I'm a proud progressive but the poutrage over Gibbs comment proves his point

[wndycty]

First of all I must say this was a fight that Robert Gibbs should not have picked, however it seems like many of my brothers and sisters on the left love to miserable and love to have our feelings hurt.

The Obama presidency has been one of the most successful presidencies in recent history as it relates to legislative accomplishments that supported his agenda. But I constantly hear about how he is not progressive enough, I hear about what we are not getting or how we have been sold out and for many of us its getting old.

Progressives who are not happy with the president should not shut up, but they shouldn't be surprised by PUSHBACK.

[ibegurpard]

1. you'd get more points for using more cliches like poutrage

unrec

[wndycty]

7. So folks can criticize Obama/Gibbs but those of us who criticize them should STFU?

Seriously?

[RoseMead]

20. I don't think those people should shut up

but PUSHBACK does go both ways, imo.

[wndycty]

21. It does but it seems the progressive community thinks we are the only ones who can do it. . .

:kick:

[RoseMead]

35. The only ones who can do what?

And "the progressive community?" :eyes: Put that big-ass brush down before you strain something.

[CreekDog]

29. nobody told you to shut up, how about not calling people's complaints "poutrage"

while pretending to respect them.

[saracat]

2. "poutrage" Like that coming from THESE People? The Progressive Caucus?

And Think Progress has also condemned Gibbs.


Dem Congressman: Robert Gibbs Should Resign For Attacking 'Professional Left'
Rep. Ellison: 'Gibbs Crossed The Line'

Progressive Democrats fired back at Robert Gibbs on Tuesday, following the White House press secretary's sharp critique of what he called a "professional left" that is perpetually unsatisfied by President Obama.

"I hear these people saying he's like George Bush. Those people ought to be drug tested," Gibbs said in an interview with The Hill.

"They will be satisfied when we have Canadian healthcare and we've eliminated the Pentagon. That's not reality," he added. "They wouldn't be satisfied if Dennis Kucinich was president."



Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), an active member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said Gibbs went too far. "This is not the first time that Mr. Gibbs has made untoward and inflammatory comments and I certainly hope that people in the White House don't share his view that the left is unimportant to the president," he said. "I understand him having some loyalty to the president who employs him, but I think he's walking over the line."

Ellison said that Gibbs's resignation would be an appropriate response. "I think that'd be fair, yeah. That'd be fair, because this isn't the first time. And, again, people of all political shades worked very hard to help the president become the president. Why would he want to go out and deliberately insult the president's base? And why would he confuse legitimate critique with some sort of lack of loyalty. Isn't this what the far right does? Punishes people who are not ideologically aligned with President Bush?"

It's wrong to suggest that progressives want to eliminate the Pentagon, said Ellison, adding that he doesn't know a single Democrat who has espoused that view. "I know of none. So I think that was an inflammatory remark that is emblematic of his careless use of language and is an example of why he may not be the best person for the job," he said. "Gibbs crossed the line. His dismissal would be fair."



Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a civil rights legend who has been critical of Obama from a progressive direction, laughed at Gibbs's suggestion that liberal critics should be drug tested. "Should be drug tested? They think we're on something? Smoking something?" he said. "It's very hot in Washington and we've come back at a peculiar time. I just think we all just need to finish and get out of here."

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, also lashed out at Gibbs on Tuesday.

"I think before Gibbs or the White House points figures at liberals and progressives, they ought to check their own record," Grijalva told HuffPost. "The whole drug testing thing -- our dissatisfaction is based on the fact that we haven't met the expectations and we're hearing that from our base, period."

Grijalva was critical of the White House for abandoning the public insurance option during the health care reform debate, and for otherwise compromising too quickly with a Republican Party uninterested in bipartisanship. Gibbs had the misfortune of having his comments published on a day in August when the House is back in session and members of Congress are easily accessible to reporters. Gibbs has since walked back his criticism of what he deemed the "professional left."

"But two," said Grijalva, "that drug testing, if that's the case, would probably have to extend to 50 percent of the American population at this point. They're kind of feeling dissatisfied too."

That would require millions of drug tests, HuffPost noted.

"They can do hair follicles," quipped Grijalva.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/10/rep-ellison-de...

[elleng]

3. Bravo, wndy!

:thumbsup:

[LostinVA]

4. Another round of Poutrage Bingo -- yay!!!!!

[FrenchieCat]

6. Why not?

If constant poutrage is good enough for you....

[LostinVA]

9. It is apparently good enough for YOU, starting with your avatar

Shoo.

[FrenchieCat]

13. Yep.....that like you looking in the mirror.

That's what my Avatar is...a mirror into the real souls of those
who are always demanding, but never truly contributing anything
other than negativity.

[Forkboy]

48. "a mirror into the real souls of those who are always demanding"

I really hope you don't take yourself as serious as this implies.....

[FrenchieCat]

5. Rec just to countered another's only accomplishment to date.

[IndianaGreen]

8. unrec simply because of your use of 'poutrage'

Consider the fact that Gibbs is walking back from the language he used on The Hill's interview.

[wndycty]

11. Ah yes, but the walkback won't be enough for the poutrage crowd, now will it. . .

. . .the tantrums will continue!

[LostinVA]

12. I believe Skinner PUBLICLY said "poutrage" is a no-no

When used towards another DUer. Has that changed? If so, I would sincerely like to know.

[FrenchieCat]

15. You used it here yourself in this thread....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=405221&mesg_id=405234

Shouldn't you alert on yourself or something? :shrug:

[SunsetDreams]

38. and even today I see.

less than 2 hours ago.

[wndycty]

16. Oh God are we not adults or must we cry about everything. . .

. . .if folks alert and demand this thread closed so be it, so fucking be it.

[LostinVA]

17. Again, please talk to Skinner about this, as he publcily said this

Along with pony, Cheerleaders, etc. To help civility on DU. I really don't know why you are going against Skinner on this.

:shrug:

[wndycty]

18. To quote many in my community "run tell dat"

LOL

[FSogol]

10. Yup, exactly.

Many people just wanna say, "I'm more liberal than you."

:shrug:

[Whisp]

14. so true!

can you imagine how fucking sick the O admin is of shitheads just shitting out of their yaps?

I am very happy Gibbs came out said this. I'm sure he meant it to a much much narrower base than some here think - that if you are any sniff of progressive Gibbs and Obama just pissed in your Cheerios. It is meant for the big mouths who get paid to have their 'opinions' and who take any chance they can to have a spotlight on them for criticising Obama, because the media exaggerates and loves that shit.

Like that freak Carville. THAT is a professional Ahole which Gibbs was referring to.

Unfortunately some here are taking this way too personal and bawling with red raged faces. good gawd.

[Fire1]

19. Exactly. n/t

[Paladin]

22. Unrec'd. (n/t)

[Bluenorthwest]

23. No, the mean spirit evident in your choice of words

proves the point of the Gibbs critics. Rude, poorly spoken, and simply uncalled for characterizations of others are simply too common among the administration and the more ardent supporters. It is not making a good reputation, and it certainly makes the religious anti equality posturing seem to be simply anti equality posturing, because religious people carry themselves with some thought about speech, and words, and truth. Gibbs claims to hear all the time a series of things I have not heard anyone on the liberal cable shows say. False witness, gossip, and simply uncalled for ego dancing.
This did the President no good. It did no one any good. I guess Gibbs got to feel all 'in the spotlight' and important with his language, but was it worth it?
He made the President seem weak, petty, and deeply needful. He sucks at his job, to put it bluntly. Staff should not make trouble, they should serve the President.

[wndycty]

24. Again you worry about my tone, Gibbs tone but you don't care about the BULLSHIT

Some on the left throw Obama. You concern is duly noted and duly discarded.

[Bluenorthwest]

31. How can you assume that? You can not speak for me.

I am addressing the issue at hand, your use of the mean, and Gibbs' as well. Frankly I have no idea who Gibbs is talking about, cable liberals who say close the Pentagon and Bush is Obama? I have never heard that stuff. I don't know if anyone said any such thing. Gibbs used a brush broad enough to include those who support universal health care as a right, and the only name he had the gumption to mention was Dennis Kucinich.
This 'some on the left' bullshit is the problem. If you have some individuals and their comments to discuss, fine. But raving about 'some on the left' is just what Gibbs did. Who? What specific bullshit? No, wc, I will not whine along with you about 'something said by some'. Who, saying what? Characterizations and capital letters are not helpful, specific information would be.
How do you know what I think of anyone? I'm a media professional, so I sort of think most of the on air talent sucks eggs, even those I agree with. So, you know, if you have actual quotes from actual people to offer up, you have no idea what I might have to say.
But 'some on the left' is not how honest brokers speak. Not how adults of conviction speak either. Nor is 'poutrage'. Name calling is for losers. Characterizations are for those free of fact.

[Forkboy]

50. I like your tone. You're one of the few honest ones out there.

[Warren Stupidity]

25. I want Canadian Healthcare here.

So now I am crazy. Yeah. I am really so motivated to support this administration. They can fuck off.

[QC]

26. Why do you hate America? n/t

[RoseMead]

34. Ooh! Ooh! Me too!

On the Canadian Healthcare, not the fuck off part. :) Does that just make me half-crazy?

[Warren Stupidity]

37. nope full on loon for you

the 'fuck off' thing was not in the list of stuff that make you a drug crazed loon.

[Born_A_Truman]

27. KNR!

[CreekDog]

28. you're making this point while characterizing people's anger as "poutrage"???

seriously???

[wndycty]

30. Silly isn't it? Oh wait so since I'm using my poutrage to defend the president its wrong. . .

I get it now.

[Bluenorthwest]

32. Ah, there you go. The President need defending with

mean comments from random people. I tell you this, I do not see Barack Obama as being in need of defense, and if I felt that he was, I would make most certain that the defense I offered for him was fitting and proper to the position he holds, and to his own personal manner and claimed spiritual leanings. I would not think that I had the standing to 'defend' an American President with anything but the finest possible arguments and well crafted words. I would never take a cheap shot in the name of the President. If I have a cheap shot to make, I will stand right there and make it myself, with a clear and direct target stated. Defending the President from 'some on the left' by using pointed slang and snark is a choice, but not one I'd be making myself.
And why do you think he is in need of defense?

[wndycty]

33. People who support him who are angered by the shit thrown at him should STFU?

Really?

[Bluenorthwest]

64. Obviously I wrote what I wrote, and you can read it

I did not say what you are implying, and my words are right there. None of what I actually wrote got a response from you, not one question I put forth was answered. I'd never tell anyone with a political objective to shut up, never have, never will. That is your routine, not mine.

[Forkboy]

49. Obama doesn't need, nor want, you.

[Skittles]

36. and "poutrage" proves what you are

I want the White House to care more about the BULLSHIT they get from repukes than their ridiculous hurt feelings over legitimate complaints from THINKING DEMOCRATS

[firedupdem]

39. Rec'd n/t

[Clio the Leo]

40. And that's my thoughts on it as well, it's fine if you want to dish it...

.... but man up and take it.

We're all in this together.

[wndycty]

41. Plus 100,000

and thank you!

[Clio the Leo]

45. Seriously. Perhaps after a year or more of the GOP in control of the House...

.... and perhaps the Senate, the PROFESSIONAL LEFT will be reminded who the bad guys are.

'cause it aint this one!

[Forkboy]

51. Perhaps a year or more of the GOP in control of the house....

...will remind you that you shouldn't squander votes that are essentially in your pocket to start with.

But hey, feel free to teach me a lesson!

[liquid diamond]

56. Right. People here LOVE to talk shit, but when they get hit

back they go running to mama crying. It's all over the damn board. I haven't seen a meltdown like this since the Rick Warren controversy.

[Clio the Leo]

71. well, let's see if this will last as long as that one did....

.... I doubt it will (we had nothing else to at the time.)

Give it a week, a meteorite will be headed toward the Earth and the President wont be moving the planet fast enough to avoid it. We'll be on to the next thing.

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

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

[wndycty]

44. Did his admission calm down those who are upset with him?

Did it?

[Bodhi BloodWave]

47. It might have been 'inartful' but it was also bloody accurate, one does not exclude the other N/T

[Sheepshank]

52. inartful?

I'm reading this to mean he should have said the same thing using different, perhaps more flowery, colorful, words. He's not saying he didn't mean what he said. As it should be.

[DrToast]

43. Here's what it proves

It proves that Gibbs is about as smooth as sandpaper.

Forget Biden, they need to muzzle this guy.

[OhioBlue]

46. I agree.

He shouldn't have picked the fight and shouldn't have said it... but I CAN understand his frustration.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

53. Looks like not many people on DU agree with you huh? n/t

[wndycty]

61. Am I supposed to care?

Sellout how I feel just for acceptance here on DU?

[spiritual_gunfighter]

65. No dont sell out stay true to your convictions

I just want you to be aware that most everyone on DU disagrees with you and you are in a very small vocal minority.

[SayitAintSo]

54. didn't like him before his tantrum... n/t

[CakeGrrl]

55. Rec against the tide

This has been a strange mass reaction over something that shouldn't arouse this level of anger.

And I don't buy the excuse I've seen put up that "We didn't KNOW Gibbs was a jerk!" People have been railing against this "Corporate tool" administration since they got to the WH. And suddenly these comments (really no more than a callout of some hyperbolic mischaracterizations) are grounds for righteous disappointment and anger? I don't buy it.

[Hekate]

57. KnR.

[laughingliberal]

58. That and $4.95 will get him a decent Latte but it won't get dissatisfied leftists to the polls.

Really stupid fucking strategy just before a close midterm election.

Of course, since Gibbs already conceded our majority a couple of weeks ago, maybe he thinks it doesn't matter and airing his petty irritation meant more to him.

[TheKentuckian]

59. How about we push this bunch of dolts back to Chicago?

His chump weasel ass ought to be pushing back on the Reich wing and the multi-nationals and there would be a lot less pushing to do on the left.

If I wanted to play punch the hippie for four years I'd have voted for someone from the Faux set.

[wndycty]

62. You do know he is not from Chicago, don't you? Or are you just parroting Right Wing talking points

:kick:

[TheKentuckian]

67. Where is his home? Why did he call it his home town when he was trying to land the Olympics?

He doesn't have to go to Chicago, he can go wherever he likes.

[LooseWilly]

60. Please stop referring to your "brothers and sisters of the left", they are fictions.

Your comments here show you have no idea what the left is, let alone having any brothers or sisters there.

Your assertions about miserableness are an insult. "Hurt feelings"? Try "offended and pissed off".

The Obama presidency has NOT been successful as it relates to legislative accomplishments that mean shit. How they might relate to his agenda, I find it hard to say, as Obama's agenda seems to have little to do with anything he said in the primaries or the general election (dismiss the "Public option" and adopt a mandate? WTF?).

When you hear that he is not progressive enough, that is because there are some who were silly enough to think that he'd at least "try" to enact policies he talked about in the campaign (How much effort did the administration exert for the Public Option?... How much effort were they dragged to kicking and screaming by the actions of the Progressive Caucus?)

Pushback all you want... and let Gibbs do the same. the administration shouldn't be surprised, however, if in response to their pushback, progressives call them "sell-out-ass-clown-pieces-of-shit", I mean... the administration should push their political agenda as they see fit (do they even have one?), "but they shouldn't be surprised by PUSHBACK".

Fucking ass-clowns...

[wndycty]

63. LOL did I hurt your feelings? You are allowed to define the left but my definition. . .

. . .is wrong?

Oh dear, you take yourself too seriously.

[moksha]

66. Pushback against liberals from a Democratic Administration.

Awesome!

[wndycty]

68. So its okay for liberals to pushback against a Democratic administration but not visa versa?

Really?

Its OK to criticize the president, but shouldn't his White House be able to respond?

[ruggerson]

69. We are the boss, he is our public servant

some seem to forget that at times.

[quaker bill]

70. It is not push back against liberals

it was a statement that those who draw a Bush equivalency from the actions of this administration have a short memory. I have been a liberal all my adult life and feel no pushback.