Why is there greater demand for Gibbs resignation than for Boehner's defeat?

[Clio the Leo]

'cause if you dont like what Gibbs said, you should hear what Boehner and his buddies have been saying about you. I mean not only does he think you're on crack .... but he thinks you're on crack AND you're un-American..... AND you're a socialist who's calling for the destruction of our economy with your wealth redistributing ways ..... and your lack of gun ownership is a threat to our national security .... and your contributing to the downfall of the white race .... and you're trying to "make his children gay" .... and you hate Jesus.

He also probably think you're too pale, but that's a matter for another thread.


Pity we cant use this righteous indignation for something worthwhile. We're fired up .... and ready go (at each other's throats.)


Mitch thinks you smile WAY too much but, again, a matter for another time.

[flamingdem]

1. Maybe the professional left thinks he's a hottie!

ew..

[Clio the Leo]

3. Nope. Howard is the heartthrob of the PL ........

.... and he is pretty cute. I mean, he's no Joe Biden, but he is a nice looking man.

[pnwmom]

2. Right. The left is too busy with our circular firing squad.

We should be aiming at the real enemy.

[Clio the Leo]

5. Yeah but we're liberals....

... with no actual gun ownership experience, our aim is pretty bad.

We have giant pink Bradley tanks ... but no guns.

[Wilms]

19. Excellent point. Here's the White House contact page. Perhaps they'll take heed.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

[w4rma]

4. Because Gibbs is standing in the way of Boehner's defeat. (nt)

[Clio the Leo]

7. And trying to confuse us...

... with his anti-Dean commercials.

[CakeGrrl]

6. But...we KNEW Boehner was a jerk; Gibbs surprised us!

So the rationalization goes.

:eyes:

[Clio the Leo]

9. You're just now figuring out that Gibbs is a smart ass?

... as I was saying, some of us have missed a few press briefings over the last year and a half.

[w4rma]

11. It would appear that the best solution would be to replace Gibbs with someone competent, then. (nt)

[Clio the Leo]

14. Well, we cant say we didn't have fair warning....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgn6rjGbp0c

I'd suggest the best solution is that we develop a bit thicker skins and be prepared to take back what we dish out. Then spend the bulk of our time and energy directing our efforts against the real enemy.

[w4rma]

16. My skin is worn a little thin. I think I understand, now, that the "real" enemy is the DLCers among

our own ranks as well as the GOPers outside them.

[CakeGrrl]

21. Nah - I should have used the sarcasm tag instead.

[KingFlorez]

8. We cannot let non human beings take over

Boehner isn't from this planet, I've convinced he's some sort of mutant reptile. Let's work hard to make sure he stays in the Minority Leader's office.

[Clio the Leo]

10. there you go! That's the attitude I want!

Or perhaps give him a chance to start his own lobbying firm back in OH?

[TheKentuckian]

12. Nobody worked, donated, or voted for fucking boner

No one expects more than shit from his ass, if that.

"Hey look Republicans" ain't gonna fix the problem.

[Clio the Leo]

17. And some of us who worked as hard, donated as much and voted as often...

.... (heh!) ..... think Gibbs comments were spot on.

Lovely big tent we have, isn't it?

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

97. Deleted message

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

[ProSense]

18. So that's a reason to not focus on making sure he and other Repubs don't win? n/t

[Aramchek]

13. it's easier to bite the hand that feeds you than the hand that pokes your eyes out

[onpatrol98]

15. Hmm...Who's Gibbs been feeding?

:7

[gkhouston]

47. Us. Didn't you get your daily ration of rat poison? You need to make a donation first. n/t

[Aramchek]

86. Obama's been feeding us a steady stream of accomplishments

but for some reason that makes him your enemy.

[nemo137]

20. Because there was more anger from Gibbs at the Left than at the Right?

Also, because while Boehner is the House Pug leader, there's a fairly limited set of people who really have any say in his reelection, while many, many more can make noise to Gibbs boss and potentially get him axed.

[Clio the Leo]

24. Boehner was a metaphor...

;)

And, again, if you think Gibbs ONLY directs his snark at the left you've missed a briefing or two.

...... or 20.

[still_one]

32. Gibbs and others should NOT direct ANY snark at the left or progressives in public

it is politically stupid, and allows the medium to make a circus of the whole process. If they disagree with the left or progressives, then do it outside of the MSM who delight in nothing more than what is happening

This isn't the first time they have done this, and you would think they would have learned by now to work out their problems among themselves instead of through the media

When they had an issue with HCR, and they needed Kucinich's vote, they didn't name call him through the media, they met with him and talked to him. Gee, that almost sounds too simple doesn't it.

The administration better realize this damn quick, and the loss of Ted Kennedy's seat should have been a strong enough warning

[sandnsea]

36. Well hallefuckingluja!! You Get It!

The left should NOT direct ANY snark at the President or the Democratic Party in public. It is politically stupid and allows the media to make a circus of the whole process.

If the left disagrees with the Administration, then do it OUTSIDE OF THE MSM who delight in nothing more than what is happening.

What the hell do you think we've been saying for, oh christ, I don't know, ten years at least.

[still_one]

39. Really, is that why the administration excluded those advocates for the public option

or single-payer from the initial HCR discussions?

but let's take your point as fact for arguments sake. You would think that the administration would rise above the fray, and not contribute to the mud-slinging from the progressives with tit for tat.

Until recently, they were more critical of the left and progressives then they were of the republicans. It is only lately that they have started to lay blame for most of the problems we are experiencing today at the foot of the republican party where it belongs. They should have realized 6 months into their term that the repukes were NOT going to work with them

[sandnsea]

46. You just can't stop with the talking points

Somebody pops up with a cute little one-liner, and ten minutes later you're all using it. This Administration has attacked the Republicans on a regular basis. I'm sorry you missed it.

In any event, let's remember that they wanted to pass health care reform last summer. Why didn't they? Oh yeah, they put the public option in. There was a six month fight for it. I'm sorry we lost the public option when we lost Ted Kennedy's seat.

I also wouldn't call one off the cuff comment in 18 months any kind of "tit for tat".

You just diagnosed the problem. You don't like being smeared. Neither does the rest of the Democratic Party. So why can't you just stop it?

[BootinUp]

55. It feels good when we let go of reality and let the endorphins

rush through our brains!!

:bounce:

[still_one]

106. OK, let's see how much those people who worked the phone banks and donated time

and money do the same thing in the next election for this administration

We lost Kennedy's seat because they took that election for granted, just like they are taking the progressives and left for granted

[Clio the Leo]

44. lol! Brilliant! Love it. nt

[Chef Eric]

66. So, you are scared of Fox News, just as the Obama Administration is scared.

And you think Democrats should be careful about what they say, because Fox might take "delight" in disagreements among Democrats.

And of course, making sure that Fox doesn't take delight in anything is much more important then having a discourse about what is wrong in this country.

Yeah, I think I get it too. Thanks.

[Clio the Leo]

76. ha! scared of Fox.....

President Obama's Feud with FOX News
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/23/eveningnews/main5415921.shtml

White House: Media shouldn't follow Fox
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28497.html

[Chef Eric]

89. So, Shirley Sherrod resigned because she didn't like her job? nt

[Clio the Leo]

90. Kinda hard to bash Fox on that one when you're screwed the pooch yourself..

.... "you" as in the administration.

[Chef Eric]

109. You just proved my point.

The Obama Administration fired Shirley Sherrod because the Obama Administration is afraid of Fox.

[Born_A_Truman]

95. +1000

I write the WH ...

I even waste my time writing that worthless Jerry Lewis!

[Clio the Leo]

Gibbs delivers snark to anyone ...

... who, ya know, fails to demonstrate the maturity that his seven year old exhibits.

[The Traveler]

22. Because

we must eat our own. That's a lot easier than taking to the streets, writing the news media, or arguing with our neighbors.

Obama didn't wave a magic wand and fix it. So boo hoo ... I'm gonna stay home and let the Rethugs walk all over us. That'll teach those damn centrists.

Trav

[Clio the Leo]

25. exactly. nt

[The Traveler]

38. We are 10 miles into the woods

We aren't getting out in a half mile hike. And lions, tigers and bears are gathering. Right now, we progressives and the nation as a whole need to get it together ... all this is so pathetically stupid I want to kick something. No. Seriously. I do. So I took up Tae Kwon Do just so I could kick shit.

Obama is not the savior. Surprise! But he is not the source of all evil. You need to look into Dick Cheney's anus if you want to see the source of all evil ... and frankly, I would rather pass. But all he can really do is carry the football we hand off to him. Roosevelt understood that when he told labor leaders, "Now go out there and MAKE me." And what has Obama's movement done, since the inauguration? Looks to me like we all (myself included) played submarine ... we submerged. But we certainly did not make B or anyone else do anything.

We can either do that, or bow down to our gun toting, tea bagging friends and neighbors. I have several of those. I bear them no ill will. But I have not particular interest in living under their rule.

Yeah, Gibbs pissed me off ... but maybe what really pisses us off is that the elements of truth in his critique sting a bit.

Trav

[Clio the Leo]

45. "the elements of truth in his critique sting a bit."

that's it exactly

[eridani]

53. Anyone who is against Canadian health care is a sociopathic shitstain

If he thinks it's politically impossible, why doesn't he take a look at CA (passed single payer three times), PA (where 40% of the state legislators who favor it are Republicans), or VT, where gubernatorial candidates are arguing about who has done the most to promote it?

[bornskeptic]

75. Why the obsession with Canadian healthcare?

There are almost 100 nations which have some form of Universal healthcare. The majority have government-run healthcare systems along the lines of the UK's NHS or the county-gvernment-run healthcare systems in the Scandanavian countries, but very few are funded through government insurance like Canada's. Systems in oth of these categories are referred to as single-payer in the US, but they are certainly not identical. On the other hand, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Japan all have great healthcare systems which cannot in any way be described as single-payer. Why do we have to choose Canada to copy?

[eridani]

96. The obsession is because Gibbs thinks that access to health care should be determined by money

Hence the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze people in "reform." (They left out the 50-64 age category, which is now officially Dirt.)

Where governments work through private insurance to get universal care, they are absolute dictators on the issue of basic benefits. Insurance companies are ORDERED to have one basic universal package for everyone, and they are told what it must cost. (They are free to offer bells and whistles for those who want more, of course.) Actually, such systems can be cheaper than single payer because the government also may dictate provider prices. That's why my husband was able to get a root canal in the Netherlands in 1966 for $25 American. And why an overnight hospital stay in Japan costs $20.

The reason for going with single payer is political. Single payer is more expensive than the Netherlands because providers have more negotiating power under it. Given the huge shift in provider sentiment from total opposition in 1948 to 60% support of single payer 60 years later, I think it's worth the potential extra cost to keep them on board.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

37. unity is needed against the real foe

eating own own is a good point.

[WatchWhatISay]

23. Only your allies can betray you

Your enemies can not.

[Clio the Leo]

26. Glad SOMEONE gets Gibbs point!

;)

[WatchWhatISay]

80. I think you missed my point.

It is that Boehner is a known enemy and thus cannot betray us. It is expected that he would say the things he does, so there is no call for his resignation.

Gibbs on the other hand is supposed to be our ally. Who would have expected that he has as much contempt for us as Rahn Emanuel does. That is why we feel he should resign.

[Aramchek]

87. no, they got your point. it's just that you didn't recognize you were describing yourself

[WatchWhatISay]

117. You know, you might make me angry

if you could make any sense.

[still_one]

27. What a dumbass statement. One does NOT imply the other, but of course keep dissing

the left or progressives as the problem and see how that works out for party in the elections

How about this, why doesn't the administration stop attacking the progressives, through their spokespeople, and start attacking the repukes instead of constantly trying to bend over backwards to accomodate them, when it was quite clear 6 months after the election that all the repukes wanted to do is destroy the Obama administration.

and while they are at it, why not try to WORK with the progressives, and include them in the process, at least as much as they are including the repugs

[Clio the Leo]

40. I dont think anyone is saying that the PL is "the problem"...

... Gibbs said that their perception of reality seems to be influenced by hallucinatory drugs ... something I agree with. But he never said they were "the problem."

As for "attacking the repukes" how many speeches where the President bashes the GOP for "driving the car into the ditch" do you need to see? 'cause I can get you tons.

Of course, you've seen all those speeches, right?

[Recursion]

28. To paraphrase Frum (I know, but bear with me)

The relationship between the GOP and their base is mutual fear; the relationship between the Democratic Party and their base is mutual hatred.

[still_one]

33. Frum is full of sh*t. The relationship in the Democratic party is one of inclusion, while

that of the republicans is one of exclusion

In fact that is how Gibbs SHOULD have responded to the original interview, but instead blew it. He is the press secretary, supposed to protect the president. Doesn't seem to me like he is doing his job

[Recursion]

43. Except, the GOP *doesn't* tell its base to "fall in line"

That quote is from Clinton rather than Dole for a reason.

And for that matter, the phrase "Big Tent" was coined by Atwater, about the GOP. It was Emmanuel who said, "We're Democrats, we don't have a base." In one important sense he was right (and this was probably what he meant), we don't have a base, we have several with more or less consonant goals (sadly, emphasis on "less" every time we get into power).

[still_one]

107. The reality is just the opposite, the Democratic party is inclusive. Emmanuel is a jerk who is not

doing any service to the administration he is supposed to protect

[Clio the Leo]

41. yep. nt

[CTLawGuy]

51. The Democratic party

is a collection of people who hate Republicans and vice versa.

[TreasonousBastard]

29. Something to do with assholes.

[SunsetDreams]

30. K&R

I've wondered this myself.

[Whisp]

34. such lovely looking gentlemen aren't they?

and their policies match as well.

but let us rip Obama apart in glee and glory for he is the real enemy here.

*ipecac swallow

[Clio the Leo]

42. that pic never gets old nt

[ProgressOnTheMove]

35. I won't forget that for a minute, just rather Gibbs was helping than hindering.

[Turborama]

48. "He also probably think you're too pale"

:rofl:

[impik]

49. Because people hates Obama more than they hate this ass

[depakid]

50. Dunno- ask the administration

We on the "professional left" were 100% d to make sure Republicans never came back from the fringe.

The administration and apparently the cconservadems had other ideas.

And now you're asking this question

[CTLawGuy]

52. you're on the "professional left"?

are you a Radio personality? a TV pundit?

[DailyGrind51]

54. Don't you "always hurt the ones you love"?

[moksha]

56. I never supported boner, nor have I ever expected him to be on my side.

I'd love to see boner gone. But, that has nothing to do with Gibbs and his asshole comments.

Here's the thing. He insulted the base, again. Obama is going to have a hard time winning if his team keeps insulting the base.

[Clio the Leo]

60. The left half of the party is not the President's base...

... if DU is any indication, the President's most ardent supporters are a bit more moderate and I'd venture to guess that holds true for the country as a whole.

[moksha]

64. It is basic political science.

The strong liberals are the party actives. The base is not the block with the most votes. The base is the ones who donate, campaign, volunteer, educate, etc. It is the people who pay attention and are committed to the issues. If they don't see a candidate agreeing with their issue positions, they won't be there to get the moderates and those who don't pay attention to the polls.

[Clio the Leo]

67. I study of the '08 Iowa caucus might be in order. nt

[moksha]

71. That isn't quite the point.

I am talking about the general election. There is a big difference between the two. A caucus can be won with a strong group of loyal volunteers.

A general election is dependent on the issue actives, not only those loyal to the person.

[Clio the Leo]

73. lol well then that would be every sane person in America....

... as that's about all the fervent Obama supporters had in common in 2008 ... they were all the people in the country who had common sense.

Obama's base isn't made up of those loyal to him? With all due respect, that sounds like an oxymoron. Now perhaps you mean the PARTY'S base ... in which case all you're saying makes more sense ... but no one is saying he's bashed the party's base ... they're saying he's bashed his own.

And I'm callin' BS on that one. I'm as yellow dog as they come but I can assure you one thing, if Barack Obama ran as an independent in 2012 I'd vote independent ... and so would the majority of our party.

[moksha]

84. I am talking the party base. Which supported him.

They are the same people and were bashed.

[martymar64]

98. Since we on the left are sooooo irrelevant . . .

Then you won't bitch when we stay at home in November or vote Green or Socialist or some other party.

After all , you and Gibbsy and Rahmy and Obama don't need our votes, they have clearly expressed their contempt for our ideas.

So when you lose your ass in the election, maybe then you'll regret talking shit to the very people that wouldv'e voted with you.

But of course, we on the left are irrelevent and you don't need our vote.

[stranger81]

112. +1000

My only point of disagreement is that I seriously doubt the browbeaters amongst us will exercise any degree of self-reflection if their own tactics end up backfiring.

[PassingFair]

113. He insulted the entire Progress Caucus of Congress and Dennis Kucinich personally.

If it was intentional, I'm not a democrat anymore.

If it was a "mistake", the administration has a
lot of apologizing to do.

He has possibly tanked the midterms for us with
his open disdain.

[BklnDem75]

63. Don't worry. He didn't insult the base

If you think Obama=Bush, you're either not the base, or you're on drugs. Can't argue with that. :thumbsup:

[moksha]

65. Obama is not Bush, but he had continued and expanded many Bush policies.

And Gibbs did attack the base.

[Clio the Leo]

68. He attacked the pundits and the talking heads...

... some of us are either misunderstanding or misrepresenting what he said.

[moksha]

70. And by extension, those who agree with their positions.

[Clio the Leo]

74. yep, that's exactly what I mean by "misrepresenting"...

... Gibbs said no such thing. You're implying something that's simply not there.

Now, some folks hate on the President LIKE it's their full time job ... so maybe they're included in that bunch. ;)

[RBInMaine]

69. Bullshit Gibbs attacked "the base." Total bullshit. He was obviously referring to Nader type

fringers and some far left pundits making comments that are indeed whacky. He in fact PRAISED the mainstream progressive Dem base. I agree Obama sure as hell is nothing like Bush.

[BklnDem75]

72. Once again

He attacked a specific group. I appreciate your wanting to be included in that group so you can scream foul, but sorry, no. If you don't think Obama=Bush, you're not in that group. Those who think that is not the base. The base is sane and generally supportive, thus the term 'base'.

[moksha]

83. He said more than just that. It was a broad-brush smear.

[BklnDem75]

91. Of course it was

And Rahm's 'retarded' statement was directed at you too. The nurse will tend to your wounds in a bit.

[ncteechur]

104. no he did not. and if he did get the fuck over it.

[rasputin1952]

57. That's a picture of a nightmare come true...

Lumpy and Skeezix plotting the overthrow of the government...;)

I wish I could was in Boehner's district...I'd be fighting tooth and nail to get him ousted from the House. Nothing would be sweeter than to see the man w/rustoleum skin tossed into the ranks of the unemployed...:D

[saltpoint]

58. It would be terrific if Boehner were to lose his

re-election bid.

But there are a lot of conservative Republicans in his district. A lot.

[Clio the Leo]

61. Again, Boehner is a metaphor. nt

[Chef Eric]

59. There isn't. Some of us can walk & chew gum at the same time. nt

[Clio the Leo]

62. I have NEVER logged onto DU and seen 80% of the threads talking about..

.... how we defeat the GOP at the polls.

NEVER.

[MadHound]

77. Because supposedly Gibbs was on our side,

Instead of being benignly silent on the matter, he decided to attack those who got Obama into office, who got him his job. Ingratitude is always an ugly thing, which is what Gibbs displayed.

We expect to be stabbed in the back by our enemies, not our so called allies.

[firedupdem]

78. K&R n/t

[Chan790]

79. Insulation bias.

That is Everybody here clearly roots for the Oompa-Loompa from OH and Sen. Yertle the Turtle to get annihilated at the ballot box. It doesn't need to be stated. Anybody not at-least passively working towards that end here is in the wrong place.

There is actual purpose and legitimacy to a discussion of POV, policy and application by a Democratic administration on a Democratic message board.

I say Gibbs needs to be fired because Gibbs needs to be fired, minimally there is validity to the discussion. I don't have to say Boehner is a smarmy bag of carrot colored crap because you already know that.

[felix_numinous]

81. He's next.

time to clean house.

[Laelth]

82. The President can't fire Boner. He can fire Gibbs. n/t

-Laelth

[Aramchek]

88. but Obama would never do something that stupid

[Enrique]

85. Gibbs was the one who said put your money on Boehner n/t

[jefferson_dem]

92. Cause... maybe Gibbs was right.

It's insane.

[ljm2002]

93. Hey, I've got an idea!

Why don't YOU start the clarion call for Boehner's defeat?

It might be more effective, though, if you separate it from the criticism of others who took offense at Gibbs' remarks, reflecting as they do the obvious contempt with which this administration regards "leftists".

[Uzybone]

94. Mitch looks like he is sizing up Boner for dinner

[Defectata]

99. Boner doesn't claim to represent me.

he never claimed to support single payer, the public option, change you can believe in, only to deliver a belief that our government can't change.

[bigwillq]

100. Hello

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[BklnDem75]

102. You're in luck

Neither did Gibbs.

[Canuckistanian]

101. I believe the white man and the orange man should coexist peacefully

No matter what his creed.

[30rock]

103. How do you "demand" a defeat?

?

[TreasonousBastard]

105. It has a lot to do with assholes, and how we have more...

than enough on our side.

It really is a lot easier to sit back and take potshots at anyone struggling to get things done-- "You/He/She/Whatever is full of shit" is so much faster and more gratifying than actually getting dirty and helping with a thankless job.

And, ummm... demanding that everything I want be done exactly as I want it to be done gets attention, but doesn't get much else.

[cherokeeprogressive]

108. In my house, wishing for Boner's defeat is a given. It doesn't need to be stated.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

110. Because it's such anpretty shade of orange

[stranger81]

111. Why is the White House more concerned with attacking the left wing of its own party

than attacking Boehner?

You're asking the wrong question, my friend.

[Prism]

114. Gibbs' resignation would aid Boehner's defeat.

I'm not sure why the two things are considered mutually exclusive.

Gibbs' comments are harming Democratic unity and enthusiasm in November. That helps Boehner.

It is incredibly short-sighted and tunnel visioned to believe that any defense of the stupid things the administration does is by default a good thing for Democrats and a bad things for Republicans.

Gibbs just tossed a verbal grenade in the midst of his own party, when enthusiasm is already lower and Democratic losses are anticipated.

The real question is why you're not calling for Gibbs resignation as a means towards party unity to lessen the chances of a Boehner victory. If Boehner is the one and only interest anyone should have here, Gibbs' resignation seems like a no-brainer.

[rasputin1952]

115. That is one creepy pic...

Every time I see it...reminds me of something evil coming this way...

[NorthCarolina]

116. How about all of them go? That would work for me. eom