Tell me again why you will work to reelect this guy

[daa]

President Obama nominated a very odd candidate to be the next U.S. Attorney in Utah, the chief legal advisor to the Senate’s most radical tenther, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT):

President Barack Obama tapped Sen. Mike Lee’s legal counsel to be the next U.S. attorney for Utah, a move that infuriated Democrats from the state and ended a lengthy political drama over who would claim the high-profile position.

The White House on Tuesday announced the nomination of David Barlow. He will need to win Senate confirmation before he can claim the spot as Utah’s top federal prosecutor, a job that has remained vacant since the end of 2009.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/08/03/286554/wtf-obama-lee/

[graywarrior]

1. Because if Romney gets elected, I will euthanize myself

[bigwillq]

6. No you won't.

That statement is actually quite disrespectful, and not a bit funny, even if meant to be sarcastic.

[graywarrior]

8. Here's another disrespectful statement

Lighten the fuck up

[bigwillq]

9. I can't wait until Romney wins (nt)

[CakeGrrl]

That could finally be what it takes to realize what this Administration has accomplished

You might be right.

What better way to understand what the Obama administration has put in place than having a Romney administration roll it back?

'Don't know what you've got 'til it's gone' and all that.

Or to use another metaphor: A child doesn't understand a hammer until he's mashed his hand at a nail.

Genius!

[bigwillq]

16. I don't really want Romney to win.

You're not following this series of posts between gray and I correctly.

[CakeGrrl]

25. I was snarking.

Unfortunately, what I said might be true for some people.

[graywarrior]

13. I'll bet

[bigwillq]

15. Yup

So then you'll be dead. :rofl:

[graywarrior]

17. Now that's disrespectful

:rofl:

[bigwillq]

18. I learned from the best.

I learned from you. :rofl:

[graywarrior]

20. .

:boring:

[bigwillq]

21. I did over react a bit.

I'm sorry. I should take my own advice. I am always telling folks not to take this place seriously, and I guess I just did.
I am just sensitive to folks who had friends, family members, etc., commit suicide and that's how I took your first post.

[graywarrior]

23. .

:spank: :toast:

[cherokeeprogressive]

40. It's a good thing you don't have to then. Romney's a Mormon.

No chance in hell.

[11 Bravo]

64. If he does, displaying your avatar may well wind up with your ass up in jail.

[bigwillq]

65. Good.

And I'll be sure to drop the soap. Often. :evilgrin: :rofl:

[11 Bravo]

69. Hey, whatever melts your butter.

[lumpy]

61. Bless you gray. I second the motion.

v

[Butch350]

71. Lighten the F**K down.

[rug]

62. If you do, they'll arrest you.

[otohara]

2. That One

beats the other ones.

[liberal N proud]

3. Because I don't want a President Bachmann

Or Romney, Palin or any other republican fuck in office.

Everything there has been a republican fuckoff in the white house, I have payed dearly for it.

So if as long as there is a name on the Democratic ticket, I am voting for them.

And don't go and give me any crap about primary challengers or voting for another candidate because that is all just bullshit that divides voters and lets the GOP win another election.

That is why I will fight to keep Obama in the White House.

[democrat_patriot]

4. "Tonight, Republican President "X" will address the nation about the gay roundup"

I never want to hear that.

[HughBeaumont]

5. Because I don't want the United States of Churchmerica.

These Repub cockbags are Bewsh II on steroids, Finlandia Vodka and hallucinogens.

Anyone REALLY thinks destroying the village in order to save it (in many cases, all that scenario did was make the country ripe for totalitarianism) is the better plan or what will cause people to "wake up" . . . be my guest. Good luck getting into another country after this one becomes scorched.

[JNinWB]

7. The real question is....

Why does Obama even want to run for re--election?

Since he is the only person standing between Democrats and national collapse, we should be grateful that he is willing to sacrifice his privacy and serve another term.

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tblue]

10. How sad, the only reason is that the alternative is unstomachable.

HOW SAD!!!! Four more years of THIS?! Or else God knows how many years of a Scott Walker-type President? What kinda choice is that? Either one who allows Repubs to have their way or else an actual Republican. That's what it's come to?

If only Obama knew he could ride another wave of passionate rapturous support, if only he'd call out these Teapublicans and fight them at every turn. But, nooooo.....

[BeyondGeography]

11. I dunno...after all, what difference did it make who won in 2000?

[daa]

39. And we are now in BUSH III chimpys third term nt

War, tax cuts for the rich, depression, wars, more wars, communication spying, Guantanamo, renditions.

Did I miss something? Bush was a leader with a vision, Obama is not. Bush was horrible but all Obama does is give a speech once in awhile. And for me, Big Dog gave a lot better speech. He could feel our pain.

[BeyondGeography]

48. Right now, Big Dog is trouncing the Shrinking O

but that still won't be an excuse to stay home next November. Unless you think Justices Sotomayor and Kagan (and scores of other appts.), the repeal of DADT, nuclear arms reduction agreements, the winding down of two wars, the beginnings of health insurance and financial regulation, pro-immigration policies, serious outreach to Native Americans that includes the freeing up of land-in-trust rules imposed by Bush, etc., would all be happening with a Republican President.

[polichick]

12. Lesser of Evils - verging on Slightly Lesser of Evils.

[Hawkowl]

33. Yes! Vote for evil!

That should be a bumper sticker! Not. I will no longer support those who don't support me. I will no longer vote for those who disrespect me slightly less than everyone else running. I will no longer vote for evil period.

[polichick]

44. Hopefully you're involved in a new movement - to opt out doesn't help.

[lumpy]

63. It isn't just about me me me...

x

[Hawkowl]

75. No it's not.

You are correct. I should rephrase and state that I will no longer support those who do not look out for the most vulnerable: the poor, the single mothers, disabled veterans, children etc. That is from whence I came, but thanks to old time democratic party values and programs, I am no longer there and haven't needed assistance for decades. However, I WILL hold those in power to help those who come after me and are being ignored in favor of banksters, lobbyists and corporations. Obama is not doing enough.

[treestar]

14. Why is this such a major issue?

Just because a lawyer represents someone does not mean anything whatsoever. Remember John Adams and his defense of the soldiers in the Boston Massacre.

A prosecutor should be someone who can do that job. Party affiliation means little for that.

[FormerDittoHead]

38. Deleted - irrelevant rabble. apologies. n/t

[blkmusclmachine]

19. Obama passed over all the D's in TX to nominate all R's for the AG:

That's a profile in Bi-Partisanship, folks!

[daggahead]

22. Supreme Court ... n/t

[Sheepshank]

24. Utahn's elected Lee over long standing Bennett....because Bennett wasn't conservative enough

It's a conservative state, it's what so many of them want. Lee is a fucking asshole with his pressing the Tea party meme in the Senate. If this puts Lee back into the vipers nest with his fellow vipers and off the Senate floor...I tend to think it's a win.

ETA: Oh and an unrec for attempting to press this dumbass issue as a reason not to relect Obama

[Unvanguard]

26. The U.S. attorney appointment patterns of the Obama Administration are bizarre.

I can't figure out what they're trying to do.

[xchrom]

27. Recommend

[Politicub]

28. Because I look at this entire record, and there's a lot of good that President Obama has done

Anyone can pick and choose things they disagree with - I know I sure can.

But if I look at his record on balance, I'm happy with my president.

[frazzled]

29. "this guy"

My, that's almost as good as "your boy."

That said, I'll tell you. Put aside the dysfunctional Congress, where no president is going to get anything big passed. I've been quietly watching what the President (yeah, that's his name, bub) has been doing behind the scenes in the realm over which he has control: executive-run agencies and departments. Two recent things have been the extreme increase in fuel-efficiency standards and requiring insurers to cover birth-control with no copays. There are hundreds of other "stealth" changes going on, and there would be more if Congress didn't block hundreds of his appointments. Think you're going to get 56 miles to the gallon rules and free birth control under President Romney?

Which brings us to appointments: we've seen the difference in appointments he's made to the CIvil Rights Commission and the Supreme Court (though we still don't have majorities). We've also seen the excellent people he's put forward (but who Congress has blocked). Courts? That is huge, at the district court and appeals level, if not SCOTUS.

We've all seen the "accomplishments" list. If you don't like "this guy" you're going to dismiss it. Our side is only focused on what he hasn't been able to get: a public option, for example, or tax hikes, even though we know he wanted them. Did Republicans throw George W. Bush under the bus when he failed to get privatization of Social Security, his big fat desire? Did they say he didn't really want it or didn't try hard enough? Did they call him "this guy" or even "boy"? I think not. They lost because Democrats blocked it (thankfully).

I'll support him because I think he's actually gotten a surprising amount done considering the political climate, and because I believe he will be able to do more in a second term, where he doesn't face reelection and where hopefully we'll get a Democratic majority in the House (well, I hope). I'll support him because I think he's been (this'll shock you) courageous: he was willing to expend all his political capital in his first year on a huge health care bill, in the middle of a recession, and although it fell short of the ideal, it was a huge step in the right direction and something that nobody else has even gotten close to accomplishing. I'll support him because I like his style and dignity and because I know that having a "fighter" or "yeller" (if such a Democrat could ever get elected) doesn't lead to anything. And yes, I'll support him because the alternatives are unthinkable.

[great white snark]

32. Damn straight frazzled.

Thanks for addressing "your boy" and for expressing my thoughts in a way I could never do.

You and our fellow supporters speak for me.

:thumbsup:

[NatBurner]

34. ...and there it is

[JoePhilly]

42. +1000

[killbotfactory]

67. this post sums it up nicely. nt

[ElsewheresDaughter]

30. .

[EC]

31. Answered your own question...

Confirmation...The courts are really at the lowest filled point they have been for ages...they have to fill the seats and the Congress just is not confirming anyone and they have managed to keep the Congress in session so there can be no recess appointments...he has to fill them somehow or there are backlogs of cases waiting years to go to trial. So he has to go with who will be confirmed.

[LWolf]

35. I won't.

I didn't work to elect him the first time around.

I've always recognized him.

Obligatory disclaimer:

I have not here, nor anywhere else on DU, at any time, said, suggested, or inferred that I will work to elect anyone else in 2012, outside of a decent challenger in a Democratic primary.

[Emillereid]

36. Because the alternative is unfathomable.

Actually examining the details of the deal -- I think Obama didn't get such a bad deal -- considering the hand he was dealt. Remember he was negotiating with bat shit crazies. Medicare recipients are not facing a cut. (Eventually the growth of medicare and all health care spending will have to be reined in)

And how did we get here: BECAUSE DEMOCRATS DID NOT SHOW UP IN NOVEMBER 2010!

IT'S TIME TO GET OBAMA'S BACK!

If the repukes win any more power -- I'll leave the country, because it will be toast.

[pansypoo53219]

37. UNTIL we get at least 5 left on the supreme court.

we MUST vote for the lesser of 2 evils or we get MORE EVIL.

[Bluenorthwest]

41. The appointments he has made so far and his lack of honesty

in general make it possible he would appoint a right wing Supreme anyway. He's into 'bipartisan, but not bisexual' and all of that. He might do it just to say fuck you to his last supporter.

[JoePhilly]

43. Just show us on the doll where Obama touched you.

geeeze.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

57. What's right-wing about Kagan and Sotomayor?

And I have no idea what the bisexual comment is referring to.

[DCBob]

45. The sickening memory of Bush/Cheney, the disturbing thought of McCain/Palin..

and the abject fear of Romney/Beckman.

[Phx_Dem]

46. Because he's done a great job and has more accomplishments than

I can keep track of. Here's a list (not that you give a shit).

http://www.obama-mamas.com/obama-accomplishments.htm

And all his promises kept.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/

[Name removed]

47. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jefferson23]

49. Obama picks Republican Barlow as U.S. Attorney for Utah

By Matt Canham

The Salt Lake Tribune

First published Aug 02 2011 03:53PM
Updated Aug 2, 2011 11:31PM
Washington • President Barack Obama tapped Sen. Mike Lee’s legal counsel to be the next U.S. attorney for Utah, a move that infuriated Democrats from the state and ended a lengthy political drama over who would claim the high-profile position.

The White House on Tuesday announced the nomination of David Barlow. He will need to win Senate confirmation before he can claim the spot as Utah’s top federal prosecutor, a job that has remained vacant since the end of 2009.

"I am pleased to nominate David Barlow to serve the people of Utah as a United States attorney," Obama said in a statement.

Barlow has worked as Lee’s top legal counsel since shortly after the freshman GOP senator won his 2010 election. Before that, Barlow was a partner in the Chicago office of Sidley and Austin, where he spent 10 years working on class-action suits involving pharmaceutical companies.

That is the same office where Michelle Obama worked as an associate and where in the early 1990s she met Barack Obama, who worked there as a summer associate.

Lee also worked for Sidley and Austin in Washington.

Utah Democrats blasted Barlow’s background and expressed confusion over why the president would pick a Republican when qualified Democratic lawyers expressed interest.

"We are very disappointed in the decision," said Todd Taylor, the executive director of the Utah Democratic Party. "What’s the deal? Is there something in his background that we don’t understand or is there some sort of deal that was cut between the Obama administration and our senators? And what are they giving up for this? There are a lot of fine-print details on this that don’t make any sense."

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52312818-90/utah-barlow-attorney-obama.html.csp

[Jefferson23]

50. Senator's Lawyer Picked for U.S. Attorney in Utah

Lee's general counsel and chief counsel for judiciary issues, David Barlow, is getting nominated as the next U.S. attorney for Utah, according to a White House news release late today. Barlow has been with Lee since the senator was sworn in, in January. He was previously a partner and associate at Sidley Austin, beginning in 2000. (Lee worked at Sidley early in his career and later became a partner at Howrey before running for Senate.)

According to court records, Barlow worked out of Sidley’s Chicago office. He represented AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in product-liability litigation and General Electric Co. in asbestos litigation. He got his bachelor’s from Brigham Young University in 1995 and his law degree from Yale Law School in 1998, according to his White House biography.

“I am pleased to nominate David Barlow to serve the people of Utah as a United States attorney,” President Barack Obama said in a statement.

In a separate statement, Lee called Barlow a “first-rate lawyer” whose willingness to leave Sidley’s partnership for public service “speaks volumes about his character.”

The Salt Lake Tribune has more reaction here.

There’s a long list of former Senate lawyers who have moved to the Justice Department. Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, was previously chief counsel to Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Last year, Michael Zubrensky, a lawyer for Sen. Richard Dubin (D-Ill.), left to work in DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy.

Also today, Obama nominated a judge with Washington ties for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Judge Adalberto José Jordán is a former clerk to Justice Sandra Day O’Connor who has served on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida since 1999.

Updated at 7:12 p.m.

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2011/08/senators-lawyer-picked-for-us-attorney-in-utah.html

[ejbr]

51. Because even if Obama PISSES me off on economic issues,

he is a far better choice on social issues. Pathetic, I know....

[Jefferson23]

52. David B. Barlow, some of his work involved pharmaceutical defense and toxic tort.

Some background from his previous work at Sidley Austin LLP

David B. Barlow, 35, is a partner in the Product Liability and Mass Torts Litigation Practice. His practice includes class actions, pharmaceutical defense, toxic tort, product liability and commercial disputes. Mr. Barlow has coordinated the defense of complex regional and national pharmaceutical and toxic tort cases.

http://www.sidley.com/newsresources/newsandpress/detail.aspx?news=2816

[Jefferson23]

53. I posted a bit of information re: Barlow, and I would give a lot as I'm sure

the Democrats in Utah would, to know why he nominated this man.

[zalinda]

54. Probably because he has an in with Obama

It was mentioned in another post that he and Obama worked at the same law firm for a while, and that later the guy worked with Michelle.

zalinda

[FrenchieCat]

55. Tell me what you'll do if he isn't reelected?

Piss in your pants or jump for joy?

So you are going to let others do your heavy lifting,
while you sit and watch?

[johnaries]

58. How about this?

http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/

[Cali_Democrat]

59. This article is a joke, right? He didn't really nominate this guy, did he?

[DCBob]

60. Here's a suggestion.. why not just accept the fact Obama is not a progressive..

but is still very popular and will likely get reelected. So instead of endless bashing and complaining, focus on how to work within that framework to get progressive type things done. You will be much happier and the rest of us will be much happier as well. Thanks!

[Fire1]

66. I can SHOW ya better than I can tell ya.

http://www.editedforclarity.com/2011/08/01/debt-ceiling-deal-the-devil-is-in-the-details/

[hedgehog]

68. Did you read the article?

"Barlow has worked as Lee’s top legal counsel since shortly after the freshman GOP senator won his 2010 election. Before that, Barlow was a partner in the Chicago office of Sidley and Austin, where he spent 10 years working on class-action suits involving pharmaceutical companies.

That is the same office where Michelle Obama worked as an associate and where in the early 1990s she met Barack Obama, who worked there as a summer associate."

Hmmm, sending someone who worked class action suits against Big Pharma out to a place where there are a lot of companies selling questionable supplements with unsubstantiated claims.

[Butch350]

70. Maybe it's something Similar to the "Stockholm Syndrome"?

[RBInMaine]

72. If you think this country will ever elect anyone more liberal than Obama, you need a new brain.

[rury]

74. +1,000,000,000,000

[rury]

73. Because he's good - the best president we have ever had

and I don't want a Rethuglikkkan president!!

[Tx4obama]

76. Obama has appointed over a THOUSAND folks and you pick out one?

Kinda silly to decide to not help re-elect our president due to only 'one appointment',
'one' appointment is like 'one' drop of water in the ocean
(and the ocean is very very big if you look at ALL the things President Obama has done other than just the appointments).
In my opinion it's laughable.

A LIST: http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/nominations-and-appointments