"It’s kind of cheery to think we have a president who actually does know what he’s doing"

[impik]

Gail Collins:

....

Good work, White House! Thank heavens we got rid of our former president, Barack Obama, who couldn’t even get the trade agreement he went all the way to South Korea to sign. Our current president, Barack Obama, would never let that happen, and, in fact, came up with a really excellent trade agreement with the South Koreans just the other day

*****************

But let’s admit it. Nothing would have gotten done if Obama hadn’t swallowed that loathsome compromise on tax cuts for the wealthy.
If he’d taken the high road, Congress would be in a holiday war. The long-term unemployed would be staggering into the new year without benefits. The rest of the world would look upon the United States as a country so dysfunctional that it can’t even ratify a treaty to help keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists. The people who worked at ground zero would still be uncertain about their future, and our gay and lesbian soldiers would still be living in fear.
It’s depressing to think that there was no way to win that would not have involved giving away billions of dollars to people who don’t need it. But it’s kind of cheery to think we have a president who actually does know what he’s doing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/opinion/23collins.html


Of course. Never a doubt.

[vaberella]

1. I think this was posted already. As I said, some people get it. Thanks for the post. n/t

[Laelth]

2. Oh, he knows what he's doing.

The question is whether what hes doing is good for the American people.

My answer to that question is here: http://laelth.blogspot.com

-Laelth

[Still a Democrat]

4. The great majority of liberals and Democrats approve of his performance

That's the point most of these "why doesn't Obama please liberals" pieces miss.

He's been progressive.

[Laelth]

5. Progressive? Surely, you jest.

Please consider my thread on LBJ's accomplishements. That's what a progressive looks like.

Here, if you're interested: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x576479

-Laelth

[Windy]

6. did you consider that LBJ had TRUE majorities in congress to work with

and a congress that was no where near as polarized!!!!

History...

[Laelth]

7. It is true that LBJ had a more favorable Congress.

I don't deny that.

But there are too many things Obama could have done without Congressional approval that prove to me he's no progressive. Please consider my essay on that subject, here: http://laelth.blogspot.com

-Laelth

[Still a Democrat]

12. Could LBJ have not esclated Vietnam? n/t

[mkultra]

20. the 60 cloture rule did not exist

You should read up on how that changes things.

[johnaries]

23. Interesting note at the bottom: "cross posted from Old Elm Tree".

:rofl:

And I remember LBJ: he did some great things with the Great Society but while JFK was preparing to pull out the CIA "advisors" from Vietnam (which most of the country agreed with) LBJ wanted to escalate it militarily. Since he couldn't get poplualr support, he manufactured the Gulf of Tonkin charade. Which was his equivalent of Iraq's WMD's and just as heinous.

By the end of his term, most of us were glad he decided not to run again. He couldn't have won, anyway.

[JTFrog]

29. Don't read that website.

I've heard it through the grapevine that site is garbage.

:evilgrin:

[RichGirl]

25. Have you run out of ways to criticize Obama...

You have to go back and compare him to LBJ???

Give it up...the comparison doesn't work. It was a completely different time, different climate, different challenges. Obama has had to face opposition unlike any other president.

He has done a great job in an impossible time...accept it.

[polmaven]

8. As well as

having 6 years worth of that true majority, as opposed to the (almost) 2 years this president has had so far.

[Laelth]

9. 5 years for LBJ, but let's not split hairs.

Obama's record on issues that did not require Congressional approval demonstrates that he's no progressive, and I have argued here:

http://laelth.blogspot.com

If you're interested.

-Laelth

[Ikonoklast]

14. I despised LBJ, and so did many my age.

"Hey hey, LBJ, how many kids you gonna kill today?"


He destroyed his own legacy by not wanting to lose the Viet Nam war.


And you talk of him like he was a saint.

[chieftain]

28. Thanks.

LBJ did many good things but the escalation in Vietnam completely overshadows his accomplishments. What remains as truly unconscionable is that the draft calls, bombing, maiming and killing continued long after he knew that we were at a stalemate. And yes Laelth before you reply, I have read your posts but I lived through the nightmare that was the war.
Ikonoclast deserves credit for reminding us of how despised LBJ really was. And he got that hatred in the old fashioned way, he earned it.

[progressoid]

21. Yawn. False analogy.

"The great majority of liberals and Democrats approve of his performance"


I've said it before and I'll have to say it again. Polls of what people believe (majority or not) have no bearing on what is best for this country.

51% of Americans trust Fox News
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/01/30-4

51% of Americans believe in creationism.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/22/opinion/polls/main965223.shtml

74% give Reagan a positive approval rating.
http://www.thebulletin.us/articles/2010/12/17/top_stories/doc4d064717127f5147811037.txt

[impik]

11. Obviously you have no clue what "progressive" means. And 80% of Liberals approve his job. You are so

far out there - i actually feel sorry for you and your friends.

[Laelth]

13. I feel sorry for all of America.

You and your friends obviously have no idea what "progressive" means. Here's FDR's Second Bill of Rights:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

Let's see Obama push for all of these as "rights." Then I'll call him a liberal champion.

-Laelth

[OhioBlue]

22. FDR had been Pres for 12 years by the time the proposed that

I mean... I love it... I support it... I long for it... but seriously - you can't expect Pres O to come out with something like that in this political atmosphere and gain any traction.

Obviously, FDR didn't think he could propose it in his first 2 years either.

Shoot - some people started grade school with FDR as Pres and graduated before he ever proposed this.

[Milo_Bloom]

17. 80% of people think they are a "liberal" if they are pro choice.

The word has absolutely no meaning.

[WiffenPoof]

15. I Read Your Blog...

Excellent analysis. I thought you hit the mark on many of our concerns.

-PLA

[ooglymoogly]

24. Your letter is an excellent read....my thoughts almost to the letter.

One problem he is facing is a backlash of the working folks nearing retirement and those already there. That is, in my estimation, the largest voting demographic and encroaches on all the other demographics. That in my opinion is his Achilles heal.

[rhett o rick]

3. Let's hope he doesnt cut Social Security again. nm

[impik]

10. Once again, taking a baseless Internet rumor and turning it into a talking point against Obama, just

so you'd have a reason to crap all over him. It kills you that he's successful.

[rhett o rick]

19. You seem to want to take our your frustrations on someone. I wish him the greatest success.

He has already dealt a crippling blow to Social Security with the tax give-away to the wealthy. He appointed a commission that included members dedicated to killing SS and they are recommending major cuts. Do you have any information suggesting he wont cut SS? I would love to see it.

I remember when you guys were saying the same "internet rumor" bs about the public option and guess what, we have no public option. I remember you guys saying the same thing about tax breaks for billionaires. BINGO, the billionaires got their tax breaks.

We need to help the Pres make these decisions by speaking out early. Doesnt do any good after the fact.

I am a Democrat, I do not walk in lock step, how about you?

[ooglymoogly]

26. Taking half a trillion dollars from SS trust fund to pay for wealthcar is not an internet rumor.

It is fact.

[ooglymoogly]

27. +1 nt

[Milo_Bloom]

16. I just wish it all didn't revolve around his re-election and instead what was best

for the country.

Unfortunately, he continues down a path that is harmful to the long term health of the country, despite knowing better.

[creon]

18. two problems

I have two problems with the 111th Congress and the WH.
The stimulus was too small. And, the financial reform did not go far enough.

The economy and the foolish Wall Street people < greed makes you stupid> were the most important problems for me.

Neither Congress not the WH did what was necessary; what was done was half hearted. I saw no real sense of urgency.

The Democratic Party is pretty fractious and undisciplined. "I do not belong to a political party. I am a Democrat!" < Will Rogers>.