Obama: once out of office, I’m gonna stop being polite and start getting real

[applegrove]

by Andrew Prokop at Vox

http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/9/23/13029670/obama-after-presidency

"SNIP.............


Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin has a great new interview with President Obama in Vanity Fair. In the wide-ranging interview, they discuss Abraham Lincoln, Obama’s biggest regrets from his time in office, and how a visit to the pyramids reminded Obama that cable news doesn’t really matter.

But perhaps the most intriguing bit was when, in a brief discussion of Obama’s plans for his post-presidency, Obama hinted that he planned to start speaking out more like an activist than a president.

There are “things,” he told Goodwin, “that in some ways I suspect I’m able to do better out of this office.” He elaborated that because of the “institutional constraints” of the presidency, “there are things I cannot say.”

He went on to essentially say he wanted to use his post-presidential bully pulpit more like an activist than a venerable elder statesman. “There are institutional obligations I have to carry out that are important for a president of the United States to carry out, but may not always align with what I think would move the ball down the field on the issues that I care most deeply about,” he said.


...............SNIP"

[enough]

1. I know people who thought he would do that in his second term. (nt)

[ansible]

3. He should've done that to begin with

What a wasted opportunity...

[deathrind]

27. Very true.

[heaven05]

37. Oh he didn't try?

Last edited Sat Sep 24, 2016, 06:47 PM - Edit history (1)

big point missed......RIGHTFUCKINGWING. "YOU LIE">Said everything, in retrospect now, as to what could be expected. The DNC never raised a loud voice to the obstructionism and obvious racism, neither did the Party leadership or the democrats outside of the CBC and as far as I'm concerned they did not go far enough. If he had started earlier, all the racism and hate he was already facing, because he is a black man who became POTUS, would have been ratcheded up with one statement. ANGRY BLACK MAN. Geez always his fault.....blame OBAMA is the RW meme.............facepalm:

[JustAnotherGen]

53. Amen!

And thank YOU for keeping it real.

I suspect the things he wants to move the ball down the field on aren't going to be liked by some folks at DU.

I suspect you and me? We are going to like them.

His bulky pulpit is going to put Malcolm and Martin to shame. Whatcha think heaven?

[heaven05]

55. I truly hope so

I hope he can help amerikkkans feel their shame at their unreasoning centuries old hate. Not probable because those clowns like their fuhrer have no conscience, but there is hope on my part that a solid minority of all here, like you, myself, and others will be proud of his "moving the ball down the field":can't wait!!!!!.

[greatauntoftriplets]

54. Oy.

[lovemydog]

57. If he had, he'd have been portrayed as

an angry black with little self-control. He wisely chose to do his best at building as much consensus as possible. He wanted to get the affordable care act passed. It was a lot of hard work. It came right down to the wire. He essentially staked his reelection on it. As a result of its passage more Americans are insured than at any time in our history. No one can be denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition. No one need go bankrupt because they get sick.

I'm grateful to President Obama for all he & his Administration have accomplished. I'm glad he understood he was elected President of all Americans, including those who didn't vote for him. I'm delighted that he will move back into his activism after he's out of office.

[lpbk2713]

2. I'd love to hear O tell Limbaugh where he could go.

And what he could do to himself once he got there.

[Scarsdale]

43. Be nice

Rush has an "anal cyst" that prevented him from serving in Viet Nam. I think is has now migrated onto his shoulders. Sure is ugly.

[RoBear]

45. I can't be the first person to say this,

but Limburger doesn't HAVE an anal cyst; he IS one.

EOM

[JoePhilly]

4. YUP ... he can't say what he wants to say as President.

Once he's out ... I hope he unleashes his inner "Luther".

[silverweb]

31. Wouldn't that be something?!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I definitely am looking forward to it!

[LiberalLovinLug]

40. Thanks for reposting

What stood out was that when, as part of the gag, Obama began to pretend to REALLY get angry at the GOPs antics etc.. and loudly call them out...he received cheers and standing ovations. ie...Many would have liked to see that kind of push back from him in real life. Show some emotion and fight back against the bullying by the other side. I really wish he had realized early on that his plan of being the Great Compromiser was not working out, and got real on their ass.

[aikoaiko]

5. I think Obama will be the greatest ex-president ever.

And I expect him to do it in a way that is very different from all over ex-presidents.

[Island Blue]

7. It will be a difficult job

for him to top President Carter in this regard, but he will still be very young, so I suppose it would be possible.

[aikoaiko]

13. Ex-president Carter is a high bar --

But I think ex-president Obama will find a way to do something amazing

[3catwoman3]

16. President Obama will be...

...and President Carter is a former president. Served honorably and completed the term(s) to which they were elected. Ex- is when you quit.

Nixon was an ex-president who quit in disgrace. Palin was an ex-governor who quit because that is what she does best.

Trump has 2 ex-wives.

[gabeana]

10. Be hard to pass carter

Underated president and the greatest ex president by far be great if Obama comes close as an ex prez

[awoke_in_2003]

25. Every time I have underestimated him

he has proved me an idiot. Like Joe says, don't play poker with PBO

[applegrove]

12. I look forward to it though I think democratic ex-presidents were great each in their own ways.

[Scarsdale]

44. Agreed

It is because they served for all the right reasons. Their concern for regular citizens was apparent. The gop serve for themselves, to enrich themselves.

[democrattotheend]

56. I think he'll be a hybrid of Carter & Clinton

Like Clinton, I think he'll make a ton of money but also do a lot of good. I think he'll probably do more of his activist/humanitarian efforts through direct engagement, rather than raising money for good causes like Bill Clinton. I hope that he will spend time with inner city kids and continue being a role model for them. I would guess that is one of the things he wants to do.

[Hortensis]

6. Wow. And we may have gotten a little still-presidential hint of

the future in his rather angry statement that the "good send-off" he wanted was a big turnout on election day.

This less-polite Obama is going to be very powerful and very good for America too. Right-wing knuckle-draggers are going to hate it. Expect lots of MSM "concern" over not just the damage he's doing to his "legacy" but to the dignity of the presidency.

Obama will be just 55 years old when he leaves leaving office on Jan. 20th, 2017, and says he plans to tap into his community-organizing background and work with his presidential library "creating a platform for the next generation of young leaders across disciplines to work together."

[Boomerproud]

22. I hope he finds real peace, joy and success in his work.

I also hope he turns a deaf ear to the "concerned" MSM, and gives a huge middle finger to the haters. Success is the ultimate revenge.

[Hortensis]

33. Exactly. And this president's work will likely continue

for decades of vigorous life, as Carter's and Clinton's have. Not an accident that all these leaders of a new tradition of continued public service are Democrats in this unfortunate era when even moderate conservatives have turned against progressivism.

[homegirl]

8. Public financing

of campaigns and overturning Citizens United would be great missions for him to take on.

[Gabi Hayes]

19. why in HELL isn't some sort of court challenge to this happening right NOW?

they should have power blasted a case that would get there before the election, while it's still four to four.

is it because any court they would go to before SCOTUS would give a negative finding, mooting the whole thing via the tie?

[NBachers]

9. He'll be living in DC. Maybe he can work for DC statehood.

[alphafemale]

11. Luther's going to be slap out of a job.

Poor Luther.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

14. He might become a much-needed advocate for African Americans and...

... apply his influence and organizational skills to achieve some real progress.

It's had some good ideas about transparency and accountability for police among other things, but I personally think BLM is too disorganized

[Warren DeMontague]

15. Like the drug war, I suspect.

He's done a lot to stand up to the institutional gravy train inertia on the thing, I think, but I suspect he has some choice words for the DC folks who can't understand why they're only being allowed to throw 2 million pot smokers in prison a year these days, instead of the 5-10 they would like.

[Chemisse]

46. He also has been very passionate about guns and mass shootings.

It will a real treat to see him be an activist.

[Warren DeMontague]

47. I agree.

I'm really going to miss the guy. I think he's been the best POTUS of my lifetime.

[elmac]

17. I'm sure whatever his plans are

doesn't involved taking up painting.

[Ilsa]

23. The contrast is almost unbelievable, isn't it?

Bushes kick back, go sailing, saw mesquite, paint purdy pictures. Carter builds homes for the homeless, clinton organizes medical treatment for people with chronic, incurable, fatal diseases. I'm sure whatever cause Barack picks up will see dramatic improvements in less than two years.

[CK_John]

18. IMO, He should run for Wash DC representative in the House. Even

without a vote, the DC Rep can be on all committees and caucus. Also he would have floor privilege.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

20. Two big ones come to mind...

Guns and cops.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

24. I hope so! n/t

[safeinOhio]

21. Next big job will be

First Gentleman, I hope some day.

[underthematrix]

28. I don't want my beloved FLOTUS to ever run for President with a country so filled with the

Last edited Sat Sep 24, 2016, 08:15 PM - Edit history (1)

depravity that is willing to vote for a mentally disturbed racist birther, idiot, criminal, liar, dangerous etc. Black people are just holding their breath waiting until January 21, 2017 12:02pm when our beloved POTUS and FLOTUS will be free and we can celebrate and party and speak truth to crazy.

I will vote for Hillary Clinton because I want a sane, smart, prepared President and every two years I'll do my duty as a voter to strengthen DEM control of our gov't. I owe that to PBO and HRC.

But I'll be right behind PBO and MO when they exit LEFT and following them wherever they go.

[Chemisse]

48. I agree. I don't know why people keep saying that.

Getting away from the spotlight of racist hate will likely be a huge weight off of her. What a tough way to live for 8 years. On to easier days doing whatever she wants to do. I suspect we will all be happy with whatever she has planned.

[alcibiades_mystery]

26. Shouldn't have given the interview to Goodwin

She was a ridiculous Romney stooge in 2012.

[Festivito]

29. Media will ignore him, let him give speeches quietly to private audiences.

But, he won't be heard unless they can couch his comments between stories that will diminish his points.

[DFW]

30. My dream reality show:

Obama Unchained

[madokie]

32. Not only is he a great president he' a good man

a President who Respects the office of the Presidency. Something the 'CONs have no clue about. Many of the average Jane's and Joe's don't either but being a constitutional scholar he very well does.

We ain't seen nuthing yet

[smirkymonkey]

34. +1000

[KG]

35. I lulz'd

[AgadorSparticus]

36. He is so amazing. Not sure who I am crushing on more now: Barack or Michelle.

[ladym55]

38. Hot damn!

[smilodon populator]

39. he would be an excellent Supreme Court justice n/t

[librechik]

51. then he would have to be silent again. n/t

[McKim]

41. god, I Hope so!

God, I hope so! Where is the guy I voted for? I want to see some action!

[Helen Borg]

42. Oh, yeah! Too bad that...

After he is out of office nobody will care what he says or thinks.

[applegrove]

49. Oh I think people will always care what Obama thinks and says. He's that type of leader. People will

never want to let go.

[jalan48]

50. I wish he had been more progressive but I think he will be viewed as one of the great Presidents.

He inherited a big mess and did a good job in spite of the non-stop obstruction by the Republicans. I wish Michelle would run, she would be great.

[usaf-vet]

52. I'm sure D Trump is aware

Obama: “There are institutional obligations I have to carry out that are important for a president of the United States"

I'm sure Trump has no f...ing idea what he is talking about. He certainly doesn't care.

How can this country be this stupid. Stupid enough to even consider a loud mouth bully for POTUS.

I'm sure the stupid part comes from FOX news the rest follows like the stink emitting from a pile of horse sh..t.

[Lifelong Protester]

58. Be active, and go ahead,

be ANGRY, because there is some sh** going down that you can be a part of.