Union Official: “The left understands that the choice in 2012 will be Obama or somebody far worse,"

[Better Believe It]

Left laments Obama's move to center
By: Meredith Shiner and Maggie Haberman
January 24, 2011

And while liberals might feel slighted by having their progressive ideals ignored this time around, they still realize the power of the moment for Obama and want him to attack the GOP economic policies spearheaded by Ryan as the Hill prepares to do battle on a debt limit debate that is already dividing Republicans and threatening a government shutdown.

“He’s the president of the United States, and he’s got to go in there and lean into the idea that he still has an agenda he wants to accomplish,” Weiner said. “He has to make sure he’s leading the debate and Paul Ryan is responding, not the other way around.

A labor official, who asked not to be identified in order to speak more candidly about the president’s political situation, noted that “the midterm elections freed” Obama to work independently and without regard to his party’s left.

“The left understands that the choice in 2012 will be Obama or somebody far worse,” the official said. “They will have no choice, no matter what Obama says in the State of the Union address. No matter how much we complain, he knows that at the end of the day, we will be supporting him in 2012 — and that affects what he can do now. The choice for us will be an administration that disappointed us or a Republican administration that will be out to destroy us.”

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=BAC3763E-C3C8-38FE-F9A88B8966AF9A3A

[montanacowboy]

1. Wrong on all counts

I do not need to support ANYONE

[derby378]

2. He spoke too soon

The 2012 primary season hasn't even started yet - and Obama is quite vulnerable on the left. He has a chance to start turning things around this year, otherwise he's going to face a challenger.

[NewJeffCT]

4. While I had low expectations for Obama

and he has not met them even, the fact is that Obama has an extraordinarily high approval rating among Democrats, including liberal Democrats. I don't think even Kucinich will run in 2012.

[DainBramaged]

3. “the midterm elections freed” Obama to work independently and without regard to his party’s left.

Republicans covet the base, Democrats refuse to acknowledge it.

[NewJeffCT]

7. Republicans fear their base

Democrats do not

[DainBramaged]

9. Because Democrats KNOW if they turn purple, Republicans will vote for them

Sad to think that we have no power.

[Davis_X_Machina]

5. Dude's...

...a.) right and b.) never been on DU.

[NewJeffCT]

6. I would vote for Obama over any Republican in 2012 - HOWEVER

There is a huge difference between me just going out & voting, and me going out and donating money to Obama 2012... making phone calls for Obama... putting up yard signs for Obama... attending rallies for Obama.... and so on & so forth.

[WinkyDink]

8. "Obama's move to center." CENTER? CENTER?!