The Left, Energized

[scheming daemons]

Would it be too much to suggest that maybe this was the White House's plan?

"Our side is too complacent... need to fire them up... what will fire them up? Let's get them to think the Public Option is in danger..."

Opposition always seems to be more energizing than power, and even as the White House struggles to flip the switch on the old campaign apparatus, the left is clearly gathering steam around its frustrations with the possible abandonment of the public option in health care reform.

Byron York noted, for instance, that the organized left at Netroots Nation pretty much abandoned the anti-war movement in favor of health care activism:

As part of a straw poll done at the convention, the Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg presented participants with a list of policy priorities like health care and the environment. He asked people to list the two priorities they believed "progressive activists should be focusing their attention and efforts on the most." The winner, by far, was "passing comprehensive health care reform." In second place was enacting "green energy policies that address environmental concerns."

And what about "working to end our military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan"? It was way down the list, in eighth place.

Perhaps more tellingly, Greenberg asked activists to name the issue that "you, personally, spend the most time advancing currently." The winner, again, was health care reform. Next came "working to elect progressive candidates in the 2010 elections." Then came a bunch of other issues. At the very bottom -- last place, named by just one percent of participants -- came working to end U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.


(That's partly, of course, because Obama is moving toward withdrawal from Iraq.)

Another indicator: the progressive fundraising site ActBlue is hosting a burgeoning "Standing up for the Public Option" drive, and has raised more than $46,000 so far today for members of Congress who back a public option. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee has raised another $50,000 for an ad pushing Ben Nelson on the issue.

Where this leaves the legislation is anyone's guess at this point. But while the fervor on the right rose quicker, the next wave seems to be coming from the left.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0809/The_left_energized.html?showall

[Beetwasher]

1. Kabuki

n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. +1

[Oregone]

2. It either like that game called Chess, or the drinking game called Asshole

[barbiegeek]

8. That is the BEST REPLY EVER

ha ha ha ha ha ha

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. Yeah. Right. With Obama and Rahm telling us to shut up.

And, quit pickin' on those poor widdle blue dogs.

[Prism]

5. An honest question, then

To preface, I have been wondering if this was the White House's plan. Despite many vaunted claims of chess-playing, a trial balloon such as this does seem based in the realm of reality. Could the administration have floated it and then used to the predicted outrage to exert more pressure on conservative representatives? To let Blue Dogs know the wrath they will face for their choices here? I believe that is a distinct possibility.

That said, wouldn't that mean that left-liberal protest and outrage is a valuable, productive part of the political process in moving our causes forward?

The fact that outrage over the potential dropping of the public option has been mocked and criticised by the President's most vigorous supporters is inescapable.

Isn't the administration telling us in this that they want us to get worked up about it, that they need us to, that it is a valuable component in pressuring conservative politicians to do the right thing?

If so, why all the mocking?

[Peregrine Took]

6. I'm sick of Obama's tricks and games - he's "for" the public option yet he's

"open" to hearing about other considerations. Blah blah blah. I've seen enough and wished I'd voted for HRC (really Kucinich.)

[Tim01]

7. He should be a leader for petes sake.

Draw a line in the sand with public option and demand backing from his supporters.

If he gave the word, the internet and phone lines would be burning up with the voices of people supporting public option.
But it is looking more like he is giving ground to those opposed to this, and they couldn't stop it if he would just step up to the plate.


Fucking millions of people eager to follow a strong leader. Where is he?

[barbiegeek]

9. We Elected Bill & abandoned him during HC in 1993 & lost congress

I will not abandon this President or HC!! I'm working a phone bank tonight