It's simple. We should all be rooting hard for Obama

[cali]

to succeed. Whatever your feelings about Obama, his success is our success.

On the eve of his presidency Obama faces as daunting a landscape as any president ever has. We teeter on the edge of a depression, the environment is in critical shape, our relationships with other members of the world community is dire. And on and on.

And that's the bottom line for me. That's why I support Obama. (And no, I'm not saying don't criticize him or some of his choices)

[Shiver]

1. Hell, to be honest

I root hard for every president to do well, regardless of their party or how I personally feel about them. The Occupant failed miserably from the get-go, and quickly lost any goodwill I may have had towards him with his seeming determination to destroy the country.

[davidpdx]

2. Cali, I agree with you, but as simple as it sounds, that's not what's happening

There are people on here who are truly rooting for Obama to fail or that have claimed he has already failed. What is sick is I don't see these people being called out for what they are. It make me embarrassed to be a part of this board with the way some people act.

[tyne]

3. Amen

[davidpdx]

6. Thanks

:fistbump:

[nichomachus]

42. Please provide examples of people who are "rooting for Obama to fail"

Seriously. I think there are a lot of people who think he has headed down a dangerous path and are seriously concerned about it, but I don't think I've seen one post that said "Yay -- he's failing. Please fail, Obama."

Maybe I just haven't been paying attention.

[davidpdx]

47. No you haven't

And by providing examples, I'd get myself banned.

Then again with the way this place is, maybe that would be a good thing.

[Sub Atomic]

48. If you think it would be such a good thing, then post examples.

Bullshit rhetoric will get you nowhere.

[davidpdx]

49. Bullying and acting like a twit

Will get you no where.

[denem]

87. You.

Search your own threads going back to the primaries for anything positive about Obama. Find something and share it with us.

[Lilyeye]

55. So true. Some folks are already saying "I told you so" and he hasn't even been sworn in yet.

[No Elephants]

59. Bull pies. This is exactly what the Repugs said when we criticized Bush's insane Iraq

shat--Dems are rooting for Bush/America/the troops to fail in Iraq. It's bull pies when Repugs use that tactic against Dems and it's much smellier when Dems use that tactic against other Dems. You are in very repulsive company.

[PVnRT]

74. Do you need clothes for that strawman?

[mkultra]

85. so very true

only a fool could ignore it.

[Bragi]

4. Is criticicism of Obama disloyal?

If so, then how does that represent change?

[POAS]

7. To quote the OP

"(And no, I'm not saying don't criticize him or some of his choices)"

[cali]

11. uh, try reading. I say in the OP that I'm not talking about

criticism. I can both criticize and root hard for Obama. It's not some unsolvable paradox. But I very much agree with David in post #2, there are people here who are absolutely determined not to give Obama a chance and others who for their own sick little reasons truly are rooting for Obama to fail.

[No Elephants]

60. Please see my response to Post #2 then/ Stinky, stinky tactic, not to mention a lie.

[PeaceNikki]

5. I think we all want him to succeed.

Even the harshest critics here WANT him to do well and to not forget human rights in the process. They WANT him to fix the economy and create jobs and end the war AND fight for their rights. They don't WANT Obama to dismiss their concerns.

[cali]

13. Nope. I'm convinced you're wrong and that there are people here

who are invested in his not succeeding.

[babylonsister]

22. You said it; that's very apparent to me, too. nt

[DevonRex]

23. Yep, me too.

We're not stupid. We see the same pattern over and over again, from a FEW.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

30. Me three.

It is OBVIOUS.

[stillcool]

40. me four..

I love what is cloaked under the label of 'dissent', 'liberal', and 'progressive'. The crying baby gets the milk, and there has been a chorus of crying babies all using the same pitch.

[PVnRT]

75. Fighting for civil rights is "crying" now

Lovely.

[stillcool]

78. Did you read my mind?

If you did, you did not comprehend what is in there. By the 'crying babies', or if you prefer the 'squeaky wheel', I mean all of those who get their shits and giggles from antagonistic, arrogant, and pointless hyperbole. Trash and bash is entertaining, but what else is it good for? By the way, not every 'discussion' is about equal rights, regardless of what you may think.

[Lilyeye]

56. I see it as well.

[Grateful for Hope]

84. I've seen it also. n/t

[Zuiderelle]

27. Really? I haven't seen any of those.

Why would a democrat want the man we elected to fail? If there are people like that here, they should be banned.

[Skittles]

51. I don't believe that

feeling like he crapped on them is not the same as hoping he will not succeed

[No Elephants]

61. Nope. I'm convinced you're wrong. And my opinion is as valid as yours. Further,

yours is counter-intuitive.

Since we live on this planet and are Americans, we have every interest in every President's successObama's success. Since we are Democrats, we have even more interest in the success of a Democratic President. And when it comes to Obama, I am literally invested, as much time and moeny as I could possible give, for over a year. You view of it makes no sense, nor can you support it. All you know is that people disagree with you on this, therefore they must be sick and want their own destruction. Riiiight.

News flash. Having an opinion/priority different from yours is not a sign of masochism or any kind of illness. On the other hand, your conviction that people who disagree with your opinion are ill may interest some pychologists.

Get over yourself.

[RichGirl]

8. I am totally, 100% on Obama's side!

Our reward was a win on election night and getting a smart, kind president who wants to make ALL our lives better. I completely understand that he needs to get as many people as possible on his side. Because this country had HUGE problems that will require dramatic measures.

Many people are jobless and have no money to feed their children. Many are sick and have no health insurance. Fixing these things requires us to come together by finding common ground. Hopefully, common ground won't be that we are ALL poor, hungry and sick! Sadly, maybe that's what it will take for people to look past each other's differences.

[No Elephants]

63. Being 100% on Obama's side is different from agreeing with every hiccup he has.

[MadHound]

9. Depends on what your definition of success is

While I do, overall, hope for his success, there are specific areas that I wish for his failure. For instance, education. He's not going to repeal NCLB, and judging from his Duncan pick, Obama is going to be looking at a much more corporatized, public/private hybrid model of education. I can't agree with this, and thus, in this area, I wish him to fail.

There are a number of other areas where his definition of success and mine part company.

[mmonk]

10. I would think everybody is.

I worked harder in this election than any other.

[mrs_p]

12. with a few exceptions i think

most here want obama to succeed as well. however, the warren wound is fresh and people have said things that they may not feel later.

[No Elephants]

14. Please remind me. Who's been rooting for him to fail? This is exactly what Pubs said

about us when we pointed out Bush's errors around Iraq. That we were rooting for Bush and/or America to fail in Iraq.

If you really are not saying this bc some are criticizing Obama, why are you saying it at all on this particular board? Have you seen any regular poster here posting that they are rooting or hoping for Obama/America to fail during Obama's Presidency? (As opposed to a Pub troll.)

Whenever I pointed out to my son that he could have done better in this area or that, it was NOT bc I wanted him to fail. It was because I wanted him to learn to fulfill his potential and live his best life. I could never be happy if he "failed" however he might define that.

By the same token, Obama's failures while in office will affect all Democrats. Let's do our best to minimize them. One of the ways to do that is to speak up.

[cali]

21. there are absolutely people who are invested in his failing

if only so they can say I told you so, and yes, they exist on the left, too. Yes, I've seen them posting on this board. No I can't name names. Open your eyes.

[No Elephants]

64. Baloney. I picked Obama a year ago and have been donating to him ever since. I cannot tell ANYone

"I told you so" if he fails. Just the reverse. If Obama fails, my friends can laugh at me.

You are pulling stuff out of your ear, based on nothing. Then, anyone who disagrees with your unfounded opinion gets accused of having sick reasons for wanting Obama to fail. You are the one who needs to open your eyes.

Your opinion is only your opinion. It's not more valid than anyone else's opinion certainly not more valid on this issue than a gay poster's or Barney Frank's or Harvey Fierstein's.

[mkultra]

86. you just described your own argument

truly amazing.

[Hellataz]

15. Here Here

How does it do us any good to give the right ammo against Obama? We should show our support and make an effort to see his bigger picture so that his term is one of real change and a lot of good comes out of it. If all we do is attack him on the his choices tat we don't understand or agree with, then we just give the GOP fuel for their 2012 campaigns.

But like the OP said, this doesn't mean we can't disagree, but the way some are going about it is very rash and hurtful to our side and wont accomplish anything good. We need to disagree with his choices with a respectful tone, and stop calling him out as some "traitor" to the left.

[Orsino]

16. Not quite that simple.

He could have great success that doesn't translate into progress for us (witness the last eight years). Keep on criticizing his poor choices. I think he can take it, and he may be wise enough to learn from missteps.

[Dennis Donovan]

17. I wholeheartedly agree...

...I can root for Obama and hope for his success WHILE expressing disappointment/anger about the inclusion of Warren in the Inaugural.

[NYC_SKP]

18. How did I miss this thread? RECOMMENDED!

Nice one, cali!

:toast:

[Danger Mouse]

19. The PUMAs are out in force. Simple as that.

[DevonRex]

25. Yup.

Same old, same old with a couple of new ones added in for seasoning.

[Danger Mouse]

38. It's very amusing, actually...

the PUMAs have the perfect cover to vent their hate, exploiting those who are legitimately upset.

[DevonRex]

39. Yes, it is perfect cover, unfortunately.

I stand with the GLBT community proudly and loudly in support of immediate full civil rights. I also stand against anyone who wishes to divide us because they want to see Obama fall flat on his face. Together we're an insurmountable force for full civil rights. Divided, we're powerless.

[jonnyblitz]

44. yeah and I am the head PUMA.

you have it all figured out. :eyes: speaking of SIMPLE.....

[Danger Mouse]

46. did i ever call you a PUMA? you just assume.

nor did i say that the majority of the people upset over Warren are PUMAs. There are a handful of very vocal and very nasty people that fall into that category. If you assume I'm referring to you, then maybe it's because you have a guilty conscience. However, you're always primed for a fight, anyway, I've noticed.

[firedupdem]

20. Thanks Cali!

I cannot wait for January 20th!

[DevonRex]

24. K&R. If he isn't successful, we're in real trouble.

As in starving, not having heat, and hospitals turning people away.

[Zuiderelle]

26. I'm rooting for him to be the President we voted for, despite his insulting choice of Warren.

I'd be a fool to hope that he is NOT what we thought he was. I'll continue to criticize him for choices like that, just as you encourage. I don't think ANYONE here wants him to fail or to betray us. I think that's the whole point. Personally, I'm sorely disappointed in what he's done in choosing Warren, and I hope and pray that he's listening to us now and will do the right thing when he's President.

[cali]

28. Fair enough, though I think it's fair to say that we don't all

see him in the same way. And yes there are people right here in River City who want to see Obama crash and burn.

[DevonRex]

41. You expressed that wonderfully. Thank you so very much.

And, just so you know, the part that's worried me isn't the criticism of Obama from folks who have every right to be angry and SHOULD be angry with him. As a matter of fact I think the discussion has been beneficial to us, at least after those first couple of really hurtful days. But maybe we had to go through that before we could get to the point where we could actually listen to each other. Happy Holidays to you and your friends and family.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

29. Thanks cali.

I agree. :toast:

[lumberjack_jeff]

31. Wholeheartedly agree. n/t

[Starry Messenger]

32. I absolutely want him to succeed!

I am still overjoyed that he won. It's just that the economy isn't something I can do anything about. I've read thousands of posts on the subject by people who get really into it--left/right, socialist, DLC. I never understand any of it. I'm sure it is meaningful. I'm sure it is worth discussing.

Why don't those criticisms of Obama's decisions get the intense backlash that this issue is getting from SOME BUT NOT ALL DU-ers?

I'm addressing that question generally to the group not to the OP, though anyone is free to weigh in if they have any insights.

I mean, I've seen some nasty infighting about the economic policies and the cabinet decisions, but this takes the cake.


edit: pre-coffee writing word salad

[Bragi]

33. DU is where we SHOULD voice concerns

I think a bit of context is needed.

I support Obama, but I am very opposed to his plan to escalate the war in Afghanistan. One of the ways I can think of to try to change his approach to Afghanistan is to keep raising it here, in the hopes of convincing other progressives to raise this issue themselves, and create pressure for change. However, I don't generally raise my concerns among people who I know who do not support Obama.

So I criticize Obama here, among people (and friends) who support him so as to try to effect a bit of change. But that doesn't mean I am an enemy of Obama, or that I want his Presidency to fail. Quite the opposite. My concern is that if he escalates the war, then his Presidency may well fail, which is what I want to avoid.

Get it?

- B

[JuniperLea]

34. I agree

I'm waiting for yet another date in the future... 1/20/09.

DU will settle down after the primary/general/inauguration... ?

[TheWraith]

35. Kicked and recommended.

The worst thing Obama could ever do is a hundred times better than the best day Bush will ever have. That's the thing to keep in mind.

[tilsammans]

76. Agree

Even if Obama twiddles his thumbs for four years, we will be better off than we are under Chimp & Co.

:patriot:

[opihimoimoi]

36. Lemme add some music to support him by

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fic52wzvTo4&feature=related

[polmaven]

37. Absolutely.

We are currently 658 hours and 20 minutes away from the end of the most dangerous and destructive administration in modern history. (but who's counting?) We ought to be proud of the GE race he ran, and the reasons he won so handily.

I for one will be eagerly watching his presidency, and will be hoarse from rooting for his success.

He will make mistakes. Of course he will. We should call him out on those mistakes. I predict, though, that even his mistakes will be LEGIONS better that what we have had for the last 8 years.

[grantcart]

43. Give me an "O" "O"

of course we are rooting for him, he's going to be a great President, and every great President screws up.


If Obama isn't screwing up it simply means he is being too predictable.

[Undercurrent]

45. K&R

[nichomachus]

50. If I wanted him to fail

I'd be cheering him on with his divisive pick of Warren to kick off his administration. That's the perfect way to failing. I'd tell him to pick Warren, load his cabinet with centrists and Republicans. I'd tell him to piss of the people who worked their asses off to get him elected.

In fact, if I wanted him to fail, I'd either tell him to "stay the course" or I'd just shut up and say nothing.

[GrannyK]

52. I agree. Recommended. N/T

[Truth2Tell]

53. It's always a special treat

when you post to tell us what "we should all be" doing.

[AntiFascist]

54. He wants more than a cheerleading squad...

He wants us to stand up for ourselves and bring about change. We should start by standing up to the right-wing theocrats and making it clear that we will not accept interference with our government, a government by the people and for ALL of the people. The recession will not be solved by turning over governmental social services over to the churches while the government enriches the already wealthy. The environment is in critical shape because our government has ignored the scientists. Our relationship to other members of the world community would improve vastly if we could set aside religious bigotry.

[Lilyeye]

57. K&R!

[No Elephants]

58. I supprt Obama too, but not on this choice. You say you criticize him on other choices, but

people should not criticize him on this one? Why? Because this issue is not one that bothers you? What are you trying to say. You don't think civil rights, separation of church and state, etc, is an important an issue as the economy and no one should post on things you don't find important?

Your point and rationales are not immediately evident.

[cali]

62. I've posted several threads deeply critical of him on Warren

Pay attention and don't make yourself look foolish. I think the choice of Warren was completely wrong and that there's no excuse for it no matter why he did it. I think Warren gains a patina of presidential legitimacy by being put up on the podium.

Oh, and I've worked harder than most people gay or straight on marriage equality for over ten years here in Vermont- including putting my own meager funds into it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8017772

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8005014

[No Elephants]

68. The only way I might look foolish is if I agree with you. And now you're rambling. Nothing

in your your post has anything to do with your claim that people here who disagree with you have sick reasons for wanting obama to fail. That is what I have been addressing,not Vermont. You just brought that in out of left field.

[cali]

71. Sorry to hear you don't agree that picking warren was inexcusable

and Obama breaks the bonds of human decency in doing so- because that's what I say in the 2nd thread I linked to.

Not rambling at all. I PROVED that you were wrong. Now you're just doing the wormy thing.

:rofl:

Oh and merry christmas, darling.

[yurbud]

65. support but not blindly--jesus christ don't you DLC shills get tired of posting the same shit over

and over?

your message is always the same: "shut up, applaud, and express your opinion with your vote at the next election"

[cali]

66. oh more stupid. how grand. more name calling.

more inane bullshit. sorry, pumpkin, I'm anything but DLC and I've criticized Obama strongly over Warren and Vilsack and other things. Nor is this a rah rah post.

looks like you need your nappies changed. You're dribbling shit all over, sweetie.


(yeah, the attached is nothing but blind support.)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8005014

Do you just enjoy looking pathetically stupid?

[yurbud]

67. why did you bother with a dribbling shit post then?

[cali]

69. So you do just enjoy looking

pathetically stupid. Good to know.

[yurbud]

70. hmmm...so I look stupid by using your own phrasing? that makes sense...

[No Elephants]

72. Well, now you're alternating between rambling and repeating yourself while you

call me stupid. Very impressive. ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[FrenchieCat]

73. Aye!

I think it is great that there has been much discussion here and there and in the press, but sometimes I wonder if the attention to the controversy itself isn't becoming the focus, and maintaining that as long as possible isn't becoming the goal.

Some of us are lucky enough to have the luxury to discuss on these boards the same issue, day in and day out, but Millions are not. Millions are worried about keeping a job, making a mortgage, paying the rent, or buying their kids a couple of Presents for the Holidays while keeping the lights and the phone on.

Are we as truly concerned about the broader view of the work that will need to be done in this nation, or are we so comfy in our own security that we can afford to be a single issue forum?

I understand hitting Obama over the head a couple of times, and there ain't nothing wrong with that. It is when we keep our feet so deep in his ass that I have to ask if we aren't losing sight of all that he will need to accomplish in a very short time.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8030847

[AntiFascist]

81. What people expressing your point of view don't seem to get....

it is the effect of the right-wing theocratic evangelists, and the deeper threat of the Dominionists, which has put our economy here in the first place. If you don't understand that connection then much of my work on DU has all been in vain. They would like nothing more than to see the economy fail badly so that the government gets out of the business that the churches should be in. This, in turn, will give their churches much more power in being able to pick and choose who should receive aid. The fact that the church bans gays who are comfortable with their orientation from attendance speaks volumes to this point, but it really goes way beyond gay and lesbian rights.

[mondo joe]

77. I hear you Cali, but I'm not rooting for someone who's not rooting for me. NT

[cali]

79. I understand where you're coming from

all I'd ask is that you judge him by what he does once in office. Beyond that, I'm worried about a depression and what that entails.

[mondo joe]

80. Judgment will be ongoing.

When I see him root for me, I'll root for him.

:-)

[graywarrior]

82. This is where faith, trust and acceptance comes into play.

I haven't had any of that for more than 8 years. Faith is lack of fear, trust is belief that things will work out and acceptance is knowing Obama will probably piss me off, make mistakes and sometimes do the wrong thing but I'll still support him because I really really checked him out before he got my vote.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

83. i think for some of you short of a cheerleader, you think we are not being supportive

i want him to succeed but when he is an ass, i expect to call him out on it

sorry, chearleading ain't my style. its an intellectually defunct style.