Barak Obama on the shrink’s couch

[Cyrano]

Can anyone state with certainty what Obama believes in and what he stands for? After watching him for 2 ½ years, I don’t have a clue about his priorities, his goals, or his vision for America.

Candidate Obama was a blank sheet onto which most of us projected whatever it was we wanted to see in him. And many of us have been disappointed because he didn’t turn out to be whatever it was we believed him to be.

I am totally clueless regarding this man. He tries to befriend his mortal enemies. He doubles down on Afghanistan which is like betting that a dead horse can win a race. And he consistently gives away the store before negotiating anything.

We know he’s well educated, and we know he can deliver inspiring speeches. But beyond that, what do we really know about him?

He’s been called an “AWOL president” and a “Nowhere Man.” And given his performance to date, it’s hard for me to dispute these views of him. While he presents himself as a man of principal, he fucks us time and time again.

Can anyone explain this man to me? Does anyone have a clue as to what’s going on in his head?

[KeepItReal]

1. Obama has never been AWOL. He shows up and does work his azz off.

I'm not loving *how* he works and the fruits of his labor.

[Moondog]

2. He is about

the avoidance of pain.

If it is going to be difficult, or might conceivably cause him political damage (since he thinks that the Left has nowhere else to go, they can be safely ignored), he avoids it. That simple calculus seems to explain everything we have seen thus far. I'm not saying that this is THE explanation, but it does fit the known facts.

[polichick]

6. It could be as simple as that...

Which means the left needs to cause him considerably more pain.

[Thumper79]

3. I wish I knew what's going on in his head.

I had so many hopes when Obama was elected but he has given up so much on battles that were worth fighting for and he collapsed. He said he never wanted a public option and didn't fight for one. He capitulated on tax cuts for the rich which added nearly a $1 trillion to the deficit. He gave the republicans more than half that what they wanted and $6 billion or so more than Boehner originally asked for. I am glad he fought, and stood his ground on the most important riders. I am not looking forward to the battle to raise the debt ceiling. Bush increased the debt ceiling 7 times. And, the 2012 budget fight? This could be a disaster.

[polichick]

4. He's scared shitless of Republicans, he's in agreement with them, or...

...it's something else that remains a mystery.

[tularetom]

5. He's slicker than slick WIllie

I like the guy because the Republicans hate him.

Same as for Clinton.

But what either one of them stood for? Don't have a clue.

[NYC Liberal]

7. "I don’t have a clue about his priorities, his goals, or his vision for America."

You must really not be paying attention.

[Cyrano]

8. Well, since you've obviously been paying attention, how about

explaining it to people like me? And I'm not talking about a laundry list of "accomplishements." I'm talking about the core values that the Democratic Party used to stand for.

[snagglepuss]

9. Perhaps we're witnessing the high price of cool. Perhaps cool isn't the

best trait to have in a politician.

[undeterred]

10. All the bad boys at school like him.

[Matariki]

11. What the fuck has Obama done so far?

http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/