Were you serious in 2008? Prove it and show up at the polls in 2010.

[rgbecker]

From Rolling Stone Magazine interview:



One closing remark that I want to make: It is inexcusable for any Democrat or progressive right now to stand on the sidelines in this midterm election. There may be complaints about us not having gotten certain things done, not fast enough, making certain legislative compromises. But right now, we've got a choice between a Republican Party that has moved to the right of George Bush and is looking to lock in the same policies that got us into these disasters in the first place, versus an administration that, with some admitted warts, has been the most successful administration in a generation in moving progressive agendas forward.

The idea that we've got a lack of enthusiasm in the Democratic base, that people are sitting on their hands complaining, is just irresponsible.

Everybody out there has to be thinking about what's at stake in this election and if they want to move forward over the next two years or six years or 10 years on key issues like climate change, key issues like how we restore a sense of equity and optimism to middle-class families who have seen their incomes decline by five percent over the last decade. If we want the kind of country that respects civil rights and civil liberties, we'd better fight in this election. And right now, we are getting outspent eight to one by these 527s that the Roberts court says can spend with impunity without disclosing where their money's coming from. In every single one of these congressional districts, you are seeing these independent organizations outspend political parties and the candidates by, as I said, factors of four to one, five to one, eight to one, 10 to one.

We have to get folks off the sidelines. People need to shake off this lethargy, people need to buck up. Bringing about change is hard — that's what I said during the campaign. It has been hard, and we've got some lumps to show for it. But if people now want to take their ball and go home, that tells me folks weren't serious in the first place.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/209395?RS_show_page=6

[peacebird]

1. "that people are sitting on their hands complaining, is just irresponsible" - no, choosing RAHM was

what was irresponsible. And Rahms constant mocking of progressives was completely irresponsible. YOU not stopping him was inexcusable.
Because of the contempt shown for progressives since your election, there IS considerable disappointment and lack of enthusiasm.

Everyone knows change is hard, and that it takes time to fix problems that have festered so long. BUT the attitude from the administrations people towards "them what brung 'em" has been utterly shameful. And NOW you have the auudacity to point the blame at progressives?!?

The ones who weren't serious about change seem to be in the White House and Congress, because we the progressives sure are. THAT is why we are so pissed off.

[Mefistofeles]

2. That's bad logic

Can't there be people who were serious in 2008 and disappointed now? People who just lost their houses, perhaps, or for whatever other reasons?

[BzaDem]

3. They can be disappointed, but that doesn't relieve them of their responsibility as a citizen to vote

[county worker]

4. I don't think anyone should blame the Dems because they lost their house.

I mean the housing bubble was caused by poor lending and unemployment was caused by the busting of the housing bubble.

[nashville_brook]

5. it's a disappointing rhetorical strategy. actions speak louder than words.

[slay]

6. +1

I showed up in 2008 and I'll vote for a few local Dems here in 2010 but a couple independents (to the left of the Dem) too. Will I vote for Obama in 2012? I have no idea. I don't like what I've seen so far from him or the Dems in the senate, that much is sure.