Do you hate seeing the President repeatedly with his back against the wall? I do too...

[MrScorpio]

Turns out that there's only one way to stop this from happening again and again...

Just get rid of the fucking Republicans. Vote their asses OUT and vote more Democrats IN.

Anything less just ain't good enough.

[CakeGrrl]

1. Exactly. Thanks to WaPo, it's nothing but "IF IF IF" about the President

and the focus has been taken off the Republican House that DEFINITELY, STRAIGHT-UP wants to do away with Medicare/SS.

A plan that the President publicly denounced, but who cares about that?

Around here, everything begins with "IF this is true", then hate-hate-anger-outrage at Obama.

Nice deflection by the MSM. It worked again.

[DrDan]

2. wasn't it the WH that floated the trial balloon to begin with?

[Palmer Eldritch]

4. no, it was anonymous. Which could have been Eric Cantor for all we know.

[DrDan]

10. well . . . .

This week, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney confirmed that while the President doesn’t believe slashing entitlement programs is the long-term answer to solving the country’s debt ceiling troubles, there are no preconditions ruling out cuts at the bargaining table between the Republicans and Obama.

http://www.golocalprov.com/politics/ri-vs-obama-delegation-stands-up-to-president-on-medicare-and-social-s/

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

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

[KittyWampus]

22. Who knows? You sure don't. And liberals are easy prey to the Ratfuckers attacking Dems

from the Left. I've been here since the beginning of DU and seen it first hand time and time and time again.

[DrDan]

27. beginning of DU?????? well - might be a bit of a stretch, right?

But personal insults are at an all time high, aren't they. If someone disagrees, shoot them an insult.

[asjr]

3. The media have a lot to answer for. To them

it seems the Democrats are always giving the Republicans trouble. They may try to cover themselves but it just doesn't work. We know how they think. Maybe that is how they keep their jobs. They ran Anthony Weiner out of town. Still, that Diaper Vitter maybe got one column in a newspaper and 15 seconds on the television. And I am sick of this crap they give us about Obama going to cut our social security and Medicare. They got the ball rolling with that. It has gotten half of DU up in arms against Obama. When Obama says it I will believe it. My brain is so tired of being washed it needs a rest. The media put those obnoxious Republicans in the House the last election. The media will not own up to what they are doing. It is all the fault of the Democrats they want us to believe.

[madokie]

6. Thank you

If we don't do something about our republicon run media we've lost our democracy. Story after story they run with proves to be false yet they continue like it never happened. Printing and telling the lies like there were no tomorrow.
If the President was to give a speech pointing this out the media would turn that speech around to where it was believed by many that Obama said right the opposite of what he said. I'm sick of this shit and getting sicker by the hour.

[Harry Callahan]

7. I don't feel sorry for him. It's goes with the job.

[Kahuna]

13. No one is asking for pity. Voters share in the responsibility of what

goes on in this country too. If they fail to elect "representatives" to enact the legislation they want, then they are at the mercy of the majority. It's always been that way. It will always be that way.

[KittyWampus]

24. It's not about feeling sorry for the man. It's working to stop that dynamic in the future.

[deacon]

8. The GOP are wiping out jobs from coast to coast for their own gain. n/t

[Kahuna]

14. Yep. I knew this was going to happen if they got back in control. The

president tried to warn us. Not enough people listened.

[BeyondGeography]

9. Would that our President felt the same way

Even the freaking ECONOMIST has had it with the GOP:

http://www.economist.com/node/18928600?story_id=18928600&fsrc=rss

Barack, please get your head out of your ass. You can't negotiate with terrorists anymore.

[slay]

11. We have too many Dems who are Repubs IMO

n/t

[Kahuna]

12. Amen! Voters forget all the time that they have a responsibility too...

If they are foolish enough to, as the president put it, give the keys to the car back to the same people who drove us into the ditch in the first place, then they are getting the governance that they voted for or failed to vote for.

PBO is trying to do the best with the hand he's been dealt. Congress has a say in what happens in this country as much if not more than the president does.

Personally, I'm pissed at the American voters (and non voters), not the president.

[Frustratedlady]

15. Amen! I doubt one of his critics could survive the criticism Obana has...

had to live with, in addition to the not so "subtle" racial comments, and do the job he has done...and, with a smile, I might add. The Repugs have been po'd since that family moved into the White House and they aren't going to be happy until they are gone.

Each day, my anger and disgust grows for the Republicans. Just look at where we could be if they hadn't dug in their heels on every change Obama tried to make. They should be ashamed.

I get a sick feeling in my stomach each time I think of what the 2012 race is going to look like. Just look at the support the Teabaggers and Repugs have from corporations and the likes of the Kochs and their ilk. So much money can buy the office and so much hate can destroy the country that we love.

[Kahuna]

19. But...but...Obama is Superman. He should be able to overcome..

all of those obstacles all by his lonesome.. :sarcasm:

[PatSeg]

23. When I saw him on TV yesterday,

it looked like he'd grown a thousand new gray hairs overnight, literally. He might be smiling, but I think the stress of dealing with these republicans is taking its toll.

[Kahuna]

36. I noticed the same thing. He did appear to have considerably more

gray hair.

[PatSeg]

39. Just imagine what he'll look like in 2016,

assuming he gets a second term that is.

[Kahuna]

42. He'll look like Nelson Mandela by then...

:scared:

[GoCubsGo]

20. Thank you!

I could not have said it better. And, may I add that so many think everything can be changed immediately, even an economy that was fucked up beyond all repair starting with the NIXON administration. It's not going to be fixed in 2 years, and especially with an obstructionist Congress trying to extort as much as they can. Quite frankly, I'm beyond pissed a the American voters (and non-voters). After this last election, where they gave the House back to the very people who made this mess--AFTER giving us eight years of the Village Idiot, I give up on them.

[woo me with science]

16. He is not a victim. He is participating. nt

[Kahuna]

38. That's true. He's participating because we have a democracy.

The republicans control congress and therefore control the agenda. Capish?

[woo me with science]

40. He has adopted all bogus Republican framing of this issue,

because he chose to do so. Capish?

[treestar]

17. And that's us, too.

We're not fighting Republicans enough, just each other. It's stupid and makes us partly responsible.

[TheKentuckian]

25. If some of us weren't Republicans this would be less of an issue.

Or at best supporters of broad Republican ideology but opposed to particularly vile sections of it or to the blustery and unreasonable sounding messengers, rather than the message.

It does no good to oppose Republicans but to embrace their general ideology with a little tinkering here and there to smooth rough edges.

[yardwork]

18. K&R

[KittyWampus]

21. Interesting so many are determined to suppress the Democratic vote.

They are working hard on the internets.

[Kahuna]

41. It's the nader doctrine at work. Let things get FUBAR'd, so they can

say, AHA! We were right! Well I have a message for them. They can continue to degrade the "progressive" movement with their hijinks. But they will never control the agenda because they just don't have anywhere near the numbers they need. If they were as mighty as they think they are how is it that the tea party came from no where and in one election cycle upended the entire process and any gains they might have had if they had the numbers they delude themselves into believing they have?

:popcorn:

[blm]

26. We DID that in 2008 and the momentum was squandered as soon as they formed the cabinet steeped in

Clintonites flashing the wealth of their government 'experience' as expert triangulators.

And I say that as a committed Democratic supporter of the president.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

28. If he embraced solidly Democratic principles, his back wouldn't be to the wall.

And if he were as "masterful" as many on this board think he is, he wouldn't constantly be in a defensive position, ESPECIALLY when Dems controlled Congress.

[_ed_]

29. You've been deceived and duped by Obama

Having a pity party for the most powerful man in the world seems a little ridiculous, no?

We did "get rid of the fucking Republicans." It was called 2008-2010, when the Dems had the executive branch and both houses of Congress. They didn't do a fucking thing.

We voted Democrats in and got ... another war in Libya
We voted Democrats in and got ... no banking regulations
We voted Democrats in and got ... a Pres. who claims the power to assassinate Americans
We voted Democrats in and got ... escalation in Afghanistan
We voted Democrats in and got ... no end in Iraq
We voted Democrats in and got ... no meaningful healthcare reform
We voted Democrats in and got ... no meaningful Pharma reform
We voted Democrats in and got ... Gates as SECDEF (Republican)
We voted Democrats in and got ... Geithner as Sec of Treasury (Republican)
We voted Democrats in and got ... Bernanke still as FED (another fucking Republican)
We voted Democrats in and got ... no closing of GITMO
We voted Democrats in and got ... drone wars in Yemen, other places
We voted Democrats in and got ... an extension of the Bush tax cuts
We voted Democrats in and got ... AN END TO DADT! Um, but that actually came out of a court order, so that's another failure

I could go on all day.
The problem is Obama and the Democrats.

[MrScorpio]

34. The GOP's positions are much more extreme than the Democrats will ever be

The MSM is hellbent on making the Republicans' message the standard and the Democrats' position, any position, look weak and unworkable.

Making the GOP irrelevant is the only way that momentum can shift leftward, and we can do that by voting the GOP out.

If we fail to focus on who the real enemy is, all we can do is hamstring ourselves.

[_ed_]

65. Like I said,

we did get rid of the GOP in 2008-2010, and the Dems didn't do a fucking thing with both houses of Congress and the Presidency. So, your point has been completely disproved.

The real enemy is any corporatist politician, no matter if there's a "D" or an "R" next to their name.

[Enrique]

30. he only needs a filibuster -proof majority!!!!

in BOTH houses!

And don't forget the New Obama rules: that means he needs 90% in both houses. Everyone get working so Obama can reveal his true liberal self!

[Fire1]

31. Wow!! The voice of reason. Surely it will fall on deaf ears. n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

32. Maybe he should stop placing his back against the wall and learn how to use the veto.

Continual caving isn't working. Try something different.

[Taitertots]

33. The only reason his back is against a wall is because he keeps backing down

What happened back in 2008-2010?

[Kahuna]

43. How do you suggest that one man stand up to 300 assholes in congress..

intent on opposing everything on his agenda? I would like to know how YOU would handle that situation. It really easy to criticize from the sidelines.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

45. Tha's why God invented the Veto pen.

Obama has power, he just refuses to use it.

[Kahuna]

48. That's why God also invented comprimise. Sometimes you have to

give the other side some of what you want to get some of what you want. That's how it works in the real world.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

51. You asked how he could avoid the usual caving,,,er,,compromising. I offered a way.

[Kahuna]

56. Then I take it that you were not one of the unemployed who would

have lost benefits if he had not extended the bush tax cuts. The president voted his conscience. He has another tough choice to make; risk another financial collapse if the debt ceiling isn't raised and all of the dire consequences for us if that happens. The president is in a tight spot for sure. I'm sure that he is trying to resolve it in a way that will result in the least amount of collateral damage to the nation as a whole.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

57. So, the only solution is that he collaborate with the Republicans?

I think he has other options.

[Kahuna]

58. Name those options that will mitigate the damage that the repukes

are intent on imposing on America for political advantage. Still waiting.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

60. And, I'm still telling him to veto legislation that harms the people.

[Taitertots]

64. It would have been worth it in the long term

Huge tax breaks for wealthy people hurts the economy. All he did was convince people to support the policies that caused them to become impoverished in the first place.

[Taitertots]

61. I want you to buy me a house and give me 10% of your income

Sometimes you have to compromise.
"That's how it works in the real world"

[Taitertots]

59. End the wars, veto any spending until taxes on the wealthy are raised....

Appoint a FED chairperson dedicated to forcing the banking system to benefit the masses and not a tiny cabal of rich people.
Force a government shutdown if that is what it takes to prevent egregious cuts, no austerity for the masses to prop up the ultra rich.

In addition to concrete actionable plans, I would also use the bully pulpit. I would say that I support huge tax increases for the ultra rich. I would say that I support spending increases for public goods, universal single payer, ending our wars, cutting war spending, and all the other progressive goals that Obama refuses to publicly support.


We can't fall for fake compromise with Republicans. i.e. I want 50% of your money, you want to give me nothing, so we can do the Republican compromise and you will just give me 15%. After all, you want to comprise, right? Next week, we have to compromise again because now I want 60%.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

35. Then is activism the answer? Democrats pooling our effort and resources?

Shouldn't we attack the Repukes with the same exact savagery that they use to attack us and the things that are truly important to keep this country afloat?

[Kahuna]

44. Look at what the tea party accomplished in one year. Why is it that

progressives can't come to a concensus about anything? Why can't we organize to push through an agenda they way they did?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

63. Because some are too busy being stupid, like Nader and his followers? Others just talk...

I am not a leader, but at least I'm always sending out letters, getting involved in groups, I canvassed and donated to Obama's campaign (and am now wondering if I did the right thing). I try to do things. However, I know some Democrats that literally do NOTHING but talk.

Churches are the meeting grounds of these fascists. We need to counteract that with something.

[flamingdem]

37. Instructions: direct anger against Republicans not against Democrats, xox nt

[Kahuna]

47. Duh..

:hi:

Of course you are right.

[tekisui]

46. He was the same when Dems held both houses.

[Kahuna]

49. Because when the votes were counted, he didn't have the votes

to push through a strong progressive agenda. The truth is those conservo-Dems represent conservative districts and they will always vote their constituents. Sorry you don't like that but they are doing what THEIR constituents sent them to Washington to do.

[tekisui]

52. I am just pointing out the fallacy of the argument.

Electing more 'Dems' will not necessarily transform Obama into a fighter or a champion. We've seen before he still was with his back against the wall.

[blindpig]

50. The half life of memory in these parts is getting miniscule. n/t

[madfloridian]

53. We did that in 2008. All 3 houses. They still caved.

And they lost big in 2010.

[DevonRex]

54. That's a good start. Then we HAVE to make Congress do something. Anything.

So far they seem to wait until the very last minute on every single issue. Then Obama has to get involved and make the tough decisions that they refuse to make. WTF is Harry Reid doing most of the time anyway?

[Name removed]

55. Deleted message

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

[AngryOldDem]

62. Doesn't have to be this way.

He can join and support MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY who are standing up against the GOP, as well as assure those of us who worked, supported, and voted for him that he's not going to sell us out to corporate interests.

Anything less just ain't good enough.

[Autumn]

66. Seems to me, he put his back against the wall

yes I do hate seeing it but I think that's his fault. He has accepted their fight and chosen to help them with it. He has accepted their framing on the issues, and IMO he has given them all the cover and help they need.