You're No Truman - That Populist Bulldog Didn't Just Growl

[Donnachaidh]

http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/robert-becker/38878/youre-no-truman-that-populist-bulldog-didnt-just-growl

Mr. President: Despite fantasy media projections -- imagining you the reincarnated Harry Truman -- stubborn, historical reality intervenes. Balderdash. Viewed simply as one strong leader commanding your own fate, you're far short of JFK, LBJ, or Bill Clinton. If similar to any modern Democrat, it's misguided, beleagued Jimmy Carter -- whose high rhetoric was likewise crushed when power politics unearthed rank inexperience.

But the second coming of pugnacious, risk-taking, courageous Truman? Dream on. Neither in style or substance do you approximate give-'em-hell Harry -- not how you barely assail foes, nor fail to defend majority interest; not by taking risks and certainly not by getting your way. Frankly, Barry, you're not giving anyone hell, certainly not the fringe -- only indigestion to distraught leftwingers sniffing for alternatives. And no violins, please, about onerous political inheritances. Was yours worse than taking over for the legendary FDR, ending a world war, rebuilding the western world, confronting nuclear arms, communist blockades and the Cold War, or battling domestic economic upheavals plus headstrong rightwingers?

No way. Awash with monumental threats, Truman refused to cave, nor stagger from dread of defeat. He took chances, even risked what you value over all -- re-election. Truman pushed a bold, costly Marshall Plan against high resistance, proposed a (failed) universal health plan than shames Obamacare, challenged economic royalists, and desegregated the military -- offending racists everywhere, especially Dixie Democrats.

Opportunities Squandered

Like Carter, you obliterated your own vital narratives, estranged Main Street by not rocking entrenched boats -- even today still brandishing the absurd notion that bury-the-difference bipartisanship works. You can't even leverage the bully pulpit against truly sadistic bullies, despite the Grand Canyon-sized openings they leave. Let's see, 1) Repugs willingly sacrifice America to defeat a "foreign" president, 2) offer zero jobs programs (except LESS taxes, rights and deregulation) and 3) whose bizarre answer to Wall Street "booboos," Gulf oil "leaks," or mining "accidents" is MORE glorified free-market chaos. That's a guarantee for universal fairness and safety, plus health and pension programs!

More at the link --

[leveymg]

1. I thought I was electing another FDR, and got Herbert Hoover, instead. I'd be happy with Truman.

HH was a Decent guy. Technically competent - a wunderkind, really. But, a real wooden sense for how regular people live and suffer in America. No populist heart.

Another Prez in a Bubble.

[jwirr]

4. I think that it is interesting that HH did a really great job when he

administered the aid program for the victims of WWI but lost all that empathy when it came to the American people. I am thinking that he was one who always took the easy way out - don't rock the political boat.

With Obama I am not sure what he is doing. He cannot be so deaf that he does not hear our anger. He knows he is betraying his base. What the hell is he trying to do - get unelected?

[leveymg]

8. I think they both were extremely limited by their economic ideologies, and neither

would dare do anything to challenge the plutocrats, even if it was to save them, as was FDR's real motive for his seemingly radical New Deal programs.

Not big risk takers, HH or BHO - both, very cautious and calculating - do nothing to upset the horse, the driver or the applecart, even if they're all going over a cliff.

Whoever says ideology doesn't matter doesn't understand how severely limited convention is in the face of multiple crises.

[jwirr]

9. Exactly. In the time of crisis one needs to fight not lay down the sword. nt

[uponit7771]

5. FDR had a > 70% dem congress throughout his 4 terms, Obama has way less, basher don't care

[Bandit]

2. I have to admit this Administration is one of the biggest disappointments of my life.

If this is the best we have to offer then I am on the wrong side.. These people don't seem to have the same values as I have..:shrug:

[Selatius]

3. I think the problem was too many Democrats deluded themselves into thinking he was running as FDR 2

He never really ran as a left winger in the campaign, and I kind of realized that early on when it came to the topic of free trade and health insurance reform and his very glaring silence on the Employee Free-Choice Act.

He only got my vote because I didn't want Hundred Years' War McCain in the White House. Him not being as overtly bad as McCain was the only redeemable reason to vote for Barack Obama.

[uponit7771]

6. Nor did Obama have an 83% congress to pass legislation with.

[Octafish]

7. Paging the Nuremberg prosecutor guy!