despite the dislike on Obama on here for being too conservative

[AlanCranston]

You have to understand that the democrats are a top and bottom coalition. The moment one can understand that, it is a lot easier to see how the political process works. The reason why democrats lost 5 out of 6 elections from 1968 to 1988 was because we didn't have enough constituents for a successful top and bottom coalition. But with the way the country has changed since then, a top-bottom coalition is possible. This is why I was a big supporter of Obama in 2008 and will be next go round. He figured out a way to create a winning coalition. He successfully replicated the success of John Lindsay in the 1960s in New York. Lindsay knew how to create a top and bottom coalition, and was elected mayor. The reason it took awhile for the national democratic party to institute one was because the country did not mirror 1960s New York enough. Because the country does now, Obama was able to do this. What helped Obama was because he is sort of a hybrid between the top and bottom. He has African American ancestry and was raised without a father. But he also is well respected by the academic community as he has a masters degree and was a Constitutional Law lecturer. If black and hispanic community and the asians/creative class can become a disciplined voting bloc, then we can create an unbreakable bond.

[yurbud]

1. to have a top and bottom ''coalition'' implies taking care of both. So far, it's about a 99 to 1

split, with the bottom getting the short end of the stick, and the top using the stick to roast the bottom over a fire.

[Skip_In_Boulder]

2. I actually have hope that he is coming around

Ever since he made the speech about 5 weeks ago about how the Republicans were trying to destroy social programs, which interestingly enough was about a week before he toasted OBL, he has impressed me as starting to developing a spine.

The whole thing about the debt negotiations that is going on right now is that at the core of it is a disinformation campaign that as far as I can see the Republicans are taking the bait, hook line and sinker. While I understand it increases the pucker factor significantly among the people it is impressing me as a very well thought out game.

Only time will tell, we will just have to see how it plays out.

[FLAprogressive]

3. Yeah, the conservatives are on top, and the left is on the bottom. And it hurts.

[OHdem10]

4. The bottom gets the short end of thestick. If we are to have RW

Government with a Democratic President and RW Laws
with a Democratic President--and that is coalitition???

[Union Thug]

5. Whatever helps you sleep at night, mate.

From where I stand, Obama is poised to be the worst Democratic president in my lifetime... I sincerely hope he doesn't cross the threshold with the current debt-ceiling debacle.

[patrice]

6. Interesting. I need to read up on that. & May I suggest that paragraphs are your friend?

:hi: