Perspective

[JamesA1102]

I think part of the reason Obama is having some issues with his base now is a big contrast between many people's unrealistic expectations and American political reality. It's not that his performance in office is less than remarkable under the circumstances. I think he's doing fine. But a lot of folks thought that by electing Barack president, their wish lists would all come true. In America we are supposed to have checks and balances. The president cannot just push through liberal legislation in a moderate or conservative congress. The passage of health reform through the Senate is actually a momentous achievement. It's something to build on and we can see it would not have gotten through 41 Republicans. Instead of looking at the glass as half full, many liberals are throwing a few tantrums because the glass is half empty. And of course, Republicans are doing everything they possibly can to exploit this situation. While they attack the president from the right, they encourage progressives to attack him from the left. Believe me, they are not our political allies. They're turning the worm and hoping we don't see who's twisting the screw. But I am not panicked at all. A year in politics is a long time, and the right has shot their wad a little prematurely trying to 'break' the president and making health care his Waterloo. Just two short years ago who would have laid odds that Barack Obama would be nearing his one year anniversary as commander in chief? When people take a good look at what the opposition stands for, instead of just what they're bitching about, I think things will be OK.

[DJ13]

1. Theres a perception that this WH isnt concerned about the progressive ideals

that won him the base.

Everything they've done (and said) shows a disdain for following through on matters of greatest importance to the liberal base.

Sorry, but that IS Obama's fault.

[JamesA1102]

2. Define everything? nt

[DJ13]

3. Iraq, Afghanistan, Public option, Holding Wall Street accountable

Regulating commodity markets to prevent speculators from spiking prices again, jobs, real credit reform.....you want more?

[JamesA1102]

4. But we are withdrawing from Iraq.

And Obama ran on increasing troops in Afghanistan. And the rest has to go through Congress which by it's make up leans to the right even with a Democratic majority.

[DJ13]

5. Its the lack of effort by Obama that upsets people

Trying and failing would be better than making back room deals with corporations, dont you agree?

[JamesA1102]

6. Trying and failing would make him look weak.

And that would do far more damage than doing what realistically can be accomplished.

[freddie mertz]

7. So are you saying he shouldn't even TRY?

That's a pretty pathetic reflection of diminished expectations, don't you think?

If the president can't TRY, who should?

[JamesA1102]

9. I think he should try to do what is realistic

and not fall on his sword for the sake of some principle. That doesn't help anyone whereas doing what is realistic might help some or most if not everyone.

[freddie mertz]

10. This is a matter of tactics and strategy.

When you start out, you can presume you won;t get everything you say you want.

The issue is how high do you set that initial bar?

I believe that they started with the bar so low, they gave away the game before it was played.

Everyone could tell they would accept ANYTHING if they could get a bill by a certain time, and preferably with some Republican support.

This made it open season for the obstructionists, the reactionaries, and the just plain crooks (Nelson, Landrieu et al).

And it looked and still smells very, very bad.

[JamesA1102]

11. Some would say that but

the Clintons started with a bar very high and got nothing.

[ShortnFiery]

15. The Clintons STARTED this "new democratic" = Corporate Loving trend.

It's vile that these "new democratic" legislative initiatives PRIMARILY benefit the large corporations NOT Working and Middle Class Americans.

It's termed "Neo-Liberal" and it means endless wars for empire and profit along with corporate welfare whenever the financial bubbles' burst.

And yes, "new democratic" principles are vile because they take what LITTLE is left as far as wealth within the Middle Class and send it right on up to the bloated ultra-wealth elites. :puke:

[JamesA1102]

17. But in terms of Healthcare

The Clintons tried to do everything and in the end got nothing.

[silverweb]

8. Agreed.

I just hope you... we... are right.

:kick:

[tblue37]

12. And yet CheneyBush had no trouble at all pushing through

extreme right wing legislation and appointments--which suggests that the "opposition" was really on their side all along.

[JamesA1102]

19. Really?

Was Social Security privatized? Are they drilling in Anwar? Was Miguel Estrada confirmed?

[ShortnFiery]

13. No, simply I didn't believe that President Obama would morph into a Corporate CEO almost ...

instantaneously after he was Inaugurated.

How about EVERYTHING for the large corporations and only SCRAPS for wage earning Americans.

NO, perspective is not needed when the Average Hard Working American is figuratively kicked in the teeth from the onset.

[last1standing]

14. More badly written "I got mine" bullshit.

I know you can't possibly understand that to many former supporters, this president has been a non-stop sideshow of lies, broken promises, stalled initiatives, insults and double dealing, but this is because you aren't suffering the brunt of his deception.

So go ahead with your whining about us attacking the most powerful human being on the planet, but don't come crying if you notice a lack of lines at the polling stations in a few years.

[JamesA1102]

18. You totally missed my point

And in a sense proved it as well. I'm not saying the President is perfect but some of us rather look at the glass as being half full.

[Clio the Leo]

16. Except for the the fact that he's not having problems with his base...

..... what you've said is spot on.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/mp_20100104_1650.php

[JamesA1102]

20. Thanks

It is a shame that so many here completely missed the point. They seem more motivated by anger and refuse to consider anything that doesn't jibe with their ideological hatreds.

[mmonk]

21. It's not about just realities but perceptions.

Many people think of the Democratic party in it's historical trends and positions, not in Third Way ideology. Only the really politically attuned are aware of the differences. Many people vote for candidates based on the thought that since the party historically is congruent with their positions or they agree with that tradition when reality now is it isn't the case.