Wisconsin-14: President Obama was very supportive and we’re glad he didn’t come here

[PeaceNikki]

Well, well, well, what do you know. Not that I expect the kids to actually understand this, but the adults always knew he was doing the right – and especially the SMART thing here. From the fab-14 press conference yesterday:

Q: Obama disappointing you?

Erpenbach: No not at all, He was very supportive, a couple of different times, of public employees. He has a nation to sail through some rough waters right now. He was briefed 1-2 times a day, I don’t doubt him at all. Had he come here, it would have been more chaotic. I’m glad he didn’t come here.

Lena: I agree. It would have been about him, instead of the workers of WI. It would’ve been politicized, it would have been about the 2012 election. He has time to come stand with the WI workers, real soon.

From: http://blackwaterdog.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/wisconsin-14-president-obama-was-very-supportive-and-were-glad-he-didnt-come-here/

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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

[PeaceNikki]

2. I am *NO* Obama cheerleader. There's a LOT I don't like about what he does.

This is not one of them. I agree 100% with Lena and John here.

[demmiblue]

4. Very productive. n/t

[MineralMan]

3. Exactly. The people of Wisconsin have this well in hand.

The President wouldn't have made things any better than they are right now.

[PeaceNikki]

6. This is what I've been saying, too.

This is not as (D) vs (R) as the media would have you believe. Bringing the White House into it would shift the focus entirely.

[KharmaTrain]

13. I Heard It Over And Over...

...from the many folks I spoke with in my recent missions north of the Cheddar curtain. This was a Wisconsin battle first and foremost...and those fighting didn't need to make this a part of a national agenda. It was about keeping jobs, bargaining rights and respect. The fact it became a national story was a byproduct. President Obama couldn't change the numbers in the Wisconsin legislatures that are rubber stamping an out-of-touch and control governor. Only the people of the state are the ones who can do that and are doing so. Wanker woke up a sleeping giant within this proud state and in time he'll be dealt with. The President didn't need to steal the show here...and I expect he'll get a very warm welcome when he does campaign in the state next year.

[PeaceNikki]

73. Yes, you get it.

That's cool. :)

[Bandit]

77. It isn't isolated to Wisconsin and the silence from the Whitehouse is deafening.

:shrug:

[Andy823]

5. But that's impossible!

The right wing "trolls" and the Obama haters here have told us the president "HAD" to go, he was such a BAD president because he "DIDN'T" go. How oh how could they have been SO WRONG? :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[Liberal Veteran]

8. Prez. Obama should have put on his full plate mail and saddled his steed...

...to ride into Wisconsin and slay the evil dragon!!!

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Though I'm happy to hear this side of the story, there's still the story

we heard the other day that someone in his staff said they would not get involved because there's too much drama. So which of the two stories are correct? Or is the truth somewhere in the middle?

[PeaceNikki]

9. I stand with my state Senators and dismiss the other bullshit.

[bettyellen]

10. second hand gossip about "too much drama" belongs in HS cafeterias, not here.

[The Backlash Cometh]

31. I don't think it was second hand gossip.

[bettyellen]

38. I didn't see it attributed to anyone, and I think it;s a statement that could have

very easily been twisted. Like Obama going would cause too much drama. I just think it was so vague I wouldn't be shocked if whoever picked up on it gave it their own spin.

[The Backlash Cometh]

46. You may, possibly, be correct.

However, that kind of spin would have been easy to dismiss if he had just come out with a statement of support.

[PeaceNikki]

47. He did.

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/02/16/obama-on-wisconsin-seems-like-more-of-an-assault-on-unions/

“On the other hand, some of what I’ve heard coming out of Wisconsin, where you’re just making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain generally seems like more of an assault on unions…

“And I think it’s very important for us to understand that public employees, they’re our neighbors, they’re our friends. These are folks who are teachers and they’re firefighters and they’re social workers and they’re police officers.

They make a lot of sacrifices and make a big contribution. And I think it’s important not to vilify them or to suggest that somehow all these budget problems are due to public employees.”

[The Backlash Cometh]

48. Thank you.

I'm always willing to reconsider my position when someone presents credible evidence. It's just a shame that it took this long for someone to come up with that link when this issue has been brewing over the past three days.

[PeaceNikki]

51. I honestly thought those statements were common knowledge.

Besides, Erpenbach said "...he was very supportive, a couple of different times, of public employees." and he has no reason to lie about that.

[The Backlash Cometh]

52. I'm learning that the problem is not that people want to be disagreeable,

but that they all don't have the same set of facts to consider. Fortunately, on DU, people do care about an issue enough to get down to the truth of a matter. That's why it would have been a good idea for Obama to affirm his 2/16 comments on 3/10 when his staff's statements created some confusion.

[PeaceNikki]

53. meh. I think it's better - regardless of the alleged staff comment. The words he spoke came from him

We the people of WI have got this.

[Denzil_DC]

60. Dude, I'm glad that's you're attitude, and I applaud it

But those of us who tried to give an alternative view in the past few days were shouted down and often insulted. Big deal, water off a duck's back, but it's not as if there wasn't cause to doubt the earlier spun story.

There are those who would divide, from whatever motives.

[The Backlash Cometh]

66. I don't have a problem with the scuffle. I see it as an intellectual vetting process.

At this point Obama's direction is not completely known on several issues and we have a right to be told and reassured. It's good for him to know that there are people out here who will put his feet to the fire.

[bettyellen]

67. but he has, repeatedly, and yet they fling the spin here becuase it's

"not enough".

[postulater]

11. It's the same story. The drama would have started had he come.

[JuniperLea]

21. But the memo didnt specify the WTC or that they would use planes!!

No one could have anticipated!!!

Except that so many of us did.

[JuniperLea]

16. How is this not in keeping with the statements?

Drama is drama. Do you require that the specific flavor be detailed? Obama going there would have been high drama and grand theatre and it would have taken the focus from the people. I am not sure where the disconnect can possibly be.

[The Backlash Cometh]

33. He didn't have to show up. He didn't have to have a direct presence.

All he had to do was show verbal support and avoid controversial statements like, it was too much drama. It sends the wrong message to the Republicans who might think they own him, and it was disheartening for the rest of us to hear.

[JuniperLea]

74. He did

Pay attention

[DirkGently]

45. Correct. Vast difference between not leading the charge & angrily ORDERING the party to stop helping

[footinmouth]

12. PeaceNikki - Nice to see your position supported

I agree, the people of Wisconsin have this situation well in hand. Keep it about the people, not about Obama.

[elocs]

14. As a Wisconsinite I've said that time and again here at DU and it has nothing to do with "hating".

So nice try, no cigar, for those who like to casually use the "haters" tag.

Yes, had Obama come here to Wisconsin it would have become politicized and the debate and focus would have turned to Obama and the issues at heart here would have become lost.

[PeaceNikki]

15. Right, and anyone close to this knows that we don't need him to get us fired up.

Quite the contrary, in fact. Bringing him here would potentially bring the creepy Palin types here and turn it into a frenzy about THEM.

[ReggieVeggie]

24. and where are the issues "found"?

In a few weeks, it will be as if none of this ever happened. Any recall effort will be countered by righties trying to recall Dems and the whole issue will go down the memory hole. Will anything actually be changed? Will there be new laws that protect collective bargaining? Unions? Workers? I seriously doubt it. Perhaps it would have been "politicized" had Obama spoken out forcefully or come to the capitol to stand with the protestors, but it's politicized anyway. It's politics. That's the definition. My problem is that most of the country, without a national debate, will continue to think negatively of janitors, teachers, state and federal workers, etc. Nothing will have changed because a real spotlight was never shone on this struggle.

[PeaceNikki]

27. lol. You're not in WI, are you?

[ReggieVeggie]

28. and that makes a difference because....?

[PeaceNikki]

29. Because your assessment of how this will pan out is dead wrong.

And if you were here, you'd know that with some certainty.

[ReggieVeggie]

34. I'm glad you're certain

Best of luck

[PeaceNikki]

59. Actor Tony Shalhoub tells 100,000 at rally in Madison that their fight is "the birth of a movement!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0nYt1IhOfI

[elocs]

42. Wrong. Here in WI it will NOT be as if none of this ever happened.

No, the whole issue will NOT go down the memory hole. The recall efforts will go forward and the Republicans are free to do the same if they like because they have the same rights as we do. We are motivated and we have legs to our movement as well as hearts and minds. We show up in Madison in the cold and snow in tens of thousands while the Teahadists sit comfortably at home and send emails.

This is a people's protest, a people's movement here in the state of Wisconsin. Our problems here are the result of state laws, not federal laws. There was no reason for Obama to come here and frankly, most people involved in the protests here did not want him to come.

I don't buy the notion that most people think negatively of public workers. The right and the teabaggers are not most people. Just as the president is elected in each of the 50 states this battle will be won by the people in each of the 50 states. The battleground is in each of those states and it is being lead and focussed by the people in each state. It should not be about Obama and his reelection in 2012 with all of the little people who are getting hurt being lost in the shuffle.

[PeaceNikki]

43. This ^

Honest to Jeebus, anyone who has not been there has NO concept of the power behind this movement, the history of this state or the type of people that we collectively are. The fluke here, the piece that will go down the "memory hole" is that these fuckers were ever in office.

[CTyankee]

69. I never spoke up on this here on DU because I felt he shouldn't go himself but

should have people working behind the scenes supporting the unions. Hubby is a WI native and we talked about how significant this Madison uprising has been. He believes things will NOT go back to the status quo and I am hoping he's right. This is a real push back. The media are just out of it, they have no clue, they are oblivious and irrelevant, afaic.

I think that folks on DU should listen to these WI people and what they say. I trust their instincts and if they say Obama would have been a distraction, well, that's good enough for me!

[PeaceNikki]

71. Thanks, your hubby is right. Wisconsin is a very unique constituent.

A lot of people have a hard time wrapping their heads around us. As I said elsewhere, the FLUKE in all of this is that this asshole was elected.

[Lifelong Protester]

17. glad to hear the senators' points of view on this,

I originally thought Obama should have come in stronger on this issue, but I have seen the light in the arguments against such action. You all who said he should stay away (for now, I hope not always!) were right. We need to keep this fight about Wisconsin, not the presidential election of 2012.

[ReggieVeggie]

18. the kids?

isn't that ad hominem?

[PeaceNikki]

19. To be clear, I didn't write that. The blogger linked did.

[ReggieVeggie]

25. understood

[denem]

20. "Comfy shoes" were expressions of affection

for good loafers.

[PeaceNikki]

23. Right, there are never mitigating circumstances & he should follow every word he said to the letter.

But, this isn't a strike, so - HA!

[UTUSN]

22. K&R #12 n/t

[Scuba]

26. I agree that he should NOT come to Wisconsin....

This is, right now, a battle between the citizens of Wisconsin and the corporate powers that have corrupted our government.

If the President comes here it would immediately change to "Obama vs. Democracy".

[sandyshoes17]

30. I agree

I've been saying this and I know there's good arguments on both sides. But IMO, I am glad he stayed away. I am seeing people who have been republican for years started to come around and actually start thinking instead of following party lines, and a friend of mine has family members who are tea partiers in Iowa and she said they are so torn over this,(alot of them are teachers) some have left the tea party. but I know these people would go right back to their corners if he came out on this. The one thing they have in common is there hatred of him. That would unite them again. right now it is a rich (corporations) against working class issue and the republicans are on the wrong side of this, and people are starting to see this. We need to keep this the issue, because dem or repub, there are alot more of us that have this in common. It will unite and make us all stronger

[PeaceNikki]

32. Eggzactly. Especially *THIS* part

"I am seeing people who have been republican for years started to come around and actually start thinking instead of following party lines"

Doubters should go there and talk to people. They're very vocal (and sorry) about their changed position.

[Denzil_DC]

35. K & R

[PeaceNikki]

36. Kicking to add this awesome pic.

I didn't take it, but it's awesome.



I never got a good enough position in the crowd to see the stage. However, while we were trying to find a spot, the fab 14 were being escorted right next to us. I looked to my left and Lena Taylor was right there. I screamed like a schoolgirl and she said to me, "Shhhh, I'm hiding." :D

[SidDithers]

37. K&R...

Your "close to the scene" posts about WI have been great PeaceNikki.

:thumbsup:

Sid

[PeaceNikki]

39. Thanks, it's been pretty amazing. I am bursting with cheezy pride.

We didn't get to actually SEE the stage, but we heard it all and we were there clapping our frozen hands off for these fine patriots with ~150k of my favorite people... our teachers, firefighters, nurses, the DNR, my neighbors. I ♥ WI.

[sandyshoes17]

41. We could use that Wisconsin Spirit

here in NJ. Christie is up to the same. If we could get all unions and people who support this cause and go to states that are in trouble, we could really start something in this country. Keep it about workers and their rights, we could kick these bastards asses and keep the momentum going. There are more of us than them and they know it, they want this to go away, we can't let it. It may not show but we are getting to them. People are finally waking up and having to choose which side to be on, most will be with us.

[seabeyond]

40. i hear ya.... i was pretty sure this si the way it was going. i dont need the public show

to know something is happening.

[GeorgiaPeach]

44. "Time to stand with the workers"? Dream on. He stands with the bosses.

[Ikonoklast]

50. Prove it.

Those that assert, must first prove.


Your opinion is one thing, but please back it up with facts.


You must first show that this president is a liar in order to support your postition, because the very words out of his mouth in support of Labor must first be shown to not be his actual thoughts on the matter.

[Denzil_DC]

49. Kick n/t

[Scurrilous]

54. K & R

:thumbsup:

[grahamhgreen]

55. As long as we win.

[PeaceNikki]

56. "We" who? "Win" what?

Are you referring to the fight in WI or the 2012 POTUS election? If "we" in Wisconsin don't "win" this battle, will it be Obama's fault? I don't understand your comment.

[grahamhgreen]

61. We = working people. Win = the bill does not pass curtailing workers rights, etc.

BTW - I might not be there, but I can send money!

I've sent some up to the PCCC, where else can I send it?

[PeaceNikki]

63. Are you in or from Wisconsin?

You never answered that question the other day. Given your lack of understanding, I'm going with no.

[grahamhgreen]

64. No!

But I can/am sending money.

I want to encourage you to continue, so I'm keeping my mouth shut!

[PeaceNikki]

65. Your support and interest are appreciated, but trust that the people of WI are doing this right.

Cuz we are. For real.

[PeaceNikki]

57. As the Rotunda echoes with the sounds of the national anthem and the sun streams through the upper

upper windows, I know WE'RE going to win.

[Darth_Kitten]

58. Yeah, a couple of different times....

The man is a rock. :sarcasm:

[hfojvt]

62. kids and adults, eh?

unrec

[AndrewP]

68. Same here. Typical.

[PeaceNikki]

70. "Typical" what? I copied and pasted a fucking blog.

[CTyankee]

72. You read too quickly. go back to the blog. PeaceNikki was quoting from that.

Perhaps she should have put quotes around it, but she is right, they are not her words...

[Arkana]

75. Well clearly Jon Erpenbach is just a DLC sellout and an Obama toady.

Obama should have put on his comfortable shoes, abandoned his job, and walked the picket lines in Wisconsin.

[PeaceNikki]

76. Sarcasm?

Hard to tell these days, but I hope so.

[Arkana]

78. Yep.

Check my post history--I've been a strong proponent of Obama not going to Wisconsin because his presence would drown out the workers.

[undeterred]

79. Someone told me that Senator Kohl did come to a rally one day

and that made me happy. Feingold came, Kohl came, Gwen Moore, and Tammy Baldwin. I heard that Kind showed support too. So all of our Democrats in Federal positions showed support without grandstanding. (Granted, Feingold is no longer in office, but we haven't let go of him yet.) And the voices of many, many labor leaders and ordinary people had a chance to be heard for the first time.