the criticism of honest opponents is a dangerous thing. It leads some of the best of the critics to unfortunate silence and paralysis of effort, and others to burst into speech so passionately and intemperately as to lose listeners. Honest and earnest criticism from those whose interests are most nearly touched,--criticism of writers by readers, --this is the soul of democracy and the safeguard of modern society.


If us honest critics, who want the best for our country and President Obama are hushed, only the right-wing noise machine will be heard. I believe Obama wants us to speak up and stay involved. Those who accept every action and word without critical thought are the dangerous ones.

[pleah]

16. k&r

[ColesCountyDem]

17. Please, don't misunderstand my criticism of the criticism...

I agree that we've earned a seat at the table, but two things about a lot of posts critical of the President really chap my a**:

1.) They assume that no one else except us is supposed to get a seat at the table, even though it took a whole bunch of non-Democratic voters to give President Obama the electoral mandate he received. This is exactly the same mindless attitude that the Bushies had for 8 years.

2.) Too many critical posts are letting the perfect become the enemy of the good.

:hi:

[Solomon]

42. Exactly. This goes beyond criticism. I hate it when somebody

tries to bring up the "we need criticism" in order to justify some of the pettiness I see here. Nobody is saying don't criticize. There's a huge difference between constructive criticism and the whining and moaning about everything he does or doesn't do that's been going on here.

[ElboRuum]

98. It is the honesty I question.

We need criticism, constructive and honest. And I don't need some quote to "prove" it to me. Speaking truth to power and having an honest dialogue about the performance of our elected leaders as it relates to our goals is absolutely necessary for the health of our democracy.

But I don't believe what is here is honest criticism. I think it's just another "OH NOES!!!11!!!1" variety, based not on the empirical evidence at hand (there just really isn't much yet). That's not custodianship. That's not vigilance. That's paranoia. Perhaps Obama does want us to speak up and stay involved. Fine. I was for that BEFORE you said it. But if you elect someone to the office, you did so, why? Because you felt he was untrustworthy? When you elect leadership, you do no service by being hypercritical from the off. You allow events to unfold, you wait for the material evidence to mount before unloading all of your grievances and "concerns" on the man for whatever wrongs you perceive. You give him his due 100 days.

[JayMusgrove]

15. I gave up on Obama on day two, and now am workin for Sarah

to get elected in 2012.

You betcha!


:sarcasm:

[EraOfResponsibility]

18. HAHAHAHAHA!!! n/m

[NRaleighLiberal]

19. If we were all lockstep 100% happy with everything, we'd be....just like republicans!

[skeewee08]

20. I would vote for him again if the election was today, I just wish he

would of vetted his cabinet appointees a little better:-)

[CTyankee]

97. You know what, so does Obama (I'll bet).

He came out straightforwardly and said "I screwed up." He didn't say "mistakes were made" or just refuse to say he did something wrong.

Nobody, absolutely nobody, is 100% right all of the time about everything they do. Imperfect vetting can be improved and there is other talent out there. So these mistakes are not fatal nor doing harm to the republic. He hasn't shattered our faith.

I think we can be proud that he was so mature and wise about admitting his failure to vet properly.

[RollWithIt]

21. Well, DU doesn't represent the Dems I know in real life...

All of whom are extremely happy with Obama so far.

[Still Sensible]

22. I think more than anything it is pet issues

and so many DUers seem to value a single issue over all others... from single payer health care, to marriage equality, to pay equality, to corporate reform, you name it... so at the first sign Obama is not toeing the line or moving fast enough on their issue, they say so. It is certainly their right to do so. On the other hand, two weeks does not a presidency make. There is little patience in some.

But understand, in many cases the issues these members are fighting for/about have been marginalized or forgotten or downplayed or back burnered for a long long time. So their hope is for incredibly fast action on whatever their most important issue happens to be.

[GentryDixon]

23. I support him fully.

What is discouraging is the bias of the MSM. Not only are we fighting the Republican spin machine, but the MSM as well. No amount of emailing to the various outlets seem to make a whits worth of difference. It is all about the ratings, don't you know? It does not matter whether there is any truth to their spin.

It makes me crazy! :crazy:

[Hellataz]

26. I feel that way also.

I understand DU Member's needs to express their concern for things they feel Obama needs to do, but it does seem at times that we are all reacting on this forum as if it was McCain that won. I think we should be more supportive of Obama, spend less time bitching at him and concentrate that bitching at the GOP congress and Senate and let them know america is done with their obstructive ways.

[ColesCountyDem]

49. The election's over, and now Obama has to govern.

We have to be realists and remember the 'art of the possible' and also remember that he's now the President of the United States, including those that didn't give him their electoral votes.

:)

[Rob Gregory Browne]

27. I'm more than happy. n/t

[karynnj]

28. No - most of us are - if only because he will sign bills that McCain would have vetoed

like:
the Lilly Ledbetter bill
S-CHIP renewal
etc

and he, unlike McCain - said the CIA can not torture (which the McCain/Hagel/Warner bill allowed)
and he lifted the counterproductive global gag rule.

That is what is real - and why in the midst of the awful primaries - I realized that I could not make a protest vote against any Democratic nominee. They would all have signed SCHIP (which Bush had then just vetoed) - and every Republican would veto it.

[Jennicut]

29. Complaining, on DU?

What else is new? Obama is doing a good job so far. I think most people here feel that way but everyone likes to nitpick...

[FLyellowdog]

30. Everyday makes me even more proud of Obama!

[Swede Atlanta]

31. Nope

I think DUers are very pragmatic people with inspirational tendencies. We all are ecstatic that adults and not frat boys are in domicile at the White House. But the gloss of the Inauguration are behind us and the realities of governing are upon Obama and his team. Governing is not easy and in this unprecedented time in our history, perhaps a period that will define if we survive as a major player (not even as a Super Power), is at stake, things aren't clean and tidy. We have divisions in our own party let alone the wolves among the republics. We need to stay focused on giving this President our support and benefit of the doubt. He has only been in office a couple of weeks. Give him time.

[ddeclue]

32. NO nt

[lamp_shade]

34. Yes sometimes I think DU stands for Disgruntled Underground.

[nichomachus]

35. "Itty bitty" -- wow, condescension runs rampant

I haven't seen anyone complain, whine, bitch, or piss and moan about "itty bitty" things. I do see some very legitimate concerns, which a group of people try to belittle and/or sweep under the rug.

[ColesCountyDem]

51. Please read post 17. n/t

[QC]

36. No, but sometimes I think I am the only remaining person on DU

who hasn't been replaced by a pod.

Does that count?

[phantom power]

37. I get the feeling...

that Obama is a mortal man who makes mistakes. I get the feeling that some people take it personally when people like me discuss his mistakes.

I get the feeling that it is un-American to tell me my president "knows more than me." He works for me, and I get to criticize him as I please. Just like we all got to criticize Bush whenever we pleased.

But yes, I'm also still very happy he's president. Perish the thought that McCain had won. Ugh. We'd be 100% fucked.

[firedupdem]

38. I am extremely happy. He's doing fine.

He said we'd have setbacks and false starts and thats okay. I know he didn't get elected to fuck it all up and he's no dummy. He has good people around him and things will be fine. There's a reason a presidential term is 4 yrs and not a few weeks. :)

[ErinBerin84]

39. true

I think that it's because a lot of the positive ops just sink, people don't have much to add or debate, and there are separate posts literally saying the same thing or criticism (not saying it's bad, I like reading individual's opinions in ops) will be filled up all on the front page. Sure, there are knee jerk defenders and knee jerk criticizers, but a lot of people pull the "oh, sorry I dared to criticize the MESSIAH!" stuff on people who I HAVE seen criticize Obama on various subjects , just not the particular thing that one poster disagrees with. There's prob "thank you for your concern" posts to people who don't deserve it as well, but Whatevs. I do think DU takes itself too seriously.

[Fly by night]

40. No. But I do get the feeling that we have more freep-roids than usual around here.

I loved one who posted yesterday that he had a football "scholar ship" to attend college, then went on to earn an MBA and a Phd, while peppering his post (title and all) with misspellings. (He never did respond when I pointed that out.)

Listen up, freep-turds. "Spell check" will help keep you hidden here, at least for a little while.
We can usually tell what you are soon enough -- because we just can't tell you much.

[Bluebear]

43. 'itty-bitty thing' - are you the judge of what is itty and bitty?

[JimGinPA]

45. No That Would Be Your Specialty

:eyes:

[Solomon]

92. HAHAHAHA!

[phleshdef]

44. Hell no, simply having a competent, thoughtful, humble and honorable person in the WH makes my day.

[ecstatic]

46. My new username is still true. I am

still 100% ecstatic and so proud every time I see the President and the First Family.

[rvablue]

47. I think if you take

a closer look at those posts you will find they are put up by a small handful.

I'm extremely happy and optimistic about Obama. I'm sure I'll feel that way for a long time if he keeps up what he's been doing the past two weeks.

[w4rma]

48. Don't mistake honest criticism with wishing he wasn't President. Overall, I'm happy with Obama. (nt)

[tavalon]

50. No, not at all

I think most of us are ecstatic, but were also doing our twofold job, watching his back and holding his feet to the fire - the later may look like were not happy with him but it isn't true, we're thrilled to have a group who seems to be listening to our complaints.

[Blasphemer]

52. No.. quite the opposite really

Considering the reaction to even the smallest criticism is often either dismissive or sarcastic. I had enough of the Imperial Presidency during the Bush years. I am frankly horrified by those who rebuff any criticism and treat the man like a God-like figure. I thought that was the GOP approach to the Presidency. Not every thing that he does is a brilliant political calculation. He has made mistakes throughout his political career (they all do) and will continue to do so. The test is how he responds to those mistakes. Those who defend bipartisan efforts like to reminds us that we do not want to be like the GOP but that reminder needs to be extended to some whose responses give the impression of a desire to stifle dissent. Government must ALWAYS be questioned. It does not matter who is in charge. It is the right and the responsibility of a citizenry who wishes to consider itself part of a Democracy.

[geek tragedy]

53. Better than McCain, but a proud Democrat

instead of a self-loathing one would have been a better president.

[Miss Chybil]

54. I'm very happy with Obama. nt

[Starry Messenger]

55. No.

And I usually try to read past the subject lines of posts. Du-ers are interesting. Why else come here if you are not into reading?

[gristy]

56. No, I've never felt that way at all. In fact, I've not seen a single post from anyone

saying or implying that they are not glad that Obama is president.

[Lyric]

57. Since when does criticism of actions and issues equate to not being glad?

Obama's not a porcelain doll. He's not going to break if we handle him too roughly.

Am I glad he's the President and not McPain? Absolutely.

Do I think that we shouldn't criticize him? Absolutely NOT.

There are never days when I feel like the only one who's glad that he's President, but there are MANY days when I feel like I'm some kind of unwelcome outsider because I refuse to stop criticizing him when he's wrong or mistaken.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

58. There are a lot of DUchebags who think we're DUmed.

I am still delighted Obama won.

[liberal1973]

61. I proudly support Obama

Hell no to that pos Mcbush or any republican to be President.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

62. Out in the real world, Obama is very popular and most think he's doing an excellent job.

[Undercurrent]

63. I support my President!

Is he perfect? No.

Do I sometimes disagree with him? Yes.

Do I wish he would talk directly to the American people more, and lay out things in a clear and concise way? YES! I want to see professor Obama more.

[Number23]

64. I think many of the complainers just need to get out more

I met a dude from Somalia the other day and the minute he heard my American accent, could not contain his joy about Obama. He's in graduate school in Melbourne, and he said that on the night of the election he begged his professor to give him the day off because he could not concentrate or focus on anything but Obama winning.

Every person I meet be they Australian, Indian, Dutch, Nigerian etc. is beyond ecstatic about Obama. And their interest in him is not skin deep. They share a deep and profound appreciation for his policies. Hell, most of the non-Americans I've talked to about Obama know more about what's going on than most Americans. My Australian BIL had to break it down for me on why Hillary Clinton was a good choice for SoS. I'm not sure that I agree with him completely, but his knowledge was undeniable.

So I just think that the folks who have complained the loudest about the almost three WEEKS this man has been in office just need to step outside of the four corners of their own existence and look at what the man's job is as a whole. Once folks can stop focusing so narrowly on what Obama can do for them and focus instead on what needs to be done for the whole country, I can't help but think that things will change.

[Digit]

66. I am still very impressed with President Obama

Actually, I think I like him even better than before the Inaugeration.

I am noticing the CNN and MSNBC talking heads gleefully hoping our new President will make a big mistake, but I fixed it by switching channels. Note to CNN and MSNBC: we ain't buying what you're selling.

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jennicut]

71. Oh shooter please go back to Freeperland and ask them where the WMDS are

and when Cheney plans to launch attacks on us. I am waiting.

[firedupdem]

72. did rush tell you that? or hannity? useless freep! n/t

[Jennicut]

73. Note the clever use of "Barry". I can hang at Freeperland for a long time

because I know how they talk..not that I would want too (yuck). But if you are gonna infiltrate DU you better learn at least how to speak like a normal human being.

[firedupdem]

75. They are such dumb asses..I've been following this one around..

I wonder how long it will be allowed to hang out?

[Jennicut]

78. "it"...ha ha! They are like aliens infesting our websites.

I go to other liberal blogs and there they are always crapping up the place.

[firedupdem]

79. haha!

they are definitely not human. Such hateful idiots. Lost, completely lost.

[JimGinPA]

74. Welcome to DU

Enjoy your time here.

[Starry Messenger]

76. Pfft. Amateur.

[cherish44]

70. Some people are just bitchers and moaners...

and misery loves company. Obama is moving things along and it's nice to have a leader with BRAINS instead of swagger.

[inthebrain]

80. I'm happy Bush is gone but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be skeptical of the replacement

and some of his moves of late bring a lot to question.

Like the fact that he's not going to end extraordinary renditions and his appointment of Rahm Emmanuel.

I wasn't fond of his VP pick either.

I'm happy Bush is gone but that doesn't mean I trust Obama. Especially when he's given me reason not to.

[Jennicut]

81. His VP pick? Wasn't that debated like months ago?

[inthebrain]

82. It was an example...

I thought it was clear when I put it in the past tense.

Either way, am I supposed to have a short memory and not mention it?

[Jennicut]

83. No but I think Obama ended up making good choices in the GE

when he was doubted. I think he will have to get tougher with the Rethugs but its been two weeks and he is learning.

[cherish44]

85. He's not going to make everyone 100% happy

The biggest complaint I've heard here is he's not progressive enough. His cabinet picks aren't progressive enough... He never presented himself as a hardline liberal in the campaign so why are people so outraged? He's still a hell of a lot more progressive than his main opponent...

[Bluebear]

88. That's right, we should stop bitching and moaning and whining about progressive issues

Why push for them, after all, Obama never pretended to be progressive, so why push him?

[Bluebear]

87. Yes, people love to bitch & moan, say about don't ask don't tell being pushed aside

Those bitchers. And moaners. And those whiners who have the audacity to question why so many Republican cabinet members. Bitchers.

[cooolandrew]

77. I think there are quite a few here that just probably are happy and satisfied with all he's done so>

far, so have no complaint. There's very little he could of done better really given some of those that choose to be unhelpful in congress but I expected no less. Sixty seats or bust so we have to go for gold next time might not of needed to if some were prepared to play nicely. So as far as the presidential section goes there is lots of speculation what might happen but little said on what is positively being done, and he's doing great. Also those on our side not knowing what side their bread is buttered, we're taking notes we'll find some real Democrats come the time. But President Obama himself clearly doing the best he can with the tools at hand.

[Two Americas]

84. oh, I sooo know just exactly what you mean

It just drives me crazy- all of the negativity. I ask myself everyday - am I the only person who is still happy and feeling kind of tingly about this? I mean come on people - the Red Wings did win the Stanley Cup. Can we enjoy that for a little while? But no, we hear endless pissing, whining and moaning. So and so is injured, so and so got traded, they didn't look very good last night in San Jose. Endless petty little bitching and poutrage. How do we expect them to get anything done if we are not behind them? After all, they are ***Our Team*** and the Presumptive World Champions. Besides, they have a plan and I think they have a lot better idea about what is going on then all of these critics do. I will give a lot more credibility to someone from ***Our Team*** who are the Defending World Champions then I ever will to some critic on the Internets, that is for sure. I think that if people want to criticize the Red Wings, they are probably secretly favoring the Sharks and are just hoping that the Red Wings lose. If they are not going to get behind ***Our Team*** then I think they should be thrown out of the arena and banned from watching any games. They are just trying to discourage us and make us feel bad. I think they hate ***Our Team*** and are trying to tear it down.

I thought this place was for Red Wing fans. Some of us want to feel good about the Wings 24 hours a day, and never hear anything negative about them. Is there something wrong with that? Don't we have rights too? Or are people who love the Red Wings and who are thankful that they won not welcome among supposed Red Wing fans? Why do we have to listen to all of this critical analysis of the team, the endless second-guessing and the doubts? Are they trying to hold the team back? Isn't it bad enough that the Sharks fans are all against us? Do we have to hear it here too??? It seems like people are just looking for any excuse to criticize ***Our Team*** and start a bitchfest.

Remember back in the early rounds of the playoffs, all of those people who doubted ***Our Team**** and said they wouldn't win? Well they proved all of those naysayers wrong, didn't they? But here they still are whining and complaining and annoying us when we are trying to feel real good about ***Our Team*** and it is all for no constructive purpose.

I am frissoning for the Wings! Who is with me?

[Bluebear]

86. :)

[chill_wind]

89. :-) :-)

[last_texas_dem]

93. Good stuff

:thumbsup:

[bluedawg12]

99. Goal! n/t

[Breeze54]

90. No. n/t

[Hekate]

91. Every day that the sun comes up and I am no longer in a waking nightmare, I am happy

2000 through 2008 was the longest century of my life.

I not only thank the Deities that Barack Obama won, I petition same regularly to let us keep this one, and that he remain safe for the next 8 years and a long life thereafter.

Our country is sadly all-too-prone to political violence, and almost exclusively it is directed at Democratic politicians and those working for social justice once they attain national prominence.

You are not alone, CCD. I'm grateful every day.

Hekate

[trayfoot]

94. I am ecstatic that President Obama is in office!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

95. I'm very concerned about many of his pics (HRC, Geithner, Gregg, Jones), but

in the larger scheme of things, I'm thrilled. My main problem with the president is that he's not behaving like he has won this election. And I often feel that he is incredibly naive when it comes to the Republicans. Obviously most of us are thrilled that he is president; the alternative would have been unacceptable!!

[donheld]

100. I and all I know are still thrilled with Obama

[whopis01]

101. not in the slightest. n/t