A Liberal’s Fantasy Bloodbath - Democratic Underground

FourScore

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Fri Nov-05-10 12:14 AM
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A Liberal’s Fantasy Bloodbath

Edited on Fri Nov-05-10 12:37 AM by FourScore

A Liberal’s Fantasy Bloodbath

What an election! As the returns rolled in, we all saw what we already knew from the polls was going to happen—it was a slaughter. The Democrats now not only control both Chambers, but they have surpassed the magic number of 60 in the Senate!!! Most of the pundits are attributing this wave of enthusiasm for the Democrats to the overwhelming popularity of the President. Throughout the run-up to the election, polls showed that he earned very high favorability ratings, especially from Democrats and Independents. If there is anything this President knows how to do, it is to energize his base!

Undoubtedly, the President’s immense popularity comes in part from the strong leadership he exerted on the health care bill. As Americans all over the country began reaping the benefits of the public option -- making health care affordable to all citizens -- the Republicans message of repealing “the socialist agenda” left many wondering, “And why would I support that? I can finally afford to see a doctor.” The health care bill also mandated the immediate closing of the Medicare prescription “doughnut hole” (thus the historically unprecedented support of the elderly for Democrats this election). As 72 year old Joe Parelli told one CNN correspondent, “I used to have to choose between my medications or groceries. Now I don’t have to live with that kind of stress. I like what Obama has done.” Although the Republicans tried to kill the bill with their cries of “death panels” and “socialist health care”, their message never really congealed. This was mainly due to the swift response from Robert Gibbs, “The public option is good for competition in the health care industry, and competition is always good for capitalism.” After that, the Republicans just basically looked liked the obstructionists they really are.

Once in office, President Obama remained true to his campaign promises and began instigating change. He ordered the immediate closing of Guantanamo. He urged Congress to repeal DOMA and DADT, stating that such hate and bigotry has no place in the United States. He then invited Lt. Dan Choi to the White House signing, gave him the pen and then personally re-enlisted him into the armed services.

Putting Dr. Howard Dean in charge of Health and Human Services was instrumental to the success of the recently passed health care bill and delighted Obama’s liberal base. After Wall Street crashed, Obama consulted with top economists such as Stiglitz, Roubini and Krugman. His swift and unprecedented bailout was staggering, but appears to have worked because very few Americans lost their jobs. He also urged Congress to put a much-needed cap on top management’s pay and limited the banker bonuses of those who received the bailout. As former AIG employer Lisa Strom said in a New York Times interview, “I lost my entire life savings, why should they get to walk away with it?”

Then, as foreclosures soared, Obama called for an immediate moratorium on them and forced the banks to write down the principal on all mortgages. He also demanded an immediate investigation of the banks and their shady mortgage dealings.

Obama has also been a staunch advocate for renewable energy resources, and steadfastly against off-shore drilling. In fact, the BP Gulf oil disaster occurred right after Obama publicly reiterated his opposition to drilling in coastal areas.

Throughout these first 2 years in office, Obama’s message as leader of his party has been clear, concise and articulate. He never let the electorate forget that it was the Republicans that got us into this mess in the first place. On top of that, Robert Gibbs can’t stop gushing about liberals, “What kind of world would we live in if there were no progressives? They are the ones who keep this nation moving forward.” (It’s almost embarrassing.)

But perhaps Obama’s most important move in this election cycle was his swift leadership in creating legislation to stop the Citizens United ruling from standing. One can only imagine the kind of corporate money that otherwise would’ve flowed into this mid-term election if he hadn’t.

Probably the only area where Obama failed has not been his fault – the desire for bi-partisanship. He came into office hoping to change the tone in Washington, but the constant obstructionist behavior by the Republicans made such lofty goals near to impossible. For that, he cannot be blamed, as witnessed by this most recent mid-term bloodbath.