Obama's Deputy Campaign Manager: "A Message To Progressive Critics"

[Are_grits_groceries]

<snip>
I could go on and on. The point I'm making here is that our new president, the Congress and all Americans must come together to solve these problems. This is not a time for the left wing of our Party to draw conclusions about the Cabinet and White House appointments that President-Elect Obama is making. Some believe the appointments generally aren't progressive enough. Having worked with former Senator Obama for the last two years, I can tell you, that isn't the way he thinks and it's not likely the way he will lead. The problems I mentioned above and the many I didn't, suggest that our president surround himself with the most qualified people to address these challenges. After all, he was elected to be the president of all the people - not just those on the left.

As a liberal member of our Party, I hope and expect our new president to address those issues that will benefit the vast majority of Americans first and foremost. That's his job. Over time, there will be many, many issues that come before him. But first let's get our economy moving, bring our troops home safely, fix health care, end climate change and restore our place in the world. What a great president Barack Obama will be if he can work with Congress and the American people to make great strides in these very difficult times
<snip>
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Thank you so very much for the lecture. I just had no idea about the many problems that the US is facing.
You have enlightened "the left". After all, we have been clueless, and have been lazing around for years.
Obviously, we have no right to offer one word that appears to run counter to what is being proposed.
Just beat on this side some more.

[lostnotforgotten]

1. Yes - Thoroughly Discussed Yesterday With Disgust By All The Progressives At DU

What was mazing was all the appeaser responses that basically told all the progressives to go pound sound.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. Sorry! Didn't see it. nt

[Jamastiene]

3. He is not even in office yet.

Time will tell. Let's see how he governs once he actually gets there. After all, he is the final arbiter of what gets done. He holds the magic veto pen to anything he doesn't want. Let's wait and see how he does.

And the fact still is that until he cleans up Bush's freaking mess, which is what we ALWAYS have to do (clean up the ginormous Republican mess), not much else will matter. The infrastructure has to be repaired before we can get the machinery moving again. We can't even put food on the table if the country is still in shambles. Only when the country is no longer in shambles can we really expect things to get better in other areas.

In other words, he is saying let's work on needs first and wants later. It IS a pragmatic approach.

[midnight]

4. I do you know if your a left winger?

[quickesst]

5. Ha ha....

"After all, he was elected to be the president of all the people - not just those on the left."

Now that would piss me off too....if I thought I was better, and smarter than the majority of the US population. Since I'm a part of "all the people", it doesn't. "Critics" should save it until Obama does something to actually deserve the grief, rather than provide the right-wing ammunition for the grief they are sure to hand him. Thanks.
quickesst

[Are_grits_groceries]

9. *Sigh*

I don't think I am better than anyone. I too am also part of "all the people." I also think he has to be pragmatic and do some major work on the economy.
However, this "don't say boo now" approach is worrisome. When will it be okay to dare to raise a question?

I can hear it now. After something is done, the next meme will be " just wait and see if it works." Nevermind that there might be some valid criticisms.

I didn't work for PE Obama just for grins. I believe he has the opportunity and the wisdom to do some great things. I didn't realize that in electing him there was this implicit idea that he would be exempt from any criticism. I didn't think anybody was.

I still believe in him, but I also believe I have the right to voice an opinion if I don't think something is okay. Just because somebody from "the left" or whatever says something doesn't mean it's automatically wrong. I believe that we are being told to hush in order to score political points with the middle. That is a pragmatic, cold blooded political maneuver. PE Obama is not a naif when it comes to politics.

However, don't expect me to shut up. I never have no matter who has been in office, and I never will. The day that is demanded is a scary day.

[bigtree]

6. I think it's hilarious how he talks about the opposition party

. . . like they're going to bargain in good faith.

Where's the lecture for the critics on the right of the party? Oh, yeah . . . there really aren't any yet.

[Le Taz Hot]

7. So, if . . .

"The problems I mentioned above and the many I didn't, suggest that our president surround himself with the most qualified people to address these challenges" does that mean that there are NO qualified progressives? How the hell does being wrong on EVERY SINGLE IMPORTANT ISSUE make one "qualified?" The disdain these people have for the progressives is staggering. Do they not realize most of us have been in this game longer than they have?

[MadHound]

8. Yep, sit down, shut up, don't question

Sorry, but I always question authority.

While the centerists, corporatists, DLC types have the ear of Obama, the left has nobody who treds the corridors of power. We have no representation, no advocates on our behalf. Therefore we have to make our voice heard in other ways.

The last time we were told "trust me" by an administration, we got the sell out of the Clinton years. Yet we're supposed to trust Obama? Sorry, but I don't trust anybody in government. And given Obama's appointments, given his trial balloons, it is looking increasingly like this is going to be another Democratic rerun.

The left isn't asking for everything to be their way. What we are asking for is a seat at the table, a fair hearing like everybody else is getting. Instead we get this scolding.

Fuck it, keep shouting.

[KG]

10. so, how much longer are progressives going to keep voting for candidates

that have no intention of advancing a progressive agenda?