Some Feel Like President Obama Has Abandoned Them.

[MineralMan]

I can't say that I feel the same. I'm disappointed that some things have not happened yet, but pleased with other things that have happened. I guess I'm an optimist. I know that I'm a Democrat.

Others say that President Obama has divided us. I posted what follows in a thread that declared that, but am posting it here, with some changes, in this separate thread:

The idea that the President has divided us is interesting. However, we have divided ourselves, I think.

And not evenly, either. On DU, the division is pretty obvious, at least among those who regularly post here. But it is far from an even split. Outside of DU, however, it is less a division and more an adjustment.

When I get a haircut, part of myself is cut off from the rest. The hair falls on the floor and I pay the barber and walk out of the barbershop. Part of me is left behind, but it has no real effect on me. I remain as I am, and am still a whole person.

Out in the real world, the number of people who have declared that Obama has failed them utterly is small, in comparison with the entire Democratic party. Very small. The body of Democrats may lose a bit of itself, but that body of Democrats will walk on and continue to support Democratic candidates. If some members drop off and are left behind, there will be a small change in the party's appearance, but not in its substance.

How many people, faced with another election where the battle is between Democratic and Republican candidates, will choose to either not vote at all or cast their vote for a candidate with no chance of victory? Not many, frankly, and their limited numbers can be overcome with nothing more than a strong GOTV effort designed to get Democrats to the polls.

On DU, the numbers are deceptive, and DU does not actually represent the makeup of the Democratic Party. Not even closely. DU and the Democratic party are not similar in numerical makeup. The real world is very different from the active, posting membership of DU.

The bottom line is that almost every race, both nationally and in every state, will be decided between a Democrat and a Republican candidate, selected in the same way they have been selected for a very long time. That will be the choice. I'll be voting for the Democratic candidates. I'll be campaigning for Democrats. I'll be walking my home precinct asking Democrats to come to the polls, and trying to convince Republicans whose minds can be changed to vote for Democrats as well. That's what I do for every election, and I'll be doing that again in 2014 and 2016.

I hope many will join me. I feel sure they will. The hair on the floor is not my concern.

[NoOneMan]

1. That would imply he was ever "with" them

And whoever sees politics through that prism has some serious perception issues.

[MineralMan]

2. Well, that's true, to a point.

However, there has been some progress made. In some areas, things have happened that are very positive. In other areas, not so much. But, I have not seen any President who has been able to overcome the deep political division in this country completely. I don't expect a future President who will do that, either.

[Octafish]

3. Not the Republicans.

Wall Street's going great. No banksters are in jail. And the GOP supplies the FISA judiciary as well as heads for almost all of the national security posts that come along.

Other than that, I'd say the best way to win elections is to act like Democrats. Not just words, deeds.

[MineralMan]

4. Yes, well...it's a long road.

It's been a long road all along.

[elleng]

5. Some are foolish.

[MineralMan]

7. That's always the case, no matter what the subject.

It comes with the territory of societies made up of human beings. At least that's what history teaches us.

[elleng]

9. Quite right, MM,

but wanted to share/point it out.

[MineralMan]

10. Thanks for doing that.

I appreciate it very much.

[redstatebluegirl]

6. DU is more Libertarian than Democrat

That has become clear to me as of late.

[MineralMan]

8. No, I don't think so really. We have some libertarians

on DU. No question about that. We have lots and lots of Democrats. We have others, as well, represented on DU. However, DU does not reflect Democrats in general. It represents a segment of people who call themselves Democrats sometimes. It's a great forum, but is not representative of the body of Democrats.

[freshwest]

11. Agreed. Thus they will never say anything good about Democrats.

They have placed us in their enemy camp, as our ideology is the best retort to their strategies that are increasing all forms of inequality in this nation.

[patrice]

12. .

[freshwest]

13. ...

[patrice]

15. :-)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Tks! ~

[dkf]

16. Ron Wyden rocks!!!!

Give me a Democrat who tries to do the right thing and I am THERE!!

My own Senator Brian Schatz is also impressing me with his steadfast defense of our rights. He makes me so proud!!!

[dkf]

14. We need Democrats who take their oath to defend the constitution seriously.

If they can't support that basic principle they are not fit for office. I support removal through the ballot box and will do my best to make sure we elect people who take their oaths seriously.

Obama won't run again. There is no point in supporting or not supporting him except in the ways it exposes members of congress.

[MineralMan]

18. People have all sorts of beliefs about the Constitution.

Many of those are erroneous. Lots of people say they defend the Constitution, ranging from asshole gun nuts to extremist libertarians. The one thing about the Constitution that often gets forgotten is the section that defines the Supreme Court of the United States as the only body with the authority to rule on constitutional issues.

That's at the core of the Constitution. Individual interpretations of that document carry zero weight. Only one body is constitutionally allowed to decide constitutional issues.

Now, that's the bottom line when conflicts about constitutionality arise.

Read the document again, paying special attention to the part on the Supreme Court.

[dkf]

26. That is exactly the problem. No ability to being FISA rulings to the SC.

Thus constitutionality of all programs under the FISA court has not been reviewed.

This is where the problem lies and where all branches have failed.

[JaneyVee]

17. K & R! Sometimes progress is measured one inch at a time.

[MineralMan]

19. Almost always, in fact.

It's a slow thing, change is.

[rug]

20. Opposing mass surveillance and drone warfare is not akin to abandonment.

[MineralMan]

21. Hmm...

As you say, Rug.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

22. very well said

[MineralMan]

23. I appreciate that, thanks.

I'm sure others will disagree, of course.

[11 Bravo]

24. I have gay friends and family members. None of them feels "abandoned".

I fully agree with you, and you and I will be doing ther exact same things in 2014 and 2016!

[sheshe2]

25. Thank you MM. Well done.

GOTV 2014~

[leftstreet]

27. Can you prove ANY of your assertions?

Out in the real world, the number of people who have declared that Obama has failed them utterly is small, in comparison with the entire Democratic party. Very small.

Prove it

Dude, 'out in the real world' 50% of eligible voters don't vote, so how do you know what they're thinking?

[mick063]

28. I will do my level best

to advance the liberal agenda.

Unfortunately, our President's good name will be a casualty.

To you party loyalists:

Disregard me at your own peril. I will accept temporary defeat to diminish your stranglehold.

I will be unforgiving. I will be relentless.