Frank Rich: Obama needs to stop "deluding himself" and "fight."

[jefferson_dem]

After the Massachusetts Massacre
By FRANK RICH

It was not a referendum on Barack Obama, who in every poll remains one of the most popular politicians in America. It was not a rejection of universal health care, which Massachusetts mandated (with Scott Brown’s State Senate vote) in 2006. It was not a harbinger of a resurgent G.O.P., whose numbers remain in the toilet. Brown had the good sense not to identify himself as a Republican in either his campaign advertising or his victory speech.

And yet Tuesday’s special election was a dire omen for this White House. If the administration sticks to this trajectory, all bets are off for the political future of a president who rode into office blessed with more high hopes, good will and serious promise than any in modern memory. It’s time for him to stop deluding himself. Yes, last week’s political obituaries were ludicrously premature. Obama’s 50-ish percent first-anniversary approval rating matches not just Carter’s but Reagan’s. (Bushes 41 and 43 both skyrocketed in Year One.) Still, minor adjustments can’t right what’s wrong.

Obama’s plight has been unchanged for months. Neither in action nor in message is he in front of the anger roiling a country where high unemployment remains unchecked and spiraling foreclosures are demolishing the bedrock American dream of home ownership. The president is no longer seen as a savior but as a captive of the interests who ginned up the mess and still profit, hugely, from it.

That’s no place for any politician of any party or ideology to be. There’s a reason why the otherwise antithetical Leno and Conan camps are united in their derision of NBC’s titans. A TV network has become a handy proxy for every mismanaged, greedy, disloyal and unaccountable corporation in our dysfunctional economy. It’s a business culture where the rich and well-connected get richer while the employees, shareholders and customers get the shaft. And the conviction that the game is fixed is nonpartisan. If the tea party right and populist left agree on anything, it’s that big bailed-out banks have and will get away with murder while we pay the bill on credit cards — with ever-rising fees.

<SNIP>

Kennedy didn’t settle for the generic populist rhetoric of Obama’s latest threats to “fight” unspecified bankers some indeterminate day. He instead took the strong action of dressing down U.S. Steel by name. As Richard Reeves writes in his book “President Kennedy,” reporters were left “literally gasping.” The young president called out big steel for threatening “economic recovery and stability” while Americans risked their lives in Southeast Asia. J.F.K. threatened to sic his brother’s Justice Department on corporate records and then held firm as his opponents likened his flex of muscle to the power grabs of Hitler and Mussolini. (Sound familiar?) U.S. Steel capitulated in two days. The Times soon reported on its front page that Kennedy was at “a high point in popular support.”

Can anyone picture Obama exerting such take-no-prisoners leadership to challenge those who threaten our own economic recovery and stability at a time of deep recession and war? That we can’t is a powerful indicator of why what happened in Massachusetts will not stay in Massachusetts if this White House fails to reboot.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/opinion/24Rich.html?pagewanted=print

[lunatica]

1. Disapproval is how we hold his feet to the fire

Hopefully Obama and his cabinet are feeling it.

[akel21]

3. Obama

Dna is to bring people together, so it's hard for him to fight

[lunatica]

5. We don't know that

But what kind of fight are you talking about. Big Bad Ass kick Ass? Or someone who has staying power, power to persuade and patience?

If the Republicans were even a little intelligent they wouldn't be cutting off their noses to spite their faces. No one, not even the most seasoned fighter would win against a policy of 'no to every single thing'.

[avaistheone1]

30. I don't think that is true.

He didn't bring people together on health reform.

Obama would not allow single-payer a seat at the table.

Despite saying he would represent all voices and listen to everyone he did not do so.

[Tansy_Gold]

2. A million, a billion recs for this one. n/t

[applegrove]

25. Yup.

[Jakes Progress]

4. But, but. He needs to take it slow,

be nice, and try to make more republican friends. Golly. Frank Rich must have become one of those lefties.







Just in case: :sarcasm:

[senseandsensibility]

6. Rich's assumption is that he is deluding himself

Is he really?

[bvar22]

10. Obama came out of Chicago Politics.

He KNOWS what he is doing and who he is working for.
.
.
.
Unfortunately.


The DLC New Team
Chamber of Commerce approved Members ONLY!

(Screen Capped from the DLC Website)


Obama ALSO knows HOW to fight with Brass Knuckles.
Just ask members of the Progressive Caucus who balked at Obama's request for MORE WAR MONEY.
He put the Winged Monkeys on their ass.
THEY got an "attitude adjustment" Special Delivery from the White House.

"When given the choice between a Republican, and a Democrat who acts like a Republican, the voters will choose the Republican every time." ---Harry Truman

QED

[senseandsensibility]

26. Interesting

I enjoy reading posts such as yours since, of course, such views would never see the light of day on cable TV, and are even frowned on at DU. But don't let that stop you.:)

[flyarm]

45. and yettttt..Obama said this week that it was the Chamber of C. that was running commericals against

a Health Care bill..and they were..

so what we are seeing people is ..speaking from two sides of one mouth!! Obama's mouth!

[ProSense]

7. "Can anyone picture Obama exerting such take-no-prisoners leadership " Sure

I can also picture the media going after him for being arrogant, the backstabbers going after him using the media and the monied interests, which are more entrenched than ever, digging in and using the previous two groups for leverage.

That's pretty much what's going on now.

Obama just introduced a reform package of New Deal proportion that will significantly alter the financial landscape, and he didn't have to shout down anyone to do it.

Yeah, I want him to fight for it, but I also recognize that Obama has his own way of governing. People may not like it, but it is proving effective in getting things done.

[bvar22]

12. "take-no-prisoners leadership"?

Sure can.

Ask the members of the Progressive Caucus who balked at Obama's request for MORE money for WAR.
He put the Winged Monkeys on their ass.
After the brass knuckled "Attitude Adjustment" from the White House, the Progressive Caucus saw things Obama's way.

He made them an old style Chicago "offer they couldn't refuse".

Anybody who thinks Obama is a political wimp is beyond naive.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[grasswire]

14. thank you for the Wellstone quote and pic

We really, really need to be reminded of a politician who was a man, who stood tall and spoke truth to power. Thank you so much.

[bvar22]

16. I was very fortunate to have lived in St Paul, Minnesota at that time,

...and to have worked for Paul Wellstone.

That photo (mine) was taken at a Labor Day Picnic on Harriet Island (St Paul) shortly before Paul was killed.
Paul showed up in cut off jeans and running shoes with no socks, and Paul and his wife Sheila sat on the wet grass with all the rest of us Working Class fools.


Paul was deeply troubled by the Corporate Corruption INSIDE the Democratic Party obstructing traditional "Democratic" values, and was starting to call them out on it. He hadn't started Naming Names (AFAIK), but was getting close.

No wonder he had to die.
Sad times.

[senseandsensibility]

28. I loved Paul

Thanks again for a very interesting post. Your memory of him at the Labor Day picnic is poignant.

[DisgustedInMN]

38. Too awsome ..

.. with the pics. We still put our beautiful green Wellstone for Senate yard sign out, during every campaign season. (Right next to the Franken one, last time.)

We miss Paul so much more than words can convey. You've brought tears to this old man's eyes this early Sunday morning. Thank you, so much.

[Juche]

36. What did he do exactly

1. What examples do you have of Obama showing arm twisting tactics? I'm open to him doing this, but don't know of any examples.

I can give you a counterexample:

Joe Lieberman asks Obama to help him campaign against Lamont in 2006. Obama does, helping Lieberman win
In 2008 Lieberman retaliates by siding with McCain over Obama
After Obama wins, he tells the senate not to take away Lieberman's chairmanships
Lieberman sides with the GOP on health care
Obama still refuses to put pressure on him




2. Why do you act like him doing it to progressives is a good thing when it seems he isn't willing to do the same thing to blue dogs or republicans? Why doesn't he do the same arm twisting to Lieberman, Baucus or Nelson?

[Myrina]

41. too bad he's strong arming the wrong side of the aisle ...

... he should be taking the brass-balls approach to the Republicans, not the Progressives.

Unless, of course, he agrees with the Republicans' point of view.

[TexasObserver]

8. Recommend, and agree. This requires action.

[stellad]

9. Is anyone in the White House listening?

[boppers]

11. More playground politics.

"FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT"...

*sigh*

The gridlock and theater of "politics as pro-wrestling" is not what I voted for. Seems to be what the pundits (and republicans) want, though.

[HopeOverFear]

13. This country deserves Sarah Palin, for real.

and they're going to get her, if they keep this shit up.

[bvar22]

17. No.

America DESERVES this kind of leadership:

"In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being."---FDR

Unfortunately, THAT kind of leadership is no longer being offered by the Democratic Party.
In fact, people who support THOSE values are no longer welcome to voice their opinion in the Democratic Party.
Too Bad.
The American Working Class NEEDS a voice in our government, and doesn't have one anymore.

Oh Well.
ALL HAIL WALL STREET and Health Insurance Corporations!!!
:party:
Which way to the parade?

[boppers]

22. Too much "I got mine, screw you" followed.

The post war years were good... too good, even. Vast portions of the working class transitioned into the middle class, and then started blaming the poor, and working class, for "not doing enough" to become middle class.

[bvar22]

23. It wasn't "The People" who started doing that.

It WAS the Political Leadership of BOTH Parties who started selling that to justify pandering to BIG MONEY.

Americans are STILL way to the Left of BOTH Political Parties:

Here is what the MAJORITY of Americans (Democrats AND Republicans) want from OUR government!

In recent polls (2005) by the Pew Research Group, the Opinion Research Corporation, the Wall Street Journal, and CBS News, the American majority has made clear how it feels. Look at how the majority feels about some of the issues that you'd think would be gospel to a real Democratic Party:

1. 65 percent (of ALL Americans, Democrats AND Republicans) say the government should guarantee health insurance for everyone -- even if it means raising taxes.

2. 86 percent favor raising the minimum wage (including 79 percent of selfdescribed "social conservatives").

3. 60 percent favor repealing either all of Bush's tax cuts or at least those cuts that went to the rich.

4. 66 percent would reduce the deficit not by cutting domestic spending but by reducing Pentagon spending or raising taxes.

5. 77 percent believe the country should do "whatever it takes" to protect the environment.

6. 87 percent think big oil corporations are gouging consumers, and 80 percent (including 76 percent of Republicans) would support a windfall profits tax on the oil giants if the revenues went for more research on alternative fuels.

7. 69 percent agree that corporate offshoring of jobs is bad for the U.S. economy (78 percent of "disaffected" voters think this), and only 22% believe offshoring is good because "it keeps costs down."

http://alternet.org/story/29788/

It is NOT "The People" or the "stupid voters", it IS the Political Leadership.

Here is another poll that the Democratic Party has better pay attention to before ramming through the "Senate Bill", or they WILL reap a blood bath.

* Would you favor or oppose the national government offering everyone the choice of a government administered health insurance plan — something like the Medicare coverage that people 65 and older get — that would compete with private health insurance plans?

Favor 82%

Oppose 14%

Not Sure 4%
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2010010320/poll-shouts-message-massachusetts-voters-were-sending

[Captain Hilts]

24. I guess you have health insurance. nt

[boppers]

46. Nope. I have a "pre-existing condition".

No health insurance for me, right now.

I don't think that having a president behave like a petulant child would fix that, either.

[Uzybone]

15. Typical Rich column, full of media conventional knowledge

Most of what he wrote is right, but everyone already knows that.

This snippet made me laugh:

"There’s a reason why the otherwise antithetical Leno and Conan camps are united in their derision of NBC’s titans. A TV network has become a handy proxy for every mismanaged, greedy, disloyal and unaccountable corporation in our dysfunctional economy. It’s a business culture where the rich and well-connected get richer while the employees, shareholders and customers get the shaft. "

Multimillionaire TV hosts (i.e corporate slaves) and the idiots obsessing over their media generated bullshit are his example of populist outrage? This fool remains clueless.

[realFedUp]

18. It's not too late to begin again, starting with his SOTU

It's not too late for Obama to simply state why it's so
important to people who've lost jobs, who still have
jobs and everyone in between that we have a national
health care system that stays with a person, employed
or not. It will rescue our economy, keep people from
bankruptcy and it will create more jobs.

This has always been the answer. Obama just needs
to begin again.

Say this in simple terms:

Re-Regulate the banks.
Stop lending tax payer money to the banks et al.
Clean house at the Justice Dept and start doing its job.
Create a national jobs plan that creates green products that the world will need.

And at the end, in a Michael Douglas American President way say
"I've been too busy keeping my job to do my job. That stops now"

Kick some ass Mr. President.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

32. Yes, he has to come out heavy on the banks, show the vital urgency of HCR for all states ...

including MA in how it will sustain the health care system, than allow it to fail. He has to have an "I feel your pain" moment but also "I feel your outrage" momet to. Emotional connection is vital in this spech more than ever before.

[Number23]

19. Very good, informative read. Thanks for posting.

[FourScore]

20. FR nails it again. k/r

[Me.]

21. I Am Still Waiting For The Famous Obama Counter-punch

[BLUSH]

27. More Ali, less Liston

[democracy1st]

29. K & R

[ProgressOnTheMove]

31. I'd like to see it but I think the fight is all in the peoples corner we have to put the gloves on

and keep punching like it's the fight of our lives. In the end Pres. Obama can only find his own way, we have to take this to the streets, offices, to the bars, to the cafes wherever we can get folks tolisten to us. We've got to drag ts ship the right way round even if it bres our backs.

[Faygo Kid]

33. Frank nails it again. More FDR, less this coolness crap.

We are At War, and Rush et al are having too much fun.

Put a stop to it. Now.

[Vidar]

34. K&R.

[Juche]

35. We were warned

Young voters like myself, who were new to the political process, were told many times in the 2008 primaries 'Obama doesn't have the fight in him to stand up to the powerful interests who are wreaking havoc.' We were told this by many people, but we didn't really let the message sink in. I remember Krugman warning about this back in spring/summer of 2008, among other people.

I'm not saying I regret voting for Obama, but they were right. I think a lot of us were so desperate for reform we pretended Obama was something he isn't. He isn't a fighter. Even when he does 'fight' it is usually just rhetorical and manufactured for show, not genuine. He isn't a Bernie Sanders. And I think we have to find ways to encourage reform knowing this fact. Its just not his personality.

But what can we do? I don't know.

[FlyByNight]

37. The Rs are nothing more than theocratic fascists

For Obama and the Dems, simply being marginally better than them isn't good enough anymore. However, it's still early enough for an Obama course correction.

The recent electoral losses in NJ, VA and MA are now loud warnings. Unfortunately, if the president fails to heed them, potential electoral losses will mean we're all screwed (save for those well connected government/private (fascist) entities: Wall St.-Washington axis, the MIC, big PhRMA and healthcare insurance, for example).

More FDR and Dean. Less Clinton and Emanuel.

:grr:

[BigBearJohn]

39. I think Obama is supremely aware of what happened to Kennedy and

this factors into his decisions. You stand up to the big boys
and they show you how small you really are.

[change_notfinetuning]

40. Obama - Yes he can, but . . . No, he won't. Forget holding his feet to the

fire. It's time to hold his knees to the fire.

[Kablooie]

42. He must stop being "fair and balanced". He has to stand up and FIGHT!

When the enemy has knives and is about to slit your throat you don't try to calmly reason with him.
You have to get a bigger knife and defend yourself.

[RBInMaine]

43. Yes, as I said my OP today, he needs to get CLEAR and go FIREBRAND populist NOW !

[WillyT]

44. Big K & R !!!

:kick: