To the ardent Obama supporters here

[ruggerson]

I've disagreed with many of you at times, on a variety of issues, but since some of you probably feel a bit under siege at this point:

I know I am not saying anything you don't already know, or suspect deep down, but Obama will get through this just fine. Many Presidents go through periods of being attacked by their own base and periods where they dip severely in public opinion polls, because independents are so notoriously fickle.

More than likely, we will be in full recovery mode by 2012 and Obama will be reelected handily. Mainstream Americans (the type who don't pay attention to politics like we all do) vote almost solely on pocketbook issues - not on how progressive healthcare reform is. And most are not sophisticated enough to even connect the two.

As long as we're not mired in a skidding economy in 2011 - 2012 (and the patterns of past economic cycles suggest the calendar will be in our favor) we will retain control of the Executive branch.

As for some of the over the top vitriol being thrown at the President, and at you, you have my sympathies. Maybe this experience can afford you a better ability to understand and listen in the future when people with legitimate grievances against this administration voice their thoughts.

[liberal N proud]

1. It's just like every other sky is falling moment here on DU

The place goes batshit crazy for a week or more and then we see some sort of normalcy return.

Although, I must admit, each one of the spells the site goes on, shifts the users a little bit, something that I wonder isn't by design for some of the detractors.

Thanks for the words of sanity.

On edit, you know those detractors are going to be un-recommending this thread as much as possible.

[HuckleB]

4. +1

Although it has been batshit crazy for far more than a week, IMO.

[uponit7771]

5. The amount of facts the detractors subscribe to seems to dwindle more and more

[liberal N proud]

6. Facts, who needs facts when you have hype and propaganda

That does seem to reign at times such as this.

[Cha]

8. That is the crux of the matter, isn't it?

[Armstead]

16. Facts? Like all of his blind supporters are using more facts?

Some do and some don't on both sides.

[bluestateguy]

13. Exactly

I remember the uproar when the congressional Democrats caved on funding the Iraq War (June 2007). This place was in full uproar--for about 5 days. Then everybody moved on to other issues.

[uponit7771]

2. Unrec, your assigning undo blame to Obama who can't MAKE the senators do anything

[HuckleB]

3. This Obama supporter has plenty of criticism for him in regard to the health care bill.

I also have plenty of criticism for the pointless hyperbole thrown at Obama by others, many of whom I am in agreement with in terms of what I want in a health care bill.

I think Mr. Krugman said it best: http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/illusions-and-bitterness/

And we have to remember that this bill is not all that unlike what much of Europe offers:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-halvorson/point-5-a-double-mandate_b_357618.html

[FLyellowdog]

9. Thanks for the links. I don't know what to think anymore. nt

[HuckleB]

11. Who does?

:toast:

[Bluenorthwest]

19. In Europe there is no 'for profit' in basic health care

so this bill is very unlike what much of Europe offers. Very, very unlike. Here, profit is the central reason for the mandates and the companies we will have to buy from. In Europe, such profits are against the law. Illegal. A crime.

[tblue]

7. It's not about Obama.

I wish him all the best, but my loyalty is not to the man. All I care about is policy and who & what will get us where we need to go.

[Cha]

10. Thanks for your OP, ruggerson..I do believe that the

country and Obama will come out of this siege together.

[grantcart]

12. good of you to say so

and all Presidents even the great ones have gone through bad periods.

FDR did. We remember the 100 days but people forget the 150 days before that.

Sending Americans to concentration camps - one of the lowest moves in the history of the Republic.

The Obama I have seen will use this to get better.

I hope his blackberry is going off with a lot of his friends giving him WTF?

Obama new that he wouldn't hit 1000% thats what made him so endearing.

Thanks for the kind words.

[dave29]

14. delete

[NYC_SKP]

15. How nice of you to say these things, ruggerson.

I think History will look more kindly on this administration than many members here during this rough time.

:toast:

[vaberella]

23. They did for FDR and many other Presidents. n/t

[jefferson_dem]

17. Thanks.

Nice post. :pals:

[vaberella]

18. This is why I find you to be the one of two people who make valid arguments against the president.

With no hidden agendas or issues. And hence I give you recs even if I may disagree with you on some points to an issue.

[cliffordu]

20. Thanks, ruggerson,

Right back atcha.


:hi:

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

21. Candy store philosophy

A very wise kid summed it all up today outside the candy store.Clearly this kid was able to connect the two!

He said it's like this, if it's not all good and plenty, it's all fruit loops. Since it hasn't even gotten off the ground yet ,how can it be all good and plenty. Hasn't even reached trial and error.

From an 8 year old! Does seseme street teach those kids to think that way? Is big bird really Dr. Bird!

Hasn't even gotten off the ground yet, pretty good!
I suppose when the kids old enough to vote he will rank with the above average voters! Certainly he seems smart enough!

Seriously though, it will all be fine next week!

[O is 44]

22. Thanks....

I am not ready to throw in the towel on this President this early. I am in it for the long haul, Washington is one corrupt place and Hope and Change cannot fix everything in one fell swoop. The intense backlash against him is quite shocking. I was not around for the first year of Clinton so I have no idea how the left reacted to him after healthcare failed.

[alcibiades_mystery]

24. I have always supported LGBT activists in their ardent criticism

It is needed, and will move a very slow moving wheel.