Obama: Democratic voter apathy ‘inexcusable’

[EXneoCON]

www.bostonherald.com
By Associated Press
Tuesday, September 28, 2010

snip

"People need to shake off this lethargy. People need to buck up," Obama told Rolling Stone in an interview to be published Friday. The president told Democrats that making change happen is hard and "if people now want to take their ball and go home, that tells me folks weren’t serious in the first place."

..."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," he said in the interview. He said Democrats should be thinking about what’s at stake this election "if they want to move forward over the next two years or six years or 10 years."

... Obama expresses plenty of disappointment over how Republicans made a tactical decision from the start to oppose him, but also offers some "grudging admiration" for its political effectiveness in keeping the GOP united. He said the resulting slog between Republicans and himself — legislative delays and political fighting reminiscent of the Washington he ran against — has worsened public skepticism of government and eroded the feeling of hope that surrounded his election.

snip

read more: http://news.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/20100928obama_democratic_voter_apathy_inexcusable/

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ok, first Biden, now the President. Please convince me they aren't trying to run me off...please?

[shraby]

1. This is just a small part of that interview that will be in

Rolling Stone. He isn't "running anyone off". He outlined what has been accomplished and why it wsn't as strong as he wanted and wants people to understand he has more on his agenda and needs their support.

[EXneoCON]

3. The Boston Herald

characterizes parts of the article as having "a stern, lecturing tone from Obama."

Look, this is not about hard facts on the accomplishments or deficiencies of this Administration/Congress, but about tone and tenor, about energizing - not denigrating - the very people that put them into office in the first place. I agree that a rethuglican takeover of the legislative branch (complementing their de facto control of the SCOTUS) would be a disaster. However, words and phrases such as "inexcusable", "take their ball and go home", and "weren't serious in the first place" do not engender a positive, go-get-em' attitude in me.

[alc]

2. he has it backwards - like most of DC

They represent us. They work for us. They don't dictate what we "need to" do or criticize us for not doing it.

The good representatives will energize us and excite us and make us "want to" do things? That's what he "needs to" do.

[catgirl]

21. Waaah!

Need a tissue?

[Dr.Phool]

30. Need a diaper?

[catgirl]

39. Is my name David Vitter?

The fake anger at Obama is too obvious. Perhaps you meant to ask the
crybabies if they want diapers. I'm not a crybaby. I will go out and vote
in November for my party.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

54. The M$M is also stirring this shit up to depress the base. This morning's

front page headline on the Washington Post was how Obama is "dissing" D.C. public schools, saying they aren't good enough for his daughters who attend Sidwell Friends.

If we haven't figured out by now what the media is doing, then we deserve to lose!

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

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

[vaberella]

43. You realize you don't make sense. It's a two way street is what he's saying.

You put them in place but you have to get motivated and get others motivated to vote so they can be voted in. They're not hired through magic. Which is what the MSM is shouting---DEms sit it out or sit on their hands--that's what Obama said. He's like we have to dispel that..I'm surprised something so clear escapes you.

[treestar]

46. You wait for them to energize you?

How passive!

[frylock]

61. BOHICA..

now that's passivity.

[Mass]

4. May be you could wait to know what he actually said.

What we have here are excerpts with no context.

This said, if progressives do not vote, they are irresponsible and inexcusable. I dont disagree. If they think McConnell and Boehner would be better than Pelosi and Reid (as disappointing as they have been), good for them, but many will suffer even more.

[EXneoCON]

5. That's very true, they ARE "just excerpts with no context".

That's why it is inexcusable to be making such remarks right now - because they WILL be taken out of context. What do you think will be picked up by the MSM and the rethugs?! I'm saying this is a matter of perception; you don't belittle your base and give the opposition ammunition at the same time. Sound bytes out of context, for better or for worse, are what many people base their voting decisions upon.

[Pirate Smile]

6. Why don't you read the entire interview instead of going off on a pity party.

Here is the full Rolling Stone Interview: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x457765

[jaxx]

11. It's an excellent article.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/209395?RS_show_page=0

7 pages long.

[EXneoCON]

13. You have not understood my point...

which is that the Leadership needs to be careful what they say, because it WILL be taken out of context, it WILL alienate some people who up to this point have been Obama supporters, and it WILL be used by "others" to discourage Independents and fence-sitters from voting Democratic.

[treestar]

47. You're so helpless you can't go and get the context?

And so are the voters?

They have to fix that for you? He gave a seven page interview. If you're going to talk about it, it's irresponsible not to give the context.

[EXneoCON]

59. I give up!

[treestar]

56. That would be listening to both sides before making a judgment

There are those who want to judge Obama all day, and refuse to listen to his side of the story. Kind of like Faux Noise.

[sharp_stick]

7. It's the Boston Herald

it's the Northern version of the damned Post with a bit worse sports reporting.

Take anything in that rag with a massive grain of salt and wait for the real interview to come out.

[EXneoCON]

17. It's an AP story picked up by multiple outlets

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

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

[HughMoran]

9. He's right

Why would we want to give up and let the Republicans win?

Oh, because of a perceived slight we'd give up any chance and effecting political change to improve the lives of our children. Really???

Really?????

[phleshdef]

10. If these comments "run you off", then you are just proving them 100% correct.

And if thats how it goes, good riddance, I'm sick of people with fragile sensibilities doing nothing but holding us back.

[EXneoCON]

15. Please re-read my follow-up comments

[treestar]

48. giving no support, while complaining they are motivated by what

someone else says/does! Amen! We can't even use such people, they just drag us down! There's no way to satisfy them. They can't do anything without being motivated by perfect attention from others! It's like they'd blame their spouse if they don't get themselves out of bed in the morning. Got to have motivation from someone else.

[ProSense]

12. Here's a link to the story other than the RW Boston Herald

Obama: Democratic voter apathy 'inexcusable'

[EXneoCON]

16. That's the same AP story the Herald ran

[ProSense]

20. The Herald is a piece of shit RW rag. n/t

[Beacool]

28. Message from WH to progressives?

As Biden put it, stop whining!!!

"Yet in his attempt to light a fire under supporters, Obama comes across as fired up himself about how many backers fail to acknowledge the progress he sees. He said the glass-half-empty view among many progressive voters can be a debilitating force that distracts them from the real worry: Republicans."

People are not drones and they don't like to be lectured. We'll just have to wait and see if this approach will help in November or only serve to further irritate the already ticked off progressive base.

[ProSense]

31. Oh, don't get me wrong,

I agree with both the President and Vice President.

[Catherina]

44. Have no fears that you may have been misunderstood. Your unwaivering fealty is unmistakable. .n/t

[ProSense]

50. I know, I know

Obama is a king and anyone who supports him are simply loyal subjects.

It's understandable why people are completely miserable, high on negativity, relishing the media and GOP slams against the President and the Democratic Party, and searching for an excuse to not vote, even if it means allowing Republicans to win.

The only reason anyone would reject that attitude is "fealty" to Obama.

[EXneoCON]

34. Oops...

sorry, misread your subject line.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

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

[mkultra]

25. "EX" = "Embedded Extreme"

[VMI Dem]

19. "People need to buck up"

So much for leading by example.

:rofl:

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

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

[VMI Dem]

27. "i hope that you are unemployed in the next recession and lose your house."

:scared:

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

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

[VMI Dem]

38. " you get what you deserve"

:cry:

[treestar]

49. I think Obama thinks he has

He knows what the presidency is, you apparently think its some kind of permission to be a bully.

[mkultra]

23. Well, sounds like WE need to run you off.

[Dr.Phool]

29. Ok Einstein, who made us apathetic?

And I just got my absentee ballot in the mail yesterday.

[ProSense]

32. It's on the individual voter.

I know a lot of New Jerseyans who wish they had gotten off their asses to prevent that corrupt Christie from winning.

[Teaser]

33. because your feelings matter more than this country

yes.

[Unvanguard]

36. He's exactly right. This is what the Republicans wanted, and they have it.

If we want progress on anything at all, we have to act otherwise.

[depakid]

37. The tone deafness is getting so loud that it's making most any reasonable person wonder

what the hell has been going on in the inner circle.

Group think is obvious but -damn.

Well, I reckon that with statements like this- at this late date- at least we know where the base bashing 2010 "strategy" is coming from.

I surely hope that down the tickets, progressives recognize that their state & local races and initiatives are far more important than what seems to be coming from the top.

[Raffi Ella]

40. Harsh but true.

You can be mad all you want - and by the way who the hell wouldn't be mad if you're sitting at a keyboard all day and night getting a minute by minute blow!?

When Hillary lost the Democratic Nom. I got off the net; I didn't like how I felt and I wanted to be able to vote for Obama come November 2nd. I would never have been able to do that had I stayed here and watched everyone crow about Obamas victory and read all the viciousness toward Hillary.

I made a decision NOT to let all that effect me and I VOTED. Even though I wanted to cry I voted for Obama.

It's the same thing here. You need to see the big picture! Obama is not Perfect but he IS a god damned Democrat. He IS trying! He IS better than ANY repuke! And so are the Representatives!

I care about people's pain and suffering, so does Obama, he DOES. He is not a King though. He can't do ANY thing alone, and much less without the support of a Democratic Congress.

Come On, people.

[treestar]

52. exactly, and you've done it

These posters! They think Obama can do whatever he wants with no support!

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

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

[DemocraticPilgrim]

42. BECAUSE democracy is not a spectator sport especially now.

[Catherina]

45. Deal with it,. One conscience, one vote. You let us down, miserably. n/t

[ProSense]

51. No vote, no voice. n/t

[Hansel]

53. Nah, I don't think they are trying to run you off.

They are assuming you are an adult and can take a little criticism.

[impik]

55. Truer words....

It's a disgrace for this party. I'm glad he finally said it.

[Hekate]

57. Joe Biden and Barack Obama are that rarest of political animals: Truth Tellers.

You want pandering? Join the GOP. It's their specialty.

Hekate

[EXneoCON]

58. Now that's DoublePlus Good!

This is not about what Obama/Dems have done or not done. It's about perception and giving the MSM fodder for their cannons.

[BaltimoreDemocrat]

60. Like Many Democrats

Like many Democrats, I am disappointed in some of what Obama has or hasn't done. Like all presidents, he is a captive of the military-industrial complex, and his embrace of some of the most outrageous parts of the so-called War on Terror has caused my admiration of him to tarnish a bit.
That said, I sincerely believe Democrats who are so disappointed in Obama they don't want to vote, are, well, stupid, whiny petulant children. Grow up! You really can't see any difference between Pelosi and Boenner? The Democrats are by no stretch of the imagination perfect, but by GOd they are far, far better than the Republicans. The Republicans no longer bother to hide their support of corporations over people, the wealthy over the middle class, scared white men over everyone else. Please.
And in general, it is mind boggling to me so many Americans can't remember why they voted out the Republicans in the first place. Make no mistake, if they get back into power, it will get worse for the average American.