I still love Obama. Love. Love. Love.

[n2doc]

Am I the last person in America who still adores the president?

By Curtis Sittenfeld
November 7, 2010

Just before Halloween 2008, while out for a walk, I noticed that on the front porch of a nearby house sat a row of five pumpkins, each carved with one letter of Barack Obama's last name. The election was, at that point, a week away, and I was charmed by this seasonal display of Democratic support.

Then I rounded the corner and spotted the exact same arrangement: a row of five pumpkins, each carved with one letter of Obama's last name. OK, so maybe not quite as original as I'd thought but still encouraging, at least for a liberal like me living in a swing state — my neighborhood, after all, is not in Brooklyn or Berkeley but in suburban St. Louis, Mo., a state that ultimately, by a margin of 0.1 percent, didn't go for Obama in '08.

This Halloween, it was clear that if I wanted to see a row of jack-o'-bamas, I'd need to carve them myself. Once it was impossible not to trip over Obama enthusiasm. (Remember the young voters unofficially changing their middle names to Hussein?) But these days, even YouTube sensation Obama Girl is feeling lukewarm about our president: Obama Girl, aka Amber Lee Ettinger, told the New York Post in January she'd give Obama a B- grade: "In my opinion, I feel like he should be focusing a lot more on jobs and the economy."

But my own feelings haven't changed at all. Two years after voting for him, I'm just as exhilarated as Oprah Winfrey was in Grant Park on Nov. 4, 2008. You might say, to borrow the accusation frequently leveled at the 2008 media, that I've remained in the tank for Obama. The only problem is that currently, I seem to be in the tank by myself. Earlier this fall, even NPR hosts were making jokes that could have been borrowed from Rush Limbaugh — the teaser for a recent episode of "Wait Wait … Don't Tell Me!" imagined that one of the "inspiring" quotations in the new Oval Office carpet was, "At least your daughters still like you ... probably." I felt the unmistakable loneliness of being the last one left at a formerly hopping party.

Honestly, though, I'm surprised that so many people have turned against the president.

more

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/ct-perspec-1107-love-20101107,0,7802165.story

[jaxx]

1. I'm surprised that so many people have turned against the president.

Yep, me too. Nice article, I wonder why it was posted.

[lillypaddle]

2. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth

:)

[movonne]

5. It is because of the media and corporate america...I guess he

didn't tow the line..when you hear 24/7 how bad our president is and not american...it is the corps that are not american...remember what they did to clinton and they didn't have as much power as they do now..you know with the supreme court bought and paid for...the funny part there was hardly a whimper when it happened...

and now it is pay back to the bushes for handing over the country to the corps...it has been a plan for many years and now here it is here...be watching we will be seeing lots of bush around...the new makeover of bush...

[boppers]

44. Is "tow the line" different from "toe the line"?

Is that a homonym error, or did you mean he wasn't pulling his weight, rather than lining up at the right place for the system/game?

[JDPriestly]

64. Obama appointed the wrong people to his economic team.

Many of my friends have lost their jobs, their businesses and their homes. There are empty storefronts and empty industrial sites everywhere you go -- places that used to be thriving with business.

And where is Obama this weekend? Is he here in L.A. talking to the homeless, the jobless, the folks who are in bankruptcy with their lives and futures indentured from now to their deaths? No. He is over in India and Asia talking to people about trade agreements that will, once again, wipe out more American jobs.

Don't you get it? There is a big, huge, enormous disconnect here between what the American people need and wand and whatever it is that Obama is doing on his world tour.

I am a liberal and a lifelong Democrat, and I just proudly and enthusiastically voted for Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer and the other truly liberal Democrats who ran for office in my district and state of California.

But, while I love Obama as a person, I do not like the way his running his administration. His economic team and some of this other advisers are so off track that they are causing a train wreck.

Obama's analogy about the car is great except that with this showy trip to Asia, I am beginning to wonder whether he isn't taking a car that that the Republicans left in a ditch and just burning it up.

The idea of a another one-sided, giveaway trade agreement with South Korea at this point is just an insult to the American people. We should be withdrawing from the trade agreements that have already ruined our economy, not agreeing to more of them.

Talk about Halloween horrors. The thought of additional trade with India and South Korea, additional job giveaways which is what all of the trade agreements have proven to be, is just horrible.

[barbtries]

3. i do.

one love. he's still this country's best hope to keep us from sliding off the slippery slope of right win insanity. imo

[kimmerspixelated]

4. With you.

Not crazy about the health care plan, but he is a good man who inherited far more than usual from BFEE.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. I have not turned against him.

But when I see him caving to the Republicans before the dialogue has even begun, I wonder ...

I feel as though he has abandoned us.

I wish I understood what he thinks.

It makes me very sad, to see his potential for good get squandered by his pandering to the Republicans.

[jaxx]

7. Caving and pandering.

Well, we may not be thinking of the same guy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. I'm thinking of Obama; who are you thinking of?

[FrenchieCat]

9. Poster is probably thinking of the guy that is so determined in the foundation of

what he sees as needed for his vision for a better America,
that he decided that he wasn't going to simply try and
do what he has been ordered to by everyone and their mama,
especially considering that many don't agree anyway.

What "cave" means to one, may mean acting like an adult with responsibility
to another. Just saying.

[jaxx]

10. President Obama.

I don't think you and I know the same guy.

[txlibdem]

54. I'm with you Jaxx

I don't think any of the Obama love-fest posters have been living in the same country as I have for the past 2 years.

Bail outs for Big Banks, Big Insurance, Big Pharma, Big Auto, stimulus that didn't stimulate and all got channeled to shoring up state budgets (aka rat hole), tax cuts and breaks up the wazoo for businesses. Contrast that with not one dime to keep people from losing their homes, a program for banks to renegotiate loans but no teeth to actually do it, Trillions of dollars for the same exact risky investments that got us into trouble in the first place but no mandate to invest in Americans or American businesses, and finally, no WPA when it became evidently clear that businesses were sitting on TWO TRILLION DOLLARS in cash that could have hired 20 million people and paid each of them $50,000 a year so the consumer economy would get going again.

Do nothing for the people, do everything for the corporations. Yup, that's what I voted for... :sarcasm:

[Whisp]

59. not the same guy at all.

caver and panderer.... ffs.

someone can't decide one day to the next where they stand.

[firedupdem]

17. I didn't feel abandoned when my Cobra payments slashed, don't

feel abandoned now that my son can stay on my health insurance when he graduates college in the fall, don't feel abandoned that he could get extra funds for school either. You might not want to use "us" when you think of being abandoned. I don't feel abandoned at all, neither do any of the Democrats I know personally.

[Whisp]

60. well then Obama must have caved and pandered....

to you and your son! blast him! :)

great to hear these things make such a nice difference to you and yours. wonderful.

[JDPriestly]

65. I feel abandoned that Obama appointed so many Social Security

opponents to his budget balancing committee. I feel worse than abandoned. I feel betrayed. And Obama has never really addressed the fact that so many on the commission are adverse to Social Security. What a double-cross.

How two-faced can you be. Talk about saving Social Security and reform, all the while placing the authority to propose specific reforms in the hands of KNOWN OPPONENTS OF SOCIAL SECURITY.

Meanwhile, Obama is tossing more jobs into Asia. And seniors in the US can't get jobs even if they are physically and mentally able to do them.

So, they are talking about privatizing Social Security. I wish that before the members of Congress decide to do that, they make a tour of some of the nursing homes that house Alzheimers patients. How is a 90-year old with Alzheimers supposed to manage a private investment account? That is the stupidest idea I ever heard.

Even a very healthy person over 84 probably can't handle a private investment account unless they are experts in that area. It's just another way to steal from Americans.

[JNelson6563]

71. And I don't feel abandoned with funding for my new business

available, banks given incentives to loan to me and the ability to write off all that I buy for that business start up. Not only will I have a good job thanks to all that but I will provide others with same. Thanks Mr. President for signing that small business legislation!

Julie

[donheld]

34. Peggy, I sadly have to agree with you

I'm sick about it, but it's what I've seen him do over and over again.

[impik]

11. Hardly. He is still adored by millions

[felix_numinous]

12. Many people underestimate the status quo.

I rail about the corporations, but I am very glad President Obama is in office. Sometimes I wonder if people are threatened to go along with the RW, wouldn't be surprised. I want to believe in someone I have such high respect for.

Me? I thought he was a lot more progressive than he really was, perhaps that was my delusion. I am having to redefine progress to accepting Blue Dogs turning some red states purple, the color of a bruise. But it is better than RepubliCorp bloody red.

[liberalmuse]

13. Me too.

He's actually accomplished a great deal, and has had to deal with a lot more criticism than any President in my lifetime, and that includes 'W' (and he earned it). I do believe that this country probably does not deserve someone with his caliber at the helm. Is he fixing everything that needs to be fixed right now? No - he's not Superman. Could he stand to be more aggressive with the Republicans? God, yes, but I know too well that it is his nature to be a peaceful, rational man. I think he might come to realize that there is a time for that - when you're dealing with those who have the best interests of the American people at heart. And when you're not, it's time to fight and kick some ass.

[Coexist]

14. I dearly love my President.

[lovemydog]

15. He's the best president I've ever seen

And probably the best president I'll ever see.
The first president I ever remember is Richard Nixon.
I do not have messiahs. I do have great respect and support for president Obama.

[Pisces]

16. I still love the President. He has the strength to do what must be done to move

this country forward.

[Phx_Dem]

18. No, you're not. I'm feel exactly the same and am extremely PROUD

of everything he has accomplished in these short two years.

[pnorman]

19. This is a measure of the guy I so passionately supported in 2008:

http://leishacamden.blogspot.com/2008/10/not-that-it-matters.html

Trash me if you're of a mind to, but I still support him!

[Ineeda]

20. I'm with him, too. n/t

[Hissyspit]

21. I'm not in love with him, was never in love with him, don't want to be in love with him.

Not looking for someone to adore.

I want a political leader to vote into office, not a lover. I wanted someone who was not a Republican and that's what I got. I wanted someone who would reverse Bush-era policy and that's mostly sort-of what I got. Whether I love or adore him is kind of besides the point. I'm very satistfied that he is there, in some ways, and very disappointed in him in other ways. Not much a surprise.

That said, yes, the anti-Obama rhetoric and media memes are misleading and over-the-top (as is talk of love and adoration), but we saw that with Clinton in '94, too.

In the interest of full disclosure, yes, I suppose I would have to admit that I did HATE George W. Bush, but I wasn't looking for someone to hate then, either, so it was kind of besides the point, too. The point being 'what he did' and not my emotional response to him.

[HipChick]

22. I still support the President, I am realistic about what can and can't be done in 2yrs

I've been in Washington for over 25yrs, and realistic about how quick DC and goverment can actually encompass change. I don't know what other folks are smoking, but maybe I should get some? Civil rights never happened within 2 yrs either.

[mrarundale]

23. Exactly.

It's ridiculous that anyone expects a reversal of decades of rethuglican policies to be repaired in two years. I just wish he was more anti-war (get us out of there & stop killing people), I mean, the corporate media are going to control the (dumb)public opinion anyway so why play it safe?..Unless there is some good secret reason for the "war" (other than profits for contractors and money laundering drug dealers....)

[Jim Sagle]

24. Creepy and pathetic.

[FrenchieCat]

33. Come on, please don't say that about yourself........

Well, ok then...if you insist! :shrug:

[Jim Sagle]

35. I know you are but what am I?

;)

[countrydad58]

55. agreed !delusional messianic.

[Blue_Tires]

25. ttt

[DesertFlower]

26. both hubby and i still like him.

i feel really sad by the way he has been treated. makes me wonder if they'd treat him differently if he was white?

[jillan]

27. I'm proud he is my President but I just wish he would stand up to the bullshit.

Control the message Obama, the message is controlling you.

[solara]

28. I still support our President...

I am so grateful that Obama is at the helm.

Thank you for posting this.



:patriot:

[sea_dream]

29. Admire and respect Obama

If I ever began to waver in my support for this man, I would recall my despair at the election and the re-election of Bush and Cheney and whatever fleeting doubts I had would be gone.

[solara]

32. Exactly. I was pretty depressed after this election, but then I realized

that Tuesday, November 3, 2004, was one of the darkest days I have ever lived through.. nothing .. and I mean NOTHING compared to how terrible I felt the day after W was re-elected. Damn.

The election last Tuesday was not easy, but I also pretty much expected to lose the House. We can turn this around and I believe that we will, but it felt like there was absolutely no hope left when W was elected for his second term.

:patriot:

[BlancheSplanchnik]

56. Hi, me too

and welcome, sea_dream!


I truly truly wish the media were not so owned by bajillionaire corpo-fascist greed scum--it's poisoned the public mind and set norms of hype (i.e. bullshitting), impatience, superficiality and ruthlessness.

[stormpilot]

30. I'm in. I haven't turned my back.

Although I do have some disappointment, I'm not changing my sails and do continue to support our President. Considering the condition our country was in when Obama was elected, how could anyone not see that there is SO much yet to be done and cut him some slack? These things need time! I would like to see the wars ended, the weaning of Israel, better HCR/ w public option, better financial/banking reform, abolishing the Federal Reserve, campaign reform, and that's just getting started.

[Top Cat]

31. K&R

[KeyserSoze87]

36. I think Obama is a great president, and I will be voting for him 2012.

He's made our economy go from losing 800,000 jobs per month to gaining over 150,000 jobs in the latest employment report. If that isn't an improvement, I don't know what is. The Rethugs and Teatards are just jealous because Obama has done a better job handling the economy than they ever would. Obama will win in 2012 and they know it.

:kick:

[rury]

37. I LOOOOOOOOOOVE HIM, TOO

SOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!:loveya:
OBAMA 2012!!!!!!

[KeyserSoze87]

38. I'm glad I'm not the only person who thinks that.

:kick:

[nofurylike]

39. K&R!! me too, absolutely!! thank you for posting this, n2doc! nt

[Aristus]

40. Still proud. Still happy.

President Obama is a highly intelligent, exceptionally competent man doing a very difficult job as well as could be expected under the rotten circumstances under which he has had to labor since entering office.

I'll take that any day over Bush jr. (whom I do NOT fucking miss yet, now or ever, thank you very much!...) The Clown Prince, who was a lazy, dimwitted, incompetent, entitled, juvenile asshole who spent all of his time either telling America what his job was (and once even said "My job is to do my job!), or telling everybody how well he had done his job (i.e. "I was there. I stepped up. I led." etc.) He may not have allowed 9/11 to happen, but he was too stupid, self-involved, and incompetent to prevent it. And he actively worked to ruin the American economy, which our new, smart, capable President has had to try to revive.

Is President Obama always successful? No. How could anyone be? But I'll accept his failures as notations on the long list of legislative successes he has had so far in his first term. That's much better than his predecessor, whose entire life is a long stultifying exercise in serial failure.

I can't say I love President Obama. But I do love the fact that he is our President. :patriot:

Can I get an amen? O8)

[totodeinhere]

41. What's love got to do with it?

It's about issues.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4604337&mesg_id=4604337

[tavalon]

42. I once loved the President and that was a big mistake

I've gotten over it. I still am trying to keep his back but he is being quite the recalcitrant employee. I love my husbands, my son, my dog. The President is my employee, not to be loved but respected if warranted, corrected if necessary.

[snot]

43. I love him, too; yet disagree with many of his decisions.

[DemocraticPilgrim]

45. I don't see why anyone shouldn't be the stats show he works night and day to make it better...

[grahamhgreen]

46. What policy positions does Obama stand for?

[poverlay]

47. I agree 1000%. He is a good man and a great President. History will sing his praises. n/t

[bobburgster]

48. Count me as an Obama man!

He has done a lot of good for the average citizen. That's why the repugs and corporate world have been attacking him nonstop.

[Number23]

49. Oh, I am SO in.

"I'm also not convinced, my own hyperbolic tendencies aside, that I'm really the last Obama devotee standing. When I ask around, I find that the people who are disappointed in Obama aren't as disappointed as the media would have us believe, and that many aren't disappointed at all. In fact, some acquaintances have told me that they, too, feel surprised by the assumption that the Obama backlash is universal."

He's not the last supporter standing. Not even close. There are countless millions of us all over the world.

Rec'd.

[RichGirl]

50. Count me among those who.....

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! President Obama!

Fortunately for me and those I love....I don't need for them to be perfect or do everything exactly how I would do them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX2jcNlofO4

[Fruittree]

51. I still love Obama too!

He works non-stop for this country with a Congress that at times seems populated with 5 year olds then he takes the blame when they can't work together and he keeps on trying! How can you not appreciate that?

[pattmarty]

52. We get it, get it, get it. If you paid COMPLETE attention the last two.....

.......years, you wouldn't/shouldn't be "surprised". We needed another FDR, what we got was a black Bill Clinton.

[MBS]

53. BTW Barack will be on 60 Minutes tonight (Sun Nov 7) n/t

[The Uncola]

57. Bullpucky.

We haven't "turned against the President". He, through his suppogates CHOOSES to ignore and belittle us. He has shown zero initiative to fight for those things that are IMPORTANT TO ME. When he does, perhaps you won't be feeling quite so whiny and lonely. What he and you forgot to do at the "hopping party," was to dance with those which brought you. And now you want to bitch because we're told you we're leaving? Get real. Get loyal or get dumped.

[sammytko]

58. love him too!

[juajen]

61. I disagree with some of his direction, but I still respect the President. NT

[ooglymoogly]

62. Speaking in the newspeak of this post; I submit; he has done some wonderful things. nt

[yellerpup]

63. I'm with you, doc.

He's accomplished so much in such a short time. He hasn't achieved everything he wanted to do in his first 18 months in office, but he probably thought he'd have at least four years before he would be called to account why certain things happened and other things didn't. He's great, IMO. :kick: & Rec.

[sallyseven]

66. I think that Obama is our last chance at sanity

The puks want to destroy democracy and turn it into corporate slave labor camps. I hate republicans for what they did. I want bush, cheney, rove. hannity, o'riley, lumbutt. in jail.

[Lindsey]

68. I've disagreed with some of the things he's done but IMHO he's

done so much good.The problem is they haven't gotten all the good things he's done out. I love him and still totally support him.

[TheKentuckian]

67. Ahh...emotional investment in a politician that creates infinite unearned devotion

That won't keep a soul in their home, prosecute a single criminal, or even remotely correct the wealth and income disparity.

[ampad]

69. I admire the president

and am very proud to support him. Love is a little strong but hey to each their own. K/R

[russspeakeasy]

70. I had a professor who was rated one of the best in his field, but

he did not know how to adjust the thermostat in his house...

[donco6]

72. Your title is a little creepy.

<stepping slowly aside to an open doorway>

[n2doc]

74. Not my article. I just post what I see... n/t

[InvisibleTouch]

73. You're not the last, and by no means the only. :) n/t