Some Feel Like President Obama Has Abandoned Them. [View all]
I can't say that I feel the same. I'm disappointed that some things have not happened yet, but pleased with other things that have happened. I guess I'm an optimist. I know that I'm a Democrat.
Others say that President Obama has divided us. I posted what follows in a thread that declared that, but am posting it here, with some changes, in this separate thread:
The idea that the President has divided us is interesting. However, we have divided ourselves, I think.
And not evenly, either. On DU, the division is pretty obvious, at least among those who regularly post here. But it is far from an even split. Outside of DU, however, it is less a division and more an adjustment.
When I get a haircut, part of myself is cut off from the rest. The hair falls on the floor and I pay the barber and walk out of the barbershop. Part of me is left behind, but it has no real effect on me. I remain as I am, and am still a whole person.
Out in the real world, the number of people who have declared that Obama has failed them utterly is small, in comparison with the entire Democratic party. Very small. The body of Democrats may lose a bit of itself, but that body of Democrats will walk on and continue to support Democratic candidates. If some members drop off and are left behind, there will be a small change in the party's appearance, but not in its substance.
How many people, faced with another election where the battle is between Democratic and Republican candidates, will choose to either not vote at all or cast their vote for a candidate with no chance of victory? Not many, frankly, and their limited numbers can be overcome with nothing more than a strong GOTV effort designed to get Democrats to the polls.
On DU, the numbers are deceptive, and DU does not actually represent the makeup of the Democratic Party. Not even closely. DU and the Democratic party are not similar in numerical makeup. The real world is very different from the active, posting membership of DU.
The bottom line is that almost every race, both nationally and in every state, will be decided between a Democrat and a Republican candidate, selected in the same way they have been selected for a very long time. That will be the choice. I'll be voting for the Democratic candidates. I'll be campaigning for Democrats. I'll be walking my home precinct asking Democrats to come to the polls, and trying to convince Republicans whose minds can be changed to vote for Democrats as well. That's what I do for every election, and I'll be doing that again in 2014 and 2016.
I hope many will join me. I feel sure they will. The hair on the floor is not my concern.
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