Could You See Yourself Voting for a Liberal Alternative to Obama in 2012???

[Bullet1987]

I didn't think it was possible, but if the next two years is simply defined by watching the Democrats give in the Republicans step-by-step...then I'm almost certain Obama will totally lose my vote. Unless there's a liberal challenger, I don't see myself voting. That's IF Obama goes down the capitulation road. Who else has become too fed up to vote for corporate Democrats? I'm washing my hands of them, they're weak and only there to serve the Republicon agenda. If you can't fight for what you want and show some balls...you're not getting my vote. I want a REAL reformer...not a paper reformer.

[onehandle]

1. No. nt

[HughMoran]

2. No.

[Sugarcoated]

3. Never

[VMI Dem]

4. Yes. And if he is the nominee, I will most likely no-vote the Presidential.

[cliffordu]

45. Maybe you need to re think your ability to contribute altogether, then....

[ProfessorGAC]

86. Dumb

GAC

[sufrommich]

no. nt

[FarPoint]

5. NO

No, No, NO....no one will even try ....this is counter productive....Weakens the Party and the President.

[ananda]

6. Yes.

I am a proud LIBERAL!

[Mojambo]

7. Ask me in 2012. n/t

[Naturyl]

8. We need a primary.

What can it hurt? If Obama is strong and Dems want him, then he will win. And don't tell me the opposition campaigns will damage him in the general. Repukes will take care of that just fine whether there's a primary or not.

[USArmyParatrooper]

56. When was the last primaried incumbent to win the General?

It virtually guarantees a Republican victory.

And don't tell me not to tell you something that is absolutely 100% true.

[Radical Activist]

80. What can it hurt? Ask Jimmy Carter or George H. W. Bush.

[Bucky]

110. But they had all their weaknesses going in. That's why they got challenged.

It's chicken & egg, maybe. But Gore, who was a kind of incumbent, got challenged and kind of won.

I suspect a partly Republican Congress will unite us enough to prevent challenges being viable.

[BzaDem]

9. Oh, you'll get a real reformer. A real reformer that starts a 3rd war and reinstitutes the draft

after funding it by voucherizing Medicare.

You'll be back to voting for "paper reformers" if that's what it takes to block Republicans. Maybe you'll be sitting out in 2012, but in 2016 you'll be RUNNING to the polls to elect President Ben Nelson if that's what it takes. Seeing the consequences of your actions is a powerful motivator to become rational.

[flamingdem]

10. CUT THE CRAP! nt

[DJ13]

11. Yes

Im tired of these corporate suck ups.

[Kaleva]

12. No

[Cant trust em]

13. Nope. nt

[Fire1]

14. No. n/t

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[UrbScotty]

32. +1. As someone said, bad politicians are elected by good people who don't vote. (nt)

[gateley]

37. I've never heard that -- good one. And true. nt

[demwing]

35. What I think

is that the "didn't get their pony" bullshit is just some people's way of saying they didn't get enough love as a child, and they need some attention asap, even if its negative.

This is my way of telling them to kiss my hairy ass from both sides.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SunsetDreams]

81. and the GOP will stop all of this how?

[hollowdweller]

16. Yes

But it would depend on what he does from this point forward. If he starts attacking the republicans he'll get my vote even if he gets nothing passed. If he passes a bunch of GOP crap I'll be more than happy to vote for anyone challenging him.

[Autumn]

17. Yes. I can see that happening with me,

We do not need more GOP ideas and certainly no more capitulation.

[Scurrilous]

Nope. n/t

[Imperialism Inc.]

18. No

[leftstreet]

19. We need a truly bipartisan ticket: Clinton/Bush 2012

:silly:

[Uben]

20. No nt

nt

[flvegan]

21. Put Kucinich on the primary ballot opposite Obama.

Guess who I vote for.

That said, if/when the DLC and the media choose to ignore Dennis, I'll be forced (once again) to vote for Obama in the general.

[scheming daemons]

50. ...and DK will get 3% in the primaries just like he always does

[flvegan]

65. Thanks to the DLC and the media, yes.

I agree.

[MineralMan]

85. Sure. And Kucinich will lose the primary in his own state.

There's a great strategy....

[Bullet1987]

22. Well according to one exit poll conducted...Democrats as a whole...

something like 51% thinks he should face a primary challenger.

[Kaleva]

And they tend to be less educated and less liberal

"Among Democrats, 47 percent say Obama should be challenged for the 2012 nomination and 51 percent say he should not be opposed. Those favoring a contest include most who backed Hillary Rodham Clinton's unsuccessful faceoff against Obama for the 2008 nomination. The poll did not ask if Democrats would support particular challengers."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/30/obama-primary-challenge_n_776443.html

"Democrats saying Obama should face a primary challenge tend to be less educated, less liberal and likelier to have been 2008 Clinton backers."

[MuseRider]

23. Absolutely.

I am sick to death of what has been going on for the last 10 years. Mr. Hope and Change apparently did not mean it.

He should be able to withstand it if he is indeed what the people want. It would do him good. Everyone needs to be challenged over and over to become their best. I think he has a long way to go. Maybe this would help. Of course this is just my opinion.

[RKP5637]

24. Depends where we are as 2012 approaches. n/t

[iamtechus]

25. YES

[mmonk]

26. Depends on how much he tends to his abusers, the Republicans.

If he continues to capitulate, I would have no choice. Voting these days is an act of self defense.

[HughMoran]

27. Bookmarked.

This ought to be interesting...

[jobycom]

28. In the primaries, if things go a certain way, sure. I would never sit out a general election, thoug

Not with these Republicans. I don't care how un-liberal or ineffective Obama or any other Democrat appears over the next two years, I wouldn't vote for a Republican (not voting is the same thing).

If Obama doesn't do well over the next two years, and he has a good challenger, I'd consider voting for the challenger. That's a lot of ifs. I'm going to sit back and see how it plays out before deciding, though. I've been involved in politics a long time, and I've learned that simplistic answers to simplistic questions two years from an election are just noise to get people fighting, signifying nothing.

[ibegurpard]

29. If he keeps up the compromise talk then I really don't see I have any choice

[UrbScotty]

30. I can't even IMAGINE not voting for Democrats in competitive races against Republicans.

Hell, even a Blue Dog would be better than almost any Republican.

[Drale]

31. Only if he did not run again

which honestly I would not blame him one bit if he did not want to run again, I know if I was in his shoes, I would give the people of the US a big middle finger and tell them to fuck off.

[creon]

33. no

[yourout]

34. Yes......if Obama completely....

caves on everything.

I can handle some compromise but out and out capitulation would
force me to vote for someone else.

[BlueDemKev]

36. NO

I'm proud to have Barack Obama as our president. He has done a good job considering the difficult times our country is in, and the toxic opposition he has faced. He totally deserves to be re-elected in 2012.

[Bryn]

38. Yes if..if..Obama extends tax cuts for the rich.

Seriously! I will NOT put up with this crap stuff for the Rich. I don't want them to rule 98% of us. Do you?

[Ozymanithrax]

39. In a primary, no.

Historically, Presidents that face a primary opponent tend to lose the election following the primary.



Now if Democrats were dumb enough to nominate someone else in a primary, I would vote for them and then turn my TV off for President Palin's gala swearing in, when she shoots a bear from a Helicopter before landing and raising her left hand, take the oath of office, then announce her resignation because she can not stand being a lame duck.

1980 Carter was primaried by Kennedy. Carter lost the White House.
1976 Ford primaried by Reagan. Ford Lost he White House.
1968 Johnson primaried by Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy resigned. Democrats lost the White House

We should not ask for history to repeat itself.

[Fla_Democrat]

40. Primary or General?

:shrug:

[abq e streeter]

41. Yes...Not saying I will, just that can envision it as a possibility

On edit; just noticed the "primary or general ?" post above this, and I was strictly thinking primary. I will vote for the Democratic nominee no matter how disgusted I am (which is plenty these days). The alternative is far too dangerous.

[Terra Alta]

42. maybe

If he continues to throw LGBT people under the bus then I would consider voting for a more progressive candidate in the primaries, though I don't think there will be one... in the general election though I would have to vote for Obama.. despite his faults he is still miles ahead of anyone the GOPukes put up.

[LibDemAlways]

43. I'm a liberal and would prefer to vote for someone who

thinks like I do. So, yes, I would consider voting for a liberal alternative in 2012 - at least in the primary. If Obama is the Dem candidate in the general election, I would, of course, vote for him.

[Blue_In_AK]

Exactly my position.

[cliffordu]

44. Nope

But I'll bet this piece of shit talking point becomes all the rage.....

[OnyxCollie]

46. Why not?

Should I believe there is no one better than Obama?

Anyone who thinks Obama is so perfect that no one can challenge him is treading deep into cult territory.

[MannyGoldstein]

47. In a heartbeat nt

[msongs]

48. the best candidate - nobody has any other right to the candidacy nt

[Naturyl]

52. Obama doesn't have any "right" to it, either (n/t)

[Blue_In_AK]

49. It depends on if he shows a little more spine in dealing

with Republican obstructionism. I have not been impressed so far, and to see him STILL bending over backwards in the face of McConnell's recent remarks makes me sick.

[Bryn]

53. me, too

I'd LOVE to see Obama slam both Boner and McConnell. He did slam Supreme Court on TV, in public, for voting for Corporate Personhood so he has it in him.

[Blue_In_AK]

57. The State of the Union address would be a good place to start.

They need to be called out on their bullshit, and if Obama's not the man to do it, then someone else should be given a chance.

[ScreamingMeemie]

99. This is where I am. If he continues this path of self destruction of himself

for a second term, I will wholly support a challenge.

[HuckleB]

51. Nope.

I'm not into suicide.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

54. No

A bit premature isn't it?

[RickFromMN]

55. I will vote for Obama in 2012 if he is our standard bearer, but...

Obama will not get my vote in the 2012 primary if there's a credible challenger.

I'm convinced President Obama won't fight back when the bullies pick on him.

Is he afraid to fight back? Is he unable to fight back? Doesn't he want to fight back?

What's wrong with him? Does he enjoy the political beating they're giving him?

A President leads. A President is not a wimp.

Please prove me wrong, President Obama. Please show me some backbone, some spine.
Please don't let the bullies pick on you any more.

[gkhouston]

58. Somebody call a plumber; the septic tank has overflowed. n/t

[paulk]

59. only if I think that alternative can win the general election

and the book is still out on Obama - he may get a clue in the next two years

I'm hoping he does, anyway...

[elocs]

60. No. Just...no.

[Jack Sprat]

61. I could see it.

At some point, you have to question what you are sanctioning by your support. There has to be a line drawn and that line is drawing closer. If this president is conceding to the point where I find another candidate preferable, then absolutely I will close the door on him personally. No one president is worth sacrificing your personal principles.

Let's ask ourselves this: "What if a president representing the Democratic party had always been planted by the opposing party to help enact the undoing of all the 'New Deal' social programs one by one." Would we stand silently aside and even help reelect him? No way! We have some real weenies on this site that I think need a good hard shaking. They don't realize what they are implying with their blind devotion to Obama.

[HipChick]

62. Nope...Exactly what kind of spine are people looking for?

The kind of spine so he gets called an angry black man? He can't win,no matter what he does..

[Smarmie Doofus]

63. Yes. N/T

[doc03]

64. An alternative that will fight, yes definitely n/t

[JVS]

66. Will the wars be over then? Will the economy be good then? Patriot act scrapped?

[CommonSensePLZ]

67. You people don't know what you want, do you? Just like people reading your complaints

So many posts whining that Obama's too moderate, doesn't do enough and is trying too hard to be friendly with the right, a whole lot of posts about how the GOP is too radically right and sucks, the only other option is someone who's progressive, but I see a whole lotta no's to that too?

WHO DO YOU PEOPLE LIKE ALREADY? Writing in a chia pet for office?

As for me, yes, if I like the person better than Obama than maybe I will probably support them, but I guess it comes down to which guy I like best come election night November 2012.

[Name removed]

68. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Raine]

69. Yes, Absolutely, Postitively

I will. I hope that there is one who will run! :thumbsup:

[jgraz]

70. 2012 will be a four-party race

You heard it here first. The Teabaggers will almost certainly nominate their own candidate and, if the Dems continue their disastrous political strategy, there will also be a Nader-esque challenge from the left.

[Cetacea]

92. Agreed.

I was just going to post the same. Palin will break with the GOP, and contrary to what the pundits say, will be a serious threat to the other three candidates.

[TBF]

103. Michael Moore talked about that possibility as well -

I could see it happening & I'd be happy to vote for a progressive. Obama is not getting my vote again. If I wanted to vote for someone who rushes to privatize everything, bashes unions, and bails out bankers rather than implementing a jobs program - I'd vote for republicans.

[TornadoTN]

107. +1 Well Said. It's really pathetic.

Obama has signaled he is marching further right in some vein attempt to appeal to the whackjobs on the right. Too bad for this supposedly brilliant chessplayer, he hasn't figured out that it won't work. He's just going to rely on the Obama mythos to rescue him, with the cheerleaders leading the charge.

[SidDithers]

118. Bookmarking...

we'll revisit this "prediction" in a couple of years.

Sid

[Liberal Left]

71. I'll see in 12

I actually support a Feingold-Kucinich ticket that I think would do better than Obama at this point.

[txaslftist]

72. Absolutely

[TexasObserver]

73. Only in the primary, and only then if I felt it would do some good.

If he doesn't improve his leadership vastly, it will be a moot point. Without much better leadership, he will not be reelected.

[Hekate]

74. Not just no, but Hell No

[readmoreoften]

75. YES.

In fact, I'll only vote for the Democrat if Obama moves significantly to the left or is primaried. If not, I'll vote 3rd party. I'm not voting for more bank bailouts, more tax cuts, more anti-teacher crap, union busting, abandonment of LGBT people, torture, and war. If I wanted that I'd vote Republican.

[CakeGrrl]

77. No.

[Catherina]

78. Yes. Someone with a solid record behind the pretty speeches.

Someone who can't play the antiwar card just because they weren't around to vote on it at the time.

[Radical Activist]

79. Obama is the most liberal President America is going to elect right now.

The major obstacle to more progress in the last two years was the US Senate, not Obama. Everything Obama proposed was to the LEFT of what Congress was willing to pass. Running a primary challenge against Obama would be a tragic mistake in picking the wrong target.

[TBF]

112. I disagree, as evidenced by the fact that we lost 1% progressive reps

and 40% bluedog reps. We don't want centrist cheerleaders - we want a progressive.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

82. Hit Rec instead of Unrec

:P

Luckily, it won't make a whit of difference.

[FrenchieCat]

83. Here we start.......speculating and then making announcements

based on those speculations.

You should be a pundit.

You can always work hard in making sure there is an enthusiasm gap in two years.
The media and the GOP will love you for it....but understand, that this makes you
weak, and your wants will continue to be just that; pie in the sky.

[MineralMan]

84. Name the candidate. Who do you think is an electable alternative?

Probably not. I don't like splitting the party. That trick never works.

[TBF]

106. In a race of 4 parties it got Lincoln elected -

and I can see the same thing happening in 2012. Republican, Palin, Obama, Progressive. I'm not sure who but not Kucinich. He's awesome but the right-wing have smeared him so much that he's unelectable.

[Le Taz Hot]

87. Uh, yeah!!!

This thread will be locked, of course, due to rule violation and Das Party Loyale getting their panties in a bunch, but hell yes!

[Vickers]

88. Unrec for even implying you might not vote. n/t

[aikoaiko]

89. In a primary, I'll vote for the most leftist choice who I think can win the gen. election

That's pretty much what it boils down to for me.

[Demstud]

90. Not yet

I'll wait and see what happens. I don't think his first term has been that bad so far. The overall democratic political strategy to get votes on the other hand... it's been pretty pathetic.

[dionysus]

91. i'll be here laughing my ass off at whoever you guys start pimping

[ScreamingMeemie]

101. I am guessing the "you guys" won't be able to see you doing it.

Ignore is a powerful tool. :hi:

[bigwillq]

93. Yes (nt)

[mcar]

94. No

[TwilightGardener]

95. No.

[Douglas Carpenter]

96. the right-wing of the Republican Party provides me with all the motivation I need to support Obama

It is the sad and simple reality that no truly progressive candidate - one who supports single-payer, who supports a genuinely comprehensive safety-net, who supports turning away from an unsustainable speculation-based casino economy toward a sustainable production-based economy, who supports a realistic foreign policy instead of an unrealistic and endlessly increasing unsustainable global military empire - such a candidate in the current political atmosphere is simply going to be completely marginalized. That is the sad reality of the current body politic in America.

It is also the sad and simple reality that the Democrats lead by President Obama are the only viable alternative capable of stopping the country from being taken over and run lock, stock and barrel by people who think exactly like the crazies on Fox News. This is the brutal reality. But it is the sad and simple reality. No liberal or left-wing challenger has the political ability to stop them except the Democrats. This is reality, however harsh reality may be.

I remember once talking to a Chinese Malaysian who was explaining to me why most Chinese Malaysians loathe their President at the time, .Mahathir Mohamad yet when it comes to the general elections they support him anyway. They were simply dealing with the said and simple reality that in absence of him - they where faced with radical Malay nationalist and hardline fundamentalist. Such choices exist all over the real world. Politics is not always about supporting what is right. Sometimes it is simply about survival. Politics is not always about choosing the perfect over the good. Some times it is about choosing the only alternative to something, far, far worse.

[TBF]

97. Yes. nt

[Blue_Tires]

98. no, never... And I was a Kuchinich voter in the 08 primary

[CBR]

100. Hell no. nt

[TornadoTN]

102. Absoloutely Yes

I'm tired of capitulation and corporate apologists in disguise.

[ourbluenation]

104. nope n/t

[GoCubsGo]

105. No.

But, thanks for asking.

[fascisthunter]

108. I will vote

for a more liberal candidate, yes.

[Mimosa]

109. Yes. n/t

[LuckyTheDog]

111. No, I do not want to help elect Palin. You? (nt)

[Bullet1987]

114. In a 4-way race we could also get a real progressive/liberal and not a corporate shill

[kctim]

113. NO-WAY-IN-HELL

In fact, I would work harder for President Obama than I did in 2008. There isn't even a remote chance that he would lose such a primary attack, but I wouldn't take any chances for the simple fact that there really is no question on who to vote for if its between a liberal and a moderate Republican.

OUR President, President Obama is a good President and deserves our support. Thankfully, those calling for his removal are of such a small minority that such a ridiculous idea will not happen.

[hayu_lol]

119. Few things that we need betwixt now and then...

1. Eliminate the caucus method of choosing candidates

2. Eliminate the Texas Two-Step...election only.

3. CLOSE OUR PRIMARY TO REGISTERED DEMOCRATS ONLY...repeat...Democrats Only.

[MadHound]

115. Quite possibly,

Depends on what Obama and the Dems do over the next two years. If they sell us down the river, then yes, I will be voting for a liberal alternative.

[begin_within]

116. Yes, absolutely.

Obama's completely wrong for the job. We need someone far stronger and far more liberal. These times call for another FDR, not another Carter.

[still_one]

117. Only if they start cutting or privatizing social security and medicare, or put in a right wing

supreme court judge

[racaulk]

120. Honestly, here in Georgia, I don't think it matters.

The GOP could give their 2012 nomination to a three-headed lizard, and if they could teach it to parrot talking points about lower taxes, less government, immigration, and the sanctity of life and marriage, that lizard could carry Georgia without even trying.

Considering the right-leaning political makeup of this state and the rampant partisanship around the country that seems to be getting worse, I don't see Obama or any other Democrat winning the electoral votes here at any point in the foreseeable future. Even in 2008, with the swelling of populist calls for change and the increased voter turnout among traditional Democratic supporters (African-Americans, in particular), McCain still carried this state by 5 percentage points. Also, McCain spent almost none of his campaign funds in this state. If Obama couldn't carry this state in 2008, I have a hard time seeing how he can do it in 2012.

Considering this, I would be open to supporting a third-party candidate in 2012. That's a long time from now and my mind is not made up, but I'm not opposed to the idea.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

121. Yes. With great pleasure.

[Pisces]

122. Fuck No. Is that plain enough for you.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

123. If there were a liberal primary challenger --

I would certainly vote for them. If O takes a hatchet to SS with the GOPers help, he does not get my vote in 12, I will find another candidate to support.

[rainlillie]

124. NO!

[krabigirl]

125. whoever truly promises to end the wars, gets my vote. I thought I was burned by Obama, but..

I had forgotten that he wanted to escalate Afghanistan and go into Pakistan as early as the primaries. I hope he comes to his senses.

[otohara]

126. No - I Remember Kennedy

and how did that work for us?

[DainBramaged]

127. It amazes me how angry people get at your suggestion, even though we got creamed

and our President is prepared to compromise even further with the Right.


The Pukes KNEW that 2010 was significant to win because they get to redraw so so many districts, while we get to draw shit.


Isn't ANYONE anywhere in the Democratic Party thinking about the consequences of their inaction?


Tim Kaine needs to resign NOW. Obama needs to fire his advisors NOW and start pandering to the base instead of shitting on them at every opportunity.





And I bet not many of us even KNOW what this guy looks like other than invisible.

[Lucian]

128. Absolutely.

Especially if it's someone like Dennis Kucinich.