I think I see where Obama's strategy is now.. and can sum it up in 4 words...

[Rosco T.]

"They've got enough rope"

as in, give the 'thugs enough rope and they will hang themselves....

Obama has given them all the rope necessary, and time to start yanking it back...

[eleny]

1. Well, there comes a point.

[Deep13]

2. Yeah and they're ready to hang us with it. nt

[southerncrone]

3. I agree.

Over the last yr, was hoping that was the end strategy, as we saw more & more confusing olive-branchs offered to them.

[avaistheone1]

8. Indeedy.

[DesertFlower]

4. i agree. nt

[hobbit709]

5. Rope limit

Like in the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons.

[BeyondGeography]

6. With reconciliation

Even mods like Conrad are for it now. O does a big Appeal to Reason tour, the Pubs vote party line against things like jobs creation, and the D's finally get some spine. All because Prez gave them the political cover.

Very crafty.

[jgraz]

7. I can sum that up in one word: passivity.

Does anyone else think it's time for some simple, straightforward leadership?

[phleshdef]

9. I would have 2 words for you, but the rules won't allow them.

[jgraz]

12. Here's two words for ya: grow up.

You don't have to insult everyone who doesn't share your opinion.

[Name removed]

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[Goldstein1984]

11. I think it's time for the sheople to grow some fangs, leave the

flock (herd), and stand up to the wolves.

Leaders are nothing without followers, and followers are not sheep, they are each potential leaders themselves.

Obama and other Democrats will grow spines and show leadership when the people demand nothing less. Not unless. Not until. And not likely.

[jgraz]

13. Obama's base has been screaming for leadership this entire year

And what was the result? Rahm called us "fucking retarded".

[Skittles]

16. DAMN STRAIGHT

[Chulanowa]

20. No, you've been screaming for him to do everything himself, like magic

And have been completely refusing to acknowledge everything he HAS done, unless it was something you felt would help your agenda of tearing him down and stomping him into the mud.

And with that in mind, Rahm was right. The lunatic fringe of the Democratic Party needs to go soak its head for a little while, stop trying to elect Republicans, stop spreading GOP propaganda, and actually start, you know, working instead of whining about how the nation didn't instantly turn into a socialist utopia the moment Obama took office

[jgraz]

21. No, that's your characterization, done in order to make excuses.

When you start to confuse your own spin with reality, it's time to take a break. Think about it.

[Chulanowa]

44. Your argument, in pictures

[Goldstein1984]

23. I don't think anyone expected a socialist utopia overnight

We just didn't expect a continuation of Bush's corporatist dystopia.

We were hoping for "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," instead, we got "Rollerball II."

Nor did we expect to see Democratic majorities in the House and Senate behave like they were following scripts from Marx Brothers movies.

It's been painful to watch. No, it's been worse than painful, it's been embarrassing.

If the only debate is between the Democratic and Republican parties, then all I can say is that I would be ashamed to be either right now.

And that is the problem: we're told the choice is between Republican (worst of two evils) and Democrat (lesser of two evils).

Both parties are bordellos for the Shadow Elite. You are naive if you think you are doing anything more significant than choosing your favorite prostitute.

[jgraz]

27. I was willing to give him at least a week.

;)

I like your comparison to Rollerball. And not the James Caan Rollerball -- the sucky one with Chris Klein.

[Goldstein1984]

29. I would have been happy if he had just used the opportunities

that fell in his lap.

He could have:

~Modified or refused to enforce the policy of DADT.

~Stopped extraordinary rendition.

~Spoken out against USA Patriot Act provisions that violate the U.S. Constitution.

~Been more decisive and more democratic in his management of the U.S. response to events in Honduras.

~Stopped illegal targeted assassinations of alleged terrorists.

~Closed Guantanamo as he promised.

~Rejected advice to escalate in Afghanistan.

[jgraz]

30. That what the apologists never seem to get

This past year was a generational opportunity for change. And Obama basically pissed it away.

[Goldstein1984]

31. It couldn't be said better

Now the supermajority, if it every really existed, is gone.

The chance to take a dramatic and decisive stand from Day One is gone.

The confidence and support of the Left is gone.

All that's left is the same old tired excuse that if we don't vote Democratic then we're going to make it worse. I consider this the vote-for-us-because-we-suck-less argument.

I'm ready for real change. It isn't going to come from the ballot box. It isn't going to come from either party. It's going to come when the sheople have had enough, when they grow fangs, and when they reject the flock and join packs to go hunt wolves.

Boycotts; general strikes; divestment; civil disobedience... Bring it on.

[Cha]

35. +!00000000!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Number23]

36. Damn RIGHT, Chula! Great post

[Name removed]

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[donheld]

42. Yes

:thumbsup:

[Rosco T.]

14. and I have a word to go with 'passivity'...

Ghandi

[jgraz]

15. Um... do you understand the first thing about Ghandi?

From your post, I'm guessing no.

[Rosco T.]

34. Yeah, very much so

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." - Gandhi

[Name removed]

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[eShirl]

17. Ghandi was a pacifist, not a passivist

as I had to explain to my red state friend years ago

[jgraz]

22. Oh shit.

I didn't realize we were dealing with misconceptions on that basic of a level. Good catch. :rofl:

[Deep13]

26. We need a Nehru, not a Ghandi. nt

[Cosmocat]

10. IT'S NOT "STRATEGY" ...

This is falling into the MSM/Rethug mindset ...

He is simply doing the right thing ... It is not some machevelian trap or whatever ...

He is smart, decent, honest ... It is simply just him GENUINELY doing what he said he would do in trying to change the tone in Washington ...

If the Rs are the mindless jerkoffs they are, the REAL people in the middle will see trying and the Rs being jagoffs, and it works out for the best ... But, it isn't some kind of "strategy" ... He simply is trying to do the right thing ...

[southerncrone]

18. Doing the right thing & having a strategy are not mutually exclusive.

In politics there is always a strategy. Even if the strategy IS doing the right thing.
Not all strategies are Machiavellian or conspiratorial.

[Cosmocat]

25. eh ... Intent ...

it kind of goes back to intent ...

Of course politics involves strategy ...

But, his intent today was simply to do the right thing ... It isn't like he sat up all nighting plotting to find ways to make the Rs look like the douchebags they are and came up with doing what he did today ...

He knows the are acting like butthats, and his intent was to go in that room, be the better man and hope against all hope that even one of the idiots would get past being mindless cows and do the right thing ...

THAT was his intent ... It wasn't some "strategy" to make the Rs look bad or him look go, THAT is what it worked out that way, if he was doing it for any reason other than right reasons, he would have ended up looking like the douchebag ...

[Kablooie]

19. As long as he keeps the rope out in front of the public. As soon as it's hidden, the GOP cuts it.

[bigwillq]

24. Not keen on suicide references

But I get your point, and I think it's accurate.

[Rosco T.]

32. ok, well....

consider the rope wrapped around their ankles and a big cliff over there....

[grantcart]

28. Dewey Cheetham noted this almost one year ago.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/grantcart/176

[Samantha]

33. Or ... would you consider the Ali maneuver of Rope a Dope

as a strategy Obama has been utilizing?

They said he was too nice. They inferred he was a lightweight. They said he was wounded by the loss of Teddy's seat.

But today, he cleanly rebounded from the Republican's remarks implying he was about to take a dive by leaping squarely into the center of the ring and landing a flurry of rapid fire punches, leaving his political opponents bleeding and staggering, apparently in a stupor.

Obama is nobody's door mat, nobody's fool, and obviously nobody's punching bag.

[MadMaddie]

40. What I am failing to understand in the comments

posted here is

This was a good day for President Obama and the Democratic party. Many of you can complain that he didn't do what you wanted last year, last month or yesterday but TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY!

We will not always have good days, I am a realist and I know that we (the left) will have to continue to pressure the House and the Senate to get off their asses and get the jobs done so President Obama can sign the bills. No bill no signature it's that basic.

President Obama's performance (should - I say that hesitantly) motivate the House and the Senate to start fighting and ignoring the Repugs and get bills passed and get them to his desk.

[Arkana]

41. They knew the last year had them on the defensive,

so the SOTU was just the beginning of the offensive to start the new year. I think we're about to see a new Obama.

[applegrove]

43. He is showing the American electorate that he is willing to meet the GOP half-way. And the GOP will

NO NO NO it. That will hang them.