Obama is irrelevant if he remains a passive agent of the status quo

[Armstead]

I was really excited when Obama won and started his presidency. I would make it a point to get to the TV when he made a speech or appearance.

But when it was announced he would be on 60 Minutes, I had to force myself to watch. I knew he would be ever so charming, intelligent, reasonable and say things I agree with.

But I didn't want to watch because it would also make me angry. He says the right things, but does either nothing or the wrong things. He will explain problems brilliantly and make big promises but not deliver. Or even really try.

The contradiction is making it almost painful to watch him. To dull the pain, the only antidote is to not give a shit. He's there. Nothing will change. A Republican will eventually elected to replace him. We will backslide further because Obama never exerted himself to push forward.

It doesn't have to be that way.

No I don't expect Superman. I don't expect Instant Change. But it would be nice if he actually tried and stuck to a plan sometimes. Use the power and popularity he gained to really do things that are meaningful and are based on core liberal and progressive Democratic values.

But the fact he gives himself a B plus -- and an A if he gets healthcare "reform" -- indicates that he thinks things are just ducky.

Jeeze. Why can't he take "liberals" and "progressives" seriously? Why not take some vitamins, fire Rahm and people like that and actually go back to the guy we thought we elected? You know the one who talked about change.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. Stories leak out, and would here, too, if true.

Under Bush, the WH twisted arms, and forced congress into line.
There has been none of that here. None at all. In fact, if anything, Obama's hands off policy has caused a far more determined opposition. And when they draw another line, his first step, not his last, but his first, is to cave in. He is causing his presidency to become irrelevant. A B+? Bullshit. He gets a low C, but only because he's not Bush, and Biden is not Cheney.

[Zodiak]

12. That is how I grade him, as well

Not that I WANT to be so harsh, but looking at the record, I do not think he is doing very well. It's my honest assessment. No President gets a good grade for sitting idly by as far too many destructive policies were allowed to continue. No President gets a good grade for making a showing time and time again of crapping on his base and sometimes a majority of American opinion, especially not in the service of war and the subversion of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Giving himself a B+ was overly-optimistic and far too complacent, much like his administration projected with the economy (8% vs. 10% unemployment)

[Blasphemer]

25. His approach to the Presidency has been extremely disappointing...

A few months back, when that photo of Sasha in the Oval Office was released, I got a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. For me, it was symbolic of how the White House approaches this Presidency. It's more public relations than public service, more style than substance. He is increasingly becoming a "Paper Thin President". When I was 9 years old, I wrote an essay about Ronald Reagan asserting that he was an empty suit (I can't remember my exact words but I recall something like, "he just looks good on TV"). Reagan's legacy has become as empty as his PR-driven Presidency was. The conservatives erected a great big pedestal and hoisted him up there and those who were complicit in his ascendancy, quietly accept it. Despite (or perhaps because of) the desire to deify him, the praise for St. Ronnie rings hollow. I fear that Obama's legacy is heading in the same direction. Sure, lots of positive things will be written and the historic nature of his Presidency will never be forgotten but, if he continues on the same path he is on now, he will become another PResident (emphasis on the "PR"). I did not always agree with Clinton's decisions. In fact, I fairly often disapproved. But, he was what he was and the historical assessment of his Presidency will likely be an honest one. This time last year I never imagined that of the past three Democratic Presidents, Obama would be the one whose legacy would prove to be the most specious. He still has time to change course and I desperately hope that he does.

[undeterred]

2. Obama is a weenie.

The truth hurts.

:hurts:

[tridim]

3. Are you going to run against him in 2012?

If not, what does that make you?

[Cha]

10. It makes him exactly what he projected.

[Cha]

9. No, you're the uniformed "weenie".

[verges]

22. Uniformed?

I really don't understand.

[timeforpeace]

35. LOL!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. Sadly, I believe Biden has been more effective working behind the scenes

on his middle class initiative. Biden was also right about Afghanistan and Pakistan but got sidelined by McChrystal and the other hawks advising Obama.

[freddie mertz]

5. I think it is up to all of us now.

We gave too much power to this president.

We were blinded by his victory, blinded by what he represents historically, and by his sweeping promises of change.

No more personality cults, or expecting politicians in Washington to do what we think is right.

Time to become a movement again.

[Armstead]

14. Yeah but where do we go with that with resistant political officials?

It's really fucking frustrating that while the conservatives have thesupport of the GOP, liberals and progressives are left out in the cold by the party that ought to be representing our interests in national policy.

[freddie mertz]

31. To the streets.

To the airwaves.

Anywhere.

[chimpymustgo]

30. He was such a fabulous fabulist. I had my doubts for a long time, but after he won the nomination,

I bought in to the razzle dazzle hope and change and history and kids in the White House and health care reform and end the dumb wars and create jobs and heal this country's rended soul.

This has been a pain reconciliation.

[Hekate]

6. (A) He's not "passive" (b) you have no idea what's going on behind the scenes (c) what are you doing

... about it?

Hekate

[tekisui]

15. Behind the scenes? How about front and center?

That is where the action needs to be. The Democrats have rolled over and compromised every step of the way, and have never properly dominated or held the frame. They have been playing defense the whole time.

Weakness has been their position.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

26. too obvious.

those damned trees keep blocking my view of the forest.

[Armstead]

18. I have been making phone calls to Congress sent message to WH and...

all the other things citizens are supposed to do to make their view known to representatives.

If I had the personal qualities necessary to run for office I would. But my talents are elsewhere, so i do what I can.

I have no idea what is going on behind the scenes? Well what goes on before the scenes is where it counts. We've gone from him requiring a public option in any bill he signs, to pressing Congress to take out the last vestiges of any public plan to placate Joe Lieberman.

[dionysus]

19. complaining on the internet, of course! the most effective of activities

[Kdillard]

7. Wow so getting a stimulus passed that kept us out of a Great Depression was nothing,

Being the first President to get us close to having Healthcare reform passed is nothing, having a budget that restores funding to programs important to Dems like highspeed rail, drug nedle exchange etc. I know he isn't perfect but damn your assessment is harsh.

[rudy23]

11. Hear that, he's close to getting "healthcare reform" passed!

As long as it's called "healthcare reform" it's historic and great! No matter he's spent months hammering away on progressives until the bill is a Republican/insurer's dream.

[Armstead]

13. Without the crisis would he have tried anything like the stimulus?

That's a rhetorical queston, I realize. But I'm thinking if he had started in a "normal" economy he would have started out as a deficit hawk.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LaPera]

16. Well put...."A passive agent of the status quo". Do nothing so as to accept no blame.

So far so good. "B+" ??

[tekisui]

17. If he isn't part of the solution, he's part of the problem.

[uponit7771]

20. Dammit!! More uninformed!! Make it stop!!!

[Armstead]

21. Not pragmatic enough for you?

I do want a pony.

[Thrill]

23. He seems to not want to fight for anything.

Thats downright disappointing.

[QC]

34. If he fights for something, he might lose.

Better just to float above it all.

[grassfed]

24. IF?

[impik]

27. Ha-Ha. "He's irrelevant". Hilarious.

You all lost your collective mind.

[kenny blankenship]

28. I think he must have decided this was a loser a long time back, and has been trying to put distance

between himself and health care reform.

uh whatever you guys decide to pass is OK by me. Just let me know, whenever. I'll be huddled with my Generals talking about Big Boy stuff in Central Asia when you want me.

Thanks for the bold leadership.

[asdjrocky]

29. Right now, as far as the President and Congress are concerned we are irrelevant. nt

[branders seine]

32. Here is a friendly suggested edit to you Subject.

Obama is irrelevant.



the rest is superfluous. He already flushed his own political capital down the Goldman Sachs-United Healthcare toilet.

[ProSense]

36. "He already flushed his own political capital down the Goldman Sachs-United Healthcare toilet."

:rofl:

[MindandSoul]

33. Yes, I still really trust President Obama. . .but it's time for him to show that he MEANS it!!!!!

[ProSense]

37. I can really see how easy it is to confuse

Obama's accomplishments with the status quo.

Yeah, I know: response.

[Zomby Woof]

38. Weren't you one of the big Edwards cheerleaders around here?

So should I trust your judgment on Obama?

I am thinking: No.