Uh oh..

[ObamaKerryDem]

I just got this petition in my e-mail. What do you all make of it?:

http://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/survey_obamamedicare/?rd=1&source=e1-olbermann&t=1&referring_akid=3774.811064.QhMUNw

I signed because I feel strongly about the sentiment, though I have to admit that barring something else very extreme, Obama has my vote and support next year, no matter what. May sound desperate, but the alternative... :scared: But it is very disheartening that this sentiment is even out there in the first place, warranted or not. I personally think we all should wait and see what the President has to say first before jumping to conclusions, though it is worrisome that this is even being floated, IMO. I signed also because though I'm still willing to campaign for this President virtually no matter what--though the level of enthusiasm would admittedly be effected by something like this, if it's the way it's being made to sound--I believe it is vitally important that the White House hear from us on this, BEFORE any "damage is done". Though I do look forward to actually hearing what the President has to say about this. So much hype and speculation. A speech is absolutely necessary, IMO.

JK touched on this at the Waltham townhall, that Democrats need to be careful not to "get so caught up in the numbers that we forget the principals we were elected to fight for" (paraphrasing a bit offhand here, but that was the general sentiment of it). I absolutely agree!

But I'm curious to see what you all think of this?

I still really like and support this President, but I do wish he'd wake up to the reality that these people (the Tea Party types, etc) will NEVER be in his corner, no matter WHAT he does. What makes it all the more frustrating is that I really feel he has good intentions, I really do--but I hate that he is possibly risking his potential--which I feel is still really great--on a bunch of closeminded ideologues who will NEVER get it and not only that, have it out for him..PERSONALLY. I think that's sunken in to him much more than it did before the Health Care debate for example, but still I sense it in him. I just don't want him to lose the base over it..

[Mass]

1. I totally agree with you. I think he took the bipartisanship too seriously,

and has a hard time backtracking. You cant be bipartisan if you have nobody else to be bipartisan with.

A speech is necessary, and a speech that will define some principles about why a budget. What are the guidelines he will not pass. Who are the people who need to be protected. How. Enough with numbers for a while.

[karynnj]

4. It will be interesting to see what Obama does do in his speech

I hope he does what you suggest. This is a time where defining principles need to be clearly put out there. The Republicans have their principles out there. They have defined cutting the debt as cutting spending. Their plan even includes making the Bush tax cuts permanent.

I agree this is not a time to drown people in numbers - all too big to be real to almost anyone. But, there are a few numbers I do hope I hear.

The NYT has an article that says that NOT doing that for anyone leads to eliminating 75% of the debt. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/13/business/economy/13leonhardt.html?_r=1&hp This is a stunning statistic. Most people did not feel they were in such bad shape taxwise in 2000. Yet that change alone takes care of 75% of the deficit. This helps puts what needs to be done to fix this in perspective.

Just doing this, plus some minor things like raising the income cap on payroll taxes and ending the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as we said we would would likely drive the deficit to zero in 4 or 5 years. Throw in real tax reform - so GE actually pays taxes - and we will be reducing the debt itself. (Reducing the long term debt cuts the interest payments on the debt - helping with the next year's budget.)

I am undecided whether it is good to sign or not. I do see that the more names the greater impact. What I am less sure of is whether the main impact is to pull Obama to the left - or to generate negative stories that could weaken Obama. I wish that Obama had more outreach to the left. He needs - and assumes or expects - the active support of the left in the 2012 fight. He really needs to insure that someone from his administrations - and occasionally him - explain the decisions to the left. In 2012, he will not be the tabula rasa, where everyone could see what they wanted in eloquent, uplifting, but vague, speeches - with very little real action to base judgment on.

[ObamaKerryDem]

6. "You can't be bipartisan if you have nobody else to be bipartisan with"..

This could seriously be a slogan, because it's just SO true! :thumbsup: I 100% agree with you. And the point JK made at the Waltham townhall.

[Blaukraut]

2. I signed for both hubby and me, and I mean it, too

I've pretty much had it with Obama's almost pathological desire to compromise with the terrorists...uh, republicans. This does not mean I don't support him anymore. I do, and I want him to get reelected, of course. But he has to start standing his ground here, and soon.

Yes, I appreciate all his accomplishments, and I really dislike all the negative posters over in GDP who go out of their way to diminish them and dig in the crumbs to post anti-Obama articles. Some people will not be pleased with anything he does.

However, I'm also not unconditionally uncritical of him, either, and my disappointment has grown steadily over the last few months. Personally I don't believe he will cut Medicare, Medicaid, and SS. But it can't hurt to remind him that doing so will rob him of any progressive credentials he might have still enjoyed, and hurt his reelection chances. Appealing to his better nature might not have as much of an effect, because it seems people respond best when their own livelihood and well-being is threatened.

[politicasista]

3. Kick

:kick: :hi:

[ObamaKerryDem]

5. I haven't yet had the chance to see the speech for myself..

..but it appears we might actually have something to smile about from it, after all?:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x652782

It sure seems the mood in the main forum has changed quite a bit since the speech, lol. Can't wait to see it for myself. I'm glad he is speaking about this and really hope he sticks to this if it's as positive as this thread and others make it seem (not doubting it, just haven't personally seen it yet, though I plan to later on!) But talk of Campaign 2008 Obama being "back" is highly encouraging! :)