I now consider Harry Reid to be the leader of the Democratic Party.

[dawg]

Needless to say, that doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

President Obama has abdicated his role as leader of a political party. He wants to be bi-partisan and above it all. He wants to be everyone's President, not just a Democratic President. His fundamental mistake is thinking that partisanship is somehow incompatible with leadership.

Regardless of the compromise that eventually results from these budget negotiations, Obama has surrendered to the language and ideas of the Republicans. He is fundamentally in error with regard to basic macroeconomic principles. He gives credence and support to right-wing mythology. He has placed his trust in political hacks and predatory capitalists. Most of the legitimate economists who were part of his administration have either left the White House or else have already announced plans to leave.

It should have been apparent to me far earlier. The Geithner appointment was a tell. There were many others.

I'll still vote for the guy next November. He's better than the alternative. But I wish someone credible would primary him. I really do.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. If a Democrat with Democratic principles ran for office, I'd campaign for him against Obama

This SS and Medicare thing is just too damned much.

[VeryConfused]

4. If only there were facts to support your posiiton

rather than only biased conjecture

[Sarah Ibarruri]

8. I just want Obama to take Medicare and SS OFF the table, period nt

[Liberal Veteran]

12. As it stands now, the only evidence that SS/MC is on the table is anonymous sources...

....and whole bunch of spinmiesters and bloggers pushing the story.

[Jim Warren]

2. I look at Reid

and I look at Bernie Sanders and I think Reid is in the wrong party.

[leveymg]

3. Reid can't leader his way out of a paper bag.

Pelosi, maybe. I think this is a party whose "leadership" has largely failed to deliver much and which needs to be replaced by far more assertive, outspoken progressives.

I can still hope, right? Even that is waning.

[awoke_in_2003]

13. neither one are worth a spit. nt

[Maccagirl]

5. If your feelings are true

Then the Democratic party not only is leaderless, it's dead.

[leeroysphitz]

6. Talk softly but carry a big stick. Reid only gets half of that right.

We are doomed.

[Horse with no Name]

7. aww crap...you are right...we are impotent. n/t

[Rex]

9. Nancy Pelosi.

She holds all the marbles imo.

[awoke_in_2003]

14. she held some marbles...

when she was SoH- she did ZERO with them.

[phleshdef]

10. Barack Obama is the leader of the Democratic Party. Its not and it never will be up to you.

[Liberal Veteran]

11. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Reid's "leadership" has done way more to damage our party...

...than Obama.

It was Harry Reid that let the blue dogs hijack the agenda.
It was Harry Reid that refused to put his foot down on the Senate and get the bills to president's desk as they should have been.

A lot of the vitriol and contempt for Obama by members of this party is the result of piss poor leadership on the part of the Senate, where good legislation goes to die a death of a thousand cuts and then they metaphorically stick the cutting knife in Obama's back the moment it is is turned.

Is Obama above reproach? No.

But Obama doesn't rule by fiat.