Resolved, Democratic presidents SHOULD feel obligated to defend the powerless

[Ken Burch]

that is, when groups within the Democratic coalition(the poor, labor, LGBT's, women, the Rainbow)are attacked and maligned, the president, IF that president is a Democrat, has a moral obligation to stand up and say "you're wrong, and I won't stand by while you trash those people".

[GodlessBiker]

1. ALL presidents "should" feel obligated...

[bigwillq]

3. ....

:thumbsup:

[Ken Burch]

4. Well yeah, but Democratic ones in particular

n/t.

[Autumn]

2. I'm torn between Yes and

Dick Morris in a Catholic schoolgirl uniform. Gonna have to ponder on that one.

[Ken Burch]

5. Take your time. It's an important decision.

And the choice you make could decide this country's priorities for years to come.

[masuki bance]

6. Is this a "greatest page" attempt? nt

[Ken Burch]

8. Not really. Although it will make an interesting statement

If the "unrec" crowd shows up to push it into negative rec territory.

[NoPasaran]

9. Happy to do my part!

Those nickles from the DLC do add up, after all!

[Ken Burch]

11. Well, that's the least I'd expect from a fan of Mr. "Trail Of Tears" himself

n/t.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

7. No doubt. When "groups within the Democratic coalition" are attacked...

a Dem President should defend them.


There is a long history of this not happening though.


Let's try for change.

[Ken Burch]

10. Well, a lot of DLC cowards have been 'unrec'ing" this thread, I see

None of them have the guts to come in here and say why a Democratic president SHOULDN'T defend the powerless.

[masuki bance]

12. That's not what they believe.

Your post is like - All people should be nice to each other! Yes or No? Sunny days are good! Right? Y or N?

Puppies are really cute! Yes or No?

[Ken Burch]

13. They won't SAY what they believe

And no...this isn't a "sunny days are good" thread.

Defending the powerless isn't something Democratic presidents have done for years now.

[masuki bance]

14. You didn't ask if they have, you asked if they should. nt

[WI_DEM]

15. Yes, and I think President Obama is doing a fine job of it, so far.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

16. I had to go with "No"

One of two/three arguments could apply for "No"

1) A president, regardless of party, should be obligated to act on the campaign promises which he was elected.
2a) A president, regardless of party, should always make moral and humane choices and act accordingly.
2b) A person, regardless of political political office, should feel obligated to defend the powerless.

-EDIT-

While one here would hope that democrats rise above corruption (more so than repubs), the core of republican political principals is not one of malice, as eluded to in the OP.
I think it's important to recognize the difference between republican political view and misguided actions by people who call themselves republicans.
Don't let the actions of the few negatively brand a demographic... even if you do not agree with that demographics philosophy.

[Ken Burch]

18. I agree with you on the first THREE points.

But the fact is, whatever the Republican party was about prior to 1964, it's been a "hate-based" party ever since.

[TexasObserver]

17. Recommended for its compelling truth and need.

[earth mom]

19. Ain't gonna happen. Playing politics is the name of the game in DC.

Obama learned that on day one.

[Ken Burch]

20. There are no instances where letting parts of our coalition get attacked without response

could possibly be good politics.

It's as insulting as Branch Rickey's pointless insistence that Jackie Robinson let the racists on the fields and the stand taunt and even physically attack him without being able to fight back. That was never necessary either.

[earth mom]

21. The proof is in the pudding. Obama already kicked gays, unions, the working class, the poor

and women (by his ass kissing the pope about abortion) to the curb.

Do you really think he is going to do anything that doesn't benefit corporate america first and foremost?!

The reality is that Obama is playing politics so he can get re-elected by his REAL base: corporate america and anyone on the right side of the aisle.

And the sooner people take the blinders off their eyes and get honest about what he's about the better.