EJ Dionne: Congressional Democrats "increasingly grumbling" about Obama

[brentspeak]

Dionne's article contrasts John Kerry's current pugnaciousness on climate change legislation with what he believes is Obama's lack of pugnaciousness on issues in general.

http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/75965/hey-senator?page=0,1

In the face of these core problems, there is increasing grumbling among congressional Democrats about the Obama administration's habits. Some wonder if Obama is indifferent to their fate. Others sense that the president is far more solicitous to those who oppose him than to those who bleed for him. And many are questioning whether Obama's lieutenants have figured out that they have not been the messaging geniuses in the White House that they seemed to be in the 2008 campaign.

On the current course, even a Republican Party whose leaders say the most outlandish and extreme things—and whose own congressional rank and file worry about their lack of a coherent program—could take back the House and make deep inroads in the Senate.

snip

Someone needs to find the same pugnacious spirit on a jobs bill. Yes, crucial assistance to states that are slashing programs and raising taxes has been blocked by Republican senators—including Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine. Both prize their moderate images, but neither has been willing to break with the GOP leadership.

But either Obama and the Democrats really believe that giving the economy another shot in the arm now is essential, or they don't. If they put no punch behind their argument, voters will have no idea that some state cutbacks or tax hikes they are worried about could be avoided if Congress were willing to act. The Obama of 2008 understood how to define the stakes and how to rouse the faithful with both reason and passion. What happened to that guy?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

1. EJ hits the proverbial nail on the head. He's taking his base for granted because he knows

that we won't support Republicans. And, to me, it seems as if he is buying into "Rahmbo's" 'hate liberals' mantra.

The president acts as if he wants Republicans to win. His behavior is weirdly indifferent and nonchalant. He seems detached from reality in terms of understanding that the Republicans want to see him destroyed. And, most depressing of all...it's as if he wants to become a one-term president.

[Peregrine Took]

5. Obama is a strange cowboy - no doubt about it.

I sure never thought in a million years that he would turn out the way he did.

All the talk that I fell for - now I feel like an idiot for believing him. I guess I read into his words what I wanted to hear. That's what Stephanie Miller and Hal Sparks say - its not him that's changed - its we progressives who got it wrong.

Let the devil take the high road - he won't make a chump out of me again.

[IOKIYAL]

21. How did you go from congressional democrats to the base?

I thought the article was about congressional democrats.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

32. We elect congressional Democrats, no?

[ProSense]

2. "far more solicitous to those who oppose him than to those who bleed for him" Sorry,

but that's some funny stuff.

:rofl:

[closeupready]

4. Shall we eat cake?

n/t

[ProSense]

6. What? n/t

[closeupready]

7. Shall we eat cake, Ms. Antoinette?

:rofl: ;)

[ProSense]

9. I still don't get it?

The notion that the President is catering to those who oppose him than those who bleed for him (who's that?) is bitter irony.

:rofl:

[girl gone mad]

19. It would be funny..

if it wasn't so damn true.

[Paladin]

33. I Fail To See The Humor. At All.

Too damned accurate to be funny.......

[DJ13]

3. Obama isnt being well served by letting Rahm call the shots

The guy Obama is as President isnt the same person that was campaigning for the job, he seems more like Rahm with his tough shit kind of attitude than like the caring guy he was before selecting Rahm.

[BrklynLiberal]

8. REC and KICK!!

Exactly!!!

Others sense that the president is far more solicitous to those who oppose him than to those who bleed for him.

[bluethruandthru]

10. The story of his presidency so far. n/t

[Radical Activist]

11. A clean energy bill is the only jobs bill that will work and benefit us long-term.

This guy doesn't get it.

[dkf]

13. It should have been the cause of his Presidency.

Instead he chose health care. Ugh.

[Radical Activist]

14. He did a lot with the stimulus bill.

Plus mileage standards, cash-for-clunkers, rail etc. He's doing a good job if he can just pass a climate bill.

[dkf]

15. He didn't do much to change our dependence on oil and gas.

I don't see it at all. And after this catastrophe in the gulf it's even more of a missed opportunity. He should forget cap and trade and just incentivize wind and solar. How hard is that?

[Radical Activist]

16. Much better new mileage standards, taking gas guzzlers off the road, and high speed rail.

Plus incentives for alternative fuel vehicles and he finally got GM to focus on fuel efficiency. Those are the next most logical and important steps to reduce oil use. He already did those. I don't know what else you're looking for that could be done right now.

And the stimulus bill already put billions into wind and solar. There's talk of giving up on a real climate bill in favor of more energy subsidies but I hope we don't have to settle.

[gateley]

17. I don't see how anyone could 'change our dependence on oil and gas' in such

a short time. It's going to be a process for us, but I would like to see him kick it into high gear. But I think we're going to be dependent for quite some time. :(

[dkf]

31. Two homes on our street went solar.

If it wasn't so expensive I would like to do that for us. My dream has always been energy independence where we generate our own electricity and plug in our electric cars.

[karynnj]

37. The entire point of pricing carbon is that it incentivizes clean energy

It uses the market to do so - which worked very well for limiting sulfur dioxide.

[LWolf]

12. +1

[ProSense]

18. It's interesting that an article claiming Obama should be more like Kerry on climate change

is popular, but an interview with Kerry about climate change is all but ignored.

[IOKIYAL]

23. Oh and when Obama works with other groups to get legislation done

he's selling out and compromising (in a bad way) yet when Kerry does it, he's a champion. It's not Obama that needs to learn from Kerry, its those grumbling congressional democrats.

GET THAT MOP FOLKS!

[karynnj]

40. Give me a break - Kerry rarely gets credit for what he does, while Obama for all 0f 2007 -- 2008

got a very high percentage of praise. As President, he got a lot of praise in the first 6 months and has been attacked by the MSM often since then.

The level of criticism here is more than in the article due to the 4 paragraphs chosen.

I think it's ironic that a media that loved that Obama was "cool" is now complaining that he does not show a huge amount of passion. He is also ignoring that Obama DID use his platform at the end of each of several efforts to pull them over the finish line. think - the stimulus, the budget, health care and currently he is near on financial reform. It is the Republicans that have made this like pulling teeth.

Obama cannot commit the level of sustained effort on ANY effort that Kerry has on this - nor does he have the 2 plus decades history on this issue. Now, I think that Obama could have been somewhat more supportive (as some comments have been worded to allow claiming victory even if an energy only bill passes), but another difference is that it was obvious - even in 2004 - that Kerry (and Teresa) are extremely committed to this and other environmental issues. There was never that sense with Obama or any of the 2008 candidates.

[politicasista]

41. Nice post

Some (not all) of Obama's supporters need to stop dissing people who are trying to help him advance his presidential agenda. (i.e. Climate Change).

[SunsetDreams]

24. Spot on

[karynnj]

38. The article that you linked to is great - It would benefit anyone wanting to understand the issue

It is also interesting that the OP article was posted last week - with emphasis on the praise for Kerry's excellent effort and it got little readership. Here, the point emphasized was the criticism of Obama. Is this an indication that some are here prefer being angry or cranky?

[depakid]

20. "Some wonder if Obama is indifferent to their fate."

The advisers know that Obama has a much better chance at re-election if Democrats lose the majority in the House.

[dionysus]

28. where do you come up with this shit?

:rofl:

[depakid]

29. in a word or two or four or five

Reading, critical thought, experience and analysis.

Might want to try it sometime- at the very least it'll make your posts seem less juvenile and more interesting for folks to read.

[IOKIYAL]

22. Let me point out a few things and ask some questions

1. first of all, which congressional democrats is he talking about? Are these the same congressional democrats that wanted him to drop hcr and stop moving so fast on everything because they might lose re-election? those congressional dems? when they talk about their fate, are they talking about re-election or the future of this country?

2. Messaging from the WH? Hmmm. I see Obama go out to fundraisers and meet and greets and I don't hear smack from the Dems. What's stopping congressional Dems from repeating what the president says when he goes out on the road? They need money from the DNC to go talk to their constituents? For 18 months people having pushing Obama to say this and to say that - he goes out there and what to do you hear after he stops? crickets. WHERE THE HECK ARE CONGRESSIONAL DEMS TO AMPLIFY HIS MESSAGE?

3. I have no idea what Dionne is talking about. If the congressional dems were actually concerned they would get a jobs bill moving themselves, get the votes and Obama will sign the dang thing. WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR???? They can't go on tv w/o his permission? They can't get the ball rolling themselves? they can't get together and say 'this is what the people want, let's do it'. WHY DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING?
THIS IS THEIR JOb!!! THEY WANT LEGISLATION - WRITE IT! THEY WANT MESSAGING? GET THE MORE TALKATIVE, TV FRIENDLY, PREPARED DEMS ON TV. They need Obama to tell them to do this?

here's what you do you poor poor congressional dems- notice that commercial the DNC put out? ok, good. GET AN INTERVIEW WITH YOUR LOCAL STATION AND REPEAT EVERYTHING IN THE AD. GO ON TV AND REPEAT ALL THE RIDICULOUS THINGS YOUR OPPONENTS HAVE SAID - DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Stop waiting on Obama to save you and learn to function without him constantly being the warm up guy.

Sorry, I'm just the type of person that if someone isn't doing what you want, YOU QUIT WHINING AND DO IT YOURSELF. No sympathies for these congressional dems. none.

[impik]

25. Yea, suddenly everyone here loves the congress...

[politicasista]

34. Yep. Let's go after the shaming Congressional Dems.

Kerry's support for President Obama has been unwavering. In the interview, he said that the Obama is listening. (Paraphrasing :))

IMO, other Congressional Democrats, especially the dysfnctional Senate (we know who they are!) need to get off their high donkeys and stop expecting Obama to be 24.7 some fairy godfather.

[impik]

26. Are these the same grumblers who went home without extending unemployment benefits?

[politicasista]

35. **crickets** n/t

[great white snark]

43. Yes, they left many stomachs grumbling.

:grr:

[dionysus]

27. ...and this makes brent a happy man!

:rofl:

[impik]

30. Thank you for the laugh.

[karynnj]

36. Kerry himself defended Obama and said that he was pushing for a climate bill

Here is a link to a video of an excellent New Yorker magazine interview with Kerry on climate change. http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/currents Thanks to MBS posting it in the JK group.

While I like that credit is being given to Kerry for his focused, passionate and practical efforts to get a bill that prices carbon, it is weird to use him as an example to criticize Obama.

[butterfly77]

39. The problem is

that the Dems need to get off their asses and stop helping the CONS they want him to do everything,and that includes winning their seats for them.

[Ross K]

42. Congressional Republicans are grumbling about Boehner!

Even Joke Scab says so!