Did We Want Obama To Be Dubya's Liberal Alter Ego? Where's the Redmeat?

[Median Democrat]

It seems like many folks on these boards are upset with Obama's efforts to reach out to rivals such as Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Joe Lieberman. Yes, he promised to do this, but everyone promises to be bipartisan, but we don't expect anyone to actually do it. Several magazines commented on this before the election, but Obama's recent actions drive home the point that Obama is not the liberal alter ego of Bush. He is not vindictive. He does not demonize his foes. Heck, he meets with them, and in the case of Hillary, is trying pretty darn hard to incorporate her into his administration notwithstanding Bill's sprawling enterprises, which may pose conflicts of interest.

I think many liberals are thinking, "Hey, its out turn" and "Its time for payback." Well, for better or worse, Obama was quite serious when he spoke of his admiration for Lincoln as depicted in the book, "Team of Rivals." (Great Book!). Obama was also quite serious about the challenges facing the U.S. I am starting to see the budget projections at my work for the next year, and they are UGLY. 2009 is not going to be pretty in terms of the economy. Also, foreign policy issues have a way of interrupting the best laid plans.

Let me put it this way, can you imagine if George W. Bush was President during instead of Lincoln or FDR? Dubya would have appointed a bunch of like minded yesmen, and demonized his rivals. Yet, some of fault Obama for not doing what a liberal alter-ego version of Dubya would do.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. I am. I love Obama but we Dems have been singing Kumbaya for 8 years....

Isn't it time to dump the damned song and activity booklet already?

[Median Democrat]

10. The Irony Is That Obama Was Painfully Obvious About Being Bi-Partisan...

After 8 years of Bush, a lot of folks are tired of the politics as a war in which anything goes routine. Indeed, Obama would not have been able to re-draw the map if he had not campaigned and reached out to red states that typically support Republicans. Obama is doing what he said he would do.

Here is the irony: Bush said he would be bi-partisan, then pursued one of the most ruthlessly partisan presidencies in modern times. In the process, Bush leads the nation into two wars and the worst economic crysis since the Great Depression.

Obama says he is going to be bi-partisan, and (surprise!), he means it. After Bush's ruthless campaign against political opponents at the cost of national unity, I am more than willing to try a new way.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. I have nothing against being somewhat bipartisan, but since when does...

bipartisan include keeping traitors against the Democratic Party and the people of the U.S.? Aren't we sick and tired of this same old tired shit?

[Median Democrat]

14. Same? Are You Saying Bush Or Clinton Would Have Done The Same?

Bush would have been accusing his past foes of being terrorists by now. Same? Didn't Bill Clinton roll into the White House with a bunch of outsiders initially, which caused problems with his transition? I disagree that Barack Obama is simply repeating what Bush or Clinton did. Also, I could never see Bill Clinton offering a cabinet position to Jerry Brown or Paul Tsongas, his chief rivals for the Democratic nomination.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

15. I'm saying that every time Dems had a chance recently to go against Bush, they did not and now....

... Now we're keeping traitors like Lieberman.

[provis99]

2. Dubya is gone in two months

I want Obama to take vengeance on those Republican bastards up and down Washington DC, and stop this baloney about bipartisanship.

[BeFree]

3. What you want

Doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

We, the people, are gonna have to take revenge out on all them every two years, and Obama is just gonna keep doing what got him there.

So you might as well just go over to freeperville where they will beat up on Obama, maybe you'd be happier there? Now, I hate to say that, but it is good advice for those who want to try to make Obama change the way he does things.

[meow mix]

4. this unity is great, all sides are getting to be represented. (except the far left)

so far us liberals get nothing, we who carried him up through primaries.

[Webster Green]

7. Yep, we're fucked!

Same old shit. Kiss the asses of the right wing dick-heads and hope for the best.

It figures.

USA! USA! USA! :puke:

[Median Democrat]

8. Well, Given That He Said He Would Be Bipartisan...

Why did we support him, and not a liberal alter ego of Pat Buchanan, like Dennis Kucinich. Quite frankly, I find it odd that people are expressing surprise or disappointment that Obama is doing exactly what he said he would do. The fact of the matter is that if Obama had actually campaigned on a platform that he would be a liberal version of Bush, he would have lost. Indeed, when John McCain had tried to paint Obama as a liberal version of Bush, the charge failed because it was not true. Now, some folks are upset that liberals don't get their own version of Bush?

My view is that Bush was not only a bad president because his policies suck, but because he was a terrible leader, who never tried to unite the Nation based on shared ideals following 9/11. Instead, he was ruthlessly idealogical and partisan. I would not want a person with the same qualities as Bush even if they were a liberal.

[meow mix]

9. just asking to be included, not left out entirely

so far it looks pretty bad from my vantage

[BlooInBloo]

5. And those uber-progressives that he has reached out to are WHOM again?

Don't caricature something you disagree with. It makes you look dishonest.

[Cha]

6. I want him to

be Obama..this isn't over.

Don't like it... talk to these guys..
http://www.change.gov/

[Dr Fate]

12. Bush trusted Lieberman, so no, I dont want Obama to be like Bush.

Bush put incompetent, dishonest people like Lieberman in top positions- so no, I dont want to see Obama follow that path.

[apocalypsehow]

13. Get ready for a shitload of this:

"B-B-Bu-But, that's different." "B-B-Bu-But, that's different." "B-B-Bu-But, that's different." "B-B-Bu-But, that's different." "B-B-Bu-But, that's different." "B-B-Bu-But, that's different." "B-B-Bu-But, that's different." "B-B-Bu-But, that's different." "B-B-Bu-But, that's different." "B-B-Bu-But, that's different."

Bank it.

[Jennicut]

16. Obama has never been far left and the far left never "put" him there

At least not by themselves. It was the base, the independents, former Repubs, AAs, hispanics, catholics, more women then men, the youth vote, the ex Hillary supporters. It was a coalition. Not one group is more important. Without one, it would have fallen apart. If someone wanted Dennis Kucinich then they will be sadly let down. Only the Rethugs think Obama is a socialist to be. He is doing fine in my opinion. His views are more liberal then Clinton's were (he does not believe in co-opting any Rethug ideas) but he does not believe in the disgusting all-hatred atmosphere of Washington. He wants to change it. He only said that a million times. What does revenge do for you? Does it even really effect the Rethugs? Not really. They were punished in the election. They are flailing looking for a new game plan. That is real punishment. Now its time to stop bickering and sniping and get down to business. If the Rethugs don't go along they will screw it up for themselves and look like obstructionists. Obama is a smart, smart man.

[meow mix]

17. hillary supporters and republicans carried obama through the primaries?

:rofl:

[Jennicut]

18. I voted for Obama in the primaries as well. But I was talking about the GE.

Wow, you really don't like Obama. Why didn't you vote 3rd party instead?

[meow mix]

19. ill take the insult as concession.

and please tell me...
how am i suppose to be happy watching the left get completely locked out? just curious

[Jennicut]

23. Maybe because he isn't even sworn in yet? Geez. Go vote Green next time or something.

[blonndee]

25. +1

good post. Well said.

[mwei924]

20. I find it funny that people are mad that Obama is keeping his promises.

He said he would work with people he doesn't agree with. He said he would try to break the partisan deadlock in Washington. He said that he wanted to be inclusive and have differing opinions.

So far, it seems like he's trying to do all those things.

[meow mix]

21. cant the far left just get one little bone tossed its way?

just one???

[mwei924]

22. Who is a far-left candidate who is qualified and likely to get confirmed for a big position?

Anyone you want in particular?

[meow mix]

26. if i have my pick ill take boxer, kucinich.. maybe barney frank?

OH THAT WOULD BE NICE

[mwei924]

28. For what position though?

SoS? SoD? Only Boxer would be even remotely qualified for that.

Treasury? None of them are economists.

[scheming daemons]

24. 2 out of 15 cabinet positions have been named..... hold your damn horses

[whistler162]

27. I want REVENGE.....

after all it has worked so well for the Bush administration why shouldn't we continue the tradition!