"... don't ever, ever call Obama a wimp."

[Clio the Leo]

Barack Obama Is Not A Wimp
MAR 19 2010, 1:08 PM ET

As Democrats move ever closer to the magic number of 216, it's unsurprising that the language used to describe the debate has lifted itself out of the depths of mere politics and vaulted into the realm of virtue. Courage is the most essential value. Who is the Antigone -- who built the "dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear," as Martin Luther King put it. For whom has this fight been easy? For whom has it been hard?

<snip>

Why has Barack Obama risked his presidency for this crusade? Why has he spent more time on this domestic issue than any other president has spent on any other issue in recent memory? Why has he done so despite the manifest public unpopular of the case? The answer opponents will give is some variant of Obama's conviction that he must impose his solution on America no matter the cost, even to him; that his actions are part of a larger crusade; that he cannot legitimize government as an active force for good without government taking over the health care system. (Chicago politics, socialism, Saul Alinsky.) But this argument doesn't track with an argument that opponents have been desperate to make: that health care is not popular now and won't be popular in time to reward Democrats.

And it fortifies, indirectly, the argument that Obama is uniquely courageous: his stubborness in the face of public opinion, in the face of advisers who begged him to move on, in the face of a revolt from his base, is based upon his own conviction that what he's doing is the right thing to do, primarily, and upon electoral politics secondarily.

Ronald Brownstein makes it clear that he believes Obama exemplifies the virtue:

Win or lose, Obama has pursued health care reform as tenaciously as any president has pursued any domestic initiative in decades. Health care has now been his presidency's central domestic focus for a full year. That's about as long as it took to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, originally introduced by John F. Kennedy and driven home by Lyndon Johnson. Rarely since World War II has a president devoted so much time, at so much political cost, to shouldering a single priority through Congress. It's reasonable to debate whether Obama should have invested so heavily in health care. But it's difficult to quibble with Emanuel's assessment that once the president placed that bet, "He has shown fortitude, stamina, and strength."

It is. All the more so if you oppose the legislation, if you think it will break the parts of the health care system that work, if you think it will bankrupt the country down the road. You ought to be mighty frustrated by Obama's courage, blind as you believe it might be. But don't ever, ever call the guy a wimp.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/03/barack-obama-is-not-a-wimp/37756/

US President Barack Obama delivers remarks on health insurance reform at George Mason University's Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia, on March 19, 2010. Obama hailed this weekend's 'historic' congressional vote on his health plan as the culmination of a century of struggle, at a euphoric campaign-style rally.

[derby378]

1. Never before has a President worked so hard for legislation that is so bad

Okay, that's not entirely true. There was also Iraq...

[quaker bill]

52. It is so bad

that the only thing worse is the status quo.

[monmouth]

2. The Presidency is no job for old men....n/t

[rfranklin]

3. Reagan the Forgetful proved that one...nt

nt

[firedupdem]

4. I"m more and more proud of my vote everyday. Reform is sorely

needed and he's getting it done. The extra info I heard about today on the increased funding for pell grants, and the repayment structure changing impacts my family in a very positive way. Go President Obama!

[SPedigrees]

5. Agree 100% nt

[cilla4progress]

7. Yah - the student loan thing is just a huge

last minute gift to middle-incomers!!

[Kalun D]

44. I'm more and more proud of my vote everyday

Corporate giveaways are sorely needed. We've taken care of the bankers and military contractors, now it's the health insurance companies turn.

And screw those Union teachers, fire them all and re-hire non Union.

[cilla4progress]

6. I think it remains to be seen

if Obama's vision of this bill's impacts pans out, or that of the detractors on both sides. Like most of you, I am terribly disappointed there is no PO. We'll see if Grayson, Sanders or others' intentions about immediately amending a PO into HCR truly bears out.

I trust Obama when he says this bill will make a positive impact on middle-class Americans. He doesn't seem to think it's just sufficient or adequate, but actually will help in meaningful ways.

In any case, I think I'm understanding where the racist wing of the GOP is coming from: they can't stand the thought that an African-American President is showing them up -- they don't CARE what the substance is. It subverts their own vision of their race superiority. It's a tough transition, but once through it, perhaps we can move forward to all the advantages that a truly rainbow society will bring.

[gratefultobelib]

8. I am VERY proud of him!!!

[impik]

9. Gutsiest president ever. What he has to deal with is stunning

[Armstead]

10. He was a wimp when it mattered.

He didn't show any fight for thinks like public coverage or strong direct regulation of insurance companies back when it was being developed.

He did not give any support to the liberals who wanted at least a public option or medicare expansion.

He only took the gloves off when the bill became an awful meaninbgless jumble.

[daa]

14. Or fighting settlements, or closing Guantanimo, or

fighting illegal wiretaps. No, he fought hard for all the wrong shit, just the opposite he campaigned on.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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[ibegurpard]

28. wrong

it's quite obvious he opposed those things.
otherwise we would've seen a different outcome.

[azmouse]

11. The more some complain about this wonderful President

the more I know my backing him was a good move! GObama! :patriot:

This is going to be a wonderful weekend. I can just feel it.

[optimator]

12. I used to think he was a wimp

Now I know he just does not believe in anything.
He's not an ideologue OR a pragmatist.
Because either of those are about solutions to problems.
He is a fighter though.
Perpetually fighting against those who worked to elect him.

[damonm]

20. Speak for yourself.

Because I was one of "those who worked to elect him", and he hasn't fought against me for a
nanosecond.

[readmoreoften]

22. He is speaking for himself. And I agree with him.

And I'll speak for myself, thanks.

[impik]

25. It's been a while since i expended my ignore list. Congratulations, you made it.

[damonm]

29. You, too, eh?

[robinblue]

42. He is Market-based reformer-with taxpayer money.

[tallahasseedem]

13. I love my Prez!

:D

[progressoid]

18. So?

Repubes said W was courageous and "stuck to his guns" too. BFD.

In fact, lets take a quote from that and substitute W for Obama & Iraq for health care.

Why has George Bush risked his presidency for this crusade? Why has he spent more time on this issue than any other president has spent on any other issue in recent memory? The answer opponents will give is some variant of W's conviction that he must impose his solution on America no matter the cost, even to him; that his actions are part of a larger crusade; that he cannot legitimize government as an active force for good in Iraq.


How about less cheer leading and more critical examination of the actual policies. I expect more from the Atlantic.

[NJmaverick]

19. K&R

[Odin2005]

21. No, he has more then enough guts to shaft us in order to enrich his corporate masters.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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

[phleshdef]

45. Do you people even realize how stupid you sound when you say stuff like that?

Seriously, you just sound silly and not to be taken the least bit seriously. Maybe if you stopped embarassing yourselves with all the over the top bullshit, people would actually listen to what you have to say.

[clr]

24. But he is

The progressive candidate Obama became the "well, let's ask what the Republicans think before we do something" President Obama. Public Option is out the window (for now), and when it came to the stimulus, he was BEGGING for bipartisan support. He's in a bubble.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

26. He fights against the political headwind and keeps pushing.

The President has taken complete ownership of this. He has put it all on the line to make this happen and deserves credit for seeing it through.

[pundaint]

36. He is the Political Headwind for the Democratic Platform. Watch what he does - it

does not at all match what he says.

[Kalun D]

46. Headwind

for the DLC corporate platform

[Tailormyst]

27. I don't find that he has any large amount of guts

He panders and caters, begs and pleads and the entire time ignores any large issues that might upset those whose praise he is obsessed with gaining.

Guts would be single payer.

Guts would be no more DADT.

Guts would be real banking reform.

Guts would be going after war criminals.

[depakid]

32. +1

Guts would be holding torturers, banksters, fraudsters, and other assorted corporate criminals accountable.

Doesn't take much in the way of guts to make pandering references to the Chamber of Commerce about holding "teachers accountable."

Or to Bloomberg about bankster's bonues.

Doesn't make him a "wimp" but it shouldn't be confused with the opposite.

[donheld]

35. +2

[phleshdef]

48. In other words, guts would be pandering to fringe issues and your instant gratification oriented BS.

[Tailormyst]

57. No- guts would be standing up for what is right

Since you seem unable to have a conversation about issues without flinging insults you can go off to ignore with the rest of your kind.

[Moochy]

54. those are not signs of guts!

They are Looking backward, and pre-partisan thinking that gets us into trouble since easily half of the democrats in both houses prostrate themselves willingly and eagerly in front of the fascist corporate war machine in 2001 and onward.

Accountability is not cool, it's not post-partisan.

[Tailormyst]

58. blink blink blink

:spray:

[amborin]

30. he fights for corporate interests! no question!

[Cha]

31. That's just lazy

talk.

[girl gone mad]

33. I think he's a huge wimp.

He let Wall Street, Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats roll right over him and he lost a lot of popularity and political capital wile achieving almost nothing of substance.

He didn't fight for the people on financial reform, environmental reform, gay rights or health care. Instead, he's allowed forces on the right to vehemently push their agenda and push us right into accepting watered down, corporatist bullshit phony reform.

He's been weak and ineffectual at upholding his campaign promises.

He's a w-i-m-p, wimp.

End of discussion.

[WA98296]

34. Obama stood-up to his BASE!!!! One term and out for this Corporatist.

[quiet.american]

37. I wouldn't bet the farm on that. nt

[Peacetrain]

38. I am his base.. and I am with the President..

[Kalun D]

41. VIVA OBAMA

VIVA CORPORATISM

[phleshdef]

49. Funny, I don't feel "stood up to".

[Moochy]

53. What every good New Democrat has done since the Republicans invented them

Fifth Columnists, compromise on everything vaguely liberal in favor of the rich plutocrats who run both halves of the corporate duopoly party.

[chowder66]

39. JFC!

Obama is fighting. He is up against unbelievable odds and he keeps at it while many just want to throw their hands up and walk away. That my friends defines wimp in my opinion. No one said this was going to be easy. I am sick of people saying he hasn't done this or hasn't done that...when referencing things that are in progress. Do I agree to stand by everything the dems are doing or not doing...NO. Remember it's the Repugs that are blocking and spinning and creating a cluster fuck...not to mention...with the help of the media. If I hear one more time about democrats messaging problems I think I'm going to throw up. I can see/hear what is in the works, what the obsticles are, why we can't move as far left as we want...it takes time because we have a low info segment of the population that needs their hand held to "get it".

Not everyone is going to get everything they desire...especially in a year or two (and also while the economy/health care and war are consuming our politicians)..... so go ahead... throw your hands up and walk away or stand strong and keep building on a foundation, which is what we finally have again after how many years of Freak Rule? Keep the momentum, keep speaking up, keep taking the steps to turn things around. But please...stop with the defeatism. Take a break, breathe and start fresh.

It takes a couple of seconds to break a vase but it take hours to put it back together. You will never fix it if you don't try.

[PolNewf]

40. After Brown won the MA Senate seat

I expected them to retreat. Obama has huge balls, at least for a politician, for continuing and even ramping up his push.

And while many of you hate the Pharma deal I think it was brilliant. Pharma is the biggest thing blunting the Chamber's ad campaign and keeping public opinion somewhat split. If you had Pharma spending alongside the Chamber in opposition no reform would have had a chance.

I'd keep pharma around for the public option fight down the road as well.

2 cents from a Canadian rooting for you.

[Kalun D]

43. Barack Obama Is Not A Wimp

Barack Obama Is Not A Wimp When It Comes To Helping the Corporations

As DLC corporate whores move ever closer to the magic number of 216...

Why has Barack Obama risked his presidency for the corporations? Because they paid him hard cash money, that's why. Goldman Sachs criminals (behind the Greek fiasco) $997,000, Obama's 2nd largest campaign contributor. $BILLIONS for Sachs in the Obama backed "bailout", a pennies on the $100 investment, way to go Sachs.

And it fortifies, indirectly, the argument that Obama is uniquely corporate: his stubbornness in the face of working class opinion, in the face of advisers who begged him to move on, in the face of a revolt from his base, is based upon his own conviction that what he's doing is the right thing to do for the corporations that bought him out, primarily, and upon DLC politics secondarily.

Win or lose, Obama has pursued corporate giveaways as tenaciously as any president has pursued any domestic initiative in decades. Health insurance giveaways has now been his presidency's central domestic focus for a full year.

Obama, corporate sell-out, for pennies on the C-note.

[FrenchieCat]

50. If only

you weren't just writing crap that you pulled out of your ass,
and which has no basis in fact beyond your speculating to worse about
this Democratic President while you are here on Democratic Underground,
but since you are, my only comment to you is "Bullshit to your screed".

[Kalun D]

55. Denial aint a river in Egypt

so Goldman Sachs didn't donate $995,000 to Obama as his 2nd largest contributor?

that's not based in fact?

so Obama didn't push hard for the $700 BILLION "bailout" for the crooked criminal bankers, including Goldman, that intentionally caused the "problem" in the first place? Obama didn't appoint the crooked Geitner and reappoint the crooked Bernanke? Both of them republicans?

That's speculation?

After the huge banker theft of 2008 and the $700 BILLION giveaway the bankers awarded themselves $150 BILLION in bonuses for 2009. Coincidentally all the red ink in all the states is $150 Billion. Of course Obama then proposed $1.5 billion to help foreclosed homeowners, how generous of him.

When you gonna wake-up FrenchieCat? The Obama you have bought into is an image paid for by the corporations and portrayed on the wholly owned corporate television. The talk he talks is not real, he's walking the corporate walk at our expense.

[bvar22]

47. Obama has never been a wimp.

He sure showed the Progressive Caucus who was boss....Chicago Style.

I just wish he was fighting FOR the American Working Class instead of our Corporate Overlords.


The DLC New Team
Progressives Need NOT Apply

(Screen Capped from the DLC Website)

"Centrism"...the perfect ideology for those who are almost Republicans.

[FrenchieCat]

51. While he's fighting for the uninsured Americans.....

you are posting on the Internet....

so yeah, he's not the wimp in this....for sure.

[Kalun D]

56. While he's fighting for insurance and big pharma profits

after making backroom deals with both of them to leave out the public option.