I think that people should think about Gibbs' criticism rather than dismissing it.

[LoZoccolo]

[joeybee12]

1. I think you should think about it because it doesn't seem like you have...

...yeah, drug-tested, crazy, retard...we should have a serious discussion about these insults.

[LoZoccolo]

3. >Implying that it makes sense to equate George Bush* and Barack Obama.

[joeybee12]

9. Um, that's what Gibbs said...in his own little mind...

what an epic fail your OP is...trying to justify such demeaning tripe.

[LoZoccolo]

12. "Oh no, Gibbs' is insulting me because I hit Obama with an insane bullshit insult!"

"BAAAAAAAAW!"

[derby378]

40. Who, exactly, is equating Obama to Bush?

I know a few anti-war activists say that Obama's Iraq policy is the same as Bush's; some of them even called him "Obushma." But aside from the LaRoucheoids, that's all I've got.

Maybe Gibbs is just trying to stir up shit so he'll have something to shovel?

[phantom power]

2. I gave it the 0.5 second "thought" it deserved -- and moved on to the pointing and laughing.

:rofl:

[snot]

4. From the most practical point of view:

Repubs have long recognized that if you want to move the perceived "mainstream" even a LITTLE toward one end of the spectrum, you have to have a lot of vocalization from people FAR at that end of the spectrum. This helps in more than one way. It helps gets your messages out, it helps convince others that lots of people think that way, and it takes up "air space," helping you control the agenda.

Thus, not only do Repubs avoid criticizing their far right base (I mean, the teabaggers practically have to advocate lynching to get criticized), but they actually FUND them.

[LoZoccolo]

6. Comparing Bush* and Obama is not likely to get people to vote for Obama.

This isn't an attack on the left, it's an attack on the left who are throwing fits to try to appear crazy and get attention, and who would get tombstoned from DU if they posted this ridiculous and tired Naderesque assertion one too many times.

[snot]

27. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. My point was, if the Dem P.T.B were genuinely interested in

change in a more leftward direction than what Repubs have been selling as the "mainstream" for some years, they would be defending and even FUNDING the far left, not excoriating them.

[Soylent Brice]

47. that has to be one of the most insightful things i've read on DU in days.

thank you.

[closeupready]

5. Sure, if you have no self-respect, consider Gibbs' verbal abuse as thoughtful criticism.

:eyes:

[LoZoccolo]

7. Equating Bush* and Obama is verbal abuse, Gibbs' brings a much-needed shaming to these liars. n/t

[Enrique]

8. omg a Robert Gibbs avatar

that's even better than the woodchuck. :thumbsup:

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

20. They were out of Ben Nelson

[county worker]

10. It shows me they got the message.

Now I would like an answer point by point. Not just any answer but the truth.

For instance, why is there no public option in the health care bill. It's not because they could not get it in the bill.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. I gave it as much thought as any red-baiting diatribe deserves.

But, it was worth a laugh.

[rucky]

13. What else is there to consider?

He didn't try very hard to make his case. When you go down the "what have you been smoking?" trail, you're not really interested in a discussion.

[LoZoccolo]

15. Right, because people who equate Obama and Bush* are looking for discussion to begin with. n/t

[rucky]

21. When you reduce it to that, no.

So how many imaginary people from the "Professional Left" was he talking to?

[LoZoccolo]

24. Quite a few of them I guess, if people here are so offended about him questioning the rationality

of an assertion that is banned outright from DU to begin with.

Anyone who is baaaaaaaawing about being called out on such a ridiculous statement was just out to insult the president to begin with. No one likes a hypocrite.

[rucky]

36. Does that include the people who point out the Bush policies that have been continued under Obama?

I think the people who thoughtfully observe this do not deserve to lumped in with this caricature. The White House should be above the petty bullshit we see on DU, not egging it on. If Gibbs had bothered to cite a few examples of how Obama is not Bush (which is easy to do), then we'd have something to talk about.

What needs to be resolved among the party is how to prioritize fixing the shitstorm that was left for us to clean up. Everybody who's thought about it for more than a minute has their own laundry list, and there will be people screaming for the items that they see as priority to make sure they don't get ignored. NCLB, the war, spying on citizens, denying non-citizens due process, and simple investigation of the deceptions that led us into Iraq. These aren't petty things. People will grow more untrusting the longer they go unaddressed.

To me, the broad brush attacks are a convenient way to avoid these issues (on one side), or draw attention to these issues (on the other). Both are substitutes for having an honest & legitimate discussion.

[derby378]

42. +100 (n/t)

[LoZoccolo]

54. It's not against the rules to state that, nor do I really mind it. n/t

[rucky]

59. Did Gibbs follow DU rules?

I bet he's wishing a mod could delete his comment right about now.

[LoZoccolo]

60. He doesn't have to, but I wonder about people complaining against his comment on DU.

It seems like they have a problem with one of the fundamental rules here.

[Pisces]

14. Too many have their fat fingers in their ears crying la,la,la,la. They can't hear over

their own noise. Gibbs is right, Kucinich would not be able to please some on the left.

[LoZoccolo]

18. I like Kucinich now, I had him as my avatar (before Gibbs lol).

He's finding ways to get more of his progressive ideas enacted through a new sensible liberalism. He's every bit committed to his ultimate goals, it's just that now he'd rather see some of it come to fruition while he works for the rest of it. But I don't think many of his former fans like that.

[spoony]

16. ....is a shit statement. nt

[City Lights]

17. I think Gibbs and the WH should listen to the criticism rather than dismiss it.

They'd be wise to lay off the insults too.

Unrec'd.

[LoZoccolo]

19. Right, Obama == Bush* is something to listen to. n/t

[City Lights]

25. You're stuck in repeat mode.

You're not paying attention if you believe the only criticism the left has leveled at the WH is that "Obama=Bush."

[SidDithers]

41. But that's the criticism that Gibbs was addressing...nt

Sid

[KansasVoter]

22. Oh, I thought LONG and HARD about it. And determined he is an ass!

[killbotfactory]

23. You're doing it wrong!

You're not manipulating his quote about people equating Obama and Bush and applying it to the entire left!

How dare you!

[Javaman]

26. The point is:

him making that statement in the first place doesn't dispel how the DNC and the WH view the progressive left.


Granted, there are the half witted few that equate Obama with moron*, but to lump us all progressives together as if that is our rallying cry is down right ignorant. And only highlights how out of touch they are with the progressives. This is nothing more than equating us with the tea bag morons.

That is my complaint.

It's no mystery that Obama and his staff are conservative moderates, however, discounting the voice from the progressive left as "fringe" and using stupid blanket accusations is disingenuous at best.

This doesn't help things for them. I thought Obama was all about bringing people together, not dividing them.

If they want change then talk to the progressives, if they want incremental change that may or may not take effect or effect us at all, then they should just keep right along doing what they have been doing.

[LoZoccolo]

29. You make my argument for me when you call them "dim witted".

Why is it OK for you to call them "dim witted" and not Gibbs? And you're the one doing the lumping if you think he was talking about the "progressive left".

[Javaman]

32. Because just like gibbs I have freedom of speech, what is left of it.

and I don't agree with what he said. And yes, it is a half-witted remark. Like someone said in this same thread, gibbs and his like didn't have a problem with us during the election but now, the election is over and we are questioning things, he get bent out of shape.

furthermore, I am a progressive and never once have I ever compared Obama to moron*. The vast majority of progressives haven't. So to lump us all together, I'll say it again, is half-witted.

Him making a blanket statement regarding the progressives won't win him any friends.

on edit: Frankly, what is wrong with demanding more from a president that promised so much? If we the people are to have a government again that is to be representative of us, then we the people have to demand more and expect more.

[Jim__]

28. You mean I should seriously consider whether or not I need drug counseling?

I think if Gibbs want people to listen to his criticisms, he'll have to bring those criticisms up to an adult level.

[LoZoccolo]

30. Obama == Bush* is not an adult criticism; he's just calling that out. n/t

[Javaman]

34. True, but lumping all the progressives together as believing that...

certainly isn't an adult observation either.

[geek tragedy]

37. Most Obama critics at DU do believe it.

Which is why the actual Democrats here have little respect for the Obama critics.

[Javaman]

44. Um what? I beg to differ and this is where we part. Good day. nt

[geek tragedy]

58. Here's an example:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8914091

Check out how many people essentially state that Obama is indeed just like Bush.

[apocalypsehow]

62. +1

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

67. Exactly...Let's be VERY clear on this point

Glenn Beck is not comparing Obama to Bush.
Rush Limbaugh is not comparing Obama to Bush.
Bill O'Reilly is not comparing Obama to Bush.
Even Ann Coulter is not comparing Obama to Bush.

The one and ONLY group that is so fucking retarded and/or drug-addled as to compare Obama to Bush would be elements of the far left.

They were idiotic enough to make the comparison, so they can fucking own it.

[JonLP24]

69. Nice pejorative term

:sarcasm:

[JonLP24]

68. actual Democrats?

I guess I should turn in my voter registration card or ask for my primary ballot back because I voted for Democrats. The reason is because I'm highly critical of some really bad decisions the President has made.

[WinkyDink]

39. "The Left wants the Pentagon eliminated" is ADULT?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

31. well... if you have to ask you probably have a problem.

(joke)

[Johonny]

33. So you're saying the DU constantly has posts that illustrate his point

:) I think I get what he's saying and frankly can safely move on. On the other hand I don't feel I have to be satisfied with the country in its current state. Why should the left give up, when we are right on these issues?

[SarahB]

35. I am thinking about it.

I think it's a straw man.

[WinkyDink]

38. And what makes you think people have not so thought? It isn't a proposition from Wittgenstein.

[Individualist]

43. Shit statement. Unrec.

[zipplewrath]

45. He was late to the discussion

We've been thinking about it for months, about 19 to be more specific. It's been argued continuously around here all this year. No one needs to "think about it", we've been thinking and discussing it for months.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

46. They're upset because they know Robert Gibbs is right.

Either that or Rahm Emmanuel is.

[WinkyDink]

50. No; you have it backwards. Gibbs insults the Left because HE knows THEY are correct.

[LoZoccolo]

56. NO U n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

61. Gibbs isn't insulting the left.

He's insulting a single digit percentage of the left, and they deserve the criticism. Besides, most of them are either trolls, or carrying the GOP's water for them.

[hiphopnation]

66. Including the commie pinko fag, Glenn Greenwald.

Socialist.

[LoZoccolo]

55. Yeah, how many times did we hear "the woodchuck upsets you because you know it's true"? n/t

[asdjrocky]

48. I can see how you feel.

When Gibbs actually says something as stupid and insulting as that, it must really get in the way of your talking points.

[anarch]

49. OK, I've thought about it

and I still disapprove of the vast number of Republican policies that are being continued (without even any real consideration of abandoning them!) by this administration, so while I would never say that "Obama is like Bush", I will say without any hesitation that I am not satisfied and feel disheartened with the lack of real change in many areas, and it appears to me that a number of Bush-era policies that I completely abhor are still being practiced.

Also: the implication that anyone who criticizes this administration is "on drugs", whatever that is supposed to imply, strikes me as truly offensive.

[rufus dog]

51. I'm just trying to figure out

If I am a 'professional liberal,' WTF?

[SargeUNN]

52. Gibbs is a loose cannon

He needs to go if he doesn't get it that he is a voice of the President and when he speaks like that he reflects on the President even if the President doesn't share those views or want them public. Gibbs needs to get professional or leave.

[northernlights]

53. yeah,I thought about Gibbs criticism

I'm not an extreme lefty. In fact, until 2004 I was a registered independent. I switched to democrat in hopes of helping choose an electable candidate. Kerry let me down with a weak campaign, but I stuck with the democrats because Bozo the clown would have been a better president than W.

Obama was not my 1st choice; he was my last. He was too young, too inexperienced, too much an unknown quantity. My 1st choice ranged from Edwards, with the right message, Biden with enough experience and Richardson who struck me as totally real (but schmaltzed up the folksy stuff - he didn't need to play that role, he embodies it). When it was down to 2, I still was for Hillary over Obama because she was a known quantity. Better the devil you know, and all that... But Obama was the democratic party's choice, so I stuck with him.

And now I see I may as well have voted for W's 3rd term.

Let off the war criminals? check
Spy on Americans? check
Continue rendition and let others do our torturing for us? check
Bail out the financial industry and make us all their serfs for a lifetime or three? check
Continue combat in Iraq? check
Increase the slaughter in Afghanistan? check
Undermine health CARE reform? check
Bail out the health INSURANCE industry by forcing us to buy their shitty products? check
Put the top 1% ahead of the rest of us? check
Go after the medical marijuana industry? check
Continue super-secret policy making? check
Bait and switch? check
Put big AGRIBIZ in charge of agriculture? check
And so on....

Oh, wait, Obama did recently sponsor one initiative -- its ok for the government to murder Americans without due process, based on suspician. Wow! Now THERE is a democratic legacy to be proud of.

The only fundamental reform I've seen is that W's worst policies have become encoded into law. :(

People on this board attacked me with a vengeance when I expressed disappointment at Obama's willingness to court animal-lovers with the promise to adopt from a shelter, only to turn around and instead "adopt" an elitist dog that ordinary people would be unable to purchase, not due to price but because breeders in this country will only allow their elite dogs to join the families of "their own kind." They didn't get my point back then -- which was about principals and decency and honesty, plus elitism.

They ripped me apart when I questioned Michelle's "ground-breaking" of her organic garden -- on the same day that Obama put Monsanto in charge of our food supply. They didn't get my point back then -- which was about the honesty, integrity and questionable decency of using his wife as cover while he stabbed us in the back.

I wonder if they get it now.

"Some call you the haves and the have mores. Some call you the elite; I call you my base." Hmmmm....who was it who said that again?

[asdjrocky]

57. Is a shit statement.

[Bluebear]

71. +

[Touchdown]

63. Wow. You got it bad!

[ljm2002]

64. I think Obama should think about Progressives' criticisms rather than dismissing them. n/t

[Scurrilous]

65. Nice avatar.

Solidarity!:P

[ibegurpard]

70. thinking...

ok, dismissed
fuck him.