"It's Dead" - Rachel Maddow: "This is the President's victory and his base will reward him for it."

[kpete]

Rachel Maddow: You know, a lot of people said that once it was clear that it was going to pass that it would open the door to some unexpected "yes" votes. And I always am, I always tend to be a little cynical about these things so I'm not sure that I believed it. But it's true. To see Richard Burr, in particular, move on this, to see John Ensign move on this -- John Ensign indicated that he might move on this -- it just shows you that the politics of this are unpredictable and that people who will try to denounce this as "a traditional right-left issue" the way that John McCain I think in particular has tried to demagogue it, it's just, they're just wrong. They're talking about something that might have been true 20 years ago and isn't true now.

I think that politically, though, the thing to not lose touch of, to not lose touch with here, this is the President's victory. The President took a lot of criticism, a lot of abuse, a lot of skepticism from his otherwise most loyal supporters on this. But this is an issue on which the President did not waver. He continually insisted that this was possible. That it would get done.

It, in fact, was not possible for the President to do this through Executive action. This is something that had to happen legislatively if it was really going to happen in a definitive way.

The President did not waver. He DID work on the Senate to get this to happen. He insisted that this was possible against a lot of people, including me, saying it was not possible.

This is a difficult promise kept. It's not just a promise that was kept. It was one that was hard to keep, that cost a lot of political capital and a lot of work and this is the President's victory today and his base will reward him for it.</div>

MORE:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/12/18/930091/-Rachel-Maddow:-This-is-the-Presidents-victory-and-his-base-will-reward-him-for-it.

VIDEO:
David Hall & Rachel Maddow On DADT Repeal Victory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OoTxBRWQjI&feature=player_embedded

[dkf]

Awwwww that is really nice of Rachel.

It's not surprising in retrospect that this happened. It's a historical vote.

[Uzybone]

1. Rachel, once again speaking the truth

Well said and thanks Rachel for remaining the best of cable TV news.

[Merlot]

2. Something good happened today!

it's been a while. enjoy!

[bonniebgood]

3. Something good happen today?

I think it happened last week when it was traded for the rich tax cuts.

[Kurovski]

54. Welcome to DU

Really? This is what prompted you to sign up? Really? Really? To divide? To whine about what tiny little bit of good was achieved in the midst of a shitty 30 year period of Repukelicken bullshit? You couldn't come on when you could have urged people to call, march, write, whatever? You sign up to lay a steamer?

Really?

Welcome, and please try harder for the Dem side.

Edit: The Pukes were going to get their tax deal no matter what. It's all they live for.

[vaberella]

4. Thanks Rachel...but so many called Obama a homophobe over this.

~sigh~

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

74. +1

And I, for one, am not going to forget that.

[Still a Democrat]

5. Well, Rachel, since you were one trashing him...

I guess you're one that needs to start giving him credit.

[vaberella]

6. Very true. n/t

[lunatica]

8. She hasn't been trashing him at all lately

She's been pointing out that what he's wanted has been getting passed in the House under Pelosi only to be killed in the Senate. She's devoted a great deal of time on this issue.

[Still a Democrat]

10. Define "lately"

She's given him plenty of crap on this and now says "his otherwise most loyal supporters" will now reward him. Disingenuous to say the least.

[lunatica]

15. I've seen it this week

Sorry to disappoint you, but I have.

[rhett o rick]

24. So you dont like Rachel. Not surprised. Just who do you like? Lieberman? nm

[Still a Democrat]

45. I like her fine

I was objecting to her criticizing the President continually over DADT, then when it gets passed generally referring to "the left" needing to give him credit.

[Sheepshank]

48. BULL CRAP

from one side of many mouths here, is the call that not agreeing with Obama 100% of the time is what a true progressive is about. Now here is the complaint that Maddow commented Obama's agenda doesn't appear to be purist enough? The OP is full on hypocritical. Maddow said she was wrong...what is disingenious about that?

[Still a Democrat]

65. Her flighty negativity on Obama is getting old.

She said in broad terms those on the left criticizing him were wrong. She could speak for herself and just say "I was wrong". It was also silly for a woman as smart as her to jump at any whiff that Obama was less than genuine and reliable on this issue. Her running commentary on Obama and DADT has been unfairly and inaccurately skeptical, now she glosses it over as a mistake "many" have made. She should have known better.

Rachel, how about saying how Rachel was wrong next time and think long and hard before you assume the President is on the wrong side of an issue like this? Your flighty negativity is getting old.

[Kurovski]

55. How would you know that he wouldn't have moved without all the grief he got?

We'll never know.

He got lots of crap from lots of people while they watched him shave-down promise after promise.

She had the guts to admit she was wrong. I mean, when the fuck does someone get a break around this joint for being honest?

[cartach]

70. Are you waiting

for someone to hand you the toilet paper? I don't see a roll handy and was just wondering.

[Kurovski]

75. !

:rofl: Good catch.

The load will be "take with". The drawers are still up.

Unless you're being dryer than that.

[gateley]

56. I think she was one of the ones trying to explain that this couldn't

be done w/an Exec. Order otherwise it wouldn't stick. Maybe go to the Supremes. :scared:

But as much as people listen to her, they kept screaming Executive Order!

She's been with him on this since it was explained to her why we needed it to pass in the legislature.

That's my recollection, anyway.

[Jakes Progress]

76. What she has been doing is what she always does.

Tells the truth. When that truth praises Obama, one group comes out and says how wise she is - although trashing her because he isn't consistently among the unconditional faithful. When the truth is about how short he is in some other aspects, another group loves her.

We have a lot of knee-jerk reactions here. Usually that is not about issues. Oh, sure there are guns and pot, but for the most part DU sort of agrees on the issues. Where the trash comes out is over personality. Some can't abide the president. Some can't abide any hint of fallabiltiy in the president. Some once loved him and have become bitterly disillutioned. Others love him regardless of anything he does or says.

Now Rachel is another character. She seems to genuinely like the president, but sees the clay feet too. I'll trust her judgement over those whose minds are cemented shut either way.

Good work Rachel. Good work President Obama.

[CakeGrrl]

11. Lead by example? We'll see.

At any rate, another accomplishment for this administration in HALF a term, and a big promise kept. They can't take that away.

[roguevalley]

12. since when is having a different opinion trashing? It is right up there

with that other conversation stopper: Hater, hating

[Still a Democrat]

14. *She* was critical and skeptical

Pot, meet Rachel. Rachel, Pot.

[Kermitt Gribble]

50. God forbid anyone is critical or skeptical of a politician...

:eyes:

[elleng]

17. She DID.

'The President did not waver. He DID work on the Senate to get this to happen. He insisted that this was possible against a lot of people, including me, saying it was not possible.

This is a difficult promise kept. It's not just a promise that was kept. It was one that was hard to keep, that cost a lot of political capital and a lot of work and this is the President's victory today and his base will reward him for it.'

[Major Hogwash]

22. I haven't watched her program for awhile because of all of the criticisim

that she has been leveling at him for the last week or so.
Since Obama is the President, and not in Congress, I found it strange to be disagreeing with her last week over the tax bill compromise when she was actually angry with the way Congress was acting.

But then, that's because I'm not using a scorecard to chalk up all of these issues as wins or losses either.

I'm a Democrat whether we win our fights or not.
If we don't win this year, we try again next year.
Because that's what we do. We just get back up, dust ourselves off, and try again.

I don't like whining about losing.
Instead, I like to sit down and figure out what we can do next time to win.

This is a HUGE win and Rachel has been at the forefront of this fight, with all of the arguing over it, and the yelling about it, and even the throwing up of her hands in the air about it.
Now, she knows . . . she made a difference.
And now I can go back to watching her program without reaching for the Mylanta.

[impik]

35. At least she did it here. I don't expect Mr. Keith "Obama appease the Nazis" Olbermann

to do the same.

[Mortos]

71. I can't watch Keith Olberman anymore

His sanctimonious kneejerk criticism of Obama is beyond the pale. He has always come across as an arrogant blowhard, but lately his schtick has been unwatchable for me.

[Phx_Dem]

47. +1. And it's nice to hear her give him his due credit. n/t

[Top Cat]

7. k&r

[Number23]

9. McCain has made such as ass out of himself over this issue

I don't see how anyone could consider working with him again on ANY issue.

Having said that, glad to see that Rachel is being honest here and giving the president, the democrats and even those few Repubs who voted in favor of repeal the credit that they deserve. Hopefully, other members of the "left" will be equally as honest.

[crikkett]

34. McCain is in his dotage and should be allowed to rest at home

he's earned it!

[Kurovski]

66. The only question being...

in which of his fourteen homes shall dearest grandpapa find the greatest comfort?

[crikkett]

73. Whichever one, or ones, I dearly hope he goes there and rests.

He deserves rest, and he looks ever so tired.

[AtomicKitten]

13. This will come as a surprise to those that think he only deserves credit for signing the repeal. nt

[elleng]

16. 'The President did not waiver.

He DID work on the Senate to get this to happen. He insisted that this was possible against a lot of people, including me, saying it was not possible.

This is a difficult promise kept. It's not just a promise that was kept. It was one that was hard to keep, that cost a lot of political capital and a lot of work and this is the President's victory today and his base will reward him for it.'

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Enthusiast]

21. Unfortunately

this just doesn't make up for the other 'wrongs' by this administration. Imho.

[AllyCat]

23. I agree. While this was a huge victory, it is amazing how they got

"bipartisanship" on this, but not one other thing they did (except the things that were Republican plans). We have a victory for equality and justice with this, but the sell-out of the middle class in the tax bill is truly concerning for the future of our country. I really don't think I can forgive that.

[Lorien]

28. It was allowed because it didn't cost the corporate rulling class a thing

it pissed off the right wing homophobes, which Obama is loathe to do, but I think that he and other dems realized that they had to do something to distract the base from outrage after outrage, and this did just that without costing anyone profit$.

It's a great day for those seeking justice and equality, but it doesn't excuse all the previous knives in our backs.

[Enthusiast]

31. You and I often think the same, Lorien. nt

[sirthomas66]

36. Excellent, Lorien! You understand. This was an attempted offset.

[Vinnie From Indy]

37. +1

yep!

[Martin Eden]

40. Exactly.

Nothing excuses the previous knives in our backs, and repeal of DADT is no indication that we can expect better on other issues.

[mistertrickster]

42. +1000. We have a winner! Everybody has to sacrifice except the rich. nt

[MissDeeds]

58. Exactly right

I think the base is smart enough to see that this is one win in an ongoing battle. It in no way means that the war is over or that the tide is turning.

[Name removed]

59. Deleted message

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

[AllyCat]

77. The cynic in me also wonders if the corporate powers saw more people in the military

as a good thing for their continued pursuits overseas. I'm sorry. I know that is sick, but I can't help it.

Good post about what is most likely going on here. They had to throw us a bone.

I'm not biting. Rejoicing, but not biting.

[Myrina]

39. Indeed.

This "2 minute warning touchdown" makes one wonder why getting anything done for the last 18 months was so impossible ...

[jenmito]

25. K&R. I heard her say some of those things on MSNBC right after cloture passed. nt

[madmax]

26. Thank you, Rachel. nt ki&r

[frazzled]

27. As much as I'm glad about Rachel's gracious and honest statement

I'm not fond of this talk about the base "rewarding" (or "punishing") politicians for each act. For several reasons.

First, it's a rather paternalistic attitude (or maternalistic, I guess!). Behave yourself, and we'll give you some ice cream. (Corollary: you've misbehaved, Johnny; we're withdrawing our love until you can follow our rules.)

Second, it becomes like a yoyo: we love you, we hate you, we love you, we hate you. Instead of the parental role here, it's kind of childish.

We all must realize that governing takes place in a complex and imperfect environment. And of course we don't agree with every decision a president makes (whether by choice or force). But while we can be disappointed when things don't go our way (I was very disappointed today that the DREAM Act failed yet again, and even that many here seem not to be all that interested in this civil rights issue, which is of equal importance to DADT), we should be mature enough to look at the long picture, to try again, to understand the larger environment in which legislation occurs, and have patience that the things we don't get today we can work to get tomorrow. And we should have more trust.

I know this temporary love will be withdrawn tomorrow or next week or next month. And then 40 years from now, people will look back and say (forgetting all the turmoil): President McGillicuddy is nothing like Obama (Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson), who did thus and such.

At any rate: I call on Rachel now to have on her show several of the young people Dick Durbin spoke about today, children of undocumented workers who have been denied a chance to serve in the military or go to college or become a doctor, even though they are deserving and did nothing wrong themselves. Just as she did (rightly) for Lt. Choi. And to keep highlighting this issue. But let's not use the withdrawal and granting of love as a cudgel to politicians. The arguments speak loudly enough for themselves.

I trusted that the president was going to do everything he possibly could to make his campaign promise to end DADT a reality--everything within his means, that is, given the political environment. It would have been okay to doubt his ability to achieve this, but it was not okay to doubt his sincerity, his motivations, or his will.

Okay, g'night.

[xxqqqzme]

62. Agree. I would like to see her

focus her attention on DREAM now. She was most excellent in her pursuit of DADT, calling the play by play. Now the next civil rights hurdle looms. I wonder about the number of kids affected their concentration by state? Has anyone ever seen an estimate? I can't recall that I have.

[JCMach1]

29. Exactly, Obama deserves credit for this one...

[blackspade]

30. Finally, Obama and Congress get it right!

It's nice to finally have something to be positive about in a bill that Obama signed into law.

[BeyondGeography]

32. Rachel is wise and fair-minded

Hopefully, she comes back to this issue often and gets through to the people on our side who weren't even going to vote next time.

[babylonsister]

33. Beautiful Rachel, voice of reason! nt

[ElsewheresDaughter]

38. This is fantastic but, it is NOT enough to make up for all the bellying up to the repugs

he has done.....sorry but that's how I feel.

[mistertrickster]

41. I agree. It's almost like it was kept in reserve for an easy win when he really needed it.

We (the liberal base) get a largely symbolic and LONG overdue victory on civil rights for gays, and the rich get to keep their MILLIONS!

Damn. How about we get a chance to earn some real jack too?

ON EDIT--But at least we can take some consolation in knowing that this could have never happened under President Bush, President McCain, or President Palin.

That's what "hope and change" has been reduced to--at least, he's not Palin.

[TheeHazelnut]

43. This will sound completely crass, but I'm not gay and I'm not unemployed...

So he hasn't done anything for me personally. Glad that horrible policy is over, though.

[kpete]

44. what helps others

helps you, helps the planet, helps humanity in general...
just open your eyes -
crassness is SO not necessary.
kpete

[kestrel91316]

46. Well bully for you. Crass doesn't begin to describe it.

We move a little closer to assuring fully human status to 5-10% of our population and you whine that there's nothing in it for you. Sorry. that's pathetic, and false. We ALL benefit from treating gays like they are also Homo sapiens instead of a lesser species.

[TheeHazelnut]

64. I was specifically reacting to Maddow's claim that I need to reward Obama for this.

So far the things he's done which have negatively affected me personally outnumber the things which have positively affected me. I'm not in a very rewarding mood.

[ZombieHorde]

49. Recommended. nt

[Grinchie]

51. Oh Joy! More Bodies for the War Machine! What a grand Victory!

I don't suppose that anybody noticed that the Gay Community is equally represented in both D and R affiliations these days? High profile individuals in the Clergy are also identified in this very common segment of our Society. A segment that has been around since the Rise of the Roman Empire, and in every Society since then.

This whole thing is a Political smoke screen and is more akin to the criminalization of Marijuana, which casts a wide net on probably as many Americans as well.

We have many friends that are Gay. They are smart and Intelligent people. This is not a great victory for Obama, but it just happened to happen on his watch. Divide his current term in Office, divided by the many years that Gay's were ostracisized as a Political footbal, and one can see it's not about Obama, but the hard work of all who saw this through over the last 100 years.

[ima_sinnic]

72. that was my take on it, too

more cannon fodder is needed: easy win for the imperial PTB.

[wundermaus]

52. Obama wins one for the gipper...

Way to go Obama. The bone tastes good, there's even some meat on it... saliva spills and drips of gratitude and accolades...
Yes, a horrible, divisive, bigoted policy has finally been extracted from the collective brain of our military mindset.
The house and senate were pushed and shoved and dragged to the inevitable inch forward on the social scale of progress.
Now homosexuals will be able to serve openly as trained professional killers. Congratulations.
Sorry, but I'm not impressed. Not even a little bit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPFdbKLUmQk

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

53. I was hoping that since it was Rachel saying the SAME thing that many of us

tried to convince DUers--that it HAD to happen in Congress--maybe you guys would believe us. So here you have it. The president did not waver. Let's remember that for the next battles that we fight!!

[Oceansaway]

57. K&R...n/t

[Pliskin2]

60. I lost my Dad and so much more on this.

And it is worth it.

[Atticus]

61. Welcome to DU. I hope it (DU) is also "worth it". nt.

[bigwillq]

63. Hello.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Teaser]

67. you lost your Dad on this?

that's terrible!

[Kurovski]

68. I hope you and your father can reconcile one day soon.

Welcome.

[humbled_opinion]

69. I don't think people really get it.... ending DADT

was the easy part, just simply stating that the US military will have no policy that discriminates against openly gay adults is logical and purely American this is a no brainer, its the typical standard in every other workplace in America however,

The hard part is yet to come and it involves convincing those straight soldiers and sailors that will be forced to berth among the out of the closet gays that its not always about sex.

I for one know that it is going to be a hard lesson to teach, I spent 23 years on active duty in the Navy and even though I may have "known" that there were homosexuals in my berthing compartment, it was not a conscious fact that I bothered with because they hid their lifestyles.

Many military people that I speak with are saying that many gay people will still not come out because the backlash is going to be harassment charges from the straights at every opportunity, making this a very unpopular thing in the end.

I guess time will tell on the effects this has on the worlds largest military.

[ProudDad]

78. The Dems were WAY behind the curve...

Unlike Truman who got out front of "public opinion" by desegregating with the stroke of a pen...

Obama the "Commander in Chief" could have ordered non-compliance on the first day and dared the republicans and conserva-dems to reveal themselves as the bigots they are...

But that would have taken a level of courage that he apparently doesn't have...

Obama will be remembered for comforting the comfortable and afflicting the afflicted...and it will cost him...

[humbled_opinion]

79. That is an interesting take....

I agree with it too it seems Obama is way to busy trying to make everyone happy that he loses sight of his core values.... The end result is he looks weak, it took a generation for Democrats to get beyond the pansy, Milquetoast wimpy-man label, that was attached to liberalism and now with Obama it seems likely that those labels will start to stick again.