What do you feel about President Obama?

[quinnox]

When I see him nowadays, I just think "meh". That is the first thing that comes to mind. He is there, and he will do his usual thing. I'm not expecting anything but lukewarm Democratic policies that lean towards the conservative Democratic side. I feel no excitement about his second term, or what he has in mind for it. It is just an overall feeling of blah. Yea, yea, I know the GOP would be worse, but I can't get too worked up about it, when I see how Obama has chosen to conduct his presidency. You would think he could give the liberals even a small token of a crumb in terms of some policy, something that would be liberal based, instead of scorn and banishment to the nether regions.

How do you feel when you see President Obama on tv these days or hear about him in the news?

[TeamsterDem]

1. The same, unfortunately

I never had him pegged as the most liberal offering of the Democratic Party, but I sure expected at least some crumbs, as you put it. It's not all negative, to be sure. I'm particularly fond of the NLRB's rulings, for example. But I sure won't press that button next year with the same excitement I did back in '08. I'll press it, though.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

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

[FiveGoodMen]

2. "There's the guy that flushed this country's last chance down the crapper!"

[LWolf]

75. +1

[Autumn]

3. I wonder who is going to run in 2016, and how

bad are things going to get for the next several years.

[Peregrine Took]

43. Not an academic!! Not a lawyer! Not a Senator!!

A governor would be good.

From a large blue state.

A person with a proven track record and not just pie in the sky talk talk.

Personally, I'd like to see someone with some silver or grey in their hair. Someone who's been around the block a few times and knows how to get things done, politically and governmentally, as their history proves.

[Autumn]

49. I'm with you on that.

I want a proven track record.:thumbsup:

[TheWraith]

68. Yes, let's get us an old career insider! With lots of favors to pay back!

That would be SO much better than getting a President who's done more than any Democrat in 40 years could have imagined doing!

[classof56]

71. Thank you...I feel better!

Seriously! Sometimes I wonder if I'm on the wrong board!

:thumbsup:

[WI_DEM]

4. I feel his accomplishments have not been touted loudly enough while his failures are

I feel he is a man who truly wanted to try to bridge the partisan divide in Washington. I think his lack of overall experience has hurt him, but I'm hopeful that he has learned that the GOP wants nothing more than for him to fail and if they can destroy the country to do it, so be it. I think he still has enormous potential to build on some of the things he began and to move the country forward.

[donheld]

6. Here come "the list"

for the 1000th time

[WI_DEM]

9. What list?

[Tx4obama]

78. Here's some links to some LISTS

Obama’s 2008 Campaign Promises Kept:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-kept/

Long partial LIST (with citation links) of what Obama has done: http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html

Lists and graphs: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=433&topic_id=751914

We All Have a Choice in the 2012 Election
http://www.democratsforprogress.com/2011/09/03/we-all-have-a-choice-in-the-2012-election/

Short List of Progressive Achievements by The Obama Administration
http://shoqvalue.com/short-list-of-progressive-achievements-by-the-obama-administration

So That Ignorance Won't Be The Reason Why "Progressives" Are Throwing The President Under The Bus
http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2011/09/so-that-ignorance-wont-be-reason-why.html

Obama Administration’s Achievements (Thus Far)
http://obamaachievements.org/list

Obama’s LGBT Chart LIST
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x777350

80 Reasons Why It’s Time To Take These Republican/Tea Party ‘Sons Of Bitches’ Down
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/09/06/80-reasons-why-its-time-to-take-these-republicantea-party-sons-of-bitches-down/

[TheWraith]

10. Maybe when you start actually reading it, you'll understand why.

And why your position is not fact based.

[donheld]

24. Maybe when JOBS is added to the list it will be worth reading.

And Geithner/Goldman Sachs removed from the list it will be worth reading.

[TheWraith]

72. Repeating the old falsehood about Geithner working at Goldman Sachs?

Given how much stuff people here believe which simply isn't true, it's no wonder they think Obama is a failure.

[donheld]

76. That's bullshit and you know it.

[TheWraith]

80. What, that Geithner never worked at Goldman Sachs? Sorry, it's a matter of public record.

He never worked there or at any Wall Street investment bank.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

82. Tim Geithner never worked for Goldman Sachs.

[Peregrine Took]

44. Oh, GOD! Not the LIST!!!! Now that is a fascinating document. ZZZZZZZZZ

[Tx4obama]

79. Which LIST? There are several really good ones out there ya know :)

Obama’s 2008 Campaign Promises Kept:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-kept/

Long partial LIST (with citation links) of what Obama has done: http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html

Lists and graphs: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=433&topic_id=751914

We All Have a Choice in the 2012 Election
http://www.democratsforprogress.com/2011/09/03/we-all-have-a-choice-in-the-2012-election/

http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/

Short List of Progressive Achievements by The Obama Administration
http://shoqvalue.com/short-list-of-progressive-achievements-by-the-obama-administration

So That Ignorance Won't Be The Reason Why "Progressives" Are Throwing The President Under The Bus
http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2011/09/so-that-ignorance-wont-be-reason-why.html

Obama Administration’s Achievements (Thus Far)
http://obamaachievements.org/list

Obama’s LGBT Chart LIST
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x777350

80 Reasons Why It’s Time To Take These Republican/Tea Party ‘Sons Of Bitches’ Down
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/09/06/80-reasons-why-its-time-to-take-these-republicantea-party-sons-of-bitches-down/

[HappyMe]

61. Yup. lol! Followed by screams of PRIMARY HIM!

:boring:

[oldlib]

11. His second term

will allow him the freedom to push the programs that us liberals need. I was dismayed earlier this year at the compromises that he made. I have since changed my attitude toward him and agree that he still has a lot of potential.

[donheld]

25. He does have great potential if he'd just break of his affair with Goldman Sachs.

[RaleighNCDUer]

56. Learn to live with disappointment. nt

[loyalsister]

15. I recently heard that from a friend

He doesn't take credit for the good stuff he has done enough.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Just another ambitious pro politician maintaining the status quo.

[griffi94]

16. yep

that's my feeling on him as well.
in the end he's the same stage managed reality show as everything else.
it hasn't been as painful for me because i never thought he could deliver on his promises anyway, altho i did think he would accomplish more than he has so far.
he's just protecting the status quo and holding the place till the next guy is up.

[classof56]

7. I feel just fine, thanks for asking.

Will support him, will vote for him as well as every other Democrat I can vote as I look forward to his next term. Sorry to know there's such negativity out there on the part of my fellow DUers, can understand much of it, but to kick back and decide not to vote is totally unacceptable for me. Besides, here in Oregon, so far with vote by mail we stand a shot of having our votes counted and none of us disenfranchised. I value that more than I can say.

Did you see Jefferson Smith on Chris Hayes' show Sunday? If I lived in Portland, I'd vote for him as the next mayor.

[TBF]

8. I don't "feel" anything about him - he's not a friend or family member.

Just the latest in the string of Leaders of the Empire. Although I will say it's nice he can string together words into a comprehensible sentence, unlike the last one.

[loyalsister]

12. Being president must suck

I see a guy who has been trying to hold on to his values and promises being thwarted at every turn. Then gets slammed from all sides.
Taking some of the most ridiculous criticism that media stokes would be really annoying.

[cloudbase]

13. I see a man who came into office

at a time when circumstances provided for exceptional opportunity of historical proportions, and he blew his chance at greatness.

[closeupready]

14. Cynical. I understand that he has to balance decisions

between various parties demanding accommodation, but it still seems like he's folded on every issue far too early and compromised too much.

I'm really not focused on him anymore, and think we should focus on Congress instead - or, primarily. :shrug:

[Ineeda]

17. I feel like he's covered in the shit

that's been thrown at him from every direction possible. Much of it, IMHO, undeservedly.

[Whisp]

18. I feel we are fortunate to have such a strong person as President

a strong man of good character and as honest a man as a politician is allowed to be in these times with the press turning on his every word and twisting things into lies that too many of us should know better are lies, but like to hear them anyway to support some strange personal angst instead of supporting a Democratic President.

Because Obama is pretty well skeleton free in his closets (compared to many, he is sweet baby jesus sinless) , the shit must be made up and it hasn't stopped since the primaries. So I feel he is really doing well and hasn't lost his composure under this massive assault he has to withstand.

[jaxx]

19. I feel the country is under good leadership with PBO's working for the people.

I like his calm demeanor, his ability to get things done by overcoming the absolute obstruction of the right wing. I see someone who isn't afraid to try.

I'm grateful he is in the Oval Office instead of some rigid ideologue who would throw rocks and accomplish nothing. It's easy for the ideologue to sit back and spout "I would have done this or that" knowing that they really don't have a clue as to what is behind decisions.

I'll take steady, progressive leadership. This is what President Obama has brought to the country in his 2 years and 8 months in office.

Thanks for asking.

[Kolesar]

20. I take B vitamins for a reliable afternoon "pick me up".... eom

[Bluenorthwest]

21. Same way I feel about all who oppose equal marriage rights.

Should there be more nuance to it? Why? He's a religious opponent to equality for my people, same as many other politicians. That defines him.

[Tippy]

22. How do I feel? I felt better until you began bashing our President

Sorry to say thhis but you are part of the problem.

[quinnox]

23. oh give me a break

I stated how I feel. That isn't bashing, you would want me to lie and say I'm super excited and happy with him?

[county worker]

38. I notice when I see people like you attacked for what you are saying that

their words are usually hollow talking points or meaningless jabs. Look at the responses to your OP. Look who us using reason and logic and trying to explain their real feelings and look at who is not.

In my opinion some people are afraid to admit to what they know the truth is. And that is there is a wide gulf between Obama's campaign rhetoric and his actions.

[quinnox]

39. Its hard for me not to come to the same

conclusion.

[Autumn]

42. Oh you basher you. When it comes to Obama

please refrain from saying anything unless it to say what a marvelous job he is doing. If you are disappointed in his policies or the direction he is going, say nothing. Lie on your back and think of England please. That will help alleviate the suffering.

[county worker]

26. I want him re-elected but I feel he has lied and betrayed us and is doing it again

for the upcoming election. He will not go down as a great President. We had a chance to make real change when Gore ran and lost it because of the SCOTUS and the stolen election of 2000. I thought we got that chance back in 2008. I was wrong. At 65 the only hope for change I see is in the protests by the young people who see that they have no chance at the American dream with the policies put in place by todays politicians.

I have given up on the idea that the Democrats will make a better world for us all and place my hope in the younger generation.

[quinnox]

27. thanks for that

I tend to agree.

[Arkansas Granny]

33. I feel pretty much the same. I'll vote for him, but I'm having a hard time working up

any real enthusiasm for it.

[MineralMan]

28. I feel like unreccing this post.

How's that?

[quinnox]

30. that would be routine

I always expect that from you.

[MineralMan]

35. Your expectations are unwarranted. When I unrec a post

I generally post that in the thread, usually with a reason. I don't use the feature all that often. What you expect from me may be mistaken. However, I did, indeed, unrec this post.

I unrecced this post because it was simply another unqualified attack on President Obama. I do unrec such posts. It appears that I am not alone in doing so. Have a nice day.

[FrenchieCat]

29. I would rather answer someone asking me how will I feel when the GOP win all branches,

as folks all over continue the work that begun 2.8 years ago,
of discouraging support for what will be the head of the Democratic ticket
come election 2012.

It just feels sad that some folks just so badly want to feel justified in hitting hard against this President, even as we have an election to win....and I believe that their passion may just be this nation's downfall, as they may get what they are working so hard to achieve, while dragging down with them, all of those they claim to care so much about (Those they "use" to justify their personal deep immovable passion). How ironic is that, to allow personal vindication to trump any and all principle one claims to possess?

When one's emotions take over one's priorities, one will feel one's fall mightily, and finger pointing away from one's self will not fix what will come thereafter.

"I will show us and then you will see".....should be made into a bumper sticker for those who will, without conscience, refuse to lift us up and choose instead to watch us all fall. It is a choice that is hard and heartless, and it is saddest still because too many will choose this road without a second thought. That is not the portrait of a Liberal, but of a Liberal poseur.

In the meantime, here's inspiration for those of us
whose priorities are still about the ones we claim to care about-
Our truth will one day be realized, but it will obviously be
a longer road than could have been.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gpSv0YXTAI

[quinnox]

34. great, lol, so now I'm a liberal poseur

If I don't declare that, besides the fact the liberals have been pushed aside and disappointed time and time again, I am thrilled to support Obama and he has my enthusiastic support!

I'm just supposed to be super excited about him, even though there is nothing there to get excited about.

[MineralMan]

36. I don't believe anyone suggested anything of the sort.

And nobody expects you to be "super excited" or anything else, I think. Probably, most people don't expect anything in particular regarding you.

[FrenchieCat]

50. The outcome of Election 2012 is what is important.

Does this statement..."those who will, without conscience,
refuse to lift us up and choose instead to watch us all fall." describes you?
If it does, how does that further liberal causes?

Excitement for one person is only a superficial symbol
needed by those who need such a thing to make them active....
People who need to be made excited are the people that don't
care much about politics and therefore need a figurehead to motivate them.

For those of us who understand politics and how they work and what is truly at stake,
it is the actions of us acting in unity and the further possibilities that should offer hope
of excitement and that we could make possible if we earnestly try, and keep at it,
rather than giving up.

Politics is about the art of the possible.
It's about weighting the realism of further gains vs. what we may for sure lose.

Cynicism and put downs will not provide you with what you wish,
unless what you wish goes against what each and everyone one of us ought to want
for our brothers and sisters whose future we claim to care so much about.

[shanti]

60. i don't understand

why you even need to ask this question. the answers are already here on DU for you to see. :shrug:

[Peregrine Took]

48. I think he will be (yawn) re-elected but 'have absolutely no coat tails and will

lose both the House and Senate.

[FrenchieCat]

51. If you say it enough times,

you could make it true, because I believe like each and everyone of us,
you also make a difference.

[deutsey]

31. Essentially the same

I'll vote for him and, yes, he's better than the GOP knuckle-draggers, but I can't say I have much enthusiasm for him when I see him.

And, yes, I follow politics closely (have for about 30 years now) and am aware of what his administration has (and hasn't) accomplished.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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

[MineralMan]

37. Nice...but no, thanks.

[Kolesar]

40. yeah. I would have liked to have seen you manage the currency collapse of 2009

You would have been real good in those meetings. :sarcasm:
Do you even know how to run a meeting?
What kind of responsibilities do you have??

[quinnox]

41. yea, well I wasn't the one elected the president, bub

n/t

[MineralMan]

45. You are correct in that.

None of us were. We're all just kibitzers, talking about hands we'll never play. Such is the subject on political forums.

[Kolesar]

46. Or hired to build space rockets...eom

[kentuck]

47. I am torn between two opposing ideas...

First, I thought everyone in America knew how bad the economy was when Barack Obama took office, including Barack Obama? I thought everyone knew who the culprits were?

I had expectations of change and reform of the system, as did most folks, I think?

I had an idea that the President would crack down on the big banks and mortgage holders. I expected some rough times ahead. I expected the wars to end sooner rather than later. I expected the Bush taxcuts to end. I expected Guantanamo to close and for the President to disavow every single policy of George W Bush.

But then, the President seemed to take the side of the big banks and the wealthy Wall Street people that got us in the mess in the first place? That was confusing to me.

Another idea that kept creeping into my consciousness, throughout the disappointment, was that perhaps the President saved us from a calamitous depression and much worse unemployment with his stimulus bill and his efforts to revitalize the banks and Wall Street? We could have been much worse off? Perhaps this was a brilliant move to keep millions of people from suffering the effects of a severe crash or depression? In that context, perhaps he did the right thing? Perhaps there were no other options? Perhaps this was the speed that was needed to stabilize the free-falling economy? The suffering could have been much, much worse for millions of Americans?

But then, the idea that we put the fox back in charge of the henhouse when we had a chance to fix the problems? They were not only put back in charge but were much stronger and greedy with their newfound powers. They now had more power than ever before to feudalize our economy and to make wage slaves of us all so we can compete in the global market place.

So I am between these ideas. This is why I have not written off the President quite yet. Although I would have preferred a different strategy against the Wall Street billionaires and the big bankers, I am not totally convinced that it would not have been very painful for a lot of people. I am more patient than the average progressive, I think? I will wait and see what happens in the next election and what the President will do if he is given a new Democratic Congress and Senate, realizing that he had that to begin with, but was bogged down totally with a healthcare debate that was not handled very well, in my opinion.

[ThomWV]

52. I do not listen to him any more and I sincerely wish there was a Primary challenger to him

I think he has been a dud as a President and there is nothing at all that makes me think that if he got another 4 years they would be anything other than another wasted 4 years.

[Sheepshank]

53. Yeah, I think I'll just un-rec too.

I don't see anything here but a platform of crapola for the trolls to pounce on and roll around with.

You have your opinion. I just voiced mine...it's all ok

[Blue_Tires]

54. A lot of things come to mind, but the one most often is

"It must take an enormous amount of strength to do what he does -- I could never be that person..."

[MineralMan]

55. I share that one with you.

Truly, it is a thankless job. Abuse is heaped on you from many directions.

[Starry Messenger]

58. Personal feelings about elected officials would be folly.

They are either effective, or they are not. They either carry forward a message to influence the electorate or they do not.

[Angry Dragon]

59. President Obama is in campaign mode now

He is asking for our votes
I will give him mine
I would assume 99% of the people on this site will give him their vote
Now comes the fun part
In his first term he said he could not do it on his own
He told us where he wanted to go and then changed course
I personally like to know where the leader is leading me
He changed course without telling us why
He and Congress have passed some laws to help the people
However I guess I am more concerned about the larger issues

Such as wars: We are now in at least 6
Jobs: Not much has been done on that front by either the President nor Congress
Torture: I wanted to see arrests and indictments
Education: I see Arne Duncan tearing down public education and the teacher unions
Banks: I am still waiting to see criminal charges against the terrorist bankers
People: I want to see people put first instead of corporations
Housing: I wanted to see a moratorium on foreclosures

In my opinion until the large things are resolved it really does not matter how many small things are passed if you do not have a job, a place to live, education, fair and equal justice, putting people first is the answer.

[customerserviceguy]

62. I appreciate that he apparently found a spine

a couple of weeks ago, but I wonder if it's for real, or just bluster. We'll see when legislation that should be vetoed comes his way.

I wish he had poured his efforts into job creation rather than health care reform, it seems that he was willing to become a one-term President for the sake of being identified with an issue that he figured would last for decades to come. Since he got elected at such a young age, he faces the prospect of a post-Presidential time of his life much, much longer than the average occupant of that office. Clearly, he wanted to be fondly remembered for something during that time.

I suppose that if he gambled incorrectly, the Repukes will simply tear it up right in front of his eyes. Then he'll have nothing.

[MadHound]

63. Truly sad that our country has come to this

A center right president who is more conservative than Eisenhower, yet is running as a Democrat because the Republicans have gone batshit, right wing crazy.

I don't believe the voting public has moved so far to the right, but rather the parties both have moved right due to media and corporate influence.

[RagAss]

64. He could have "Lit a Fire"...Instead, he threw away the lighter !

Disappointment.

[Poll_Blind]

65. "He is there, and he will do his usual thing." That pretty-much sums it up.

His days of making a splash are long gone and the fightin' words I hear now just politicking. Interestingly even his "fightin' words" revolve around many of the same tired ideological bromides we all used to roll our eyes at when Bush said them. Namely, that corporations are the money makers and so helping the American people usually involves helping the corporations directly who will, it is weakly hoped, pass on the bounty to their workers.

This is trickle-down and it doesn't work.

Anyway, when I see him on TV, and as personable as he is (and he is incredibly personable, IMO), he just seems distant.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who gets this impression.

PB

[auntpurl]

66. I feel the same way I did about him before the 2008 primary

Then, I thought he was a centrist who would be mostly ineffectual because he didn't have enough juice in DC.

Now I feel he's a centrist who is mostly ineffectual because he doesn't have enough juice in DC.

I voted for him, and I'll do it again. But he doesn't do much for me.

[eridani]

67. I wish he would start using Democratic messages instead of repeating Republican ones

like regulation is bad, tax cuts are good, the government should not try to create jobs, ect.

[joeybee12]

69. When I see him on the news? I switch the station...

My same reaction when Bush was Prez.

[Paper Roses]

70. Not much any more. What a disappointment.

I keep thinking something will change for the benefit of everyone but is seems not to be happening.
So many people I know are in trouble or worse, in dire straights.
Once you run out of money, there isn't much chance of recovery. Sad.

So many of us have cut back everything, life has become a case of scrounging to meet the necessities.
Not fun.
The cost of living-everything-has reached a point where we wonder where tomorrow will bring us.
I am disappointed in his ability to pull it all together.
We are the ones who suffer, some far worse than others. I know he did not start our downward spiral but I see little in terms of betterment for us.

[Raine]

73. To say I'm unenthusiastic is an understatment

I've totally given up on him. :-(

[LWolf]

74. He is a neo-liberal, and therefore bad for the party and the nation.

His first term has been appalling, and a perhaps once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fundamental, POSITIVE change has been wasted.

I recognized his neo-liberal positioning early on, so I was never excited about his nomination or his presidency. I did feel some joy over the fact that America could elect a person of color.

Him as a politician? I feel regret about his nomination and election. I feel we ought to replace him with an "old" Democrat.

[Tx4obama]

77. It is threads like this one that make us cheerleaders want to cheer even louder/more for Obama!

[bluestate10]

81. I think that he is a good President that is facing a determined, corrupt

foe and who has weak segments of Base on his side. I for one would love to purge the alleged Base, but that would be utterly foolish at this critical time.