Barack Obama has finally seen the light but is it too late?

[kentuck]

He has bent over backwards to accommodate the Republicans and they have spit in his face. They have demonized him on every issue every minute of every day. He has maybe sacrificed his base in his attempts to get along with these people. Now, it is questionable whether he will he be able to get back their support?

But, the other night at a fundraiser in New York, perhaps we saw a glimpse of the direction the President will be going in the future? He told the audience how the Republicans had driven the car in the ditch and how they wanted the keys to the car again? The crowd applauded as he gave an answer, a resounding "No!" It was like a parent scolding his child. But it was hopeful for the base.

This is the type of fight he is going to have to take to the Republicans if he is to reclaim the support he had a few months ago. He has wasted a lot of political capital attempting to work with folks who have no intention of working with him and have no desire to fix the problems of this country. They are obstructionists, pure and simple.

The base will be watching closely to see if the President is willing to fight this battle.

[ladjf]

1. Don't let those criminals "off the hook". nt

[RandomThoughts]

2. I agree many Republicans obstruct.

But the democrats have to push forward to make necessary changes in areas that are corrupt.

It seems they are working on making progress, but progress is not supporting broken systems, but making the changes to those systems to make them better.

Social government rules can be used for a few different things, they can be used in a method to protect bad programs, or to get rid of or change bad programs, and in that support the better programs.

I think the arguments of breaking up the bigger corporations is pretty clear, for social good, as are the ideas of government oversight of private sector, and breaking up monopolies in many sectors.

If social government does not do those things, then it is as much an obstructionist as the Republicans, since it hinders fixing the problems monopoly or money first creates.

I do think many democrats, and even many republicans do care, but it is not a right left thing but more about what type of systems should set social policy.

The bankers were willing to trash companies and economy for profit, should they be setting any social policies? And the consolidation of weath, and how wealth is used for PR can create strains on abilities for societies to be for all the people.

[kentuck]

5. I think one of the most important things he can do economically..

is to help pass the Blanche Lincoln bill to separate derivatives from normal banking practices. We cannot continue to insure trillions of dollars of gambling by these big banks. They want the taxpayers to stand behind them but that would be a big mistake by the President. Also, the wars are still a downside for him. As are the lack of jobs. He has a full plate to deal with, there is no doubt.

[emulatorloo]

3. No it is not too late. "Normal" voters are just starting to think about 2010

Gallup polling shows generic ballot starting to shift in favor of having Democrats continuing to control congress.

Obama and Dems have to keep getting this message out (part two of his message was that Republicans refused to help clean up the mess).

The media will do its best to make sure only Republicans are heard.

[malaise]

4. Here's the video

His timing was brilliant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Lf8BTyjL8

[LakeSamish706]

10. That was brilliant and I loved it, he waited just the right amount of time for the "NO". lol n/t

[BeyondGeography]

6. I think he knows what he's doing

For one thing, because he tried to win them over and lost, his criticism has a lot more weight now. On DU that might mean nothing; in the actual world of American politics, it means quite a bit. The Republicans can't pose as a moderate, centrist alternative because they have turned down every chance to work with the President, moving even further to the right of Bush in the process. So the frame that it's the same old Republicans (and possibly worse) will resonate, not just with Democrats but with independents.

[wiggs]

8. Not a bad strategy to spend a year trying to bring the other side across the aisle and

get something done in a bipartisan fashion. It should be clear to anyone paying attention that he and dem leaders have tried. They are in much better position now to 1) proceed as needed without republican official support 2) peel off some republicans who have been in handcuffs for a year and who now feel like they would like to contribute 3) ridicule any gop effort to stonewall, blame dems for not getting things done, or for filibustering.

I like the position dem leaders are in and hope we can see progress on a number of issues.

[Newest Reality]

7. I am not arguing against the points made

by the OP, but over the years, my sense of political leaders has changed dramatically.

For instance, I see the President as a titular figurehead today. I don't suggest that he does not make decisions but that, having gone through the process of selection and after making it to that overly prestigious pinnacle of politics, he is very much beholden to a confluence of powerful entities and not all that free, (or necessary) to originate or create anything on from a personal standpoint.

Today, people still look for a leader to follow. They still cling to the notion that we absolutely require someone to step-up and guide, lead, cajole, even force us to proceed, be it to preserve or change the Status Quo. That in itself is problematic in times like this and perhaps that notion will become suspect rather than sacrosanct.

For that reason, I tend to depersonalize the issues and consider the larger picture and various ramifications for titular heads. There are so many players and pressures in the background that that fact is unavoidable and tends to gloss over who is influencing the game.

[gulliver]

9. I think he is going to "HCR them," starting in about August.

It is good to see Obama putting the blame where it lies, with Bush and his Republican rubber stamp Congress. I also like where I think he is going with the oil spill and the "cozy" regulator/regulatee relationship. I think he will play these hands well in the election.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

11. Has any incumbent

ever failed to be re-nominated? Let's say Obama is renominated; are you saying he won't get the vote of people calling themselves democrats?
Surely people aren't going to a) not vote for him in 2012 or b) not get him renominated?
I don't understand this line of thought. Even if he pisses away every bit of support he has and has had wouldn't it make sense to still vote for him because, no matter what, he is better than what will come from the other side of the aisle?

[AndyA]

12. I'm not convinced Obama has seen the light. Time will tell.

It took him long enough if he has finally seen the light. For a smart man, it's kind of surprising that it took so long. We've given up a LOT due to the delay.