I'm calling for a boycott of the Presidential Inauguration January 21

[politicaljunkie41910]

As a woman of color with three grown kids, I can no longer stand by and watch this President disrespected and his refusal to stand up for himself, or for us. President Obama's acceptance of Susan Rice's withdrawl from consideration of Secretary of State is the last straw for me. I am tired of No Drama Obama, and want to see some of “Mad as Hell Obama, and some Ain’t Going to Take it Anymore" Obama.

An open letter to the President of the United States

Dear Mr. President,

You told Senators McCain and Graham that if they wanted to have a fight over Benghazi, that was a fight you were willing to engage them in, but that you would not stand by and watch them attack your UN Ambassador. But you did. As a woman of color with children, I have to ask, "When are you going to start standing up for yourself?" They don’t like you; we get that. They don’t have to. But you have got to make them respect the office that you occupy. If they don’t respect you, than they should be shown no respect. It might have to get ugly for a while, but when the bullies figure that you aren’t going to allow them to bully you, or disrespect you, they will go kick sand somewhere else.

Black people stood in line for hours to re-elect you. But you are unwilling to expend the ‘political capital’ to stand up for Susan Rice. You should not have allowed Susan Rice to withdraw her name from consideration for Secretary of State if she was your choice. If she wasn't your choice, you shouldn't have left her hanging out there to fend for herself; even though I have faith that she's a strong black woman, and could have fought for herself. The GOP in Congress has disrespected you. They questioned your intelligence. They disrespect your Attorney General, Eric Holder. They said that they don’t think he’s very bright. They disrespect your UN Ambassador, Susan Rice. They said they don’t think she is very bright. Do you see a pattern here? If they don't have to respect you and members of your administration, the bullies will certainly feel that they don't have to respect the rest of us. That's why they treated us with such contempt during the campaign. But we didn't back down then. So why are you?

The GOP never backs down from a fight over their nominees or, soon to be nominees. Even Clarence Thomas didn't back down and won his Senate Confirmation, and he had plenty of baggage. (And we know where that got us for a lifetime.) Why are you backing down? I'm tired of the pundits saying things like, "the President would have had to expend too much political capital, in the fight for her confirmation. Well some things are worth fighting for. And sometimes you have to bloody the bully's nose before he decides he better find someone else to pick on.

We cannot go another four years under these kinds of circumstances. We have to know that you are willing to fight for something. Right now, I don’t know what it is you are willing to fight for. You fought for re-election and you won. But behind the scenes many Democrats are afraid that you are going to capitulate to the bullies. Mr. President, you have to stand for something. Please tell me where your line in the sand is.

The GOP will never like you as long as you are in office. Get over it. As my mother use to tell us when when we were kids and we encountered bullies. I’m not sending you to school to be liked. I’m sending you to school to learn. Likewise, we didn’t send you to Washington to make friends. It’s nice if you do, but if you can’t, you’ve got a job to do. Do It.

Accept the fact that the loony right are probably never going to come around during your administration; perhaps even your lifetime. Once you accept it, you can move past it and let history be your judge and jury. You might not have known what to expect when you sought the office of the Presidency the first time, but you knew what the climate was there when you sought re-election. If you’re not up for the challenge, you should have stepped aside. You fought for the job for another 4 years, now fight the good fight. Right is on your side. Toughen up.

It took the Clinton’s 12 years and after having been accused of everything from drug running to Vince Foster’s murder. Suddenly Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry who they swift boated, are now their new BFFs.

So until I see otherwise, I’m calling for a boycott of your inauguration. That’s the line in the sand I drew. I will not stand up for you until you stand up for yourself, and your administration. Stand up to the bullies. When the bullies win, America loses.

Signed,
A Mom who believes in Tough Love.

[Robb]

1. Good luck with that!

"As yer attorney, ah advise you teh go fer it!"

[JoePhilly]

2. Cool, I'll get a closer seat!!!!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

132. Me, too! And I'll save you a seat! I live in D.C. and can get there quicker! :)

[upaloopa]

3. And so it begins. Roots to the reasons to stay

home in 2014.
I don't see why someone has to make a big splash whenever Obama displeases.
We all should know after 4 years Obama doesn't give out ponies.

[genna]

79. Inanity on DU? How is this possible to have a 'free gifts' person still here?

[PoliticalBiker]

122. Stay Home?

Then you REALLY don't understand how important it is not to.

[Cha]

4. Bullshit.

[Hekate]

91. Amen

to you, Cha, for calling BS when it appears.

[PoliticalBiker]

123. Why?

Explain please

[treestar]

140. You said it Cha!

[Cha]

144. ..

Hey treestar.. sad day..

No time for bullshit that's for sure.

[lunatica]

5. I agree with every word but I still love our President

and I believe in him. McCain really damaged Ms Rice. Maybe she thought it best to withdraw herself. I would have if I had been in her place.

[narnian60]

35. I agree.

[genna]

80. Lani Guinier, part 2

The only difference about the smear campaign is how much Rice's record stood unexamined because she never received a hearing.

Obama 1 for 3.

Susan Rice

-- McCain et al get upset and pitches a bitch

--- Obama comes out claims he is willing to have a Libya fight but OBVIOUSLY Rice isn't responsible for the State Department so pick a fight with him if he needs someone to argue with.

---- Within 6 weeks of the election, Obama knocks himself out by asking Rice to withdraw her name.

Desiree --- lady on First Lady's staff

--- person who failed to keep Misrahees out of a White House event

Shirley Sherrod

-- under the bus because Andrew Breitbart spliced together an NAACP event & Glen Beck has a big mouth.

---NO INDEPENDENT INTERNAL investigation whatsoever. The right screams bloody murder and it is over. The allegations aren't even true.

[PoliticalBiker]

125. The right screams bloody murder and it is over

This is one of my biggest problems with the democrats and why I'm an independent. Progressive, but an indepedent.
There needs to be more fight in the left... much more. Call out the wackos as soon as they spew their ignorance... and forcefully.
That's why the right has the advantage. They know the left won't put up much of a fight and can be rolled over easily.
There are those in the left that want to fight and are very capable of putting up that fight, but they don't get the right platform to do so... Nina Turner for instance - Senator in Ohio. Fiesty and isn't afraid to tell it like it is and point the finger to the real problem. There needs to be many, many more like Nina speaking out for what is real on the left.

[limpyhobbler]

6. I'm glad Susan Rice is gone because of her oil investments.

But if it wasn't for that, and it was just the Libya thing, I might agree.

[TheDebbieDee]

10. Yeah, that is a BIG conflict-of-interest. I'm glad she withdrew............

[Comrade_McKenzie]

7. I'm glad Keystone Rice is out of the running. nt

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. Oy vey

Like the election, this will be another chance to see how out of step you are with 1) the electorate in general and 2) progressive Democratic voters in particular.

Have fun.

[rivegauche]

9. I respect your opinion but I disagree.

For starters, she resigned. You don't know if they had a long talk about it, they probably did. He can't force her to be considered if she doesn't want to be. He almost certainly asked her to reconsider but it was her decision, ultimately.

He cannot win every battle, you must know this. And he cannot be expected to fight your battles, or my battles. In iother words - her isn't you. He isn't perfect, he's going to do stuff you don't agree with sometimes. On my own agenda, I wish he had closed Gitmo, but he didn't. Or couldn't. You and I don't have any idea how hard his job is, what kind of horrible asshole repukes he has to tolerate and not even mentioning the racism he has to endure. The point is, he is only human. A brilliant, amazing, honorable human but flawed like we all are.

I may disagree with him sometimes, but I still strongly stand by my President and I think he's doing an awesome job.

[mrsadm]

106. Agree 100%!!!

[Kahuna]

108. +1,000!

[treestar]

141. +1 million

too many lines in the sand. And of all such, this one is absurd. Several people are qualified for the job and it's not all about winning over the Republicans. We won the big one over them, why do we have to win every single little battle?

[DonCoquixote]

11. if Rice could not take the heat

I do not want her in the kitchen, period.

[jberryhill]

12. Oh at least wait until we find out who is gonna pray

But President Obama has never given the slightest indication that he intends to appoint Rice anyway. So, what is it he is "backing down" from?

[FarPoint]

13. Absolutely not!

I worked hard for the re-election of our President.

[backscatter712]

14. Have a nice day... n/t

[PoliticalBiker]

15. OUTSTANDING!!

I feel much the same way. I watched Obama get elected and watched him cave on point after point after point in the effort to get bipartisan support. It didn't happen. In fact, because he caved, the GOP expected him to cave. And they still do.
The ACA is landmark to be sure, but it is a mere shadow of the original. The same holds true with many other *accomplishments* he has capitulated to. I helped him to get re-elected. I don't want to see more of the same this time around.

I think you have one outstanding letter there. As a aging white guy, I think we should all send that letter to him. Flood his inbox with it so he gets the point. Enough is enough.
It's time to hit back... HARD!

[patrice]

67. OUTSTANDING defense of a WAR MONGER who is invested in DIRTY XL-pipeline OIL. link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021974232

[PoliticalBiker]

121. Really?

you quote a post that quotes an article that quotes her... in 2002 and 2003.

I'll let you in on a little secret.... It was HER JOB to mirror the administration she was working for. Just like she did for Obama.
What she said was in support of her boss. Remember who that was? If you don't, look it up.

I support her, not because she is black or she is a woman, but because she has a long history of DOING HER JOB. I think she would have been an outstanding choice as SoS

What are YOUR thoughts?

[genna]

83. I thought John Kerry should have been Sec. of State in the first term

I don't disagree with him at ALL.

He has been classy through this whole mess.

My problem is the lack of spine in Obama. It is obvious I disagree with many on this thread. SO BE IT.

[Jennicut]

16. The Benghazi thing was total BS but I always prefered John Kerry over Rice.

And I am a woman.
Rice was preferred by Obama because of her loyalty and friendship but Kerry has tons of experience and was head of the SFRC.

[Kahuna]

21. I agree 100%. Kerry would be perfect.

[politicaljunkie41910]

29. That doesn't mean that she wasn't as qualified as Kerry. They have different levels of experience.

Rice has over 20 years of experience in various aspects of the diplomatic corps. Who's to say that Kerry's experience is better or makes him more qualified than her. The President should have the right to determine who he wants on his team. But having put her in position as a possible nominee, she didn't deserve to be left out their hanging alone, while people take anonymous swipes at her about her finances, (nothing I saw wrong with hers) or make outrageous claims about her mental health.

[genna]

86. I'd think the President is the final arbiter of what experience couns

I am disappointed in him.

Why didn't he allow her to defend herself publicly for the last 6 weeks of a Republican whisper campaign? It is obvious who leaked these petty stories.

No Susan Rice was with him from the beginning when other people couldn't pronounce his name. Nominees deserve better treatment than this whether they get the job or not.

Her finances are a matter of public record. I don't know why Obama thought it'd be a good idea to let this assault go unanswered by her and his team for WEEKS!

[Tigress DEM]

58. I prefer Kerry too.

Thing is, as DEMs we have LOADS of QUALIFIED contenders for every nomination.

Not like "Brownie" who screwed up Katrina response.

Or *ush the stooge in the White House for 8 years.

Or that troop of mis-fits who fought to run up against Obama.

ANYONE Obama would nominate will be qualified for the position and bring 10 times what any rethug contender could because THE rethugs are about the money they can make and destroying the government - not figuring out what they can do for the people of America.

[MuttLikeMe]

17. I don't think you're really a "woman of color"

:rolleyes:

[politicaljunkie41910]

20. Why not? You don't think I'm bright?

Well you're wrong. I am black. I vote for President Obama twice and my husband worked the phone banks at one of his campaign offices. While I am a college education, member of the middle class, I think the President tries to hard to appease the very folks who seek to destroy him. I don't thing they will ever change and I don't want to spend the next four years watching him cow tow to them. I'm not a person who promotes violence, but I feel that sometimes you have to bloody the bully's not before he (or she) will go and find someone else to mess with. The bullies in the GOP's time has come.

[Kahuna]

22. I'll take your word that you're black, but I don't believe you are a college education...

[politicaljunkie41910]

24. You'd be correct. Am I allowed to correct myself?

[anneboleyn]

37. "kowtow" (cows have nothing to do with it) and the grammatical errors

such as "it took the Clinton's twelve years" (why is that possessive?) make me wonder about the "I am a college education" part as well...

[politicaljunkie41910]

39. Why don't you try writing more than one sentence with a coherent thought when you're steaming mad

and let us be the judge of writing skills. In the mean time chill. As far as the 'college education' error, someone else caught it long ago, and rather than correct and leave him out there hanging, I left it alone since he was a lot nicer about it. But thanks for your being so perfect. Just what the world needs.

[Kahuna]

18. I'm a black female, mother. What has that got to do with who the prez appoints as SOS??

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

133. Me, too! I am black. A woman. What does that have to do with anything?

[DevonRex]

19. Jesus fucking Christ. Telling us to

boycott the inauguration of the president we fought so goddamned hard to elect. Did you take a wrong turn somewhere?

You know how often we've heard this "last straw" bullshit? Always from somebody who earnestly gives us all their creds, too.

You think we're new or something?

[politicaljunkie41910]

23. My husband spent a lot of time working the phone banks at one of Obama's campaign offices.

But I delivered our family's votes on Obama's behalf, twice. Actually I was the one who volunteered my husband to work on the campaign, because my job would not permit me to participate. He would probably not agree with me, but he respects my opinion. And as a man who was raised in the racist south, and experienced racism, he knows what disrespect looks likes. My kids, certainly don't have the benefit of Ivy league school education, but they did all go to college, but what message does that send to them if they constantly hear our President and the members of his Administration who are black, referred to as 'not bright'. I don't think it's a coincidence that President Obama, Eric Holder, and now Susan Rice have each been referred to as 'not bright' at one time or another by members of the GOP. I certainly don't want to hear it from John McCain who graduated 5th from the bottom of his Naval Academy class, and who only made it into the Naval Academy because his Father and Grandfather wer Admirals in the Navy.

BTW, I am also a veteran, who loves this country as much if not more than anyone particularly any member of the GOP. I also, happen to love this President. But as I said in my original post, as a mother, I believe in tough love, and all my children are productive members of this nation.

[DevonRex]

25. Uh huh. Right.

[Kahuna]

26. The president is not your child! Get it? He's the President Of the United States.

He doesn't need your tough love. Sheesh.

[politicaljunkie41910]

49. Thanks for telling me that. I had no idea.

[anneboleyn]

40. your "boycott" makes NO sense. Because of the GOP, you are going to boycott??

the President's inauguration? Isn't that disrespectful in itself? This makes no sense.

[politicaljunkie41910]

50. My boycott is for the President's actions, or lack thereof. And not I don't think it's

disrespectful. The President makes his choices and I make mine. I do not choose to get up early, and stand long hours in the cold on Inauguration day. That is my choice. The President made his choice and I made mine.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

134. My sister: you don't see how boycotting the inauguration allows the Republicans to win?

You're playing right into their hands. There are more productive ways to demonstrate your disappointment. The letter is fine, even if I don't agree with it. The president does read constituent letters.

[treestar]

143. This boycott makes no difference to anything

The President will be inaugurated regardless. It doesn't even matter at that point how many people are happy about it.

[Kahuna]

41. So what, your husband OWNS him just because he worked to elect him. You should

probably get over yourself. Just sayin.'

[politicaljunkie41910]

48. Did I say my husband owned him? That is so stupid. I was responding to other posters

who thought that I might have some other agenda and I was simply letting them know that I too like and admire the President but that I was disappointed in him, and this was my way of expressing my disappointment.

[dionysus]

139. bless their little hearts, they try so very hard... care for a truffle?

on a bed of sapphires and onyx this time

[DevonRex]

146. They are so very earnest, aren't they? So touching.

Yes, I would love a truffle!!! I just made some black tea with mango. Perfect with a truffle.

[treestar]

142. I know, and this is the dumbest last straw of them all!

Lots of people could be SOS.

[DevonRex]

147. Wouldn't you just love to see PBO respond to

that "tough love" BS she poured on so thick? I would. Yes indeedy, I sure would.

[tj_crackersnatch]

27. this gives him an opportunity to put her in another assignment

Like the NSA. He isn't going to leave her out.

[phleshdef]

28. Fuck your boycott. It means nothing.

[PoliticalBiker]

127. Now there's intelligence for you

I don't agree with the boycott part of it, but the rest? Spot on.

[lbrtbell]

30. So many irrelevant points.

What's being a mom, or a woman, or African-American got to do with anything? What about childless people, men, or people of all other races?

To demonstrate how irrelevant all that is, look how stupid I appear by saying this:

"As a childless woman of Celtic descent, I can no longer stand by and watch John McCain stir up trouble for his own personal gain. I'm calling for a boycott of C-SPAN because they air footage of him speaking."

It's not about gender, race, age, or how many kids you have. It's about the Democratic Party, which is inclusive of all races, both genders, all religions, and LGBT people. Young people, Latinos, women, men, ALL Obama supporters stood around for hours to vote for a second term. Your post discredits the efforts of everybody who is not exactly like you.

None of us is a special snowflake. We are all Democrats. If you have a problem with what elected Democrats are doing, pick up a phone or write a letter to contact them directly.

Boycotting companies is one thing, but boycotting an event? The only thing that would accomplish would be to embolden the Republicans, so they could say, "See? He doesn't have a mandate!"

tl;dr - No thanks, I won't join your circular firing squad.

[anneboleyn]

38. amen lbrtbell!

[Amonester]

61. Nobody (else) is going to boycott anything.

Lest of all, the Inauguration.

[DinahMoeHum]

31. What "backing down"??? Obama DID NOT nominate her.

Rice and Obama are out NOTHING here. No loss here.

Rice remains Ambassador to the UN, and while she was on a list of probable nominees, she was NOT formerly nominated by the POTUS. No skin off her nose here.

Obama will simply turn to others on his short list of probable nominees. No skin off his nose here.

This is a FAKE issue.

[politicaljunkie41910]

36. He may not have nominated her, but he let it be known that she was on his short list for the

SoS position. He also stated that he would be glad to have that fight over Benghazi with McCain and Graham if they wanted to but did nothing. He also stood by while an anonymous campaign to discredit her took place. Also, McCain's attacks against her were personal based on the fact that she was President Obama's foreign policy advisor during the 2008 campaign and made comments about McCain and his foreign policy bravado that he apparently didn't appreciate. It doesn't mean it wasn't true though, just that McCain didn't like her for saying so, and is a bitter old man, who just needs to go away.

[DinahMoeHum]

47. Being on the list and being nominated are NOT the same thing.

FAKE ISSUE. Obama and Rice are out nothing.

Fuck McCain. He's a nothing.

Rice has not been fired or anything. She remains, and will continue to be the UN ambassador for as long as she wants.

Now let's move on.

[treestar]

145. +1

geez it takes backing down and caving to entirely new levels. The POTUS would have to be a bully to satisfy the OP - getting mad at every opposition ever voiced anywhere.

He beat McCain for the presidency - end of need to crush McCain.

[Avalux]

32. Hello? Your post is ridiculous - pay attention:

One of President Barack Obama's Senate allies said Thursday the White House has assured him the president won't yield to GOP demands to increase the eligibility age for Medicare.

Obama's fellow Illinois Democrat, Sen. Dick Durbin, told reporters that increasing the Medicare age is "no longer one of the items being considered by the White House."

On Thursday, Sen. Jim DeMint, a South Carolina Republican and leading conservative figure, predicted that Obama would prevail in the fight over taxes.

A leading conservative who's resigning from the Senate is predicting that President Barack Obama will win the battle over raising taxes.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/12/fiscal_cliff_president_obama_w_1.html

[Iggo]

33. Uh-huh. Okay.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

34. Wait a min

You're mad that President Obama allowed Rice to withdraw herself from consideration? Pray tell, how would you have made her stay under consideration? He was pretty vocal about his support of her when McCain, et. al started kicking up dust but made it clear that he hadn't even decided to nominate her yet. And let's not forget that the right wasn't the only group kicking her around before she withdrew her nomination................Boycott the inauguration all you want if it makes you feel better.

[politicaljunkie41910]

42. And did nothing further, while a whisper campaign about BS to discredit her, transpired.

[Avalux]

45. What about Rice do you love so much? She's a hawk, supported invading Iraq.

I don't think she's the best choice and don't want her to be SOS, and I'm having difficulty understanding why you're so angry.

[PoliticalBiker]

128. She's a hawk, supported invading Iraq

Not necessarily. Context.

It was her job to support Iraq. Remember who her boss was at the time?

Context. Gotta love it.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

55. I find it interesting that some people is jumping all over President Obama

but very few seem upset at McCain, Graham, Ayotte, and all of the other Republican pundits and right-and-left-wing smear artists that contributed to Rice's decision to withdraw. Of course, as usual, it's simply easier to blame President Obama for not doing.......something......that might have prevented her from withdrawing her nomination.

[emulatorloo]

84. Any excuse to spread anti-Democratic lies and disinformation

First time I have logged on to DU in a while. All I see are haughty ideologues spewing this kind of ridiculous bullshit.

[patrice]

102. Unintentionally or otherwise, a lot of people confuse Presidents with KINGS.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

124. Where did that notion come from?

I personally think that a lot of people got used to George W. Bush getting everything he wanted, so when President Obama rolled into office, a lot of us assumed that he would be able to do the same, particularly since he had a Democratic Congress to work with during the first two years. Unfortunately, it really doesn't seem to work that way, particularly for Democrats. Clinton had a Democratic Congress for the first two years in office and he ran into the same roadblocks on some of his policies. It seems like Democrats in Congress prefer to assert their "independence" from their Presidents while Republicans practically rubberstamp everything their Presidents want to do. Nonetheless, Presidents don't have unlimited power and I'd rather have one that respects the constitutional framework that our founders laid out as opposed to Presidents like George W. Bush whom assert near unilateral control of the government.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

135. A good number of DUers didn't stand by Rice, either. And how to do you know he did nothing?

Were you there behind closed doors? Do you know every discussion they had? Every sentiment expressed? How do you know that Obama didn't try and pressure her to remain on the shortlist? You don't know these things. It's pure speculation.

[NYC Liberal]

43. I am proud of President Obama and the way he has stood up to the bullies in the GOP

in the face of unpredecented disrespect, racism, and obstruction.

I hope to be attending the inauguration and if I'm unable to, then I will be happily watching from home to witness it.

[quakerboy]

44. Fight: yes. For the right cause: For sure, 100%

I Dont think this was it, though. One person who is qualified, but with some baggage hanging on both sides of the isle, when there are others equally or more qualified, is not the line I would choose.

The people are the line. This had nothing to do with us. This was a personality conflict among the powerful. Rice was in no way a metaphor for the people. She was not our chosen rep, nor particularly noted for being an outstanding out spoken advocate of us. She was another politician. So if she comes or goes, stays or leaves, at the end of the day it means relatively little in the grander scheme.

Now, medicare. Medicaid. Social Security. taxing the rich. Increasing health care. These are all lines I can support. He crosses those and I am right there with you. Still pissed over the lines he has crossed in the past. And at the same time cautiously hopeful, based on the news of the past few weeks, that second term Obama has a bit more spine than first term Obama. Reasonably so. Its no longer a fluke that he is in office, There is now repeatable proof that the people wanted President Obama in office, and presumably wanted him to stand for the kinds of things he spoke about on the campaign trails.

I don't recall rice's nomination being a campaign issue. Not like taxes. Or ending wars. If Rice is really what the people want, lets pull a Warren. The Repubs say no to her nomination, run her for senate where she will be even more powerful. If the people want her, they can vote her in.

[Historic NY]

46. Well Amb. Rice realized that a protracted fight with hearing & delays wasn't going to help

her or the country. The country needs a S-O-S not a year pissing contest. She will stay at the UN.

[Arkana]

51. Oh for crying out loud.

The butthurt is strong with this one.

You are acting under the assumption that Rice was forced out. What if she wasn't? What if she decided "fuck this, I'm out"?

And even if she was, her zealous pro-Israel leanings and her TransCanada ties made her unpalatable anyway.

[patrice]

52. You're defending a WAR MONGER who's invested in XL PIPELINE? Bbwaaaaa, Hha! Ha! haaaa! link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021974232

[patrice]

53. BTW, "Tough Love" IS for ir-responsible bullies & I've never seen it produce anything but tragedy.nt

[libdem4life]

54. The lady is capable of thinking for herself, making her own decisions and acting on them. The rest

is speculation and not very respectful to either Rice or Obama.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

56. +1

I'd like to know where the threads are calling for McCain and Graham's resignations for how they treated her from the get-go.

[libdem4life]

59. Absolutely.

[NOVA_Dem]

57. ITA, I'm tired of people making excuses for him being soft.

I'm sick of fighting for a man who won't fight for our values. It's just like after the first debate. Obama let Romney lie his ass off and didn't stand up for himself. It took MSNBC hosts practically cussing him out to get him to fight back in the 2nd and 3rd debate.

Now we have posters trying to justify the cave-in by talking about the investments that Susan Rice has when no one gave a shit until it looked like she wouldn't make it through confirmation.

[FrenchieCat]

60. Well, why don't you micromanage the President.....

and I'll tend to the actual politicos who will fuck you up
while you watch the President.

As for you being tired of people......so Am I.

[NOVA_Dem]

63. No one is going to "fuck" me up least of all you or any "politicos."

Go get yourself a latte and get to steppin'.

[FrenchieCat]

64. You didn't see Rachel's report yesterday of how the Republicans

plan on winning the next Presidency.....OBVIOUSLY!

And, no...I'm not here to fuck you up, cause I'm not a Republican politician. Get it?

[NOVA_Dem]

72. Rachel is late in talking about how Republicans plan on screwing with the EC.

OBVIOUSLY you're the one who's late.

I love Rachel but I find her tendency to make the same point 4 different ways tiring. She's great for that dumb ass relative who doesn't know what's going on but for me I find it filler. She could fit so much more into her show.

[FrenchieCat]

78. Be as critical of others that are actual doing what matters as much as your heart desires.....

Hope it makes you feel superior!

[NOVA_Dem]

87. You questioned whether I watched a particular show...

you were incorrect.

[Arkana]

117. And I'm tired of people underestimating him.

You guys complain he doesn't get anything done, but you refuse--REFUSE--to support him when his back's against the wall.

He never even nominated her. For all we know, she decided "fuck this, it isn't worth it and I can be NSA anyway".

[Kahuna]

153. + 1,000,000!!!

[FrenchieCat]

62. As a woman of color with two grown kids and a grandchild on the way.....

I suggest that you do what you want to do.

Pres. Obama didn't nominate Susan Rice......so I'm not sure what the fucking over-the-top drama is all about.
The press "Rumored" that Pres. Obama "might" nominate her......
and it appears that even if that was "perhaps" the case,
it isn't any longer.

That's not the same thing as "standing for something".....
but you must know that!

Personally, I'm sick and tired after 4 years of folks shitting on the president everytime he took a breath,
and the fact that it appears that some folks are gonna shit on him for another 4. Now isn't that special?

[patrice]

65. I'm with you FrenchieCat! I was here the night of 9/11/12 and saw photos posted by Libyans

on the internet and then brought here.

Something VERY strange happened in Benghazi that day.

I'm PROUD as hell of our President for being on top of what happened & not letting McCain sucker him!

And I'm starting to LOSE my temper at these attacks against President Obama here on the "Democratic" Underground.

[Hekate]

92. Thank you FrenchieCat for your strong words

My Gods, Teh Stupid is out in force tonight isn't it? In thread after thread after thread...

I think I'll go back to reading The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History by John Barry. Lots of good science in it, a great scientific murder mystery, if you will. Good stuff, and better than hanging out here wishing I could throttle someone.

Hekate

[Kahuna]

109. +1,000,000..

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

136. November 6, 2012 did nothing to change Obama Derangement Syndrome. Get ready for a more potent

disease in the coming four years. Hell, to show how much they respect Obama, they're already talking about Hillary for 2016. We can't even get to Election 2014. It's so disrespectful. It's so offensive. But let ODS continue. I'm getting much use out of the TRASH THREAD and IGNORE options. They are now my best friends.

[liberalmuse]

66. Have you read Susan Rice's Op Ed?

It was her decision. Jesus, people are so reactionary over President Obama - whether it be from the right or the left. He can't breathe wrong without people are jumping his shit. It's completely unfair.

Boycott the inauguration? I will do no such thing!

[FrenchieCat]

69. Well, ya know....A Black Educated Woman that has gotten as far as Ambassador Rice has...

Couldn't be telling the truth! She must be lying to cover up the fact
that her boss didn't stand for something or something like that!
Ya know....

[JI7]

68. lets assume you really are upset about this , your reaction is to boycott the inauguration ? hahhahh

seriously ?

[genna]

70. My temper is flaring right now but that is def con 10

Surely there are some steps between being totally disrespected and humiliated publicly for someone else's job performance

and

sending a message that we as democrats, we as sisters united, we as African American voters, or we as people of a certain age or any other coalition don't appreciate

that in Obama's first fight of a second term THE PRESIDENT rolled on his back and threw his legs up in the air.

[FrenchieCat]

71. What part of "Pres. Obama didn't EVER nominate Rice" don't you get?

Your friends, the media and the Republicans, are the ones pretending that she was nominated, and they hoped
like hell you'd play along......
They'd like nothing better than to have folks upset at the President not standing for something that he
didn't do to have to stand up for. The media is your friend to follow, and they will lead you off a big ass tall cliff
that has nothing to do with tax rates.

[politicaljunkie41910]

88. We know that he didn't officially nominate her. Contrary to your opinion, everyone, but you, is not

not stupid. But it is a fact that her name was floated by the Administration and the Press Corp that she was on the short list and also that she was his choice for the position. The President is entitled to have the person he choses as his SoS. But he wasn't willing to fight for her, as he stated he would, and left her out there blowing in the wind particularly when all the anonymous attacks began, and they were a bunch of BS. But she had to remain silent in spite of the smear campaign.

And for those who think she had a conflict of interest because she and her husband (who happens to be Canadian) have stock in a Canadian oil company, big deal. There is no conflict because she disclosed the matter on her federal disclosure statement as a member of the Executive Branch. The State Dept. is a big place and the fact that she might have a conflict of interest just means that she would not be a part of the decision making process.

For those that think that she is such an awful person because she owns oil stock at all, they need to grow up. I assure you if there is any money to be made in the XL Pipeline, you can rest assured, half the Congress would have stock in the Company.

In the end, the President treated Susan Rice shabbily and she deserved better. She has too much class and too much respect for the President to say otherwise. He's not perfect. But it is what it is.

[FrenchieCat]

95. I think Pres. Obama and Ambassador Rice are fine with each other......

Both are grown ups who understand The Republicans and corporate media....
and the politics of these days.

In the end, Pres. Obama made Susan Rice UN Ambassador when he didn't have to. He treated her very well,
and also went to bat for her in his first Television interview after the election.

You, who choose not to believe what Ms. Rice wrote is the one treating both the President and the Ambassador
shabbily, while leaving the Republicans alone. How brave of you! You must be some kind of hero or something!

[patrice]

103. Please share your links to the "facts" in para. 1 sentence #2. We need to see PO quotes, not 2nd

or 3rd hand interpretations of what he said. You should produce his actual words containing the facts that you claim.

[patrice]

73. So you want a WAR MONGER with DIRTY OIL XL-pipeline investments for SOS. McCain suckered DU, but

not President Obama.

[Kahuna]

110. As an African American, I want the best person for the job. I suspect

that there are others in contention that could be considered a better fit. Personally, I think that John Kerry would be KICK FUCKIN' ASS in that position.

[patrice]

74. John McCain SUCKERED the "Democratic" Underground, but not President Obama. nt

[FrenchieCat]

75. Here.....

GO call that Black Woman a liar....why dontcha, since you feel so strongly about it all!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021974788

[politicaljunkie41910]

77. I have no doubt that Susan Rice is one classy woman. That is not the point.

She's a team player and took one for the President. If you think this doesn't emboldens the GOP and ensures that there will be more attacks which will go unanswered, because their tactics are working, than North Korea has a rocket that they'd like to sell you.

[FrenchieCat]

82. Sounds like you are calling Ms. Rice a liar.....

As a Black woman, I can say to you......that's not very classy of you.
Why spend time making speculative assumptions about what she did?
Why not simply believe what the woman took the time to write down?
What kind of a supporter of hers are you?
Seems more like you are a detractor of the President, which is why not
believing her own article is more acceptable to you.

Guess you think most of us were born yesterday, hey?

[Dreamwithnolove]

94. First time posting I couldn't resist

To comment on your many post thus far. Listen give it up. I respect your passion but your argument is stale. You and your husband were not the only ones standing long hours or making calls. I was one to do both this year and 2008. I decided in 2008 that I was standing with this president through the ups and downs and I can't abandon him now. We are not going to always agree with all of his decisions but agree we must push him in the direction best for the union.

I live in DC and attended the first inauguration and remember the beauty of the event I could never boycott the ceremony we should always show solidarity and stand together or fall for anything.

You began your statement with a good argument about his needing to stand his ground. But you began to lose focus and you certainly didn't do a good job defending your argument once you were challenged. Now this is DU imagine if you were in contention for high office, perhaps this is exactly why Amb. Rice suggested removing her name from possible contention.

I for one respect Dr. Rice and certainly know of her suitability for the job as well as her esteem academic career however, I thought her nomination was a BIG conflict of interest. Starting with those keystone interest and her willful neglect of the people of Rowanda on her watch.

Before you ponder I'm a black mom too.

Peace & blessings

[Kahuna]

154. So when others are attacking the President, you join in the chorus...

YOU are the one who emboldens his enemies. I stand by my president.

[bunnies]

113. The President is a "wuss"?!

Why on earth would you vote for a "wuss"?! You DID vote for him didnt you?

[Walk away]

129. It's always telling when a "Dem" refers to "the Dems".

[emulatorloo]

81. More dumbass ideologue DU bullshit. This place has turned into a cesspool

[FrenchieCat]

85. Hi, emulatorloo!

Last edited Fri Dec 14, 2012, 01:03 AM - Edit history (1)

That's why I barely bother anymore.

Just thought I'd check in today, based on the news.....

and of course, they are out almost with their pants down!

[UCmeNdc]

89. Naw, Vote the GOP bums out!

[MzShellG]

90. I'm just curious. What is boycotting the inauguration going to accomplish?

We just need to be more active and vocal in the political arena. Prez Obama's attention is usually most focused on those who plead their cases with the most passion.The boycotting of a ceremony isn't going to further any particular agenda. So that's pointless IMO.

[underthematrix]

93. Not gonna happen - I plan to work hard

to get rid of every Congressional GOPer in 2014

[Dreamwithnolove]

96. Right on!!!

Touché! Please proceed

[patrice]

104. One of the interesting aspects of all of this kick-PO's butt for everything crowd: they appear to

have little or no interest in Congress.

Honest to goodness, from all of the time I spend here, it appears most people think Presidents are kings, so he's obviously not doing what he COULD do and, since he isn't, we must assume that he is our enemy and WANTS to insult us and to do us harm.

Not. kidding. That's how it reads around her quite a bit of the time.

Not that much interest in Congress, quite revealing that.

[pnwmom]

97. I don't buy this, whoever you are. Susan Rice, with her investments

in the XL pipeline, is not worth going to the mat for.

I think the number of people who would boycott the inauguration for this reason can probably be counted on a pair of thumbs.

[trueblue2007]

98. boycott the president

good luck with that.
sounds like a loser proposition.

Sorry but I don't feel President Obama has done anything to warrant a boycott.

[reteachinwi]

99. I agree

He should have nominated her. Make them abuse her ad nauseum. Poor Ms. Rice would have to suffer their abuse, but the spectacle of old white men standing in the way of a talented African-American woman would expose them for the cruel anachronism they are in 2012.

[Azathoth]

100. For Christ's sake, no one cared whether Rice lived or died until McCain opened his mouth

For the past four years, she has been, at best, a secondary presence in the Obama administration, a name most people know only because she was one of Obama's first credible foreign policy surrogates during the primaries. Before that, she was a well-heeled Beltway insider who spent the last two decades oscillating between prestigious diplomatic roles and cozy think tank jobs. During all that time mingling with the Georgetown cocktail crowd, she apparently made lots of enemies yet neglected to build a support network the way Hillary and Condi did. Was she qualified to be SoS? Sure, but Republicans realized she didn't have the support and so they shrewdly forced an issue. They essentially challenged Obama to nominate her for something important, the White House stupidly responded by publicly toying with the idea, and then Obama had to back down when he realized the support wasn't there. Them's the breaks in Washington.

[bluestateguy]

101. Why wasn't Susan Rice willing to fight for herself?

Every statement the president made was 100% supportive of her. Where is the evidence that he pushed her out? She has to be willing to fight for herself before we can expect others to do so for her.

Obama stood up for himself throughout the entire campaign (save for that one bad night in Denver). Maybe you didn't notice.

And I assure you, Obama or anybody else will not notice your inauguration "boycott" (whatever that would entail)

[Whisp]

105. tripe.

[politrixjunkie]

107. hmmm...It seems there are a lot of us educated black moms on here

who respectfully disagree with you. Though in all honesty, I'm not sure what being a black mom has to do with this situation.

Girl, you have to ride this rollercoaster with all of us - up and down, round and round, back and forth.

I see it differently from you. I saw Obama go to bat for Rice. If SHE decided to step down as she says on her op-ed, who am I to second guess her?

Look she's a black mom too - maybe she didn't care to deal with the drama and stress this fight would cause. Some folks don't care for the POLITRIX of POLITICS.

[onenote]

111. On January 22 get back to us and let us know how many people heeded your "call"

By the way, one person I'm pretty sure won't be "boycotting" the inauguration: Susan Rice.

[One of the 99]

112. This is what is wrong with out politics.

The whole 'my or the highway' additude. Politicians have to make compromises to get things done. They have to pick their battles wisely for the greater good. And sometimes they have to settle for only getting 50% of what they want.

But those who want everything and want it now are poisoning the process. This has been the problem on the right and is becoming an increasing problem on the left. All this does in the end is weaken your own side and make the country ungovernable.

[Arkana]

114. This is why the right is getting more and more marginalized.

They're abandoning their people for perceived slights the exact same way.

[gkhouston]

115. Okay. You've called for it.

[bunnies]

116. Im sure he will be heartbroken.

You go ahead and ignore it. The rest of us will be celebrating his reelection.

[ancianita]

118. I'm calling for loyalty. No president in my lifetime has faced the low-down opposition this one has.

Loyalty. In the 'big tent' of the Democratic Party, it must be the highest priority while we squabble. You can't feel more frustration than our party's president has. Fuss and email, call and protest, mock and point, but don't exhibit disloyal behavior. No "last straw" talk, no abandonment threats. You weaken all of our future causes by talking that talk.

[ProSense]

119. I've read a lot of stupid crap, and

this ranks at the top.

"You should not have allowed Susan Rice"

Does the fact that she doesn't want to be bothered with the idiotic political climate matter to you? Or do you think the President should force her to do something against her will?

I suggest you read her opinion, and respect it:

Susan Rice: Why I Withdrew
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021974788

"boycott of the Presidential Inauguration"

[WI_DEM]

120. Yeah, you go ahead and organize your little boycott. I'll enjoy this president

being sworn into office for a second term. It's also telling who are among those who recommended this post.

[RomneyLies]

126. What a completely stupid thing to get pissed off over.

So you'd rather have Rice as SoS than keep the Medicare age at 65?

Sound crazy? Sure as shit isn't. Expend political capital on Rice and you don't have as much to save Medicare.

Reality sucks, but thems the breaks.

[demokatgurrl]

130. A great letter that should be mailed to the White House

Obama does read mail.

[Sunlei]

131. I disagree with you. It would be wrong for the President to drag politics into a SOS position.

That's what the crazy Republicans were doing and exactly what they wished/baited the President to do. Mrs. Rice did what she knew she had to do in that situation.

What I hope is the President has someone else in mind for that position (other than Kerry) or Mrs. Clinton remains as SOS for a year or so longer.

[babylonsister]

137. Unrec. I think MY President

knows which fights to pick, and this was a loser. And you don't even know if she was on the short list other than media speculation.

'Pick your battles' is how my family thinks; he just have bigger battles he wants to save his ammo for, ones where there is a possibility of winning.

But rant on if it makes you feel better; you won't be missed as I'm sure there will be loads of people positively delighted to be there. And grateful. And relieved.

[great white snark]

151. Absolutely.

I choose to boycott her boycott.

[scheming daemons]

138. Cool story, Sis! (I don't believe you)

Troll.

[Bucky]

148. This is a lot of the same reasons why I don't buy Astros season tickets anymore

[Special Prosciuto]

149. boycott bullshit

The President now has 4 more years to put down the fascists. I hope he uses it.

[Skidmore]

150. So you can't stand him being disrespected and will add to it by disrespecting him yourself

by boycotting an inaugural ceremony?

[Kahuna]

155. I know, right? She can take this crap to wherever tavis and cornell spout off.

[politicaljunkie41910]

156. To stand in the cold for hours is a choice, not a sign of disrespect.

I just don't happen to choose to do so on January 21. It doesn't mean that I don't like the President, quite the contrary. If you read any of my other posts in this thread you will note that I like him very much and have supported him, and still do.

[lillypaddle]

152. unrec

I wish I could

[Dustin DeWinde]

157. boycott is stupid but kerry still sucks

While the idea of boycotting Obamas second inauguration is obvious teabaggery., I disagree that Kerry should be picked. not only would it open up a Senate seat for Scott Brown, it would reward McCain since McCain wants Kerry. the main reason for the GOP opposition to rice is her race. the president should pick one of the many qualified black people available for sec of state. if bigots of either party don't like it, too damned. bad

[politicaljunkie41910]

158. I don't happen to agree with you that my actions are "teabaggery".

I happen to think that to stand in the cold for hours is a matter of choice, and not a sign of disrespect. I just don't happen to choose to stand in long lines int the cold as a display of support on January 21. It doesn't mean that I don't like the President, quite the contrary. If you read any of my other posts in this thread you will note that I like him very much and have supported him in the past, and still do. I don't like what I'm seeing and hearing as he embarks on a 2nd term and this is my way of voicing my disapproval. Others ar entitled to their opinions and I don't begrudge their disagreement with me.