Obama was talking to the American people tonight, not just us here at DU.

[Avalux]

If you look at it from that perspective, realizing he needs to REACH everyone to ask them to call Washington, it makes sense.

I think he gave the speech he needed to give.

And I think we all know - no matter what he says, they will never agree.

Hang on...

[BumRushDaShow]

1. K&R

[RBInMaine]

2. Thanks. Many here don't realize he is President of ALL the people, not just the far left.

[Indykatie]

5. He Is the President for All and Keeps Trying to Bridge the Gaps

He's winning the center (Independents) because of his approach and the fact that the tea baggers have scared the shit out of them. Excellent post.

[TheWraith]

17. Exactly. People here forget that it's not just hardcore Dems and hardcore Reps.

The "Just fight fight FIGHT!" crowd forgets that this isn't a battle. Not everybody is lining up to die for their side. There's us, there's them, and then there's upwards of 60% of the country in the middle, even people who normally identify as Republicans or Democrats, whose opinions are up for grabs on many issues. Governing just for our side and fuck anyone else's opinion wouldn't be any more popular for us than it was for Bush, even when we're right.

[femmocrat]

3. Yes, I agree.

I thought he was attempting to explain it to those people who aren't following it as closely as we are.

If they paid attention, he gave a decent summarization of the negotiations so far and the repercussions if no agreement is reached.

[alp227]

4. If you listen to Thom Hartmann he frequently mentions "low information independents"

chances are many of those who would rather be watching Two and a Half Men or whatever Gordon Ramsay cooking show is on right now have heard Obama's message and might take some action as a result. Not all of the middle class are progressives like us, some might be politically in the middle or even in the right.

[Wilms]

6. Agreed.

And he barely touched the SS issue. That could be bad, like he doesn't want to talk about it. Or it could be good, as in he got it that they need to keep their hands off reducing benefits.

-on edit-



"I think that’s a much better path, although serious deficit reduction would still require us to tackle the tough challenges of entitlement and tax reform."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Armstead]

7. Then he ought to stop selling them GOP conservative policies

[CakeGrrl]

8. Exactly. The average person doesn't know what the GOP is up to.

[MrsCorleone]

9. He specifically asked us all to call our representatives. Hope all peeps on DU have been doing

at least this much through this whole debate.

He was very clear. He asked us all to pick up the phone.

[Avalux]

11. Yes he did. He asked for our help tonight, every single one of us - and that includes non Dems.

"Yes We Can"

Now is the time. Even if only by phone.

[MrsCorleone]

14. Fax is also very effective. Hand written letters of protest scare representatives.

[Scurrilous]

10. K & R

[ellenfl]

12. i agree. that was my impression as well. eom

[alcibiades_mystery]

13. When it comes to rhetorical proficiency, I think I'd take Obama over any sniping pundit

on the planet, much less eternal gripe monkeys on an internet forum.

[EffieBlack]

15. Reminds me of my grandfather, who when my grandmother complained that he said grace too softly

for everyone at the dinner table to hear, responded, "I wasn't talking to you."

[Name removed]

16. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Warren Stupidity]

18. 70-80% of 'the American people' do not want any cuts to SS and Medicare.

"the people" are it seems rather aware of the screwjob in progress in washington.

[Avalux]

19. I hope every single one of them call, and keep calling, faxing, emailing.....until they get through.

I'd also like to see protesters out in front of the capitol building, harrassing congress critters when then are arriving and leaving.

Who wants to go with me??