Disgruntled left better beware

[Still a Democrat]

Speculation has been growing about a possible 2012 presidential primary challenge to President Barack Obama launched by his party's disgruntled left. Talk of a primary challenge has only ratcheted up since Obama's announcement of the tax deal that he cut this week with congressional Republicans.

Warning: If the Democratic left does to Obama in 2012 what it did to incumbent President Jimmy Carter in 1980 via Ted Kennedy's damaging Democratic primary challenge -- or what the Republican right did to incumbent President George H.W. Bush in 1992 with Pat Buchanan's entry into the GOP primary -- the Democratic Party as a whole will find itself paying a steep price for years to come.

That's a promise, not a threat.

It's a pretty safe bet that Obama could beat back a contender or contenders for the 2012 Democratic Party nomination. But, as with the experiences of Carter and Bush in their damaging primary struggles, Obama would be forced to devote organization, energy and money to winning renomination -- three precious resources best reserved for a general election.

It's unlikely Obama could emerge from a time-consuming and costly primary fight strong enough to run a competitive race against a Republican Party that is expected to be energized, united and determined to take back the White House in 2012.

Republicans would have the Democratic left to thank for that.

...

http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Disgruntled-left-better-beware-879848.php

[leftstreet]

1. Has Obama stated that he's running again?

:shrug:

[TheWraith]

5. He's running again.

And the sun is going to come up in the morning too.

[leftstreet]

15. Link?

:-)

[TheWraith]

16. ...

http://tinyurl.com/24n3k7x

[Lorien]

72. No, he won't. He dropped plenty of hints that he may not run for a second term

when he was still a popular candidate.

[wordpix]

81. recently he said something about IF he runs again

sorry, no link

[MissDeeds]

84. I heard a clip of that too

I think on NPR.

[democrank]

2. We`re already paying a steep price.

The whole country is.

[stopbush]

3. The Rs are already busy editing the video footage they scored over the past 10 days

of Ds lambasting Obama.

We'll be seeing those images over and over again for the next two years.

As far as the Rs are concerned, a primary challenge to Obama will just be the icing on the cake.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

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

[JuniperLea]

35. Yep... they love that "we" are doing all the heavy lifting for them...

I should be selling clue cards.

[DJ13]

4. I no longer care

Theres little real difference between what either party in control of the WH does in office.

See, thats the reason those dirty liberals have become a thorn in Obama's side, they want him to offer a choice that matters.

[kysrsoze]

55. Me neither. At least Republicans pander to, and vote on their base's wishes (however misguided)

Dems, on the other hand, just give their base the finger. The fact is that most of this party, including Barry, no longer represent sane, rational people who care about other people and things like deficits or jobs. At this point, I'm really tempted to stay home, or only vote for the House, who actually give a shit.

[Hello_Kitty]

6. I'm not exactly sure what he's threatening the Left with.

If the "disgruntled left" doesn't support President Obama then President Obama's supporters will take their marbles and go home? Um, okay.

[hlthe2b]

7. I do not believe there will be a primary challenger...

NOr should there be. That doesn't mean that Obama does not need some push back, however. Hell, he even asked Dems to do so.

[MNBrewer]

11. push back until he tells us to STFU, that is

[hlthe2b]

26. I remain annoyed about that as well...

Obama is going to have to make some amends with his own base and that includes the progressives and far left segments. While criticism from his "own" may sting more than the RW, it is not acceptable and even more improbable to lash out and expect blind support in return.

I hope he learns.. in time.

[StreetKnowledge]

78. He isn't gonna learn.

Two years of kissing the GOP's ass and telling us to go eat shit and you think he gives a damn about us?

I'm staying home in 2012. Period. I'm only gonna bother if somebody is there who represents me. And I'm not betting on that.

[MissDeeds]

87. You're right

Obama's not going to learn. He's going to continue doing exactly what he's been doing. I don't know where he thinks his support will come from if he decides to run again. He's alienated his base and continues to court favor with repubs who will never vote for him.

I will vote in 2012, hopefully for a primary challenger. If not, I'll write in the name of a leftist Dem who has a demonstrated record of working for the people of this country, not corporations.

[Raksha]

93. I'm thinking of writing in Bernie Sanders' name whether he's a candidate or not.

[MissDeeds]

94. Bernie sounds good to me

He's willing to fight for us.

[True_Blue]

121. X2

[unlawflcombatnt]

124. Yeah

He pretty much did that on his tax cut sell-out. He told us to take it or leave it, and that his Presidency was on the line if we didn't take it.

And apparently it worked in the House and Senate, where the majority of Democrats voted "yes" on tax cuts for the rich.

[MNBrewer]

8. Politics is about more than just the results of the next election

It's a long-game process.....

[avaistheone1]

9. The differences between a republican versus a democratic regime running

this country becoming fewer day by day.

Thank you changealicious President Obama.

[notesdev]

10. That "price to pay" assumes

that the bill has not already been run up.

I think it has, as it had with Carter, and that blaming those who would like a different option is a characteristic of abusers and bullies.

In all the cases you mention the race was lost and the damage done long before any primary challenger came into play. I mean, "read my lips", you can't be much more in-your-face than that, GB Sr. was toast the moment he broke that pledge, revealed as an untrustworthy liar to the world.

Obama is already toast - unless you are a banker or someone else with your hands in the public wallet, you already know he can't be trusted, and even if he could be trusted, he doesn't have the ability to perform and be effective.

[JHB]

105. Somehow, whenever I hear about TK's primary against Carter...

...as a lesson about bad electoral effects, certain elements seem to get ignored.
Elements like "Iran", "hostage crisis", "debacle at Desert One", etc. Not to mention having to deal with high inflation and oil shortages.

Seems to me those had a greater effect on the outcome than the "Ted Effect".

[rurallib]

12. damned if you do, damned if you don't

[mitchtv]

13. Obama will have only himself to blame

"dance with the ones that brung ya", unrecc.

[H2O Man]

17. Appeals to fear

are so unattractive. Even if well intended, they only reflect the type of "anonymous authority" that Erich Fromm so accurately described, and which the democratic left will never respect nor obey.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. Or....he could try "compromising" with the left rather than his Republican pals.

[wordpix]

82. +1 he's done some good things but tax cuts for the rich weren't one of them

[lame54]

97. plus he's gunning for SS

[mmonk]

19. Threats seem empty these days.

Probably because they are given too often these days. They now come with every bill and every election.

[Larkspur]

20. We lost in 2008. Obama is a Blue Dog Dem, which = Republican-lite

Obama is working for the Republican meme, so we lost back in 2008. It was a lose-lose situation for us anyway.

[Little Star]

21. Obama is the one who should have thought of that........

He is the one who has the left wanting a primary challenge. It's on him, not us, imho.

[Marr]

22. Tell my why I should care. I'm told that a minority party can dominate legislation--

even if they don't have a majority in either house of Congress. I figure all we need is 40 Democrats in the Senate and we should be fine.

Is that suddenly not true again?

[Scruffy1]

39. That's why they are chaning the filibuster

Now that they've really lost control to the Republicans they want to be able to rollover quicker.

[lob1]

23. "Republicans would have the Democratic Left to thank for that".

Actually, the republicans have Obama to thank for that.

[Arctic Dave]

24. Another sit down and shut up post, yippee.

The left isn't his base anyways, why should we give a rats ass?

[LisaL]

25. Seems like Democratic Party is going to pay a steep price

regardless of whether Obama gets a primary challenger.

[Jamastiene]

32. Bingo!

We are fucked either way.

[DemocratAholic]

27. It is not a primary from the "left" Obama needs to worry about

What Obama should be worried about is mass ambivalence towards his candidacy from people who are inclined to vote Democratic. In order for people to vote, they need to make an effort. I'm sure everyone has experienced this themselves. Election day, which is always on a Tuesday...and never a holiday, people have to work. The weather may be bad. You have to drive to the polling place. You may be tired from a long day at work.

It is very, very easy for people to say to themselves, "My one vote isn't going to matter." Multiply that by millions of people, what do you get? Disaster for whichever side feels more ambivalent. Victory for the side that feels inspired.

This is exactly what happened this past election. Millions of Democrats said to themselves, my vote isn't going to make a difference. They didn't feel inspired. They were tired from work. The weather was bad. The reasons for not going to the polls outweighed their determination to make certain they got there no matter what.

USA is basically split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats. It's probably more Democrats, but we have a lot of Democrats who never feel like voting. Subtract them from the equation, we're basically split down the middle. That's why pollsters have "likely voter" polls.

[krabigirl]

40. And there are also many who are not a part of either corporatist party.

[DemocratAholic]

45. point taken

I should have said...USA is split down the middle between people who are more inclined to vote Democrat or Republican. Yes we have a lot of "independents." That wasn't the point of what I was saying, but I stand corrected. I understand I should be very clear and technically accurate when I post things on this board.

[Erose999]

52. I am pretty convinced that a vote for Obama isn't going to matter. I'd love for him to prove me

wrong between now and then but that probably ain't gonna happen. Him and the DLC corporatists have hijacked the party to the point that saying "I'm a Democrat" doesn't mean anything anymore.

[JVS]

103. Obama also has to worry about Evan Bayh eating his lunch.

[NightWatcher]

28. Instead of threatening us "Fucking Retards", why not do something FOR US

Give us a reason to vote for Obama instead of threatening us.

I'm not going to vote, donate, or volunteer because of a threat of political terrorism. "Do this or else" doesn't work on me.

[TheKentuckian]

38. Especially when you essentially deliver on you're opponents platform

Which is then defended by imagine what McCain actually would do or what Pallin would do if allowed. All of which has a degree of validity but it has to be admitted by some that it is to a degree speculative as well.

What is going on is to be kind and diffused, unsavory

[LoZoccolo]

85. Neither Barack Obama nor even Rahm Emanuel called liberals "fucking retards".

"Fucking retarded" was applied to the idea of running attack ads against Democrats. Your interpretation had its origin in Fire Dog Lake spin.

[LoZoccolo]

86. Also, if you're threatening not to vote, is that also "political terrorism"?

I think it would be more so. The OP is just pointing out what will come out of other peoples' actions if it's not prevented; the people threatening to let the Republicans win are speaking for themselves and what they will do.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

98. some of you still actually use that against him

when what was called fucking retarded was a tactic, not the people

[RoccoR5955]

29. There are all kinds of nuts running around Albany...

And don't forget, as it gets cold outside, their brains start to take a freeze.

Things are quite a bit different than they were back in 1980 and '92. I think that if Obama goes more to the right, more people will be willing to back a more center candidate. Heck, there's not a candidate on the Left, unless you count Kucinich.

[Autumn]

30. We can't further the republican agenda, so

guess we better suck it up:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Never mind.

[Jamastiene]

31. Woo-oooo-ooo. Wooooo-oooo.

It's a ghost. Scawwy. Be vewwy vewwy afwaid. Woo-ooo-ooo. Wooo-oooo-ooo.

Right. Ok. Whatever.

:eyes:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

34. O NOES!!!!!!

:scared: I'm so afraid now.

[texastoast]

33. It doesn't matter

As long as they all whore up to contributors.

The system is broken because of the money it takes to get elected and because of unbridled lobbyists.

Two parties with different names. Same coin.

Ptooie.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

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[brooklynite]

46. So you'll be voting Republican then...

...talk all you want about standing up for principles: politics is a zero-sum game. One person wins and everyone else loses. Complain all you want about biased reporting on minority party candidates: in this environment, only the Republican and Democratic parties are viable at the Presidential level. By not voting for the Democratic candidate for President, you are effectively giving your support to the Republican.

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

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[damntexdem]

37. The left has had a long, long time to beware.

And it has done us no good.

I will vote for Obama in 2012 if he is the candidate, but I won't work for him (as I did in 2008).

[Starry Messenger]

41. I thought you guys didn't care about us.

We don't matter. Don't bother your heads about us and your lives will go on in peace.

[myrna minx]

42. I thought we didn't matter. Now we're getting threats.

I thought the only 'lefties' who were disgruntled were a few 'dead enders' right here on DU. That and the "professional left'. I thought all of the polls everywhere said that Obama has the support of one brazillion percent of liberals. I can't keep up.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

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[rug]

44. I take it you're gruntled with Obama.

[JoseGaspar]

51. The poster is clearly gruntled... n/t

[TexasObserver]

47. He's going to be primaried, so you might as well get used to it.

If you think the alarmist threats of those trying to herd unhappy Democrats into the president's camp will work, you're badly mistaken. I've been a Democrat a long time, so I don't need anyone pretending they know the soul of the party better than me. That includes everyone in the Obama administration.


I suggest that if you're sincere in your desire to see him reelected you stop posting things such as those in your OP. You're not doing him any good at all. In fact, you're making it less likely he'll get votes from the left.

[Sherman A1]

49. Well Said!

Don't cha just love the lectures!!!!! :hi:

[mike_c]

50. +1

eom

[frogmarch]

61. Well said. nt

[L0oniX]

68. +9

[Still a Democrat]

74. Now I have fingerprints on my screen, thanks for nothing! n/t

[Sparkly]

70. I sincerely hope so.

A real "liberal" Democrat running against him might at least add something to the debate in this country. Instead of it being all about how to placate Republicans (since we're all evil anti-American fringe-element lazy couch potatoes), it'd be nice to hear a debate for the hearts and minds of the DEMOCRATS -- you know, the mainstream according to opinion polls on issues.

[PurityOfEssence]

114. Maybe yes, maybe no, but it's hardly a doomed prospect

If the current pattern of naked enabling of the reactionaries' agenda continues, he doesn't have a prayer of reelection. The feelings of betrayal, disgust, distaste, feckless resignation, general pointlessness, iron poor blood and heartbreak of psoriasis will sap the Democratic electorate like nothing we've ever seen.

If he DOES get primaried and he beats it back, he will probably STILL lose.

Virtually every appeal that's ever been made about this man depends on one specific contention: that he's going to do an about-face and suddenly become a lightning rod of steadfastness, simultaneously shedding his habitual maneuvering and crossing the power-blocs he's buttressed. EVERY appeal is based on some vague "hope", a word that makes me gag more and more with time because it's an inherently passive and subservient acceptance of powerlessness, and it's a hope that he'll become an entirely different personality-type and a person with entirely different allegiances.

Those who threaten us with the danger and futility of challenging his "right" to be our champion do so with flawed logic: that he's really got a chance. Yes, he may very well be rehabilitated in the eyes of enough of the electorate by then, but who knows? It doesn't look good right now, but it's a long way off. He may have a lucky moment of international crisis that he handles well. Still, we tend to vote our pocketbooks, and I really don't see any glimmer of improvement there in the next less-than-two-years.

I, like many others, am just disgusted. Sure, if we're stuck with him, I'll vote for him again, and even hold my tongue in public, but what we're being bullied with is some cringing fear of rocking the boat that's precisely the kind of deep, moral cowardice that typifies this administration's approach to the right. IT DOESN'T WORK. I see no reason to further embolden the right by just taking the cautious and cowardly approach, especially if our guy has little chance.

The right is nowhere near as powerful as we think and even less powerful than THEY think, and a real opposition would be an eye-opener. Even if the ploy failed in the long run, it might just scare the monarchists a bit, and we've seen how rapacious they can be when emboldened with visions of triumph.

[Egnever]

116. By Whom?

Just curious since you seem to know it will happen with such certainty. Who is going to primary him?

[Xicano]

53. Threats affect me the same way betrayal does.

If anyone still backing this sell-out has any hopes for his reelection, it would behoove them to understand a little human nature. There's a point where people turn more rebellious against someone or something when they perceive any kind of pressure or intimidation from that someone or something.

Also, regarding the premise of that article, that knife cuts both ways. Obama should understand that if he cares about our party he shouldn't run for reelection. It would be less damaging for him to step down from running again than a new Democratic candidate running in 2012. He's damaged goods with way too much political ammo against him now.

Voting for Obama is voting for the conservative agenda and wall street interests. Also, I don't regard taking one step forward while taking four steps backward as anything else other than three steps backward. That's what this President amounts to. Sorry Mr. Obama you're invisible to me and that's from your own doing.

[dionysus]

54. .. if i find you been creepin round my back stairs....

[1badjedi]

56. As if the dem party

won't be paying a steep price for a long time after these past 2 years.

It makes me want to laugh but I just can't any longer.

[BlueIris]

57. These threats are just making him look even more desperate

than his few remaining supporters are at the moment. It's pathetic, it really is.

[texastoast]

58. And, by golly, no

"The Left" is not to thank for that.

You can thank the spineless Democrats who let Karl Rove move the center to the right and to the right and did I say to the right and just followed right along during the years prior to Obama taking office.

FDR wouldn't even recognize a bunch of people calling themselves Democrats these days.

Fuss all you want about "the country is more conservative." I don't buy it. It's just spin that has been bought into by those who blow with the wind.

Ptooie again.

[socialist_n_TN]

75. Yeah, people will contort themselves into pretzels...........

to keep from calling themselves "liberal", but when you ask what they actually believe they're mostly liberal. Maybe not as left as I am, but a HELL of a lot further left than most of the DEMOCRATS holding office. much less the batshit crazy Republicans. And it's all because of 30 years of spin that's made "liberal" a dirty word.

What's a REAL shame is that in '08 the country decided to give the "liberals" another chance and they got corporatists.

[dbt]

59. Thanks for this timely warning.

I'd sure hate to give up all the gains the left has made in the past couple of years!

[The Midway Rebel]

60. Desperation is so unattractive. nt

[bigwillq]

62. I don't believe there will be a serious challenger

to Obama in 2012, but I am all for primaries for ALL incumbents, both R and D, for every office at every level.

[TNLib]

63. I predict Obama will not have a primary challenger and he'll still be a one term president

I don't see anyone emerging that would be a primary challenge to Obama. I see an independent running and maybe pulling some left and moderate votes in the general.

[walldude]

64. I better beware?

You better come up with a better schtick. I don't fucking scare real easy. And this is almost as pathetic as warning me about President Palin.

[jannyk]

65. How's that ;fear' thing working out for you? We're so over it! n/t

[PassingFair]

66. Jimmy Carter recently said that one of his biggest mistakes was to forget that he...

was the head of the Democratic Party and was
responsible for their UNITY.

snip>
Question: What was your biggest failure as a President, and what did you learn from it?

Jimmy Carter: I guess my biggest failure was not getting re-elected. And I learned two things; one is that you ought not to ever let American hostages be held for 444 days in a foreign country without extracting them. I did the best I could, but I failed.

And I think another lesson I learned is, I should have paid more attention to the organization of the Democratic Party. I was not only the leader of our nation, but I was also the leader of the Democratic Party. And I think I failed in that respect to keep the party united. It was divided in my reelection campaign between me and the people who were loyal to Ted Kennedy and then that cost me a lot of votes. So those were the two things that I believe could have been done better.

[L0oniX]

67. Oh noes ...another fear tactic ....pfffft

[TBF]

71. No way he can win - the dem's only chance is with a new candidate.

The left sees him for what he is and republicans won't vote for him.

[socialist_n_TN]

80. Yep. I've been thinking about that a lot ..........

over the last few days. The best thing Obama could do FOR the Democratic Party is pull an LBJ and not run again for the very reasons you stated TBF. Remember Humphrey BARELY lost to Nixon in '68 in SPITE of all that was going on IN the Democratic Party at that time.

Step down Mr. President. It would be for the good of your party AND the country. You've already lost.

[walldude]

83. Unless some serious changes happen in the next two years

I'm afraid you are right.

[quaker bill]

73. I think they make too much of the threat

A more "liberal" primary opponent would be lucky to get far past South Carolina, and more than one - - just hang it up.

Actually, easily beating a left wing challenger could actually help Barack win re-election. The mistake in the analogy is that with Kennedy - Carter it was fairly close, in this case, it will be all over and done by super tuesday. There will be no contest, and knowing this, no truly interesting politician will run against him. There really isn't anyone out there anyway with even 1/10 the candlepower that has expressed any interest, and there won't be.

[ClassWarrior]

76. Primary challenges don't weaken incumbents. Weak incumbents draw primary challenges.

NGU.

[jtown1123]

128. here here

[bobbolink]

77. we skeered now....

:scared:

[Caretha]

79. Another hit & run poster

I don't get it, why put a truly pathetic post, one sure to cause dissension, and then disappear. What the hell is that all about?

[Still a Democrat]

95. You've got it backwards

This is a call for unity behind the President.

[Caretha]

111. See how well that worked out?

Not...get it yet.

[scarletwoman]

88. Yeah, whatever. I mostly don't give a shit anymore.

Re-elect Obama and get Republican "free market" policies.

Don't re-elect Obama and get Republican "free market" policies.

Tough choice.

[pa28]

89. Presidents who create division in their own parties draw challengers.

Obama marginalizes the left of his own party to identify himself as a centrist so if it happens he'll have nobody but himself to blame.

Anyway, look on the bright side. If Obama really believes that picking fights with the left gives him credibility with independents and undecided Republicans he should welcome a liberal primary challenge. He'll be able to define himself against his opponent all day long.

[bemildred]

90. You cannot threaten people with stuff they are not afraid of.

It is clear that neither party intends to fight for the sort of reforms that might have some chance of curtailing our national decline.

[Raine]

91. "Republicans would have the Democratic left to thank bla bla bla"

WOW :wow: so if we're so important and influential it makes me wonder why we are continually derided, degraded and thrown away like trash. :shrug: All I know is when I have some that is valuable and worth something I don't throw it away like a used snot rag. :-(

[Name removed]

92. Deleted message

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

[me b zola]

96. Excuse me, but it has been the neo-liberals/dlc/blue dogs

that have killed the Democratic Party. Don't wag your finger at progressives, we're really not in the mood.

[Rex]

115. That side of the party cannot help it, evidently they love eating their

own shoes.

[kentuck]

99. I think that is obvious.

The "disgruntled" left knows that their actions could lead to the defeat of Barack Obama. They do not have to be told. It seems it is the other side that believes it could not happen?

[Javaman]

100. So the choice is yours...

shoot yourself in the head or the heart.

mods you may delete this. LOL

[L0oniX]

101. Save the authoritarian bull shit for the lamers who follow the herd.

[JVS]

102. The floggings will continue until morale improves, huh?

[leeroysphitz]

104. More choice is ALWAYS a good thing. Try peddling your fear based emotional blackmail

someplace else. If Obama would like to avoid a democratic primary challenge he could always try acting like a democrat.

[bigwillq]

106. Good post.

:thumbsup:

I am all for primaries against all incumbents, even if I think the incumbent is doing a great job. That is what democracy is about.

[elleng]

107. Damn right.

[Morning Dew]

108. The left is of no consequence

and is also responsible for all Democratic Party failures.

[TCJ70]

109. So our choices in 2012 will be...

Vote for a republican or a republican?

[Raine]

112. My choice

"none of the above". I better be given a very good reason to leave the house otherwise I will sit it out. I'm done with the lesser of two evils.

[Ganja Ninja]

110. "It's a pretty safe bet that Obama could beat back a contender"

Baring any major turn around in the economy independents and the left wing of the Democratic party are not behind him. He's become a liability on the ticket for 2012. Even if he wins the primary he's not going to win the general. Unless he steps aside you can expect to see the GOP back in control of all three branches of government. Republicans will win and we'll have the centrists to blame. Thanks for that.

[RegieRocker]

113. Without question this would be futile

and really really dumb. I personally just want our President to stay on target.

[Cobalt-60]

117. The *ssholes running the party better beware

Our party's leadership are pack of coporate thralls.
And we've played along with it long enough.
We will not be limited to "Fascist" or "Republican Lite" as choices.

[niceypoo]

118. Liberals and the left didn't attack Obama

Obama and his supporters attacked the left

If Obama keeps up his attacks on the left it will just get worse and worse

[Raine]

119. EXACTLY

and they're the ones that better beware of our side. :mad:

[Capitalocracy]

120. Obviating (Deliberately?) Lyndon Johnson.

A strong primary challenge got rid of Lyndon Johnson, and if he didn't get shot, Bobby would've taken his turn at beating Nixon like his brother.

And the history of our nation would have changed. Who knows how different things would be today? We need to stop hiding for fear of what could be, and get out there and work for the future we can build.

[LooseWilly]

122. blah blah blah

yada yada yada.

I don't care.

If the Republicans win because Obama alienated the left, it's not the fault of the left— it's Obama's fault... and his election to lose.

As long as Obama is dealing with and joining the Republicans and then turning around and pressuring Democrats to go along... if he loses it is a win for non-Republicans because Democrats will at least feel like they have a leg to stand on when standing up to a Republican president... hell, that in and of itself is almost reason enough for progressives to actually vote for a Republican and actively contribute toward defeating Obama. Maybe someone should get word to the administration that some of the public no longer considers him anything more than a capitulating weight around the necks of the few Democratic legislators who once had a spine.

[Union Scribe]

123. Mmm, threats AND pre-emptive blaming.

That's sure to win people over.

But why is it that every time a primary challenger is brought up, the same people invariably say that Obama will handily beat them, because as every Obama supporter seems to believe, no one left of him could get more than a handful percent of the vote, but also that it would spell certain doom because Obama would have to use some big chunk of his resources. Those two arguments are not compatible. Either you think Obama is more vulnerable than you're letting on, or you're being disingenuous about a primary's effect on his general election campaign.

[rpannier]

125. Funny...That's a similar argument people made about what would happen if HRC didn't drop out of the

primaries.

He was being forced to use valuable resources against her Quixotic campaign and he'd lose.
Yet, it was Salon that pointed out after the primaries he had solid organizations in all 50 states and had a well oiled machine

[costahawk1987]

126. Democrats are hosed anyway if Social Security gets cut

Just give me a bowl of catfood and Palin the button. We won't suffer for long!

[DearAbby]

127. The reason they continue

doing these sorts of things is because they have grown to take our votes for granted, its either them or the "GASP" GOP. I am tired of voting for the other side of the coin, I want a different coin, a real progressive coin.

When they can't take our votes for granted, maybe they will start working for them. ya think?