This is the essence of politics!

[yardwork]

Obama and the Democrats know that they have a fight on their hands and they need to rally their supporters in order to win. Political battles are not won by people standing around murmuring "I guess he has a plan, I support whatever he does." Political battles are won when people get mad and start lighting up the switchboards of Congress and the White House.

Insisting that the president and the Democrats protect Social Security and Medicare is the best possible way to support both Obama and the Democrats right now. It's not being ungrateful. It's not being a "bad Democrat." Quite the opposite. It's essential to being a good Democrat.

Obama leaked this information on purpose in order to get people stirred up. He needs the political heat. Give it to him.

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Huge K&R! :) n/t

[yardwork]

2. Thanks!

[Puglover]

3. That is sorta what I'm thinking too.

Hoping as well.

[yardwork]

7. For us, the choice is clear. We fight.

[rug]

4. He's an inspiration.

[vaberella]

5. Sadly---I see no support for the President.

And a few threads already show and have said they will not support the President. So no...what you're envisioning is not based on the facts as seen here or anywhere else for that matter.

[yardwork]

6. I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not "envisioning" anything.

I'm reminding DUers that today's events are part of a very long political tradition. Rather than feeling discouraged, we can take action and feel confident that that action is exactly what the Democrats really want us to do.

[vaberella]

9. Maybe I need to be more clear.

As I stated---what you're saying is not exactly what is seen. You say this is the best way to "support the President"---however what we are seeing is contrary to any support. More people are asking him to be primaried, expecting him to fail the American people, sell out Medicare/SS and so on and so forth.

I didn't think saying the President is another Bush, is a sell out, is "caving", and so on is what "Democrats really want us to do." I do agree that Obama and Dems---mainly Obama has wanted the American people to be extremely proactive in the political process. That complacency that has been seen for so many years and decades is not our future and not sustainable. However, I don't see support for the President here---more so I see active support to see him fail. I see active support of people who are saying HE WILL sell out Medicare/SS---it's definite. He turned against the American people.

What is seen is a definitive conclusion--because from what I have read, he is "President Cave-in."

[yardwork]

11. I'm not responsible for anybody else's posts. Don't put words in my mouth.

You seem to be very invested in interpreting my OP as something negative against the president. If you reread it, I think that you will see that it is a call to action in support of the president. Other people's posts are beyond my control.

[vaberella]

19. You actually made your statements on the actions seen on this board.

So then...You supported the actions on this board which are far from supportive of the President. In actuality the support was very little to non-existence. Most of him want him to be a one-term president and have a primary opponent in order to divide the democratic party---is not support.

I never interpreted your post as negative. I never said it was negative. I think you're projecting. I found your post in actuality---utterly idealistic and lacking the acceptance of what is really going on. Hardly negative. And I find that this call for support of yours is lost on the face of what is really going on.

The post below mine is a good example of my meaning.

[yardwork]

25. Again, I have no idea what you're talking about. I think you're responding to the wrong OP.

[we can do it]

18. Support Him As He Throws Us Under the Bus???

I will support him when he ACTS LIOKE A DEMOCRAT.
Not when he caves.
Not when he acts loike a republican.

Only when he deserves it. Cutting our social programs, while continuing wars and tax cuts for the rich will NEVER get my support.

[jimlup]

8. Hope that analysis is true

I fear that it is not

[msongs]

10. substituting a passive/aggressive strategy for true leadership? hmm nt

[yardwork]

23. It's pure, classic politics. Pretend to do one thing while getting people to make you do the opposit

[Bluenorthwest]

12. I agree. Although a stronger man would not use tactics of

passive aggressive baiting of his own side, that is Obama's nature, to be all on the fence and undefined as a person. Basically, if he is going to do the wrong thing, we should shout, if he is seeking to do the right thing, he needs our voices raised as loudly as possible. Either way, sitting on your hands on the bus of survivors is not going to help him or anyone else.

[yardwork]

13. He is playing the game from deep in the opposition's territory.

I think it is because corporations have a stranglehold on our elections and our government. Nobody can get elected or hold onto power without the monetary support of the corporations. They control the media. They control the message.

The only way to change this is to rise up and fight. We have the best Democrat that corporate money can buy.

[Tarheel_Dem]

14. Unrec (nt)

[polichick]

15. Or he could just go to the people in an Oval Office address...

...explain what the stakes are in a very serious way and ask them for action.

[yardwork]

22. He doesn't seem to think that he can do that - it would be too transparent.

Obama can't BE transparent. He has to appear to be going along with the corporations who will fund his reelection campaign. But meanwhile, he's stirring up political opposition to something he doesn't really want to do. That is classic politics. Say one thing in public while you're privately urging people to make you do the opposite.

[polichick]

24. Why not just speak the truth? The people would be behind him.

[yardwork]

27. I've often wished that he would do that.

[FrenchieCat]

16. I agree.....although I believe the political heat needs to be spread around....

too many times, folks believe they don't need to bother with Republican lawmakers. I think that is a great big mistake. They very much need to also hear the American people loud and clear.....

[yardwork]

20. If there are Republicans willing to call Republican lawmakers, then yes.

Or if there are Democrats living in mostly-Republican districts - their voices might be heard. In general, though, I believe that most of the Republican congress critters ignore anybody who disagrees with them.

[progressoid]

17. Really? That's a hell of a way to drum up support in the run-up to an election.

"Hey, I got an idea, lets piss everyone off!"

"Great idea! The donations and support will flood like the Missouri."

[yardwork]

21. I don't think that this was Obama's idea. I think that his back is against the wall.

[high density]

26. So... How about proposing something for us to be positive about

instead of something to be incensed about? I would hope that Democrats and Obama would understand that we want SS and Medicare protected by default with no phone calls needed.

[yardwork]

28. Yes, the Democrats and Obama know that, but the Republicans don't.

Politics is played by proxy. The Republicans bring their army, and the Democrats bring theirs. The Republicans have all the wealthy corporations in their army, and unfortunately, that's ALL it takes to get elected these days. The will of the people is no longer as important as protecting the candidate from negative ads that corporations are now allowed to air without attribution. Supreme Court decision. Elimination of Fairness Doctrine back under Reagan. For decades this country has gradually allowed corporations to have much more power than the people, and we're now in a situation where corporations essentially determine the outcome of our elections.

[woo me with science]

29. It's reverse psychology! Yeah....

that's the ticket!

[DevonRex]

30. I agree with you. And, if I might add,

Congress hadn't done a damned thing about DADT until Obama actually had to make a deal with the pukes and give them their effing tax breaks. Before that, he tried saying he might defend DADT to show Reid et al just what would happen in a republican administration in the courts.

The fact that he had to go to those lengths to get it passed shows just what a tough road he has with Reid in the Senate. I want to know just what those effers in Congress DO besides wait for Obama to stir up shit and then have to take the blame for the sausage that gets turned out.

Have I told you lately how glad I am you're back?