Getting that "Hopey/Changey" feeling...

[Go2Peace]

OK, I know there is a big disagreement on tactics and the value of a "united front" verses restrained support and pushing hard when the President does not live up to expectations. But honesty within all of this is very important, and even though we don't always recognize it here, I think ultimately we are (mostly) all "on the same team" at DU. Particularly when we get away from the personalities and tactics, and stick with the substance of where we think we need to be as a nation.

There are a lot of Democrats on this board that were disappointed and fought quite hard for the President to take much more progressive stands, and were concerned that he was vacilating too far to the right. I still stand by that, he *was* vacillating and taking stands that were not going to get us to a sustainable state.

But that appears to be changing and I think it is important to this "dialog" to show that "leftward" progressives are not just arguing to "argue". I can only speak for myself, but I am quite pleased with a number of the President's recent policy decisions, and the direction he seems to be heading toward. It appears his administration is moving to a platform that looks more like the traditional Democratic platforms of years past. Did he move there because of the build up in pressures and to get back some of the base? Or did he come to a point that he said "to hell with consequences, I am not going to try and triangulate, it doesn't work", I don't know. But I believe the course is changing, and that is important.

I am beginning to feel that "Hopey/Changey" feeling (again).

I applaud many of the solid and sustainable positions he has taken in recent months, and it is my hope that what is being pronounced, ends up being implimented as strongly, and without serious compromise once it makes paper and is signed.

I will continue to be vigilent, and will continue to push, and yes, critisize when it is appropriate and necessary (just like I did his inconsistant appeasement on offshore drilling). Because I believe that is how the political system works and responds, and I believe this is evidence to that fact.

But I do want to say that my respect for the positions of this President is growing. And though I never intended *not* to vote for him in the next election cycle, if this continues I will do so with much more enthusiasm.

I know this is a difficult time for some here, who are worried about poll numbers and the like, but I believe, if this direction continues in earnest, while it will be a difficult fight, that a far more unified and strengthened party could arise. Imagine; The "Tea Partiers" have captured attention with a mere 14-28% of the population. Now imagine the strength of 40% of the population on our side, energized by the Presidency as it becomes evident that it follows *us*, and the impact that *we* could then have with that kind of enthusiasm?

That is a real "Hope", and I am beginning to feel it. Keep it up Mr. President, this is the way to beat those bastards on the right. And will be far more effective than any other "nuanced" approach. I have "Hope", that you will continue to come on strong and with the "Battering Ram" of "traditional liberal values", which are the true "conservative" approach that will sustain and drive our country back to where it needs to be.

[MadMaddie]

1. I agree with you

I also have taken a stance that I am not going to argue with the repug coworkers anymore. I smile because I know that there is a momentum from President Obama and Dems in Congress seem to be pushing with him.

I look at my repug coworkers and smile that knowing smile. "Everything is going to be all right", it may not be perfect but when we do get back into the economic upturn it will be done the right way.

[zipplewrath]

2. Not yet

I'm concerned about the financial reform bill. He comes out and says he wants a strong bill, and the same day Timmy comes out and suggests he's willing to bail on the tax component (ya know, the progressive part).

But, I do think that the WH has learned and is learning some lessons so to speak. I think they'll handle it differently, and maybe even better.

I am beginning to see signs that they are regretting their moves in Afghanistan and are more willing to just leave.

The work in nuclear arms talks has always been solid and I think is headed in the right direction.

I think Iran is about as good as it can be right now.

I think Israel is getting some long due attention to long simmering issues.

I'm concerned about our energy policy, which seems more focused so far on coal, nuclear and oil, but there's some short term/long term issues there and I'll just have to wait and see.

I think health CARE reform is dead for a decade, we'll just see movement around the edges.

I'm concerned about DADT, they seem to want to delay it 2 years or more, and we may not have votes in 2 years to get it done.

The NASA deal seems to be a quagmire that they didn't anticipate.

And I don't see good things on Gitmo, except that Holder seems to be still fighting. It just seems that he's fighting both congress AND the WH, but we'll see.

We need a better DNC chairman, and that'll only happen if the WH makes it so.

We need to be more responsive to the populist issues out there, as a party.

We need alot of primaries so that the debates are about democratic issues, not GOP issues.

[Go2Peace]

5. I don't disagree. That is where "hope" comes in

That this is a serious change of direction. I have no misconception that he did not start out moving the wrong direction. But this is the way politics (and human nature) sometimes works. I have hope that he will **continue** moving in the same vein. But I refuse to blindly follow. I want to see this continue and become a longer term pattern or everything is out the window. Progressives are policy oriented. We don't blindly follow anyone :)

[Bitwit1234]

3. Well you all know palin is more dopey changey than anything else

And sometimes I wonder if dopey is really setting her standard high.

[underpants]

4. I am calling my local Dem chapter on Monday

time to gear up again

Love going to war for my country