Reply #83: I don't delude myself for a moment that the WH reads this, but you shouldn't think...

[OmahaBlueDog]

...that the membership of DU doesn't contain a fair number of grassroots footsoldiers -- the people who volunteer to work in campaigns, ring doorbells, make the phone calls, and drive the vans to the polls on election day. Everyone who does this kind of work does it for their own reasons and agendas, and they get upset of the candidate they worked hard to support doesn't support them back.

I think Barack Obama was left with the worst mess since FDR took office. FDR didn't fix the depression overnight, and Obama won't fix this economy overnight. I'll be the first to agree that some (not all) of the screaming is born of unrealistic expectations.

But if you go to a restaurant, and complain about the food, good business practices suggest you don't tell the patron "screw it - get out and don't come back." If you go shopping, and a store has let you down in some way, the manager is not likely to say "we really don't want you shopping here." Gibbs' comments failed Basic Politics 101 at exactly that level. It's one thing if a Congressman makes that gaffe, or even Joe Biden (who's made some ill chosen comments from time to time. But the Press Secretary!!?? For the love of Mike, if anyone is supposed to know better, it's him.