President Obama to Frustrated Liberals: 'Wake Up! This Is Not Some Academic Exercise!'

[jefferson_dem]

Word! Tell 'em 'bout it POTUS!

President Obama to Frustrated Liberals: 'Wake Up! This Is Not Some Academic Exercise!'
September 20, 2010 8:32 PM

At an intimate fundraising dinner for the DNC in the Pyramid Club on the top floor of the BNY Mellon Building in downtown Philadelphia, President Obama gave his standard speech about how the first task of his administration “was to stop the bleeding, to stabilize the economy, and we’ve done that.”

Citing “eight consecutive months of private sector job growth,” the president derided Republicans “saying no to everything we proposed. ... Their model was, ‘No we can’t.’”

The president this evening said he wanted supporters to understand that “we are just in the first quarter here. We’ve gotten a lot of stuff done, but we’ve got a lot more work to do.”

He criticized Democrats who complain that “the health care plan didn’t have a public option,” or say to him, “'You ended the war in Iraq but haven’t completely finished the Afghan war yet.'”

His message to them: “Folks wake up! This is not some academic exercise. As Joe Biden put it, Don’t compare us to the Almighty, compare us to the alternative.”

“It was easy showing up for the inauguration even though it was cold,” the president said, recalling, ”I’m polling at 70 percent, Beyoncé and Bono are singing. But I believe that the reason you got involved at the outset was not because we had cool pollsters, not because it was the trendy thing to do, not just because my predecessor had become unpopular, but because at some level we understood that the American dream had served each of us very well.”

<SNIP>

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/09/president-obama-to-frustrated-liberals-wake-up-this-is-not-some-academic-exercise.html

[nosmokes]

1. Right Back Atcha Mr President!

W/All due respect, of course.

[craigmatic]

38. I was thinking the samething as soon as I read this.

[yurbud]

60. Obama: stop coddling and listening to the most conservative and corrupt members of your party

[indepat]

67. And forget bi-partisanship for there ain't no such thing post Newtie:

they'll put the political screws to you on every issue. :patriot:

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. Projection

[FrenchieCat]

3. Some talk and do......

while others just talk.

[Aramchek]

63. don't you mean "while others just piss and moan"?

[vaberella]

He's clearly talking about the fickle youth who got involved.

Most of whom claim to be liberals. It's clear that's who he's talking too and about. I don't see why you needed to be snide. WE all know how the youth can be and fickle is the word du jour. Those guys come in like it's a fad and then fade away. That's who wants bank in the game for the long haul as you are already a dedicated member of.

[Windy]

11. He is 100% right in total! And I don't think he was just directing his comments at the Youth vote.

Many youth are still strongly behind the president. It is the old guard liberals in my opinion who want him to waive a magic wand and somehow fix everthing immediately, despite the fact that we don't have a workable majority in the senate.

[vaberella]

15. I'm mainly speaking about the fickle people who jump in and out.

A lot of the youth make up that number. They get into the game and then dump it. They don't last as long as they could. Right now...none of the youth I'm with in France even care about voting. It's me who's going to get all of them o fill out an out a write in ballot because they think that due to the fact they're not in the US they don't have to vote.

[JoeyT]

4. Yeah!

Stop criticizing bad policy! Because this isn't an academic exercise! or something.

[jefferson_dem]

14. Nah.

Just stop being stupid (not directed at you, in particular) and try to recognize who the real political enemies are ... and what happens if we don't realize that ... before November 2. It's not hard.

[Usrename]

77. Do you even know who the politcal enemies are?

Since what we're getting is more of the same, how is getting more of the same from the other side worse?

[bigmonkey]

29. Criticizing policy is fine.

The problem is folks who contextualize their policy criticisms in doomsday/all-is-lost rhetoric. Talking the modest achievements down makes people down on the modest achievements. It's pernicious. That style of rhetoric, not the fact of criticism, is self-indulgent and counter-productive.

[DCBob]

48. +1

precisely.

[CitizenLeft]

66. well said.

[Windy]

5. WTG Barack!! Don't pull any punches!!! nt

[Canuckistanian]

6. No way

Is that really a direct quote?

[hughee99]

7. "I want your support, but not your input." n/t

[impik]

44. Reall?? That's what he said??? heeee.

[hughee99]

45. That's how I read it. n/t

[Arkana]

69. Then you read it wrong.

[zipplewrath]

8. And who is that?

"Don’t compare us to the Almighty, compare us to the alternative."

Would that be Hillary? Richardson? Kucinich?

How about if I compare you to the ideals upon which you campaigned?

How about I compare you with what is the right thing to do?

[Windy]

13. I think he met GOD literally. Some on the left want him to magically make things happen overnight

its not possible! The facts are the facts and I'm glad he's not treading gingerly!

[zipplewrath]

18. He mentioned "The Alternative"

I was wondering who he thought that was?

[Qutzupalotl]

70. McCain-Palin, I'd guess.

[zipplewrath]

71. Which is hardly the standard I'd use

I'll measure him at a minimum against the other democratic candidates he ran against. I might also measure him against past democratic presidents. But mostly I'll measure him against the man that ran for office. The last thing I'll measure him against is McCain/Palin.

[Qutzupalotl]

73. Okay, but I hope you vote in general elections and not just primaries. n/t

[zipplewrath]

78. What an odd non sequitur

It's not about an election, it's about his performance, and his apparent desire to use the lowest possible measure for that performance.

[Qutzupalotl]

79. Obama is speaking in terms of the general election this fall.

He's drawing contrasts, saying you have a choice this November between a Republican and a Democrat. You're saying Obama is not Kucinich or Clinton, which is true, but that seems like a non-sequitur to me. The primaries were years ago.

[zipplewrath]

80. He's not up for re-election this fall

That would be a very strange thing to say. Don't compare him to the Almighty, compare him to the GOP candidates running this fall?

[Qutzupalotl]

81. His agenda is.

This election is a referendum on what Obama still wants to do; whether he'll have the votes to get anything else done. So it's not strange at all.

[zipplewrath]

82. That'd be a big mistake

First of all, it's not a referendum for the people to whom he was speaking. But furthermore, the democrats have been warned more than once to not nationalize this election. Make it a race by race competition.

I really don't think he was referring to the up coming election. In context, that makes no sense at all. I will admit it was probably a more general reference to the GOP, not just McCain/Palin. But as I say, that's a pretty low bar to establish for ones self.

[derby378]

9. We didn't endure eight years of Bush to be lectured on lowering our expectations

I can understand Obama being frustrated, but he brought some of this on himself.

I want him to succeed, but in order for him to succeed, we have to succeed.

[vaberella]

12. Hello!!! Read the message...it's clear who he's directing the post at.

The fickle youth who got in, because of a fad and seem to have left the base. They don't seem as ignited and you know very well they never really were that much. They come and then leave. It's the same thing during Clinton's presidency.

[zipplewrath]

17. I thought it was interesting he mentioned the inauguration

Some of us might mention Rick Warren. He always wants to talk about the fun stuff, and ignore the not so fun stuff.

[jefferson_dem]

21. Weak.

That was your "takeaway" from the Inauguration? Sad...really.

[zipplewrath]

27. It shoulda been Beyonce?

He's the one talking about Beyonce. He wants to bring up the inauguration in the context of being dissatisfied, of what we came to Washington to hope for, and I'm gonna remember the punch in the gut straight out of the gate. Day one. He can't blame that on the congress or the GOP or all the difficult things that Bush left behind. He chose to do that, on day one.

[Bluenorthwest]

28. Some of us recall that insult each time that event is mentioned

and will everytime we hear the word, forever. It was a really nasty thing to do. We are all Americans and that was a gesture of exclusion. Done with intention. He was a follow up for McClurkin, after all.

[muffin1]

52. Sorry...

that was a big "takeaway" for the GLBT community - as well as those who support the GLBT community. It was a fucking slap in the face to the gay people who worked and voted for Obama. If Obama wins a second term, maybe he could ask David Duke to speak at the Inauguration to reach across the aisle to the baggers. Would that stand out in your mind? Hmm?

[derby378]

22. Glad your brain's working more efficiently than mine today

I forgot all about Rick Warren. Dang.

[jefferson_dem]

25. No worries, derby. You forgot about that little ditty for good reason.

It wasn't worth remembering.

[Bluenorthwest]

30. And you speak for yourself alone, or the whole straight

community with that pronouncement? It was a moment that millions of us will never forget. It spoke volumes.

[jefferson_dem]

31. I only claim to speak for myself.

You're the one who talks in terms of "us".

"The whole straight community..."? Um ... right. :eyes:

[muffin1]

54. Asking one of the country's biggest homophobes to speak at that event

is worth remembering to MANY people. Guess they should just 'forget' that they were just bitch-slapped. Fuck that.

[QC]

55. That's easy for you to say--Warren had not just successfully campaigned

to have you stripped of a basic civil right that you had fought so long to acquire.

I think the world of you, and I have the highest respect for your willingness to advocate for LGBT interests in this forum, where that cause is not especially popular (to put it politely), but for some of us, Rick Warren is a powerful enemy, not an obscure preacher not worth remembering.

[whathehell]

75. Exactly...He never seems to have "patience"...or respect?

for progressives...I don't like it. It's just the same old "who else you gonna vote for" attitude, really.

[vaberella]

10. Agreed. It's a sad day in hell when we need people like Lady Gaga to motivate people.

Obama is right these people are need to get into the game and not realize this is some fad. This is their livelihood and making history. They claim to be liberals but don't have the passion to push for it in the long haul.

[rug]

16. Wake up? Does he think people only pay attention every two years?

[Jim Sagle]

19. Hands off Social Security, Mr. President. And THAT means disbanding the Deficit Commission.

Do it BEFORE the election.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

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[Jim Sagle]

41. Oh, I GET it alright. I'm just giving him my answer.

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

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[glitch]

20. Setting the framework to blame the left for expected losses?

But if we pull it out again guess who will claim the win, and that they did it without our help. Again.

[Amonester]

65. The new Depublican party will claim the win...

since the old Democratic Party has now been put... underground...

May the real Democratic Party come back to life... soon.

[kenny blankenship]

23. That's what WE were trying to tell YOU a year and a half ago

This (2008) was our last chance as a country to avoid catastrophe, and it demanded a immediate & complete repudiation of Reaganism and the reinstatement of New Deal Democratic policies. Do it for real, OR GO HOME.

[smalll]

24. "It was easy showing up for the inauguration even though it was cold..."

"I’m polling at 70 percent, Beyoncé and Bono are singing. But I believe that the reason you got involved at the outset.." etc. etc.

Somehow those lines strike me as amazingly graceless. Putting down his own supporters for liking him so much at the beginning, even turning out in huge numbers for his Inaguration?

Plus, these venues! "in the Pyramid Club on the top floor of the BNY Mellon Building..." Mellon? Pyramid Club? Not quite as bad optics-wise as the estate of Rich Richman (actual name) in Greenwich, CT where he did his most recent full-on hippie punching for the $30,000-a-plate crowd.

[emilyg]

32. Now that tickles my

funny bone - Rich Richman.

[CakeGrrl]

33. Those lines strike me as ACCURATE

Interesting that you waved off the substance of the statement to focus on the "offensive" part.

Some people want off the ride because it's proving to be as difficult as he said it would be during his campaign...for those who actually paid attention to what he said.

Rich Richman aside, I doubt the President is nearly as wealthy as the Clintons. ;)

[jefferson_dem]

34. "Somehow..."

indeed. Transparent.

[NorthCarolina]

37. People still envisioned him as a Liberal back then, and they were eager for a 180 from Bush years

Of course he came out after the election with his infamous declaration "I am a New Dem (aka DLC)", and reality hit like a ton of bricks. I know the usual DU crew will probably pipe in to tell me how he never ran as a Liberal or a Progressive, but lets get real. Obama campaigned in favor of a Public Option "Any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange...including a public option.". Anyone remember that? He campaigned staunchly against a public mandate for private insurance. He campaigned for changing/revamping or eliminating NAFTA...still have it, no changes. He WOWED Labor Unions when he promised "to fight for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act", and they hit the streets on his behalf. Wonder what ever happened to that fight. There's more Liberal/Progressive campaign promises such as the carbon emissions cap, ending too big to fail, etc. but what the hell....they're just campaign rhetoric right? Not meant to be taken literally, and even if you somehow DO take it as a literal promise, leading you to assume Obama to be a Liberal, well then you are simply mistaken, as his DLC buds will tell you...he never ran as a Liberal/Progressive. Oh, ok...whatever you say I guess.

[boppers]

47. "hippie punching"?

I'm not sure I understand the nuances of that phrase, so perhaps you, and other posters, could spare a few moments to explain and define what you mean.

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

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

[ibegurpard]

35. We HAVE been awake...that's why we're pissed

[MissDeeds]

59. Ditto n/t

[bigwillq]

61. ....

:thumbsup:

[FirstLight]

36. i like that

almighty/alternative statement... a biden quote, eh?

[Clio the Leo]

39. That's right! WAKE UP! GET OFF OF YOUR BUTTS ....

... quit blathering all day on the internet ... go canvass ... go call and GO VOTE!!!!

Or just sit there and expect the President to do it all by himself.

It's your choice.

[denimgirly]

40. Nice to see After 2 years he finally acknowledges Liberals...

Usually its complete ignoring or backhanding...lets hope his progressive rhetoric will last past November because its only during electiosn when democrats begin to listen to voters.

[MadHound]

42. No, it's not an academic exercise Mr. President, it's real life and we're living it.

In fact a lot of us are living it without a well paying job, that has a great health care plan, a few million in the bank and taxpayer funded digs.

[Brickbat]

57. This right here.

This is exactly what I thought. I found is comment odd, because it seems like he's treating the whole thing as an academic exercise himself.

[DemocraticPilgrim]

43. He's right people have over intellectualized the outcome than seen it in practical terms...

In theory this would be haven on earth guess what it's not, so in real practical terms it has to be Democrats. In theory voting or not voting a conscience would bring rewards in practical terms it will bring icky pain.

[Bonobo]

46. And the Accidental Irony Award goes to...nt

[niceypoo]

53. Include 'every republican idea' in healthcare?

Compare you to the alternative?

"I also left convinced that the Republican and Democratic approaches to health care have more in common than most people think."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/03/02/obama_will_include_republican_ideas_in_health_care_bill.html

[newtothegame]

56. "not because it was the trendy thing to do, not just because my predecessor had become unpopular"

Really? He didn't really have his finger on the pulse of America did he?

[PaulaFarrell]

58. If this is really what he believes, he's living in cloud-cuckoo land

"You ended the war in Iraq but haven’t completely finished the Afghan war yet"

The war in Iraq is not ended, there are still 50,000 troops there and people are still dying. He has not even begun to end the war uin Afghinistan, he has escalated it with no end in sight. A random date some time in the future means nothing. I don't think anyone in their right mind would accuse him of not completely finishing it.

But it's clear he's talking to the rich people here, i'm sure he'll say something else when he's talking to the poor folks. I dounbt he'll be saying 'we understood that the American dream had served each of us very well'.

[yurbud]

62. Obama cited an example himself that illustrates my frustration: on student loans they got it right

By taking the loan business away from banks, money that is currently going into subsidies to the banks will now go directly to students.

I wanted to see that same logic applied to HEALTH CARE REFORM.

It also wouldn't hurt if they used that principle to get rid of mercenaries.

[AspenRose]

64. For real!

I still love ya, Joe :loveya:

"As Joe Biden put it, "Don’t compare us to the Almighty, compare us to the alternative."

Now I understand how some of our fellow Democratic brothers and sisters are frustrated and fed-up, I really do; but if they think nothing is getting done NOW, what do they think will happen with a GOP majority?! Honestly. :shrug:

[readmoreoften]

68. The problem is that WE ARE AWAKE. What he means is GO BACK TO SLEEP

and put an Obama "I got this" pic in our sig line.

[jefferson_dem]

72. Not really.

Hey, if you're truly awake, he wasn't talking about you. If you're truly awake, you'll be getting out there, knocking on doors, promoting Democratic accomplishments and Democratic candidates this November. So...no don't go back to sleep. We need everyone out there. Consider the alternative.

[emulatorloo]

74. Personally I think he should have said "Sober Up."

The behavior of Republicans and their mouthpieces in August certainly sobered me up. Fear, Hatred, Anger, and Lies.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

76. I think his last sentence is entirely wrong.

"But I believe that the reason you got involved at the outset was not because we had cool pollsters, not because it was the trendy thing to do, not just because my predecessor had become unpopular, but because at some level we understood that the American dream had served each of us very well.”

I think that Obama's electoral success had more to do with his personal charisma and his predecessors unpopularity than with the issues, let alone with some meaningless tripe about "we understood that the American dream had served each of us very well".

If he wants the support of liberals, Obama should list policies he has supported or is committed to supporting that they likewise support, not rely on his speechmaking ability.



That said, I think that "don't compare us to the almighty, compare us to the alternative" is an extraordinarily compelling line of argument, and probably the only one he needs.

[zipplewrath]

83. Not with the target audience.

That said, I think that "don't compare us to the almighty, compare us to the alternative" is an extraordinarily compelling line of argument, and probably the only one he needs.

Not with the target audience. That's the old "the other guy is worse" line that we've been getting this election, and that isn't going to "energize" the people to whom he was speaking. It might work with independents/moderates, although I'm dubious about that too.

But I agree with your point about liberals/progressives. These vague platitudes aren't getting him anywhere, and in fact are starting to piss them off because no one agrees upon what he is talking about. Obama has flatly refused to draw any lines in the sand, anywhere, and so folks draw them for him out of their own expectations. He could probably avoid an awful lot of trouble if he would merely state what he will commit to and then stick to it. And when he loses on those points, and feels he has to capitulate, at least admit it and move on. Going out and suggesting he "never campaigned upon the public option" was basically false, and ignored that he did make two MAJOR speaches claiming it was important to his overall plan. Better to have come out and admit he failed on that point, but he was moving on anyway, than some how claim it wasn't important.