Young Turks: Olbermann Criticizes Obama From The Left!!!

[CherylK]

Run time: 06:26 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1nnfgPTtEU   Posted on YouTube: September 05, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: September 05, 2009 By DU Member: CherylK Views on DU: 3411

 
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32691450/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann/

[OhioChick]

1. K&R n/t

[ihavenobias]

2. But you don't understand!

Olbermann and Cenk are 'sky is falling', Chicken Little defeatists helping to create the circular firing squad that is actually responsible for mediocre policies! They're like selfish children who complain if they don't get everything they want right NOW.

;)

PS---Imagine a DU drinking game where you had to take a shot every time you read one of the phrases I used above, or some variation on them. Never mind, we'd all get alcohol poisoning followed by death.

[pleah]

7. LOL

:toast:

[ihavenobias]

8. LOL is right. There's an insane Cenk bashing thread in GDP with a ton of that BS right now.

They lash out in anger and attack the messenger...it's pathetic. What happens when ALL of the media figures, including the ones they like, are critical?

They think that acting like Bill O'Reilly and (for example) attacking ratings make for a good argument. By that 'logic' no one should listen to Bill Moyers either.

[Cha]

10. Don't forget about the Insane amount of threads bashing

President Obama right now. You support Cenk and I support President Obama.

[ihavenobias]

11. I support both and I'm critical of both. For example, they're both wrong on trade.

And they're both wrong (IMO) on Afghanistan and top marginal tax rates (they should be much higher).

:)

I also support my friends and family, which is why if I see them doing something I don't think is right, I tell them.

[Cha]

16. My family and friends are

amazing..and they live their lives and I live mine. We give advice when asked, though.

But, I know President Obama is entirely different and I don't mind the criticism at all..but, it goes way beyond that on this "Democratic" board and that I do mind.

[ihavenobias]

17. If anyone says 'Obama = Bush', then yes, I completely agree.

But if most of the respected progressive media figures say that it looks like the Obama admin is not attempting to deliver on some key election promises (notice I said "attempting" to avoid the 'it's only been 8 months' excuse), I don't think that goes too far at all. That's positive pressure, and it's our job as engaged citizens and voters.

That's not even close to talking about Death Panels, socialism, birthers, etc. THAT is criticism (lies and BS actually) that is pointless, inflammatory and destructive.

[bobbolink]

33. Oh, for crying in a bucket.

Could we PLEASE leave the RW attack methods behind?

What we're "Supporting" is the good of the nation, and what's best for WE, THE PEOPLE.

Your line is soooo close to "if you're not with me, you're against me, and surely we've had enough of that!

[Political Heretic]

18. It's ironic how many DUers just luuuuv to talk about how stupid right-wingers are...

...then act just like them. Using stupid, fallacious arguments, strident devotion to political persons or party over issues, ready to throw anyone under the bus that dare criticize or question...

The contradiction is hilarious to observe, though a little sad at the same time.

[Cha]

19. Oh yeah, and then there's you ..up on that

stupid pedestal you're perched on.

[The Wielding Truth]

20. And those who said they would have Obama's back ? Where are they?

[Political Heretic]

22. Hopefully long gone, though I probably doubt it.

Just think about the premise for example...

Why is having any politicians back what comes first? The implication is that we support the person first and then interpret whatever their doing through that lens of support.

It's the "if they're doing it, then it must be good" idea. Not unlike Nixon's famous "if the president does it then it is not illegal" notion.

There is a better, more socially responsible alternative, I think. And that is to support public policy that puts the needs and interests of ordinary Americans first in any negotiation, rather than second behind the interests of wealthy elite oligarchs, transnational corporations, or their high-powered shareholders.

They can come to the table too. But right now, and for most of my adult lifetime, they have come to the table with preferrential treatment and favor from both of the two establishment parties. Does that mean both parties are equally useless and we should stop voting? No, I don't believe that it does. There may be very valid reasons to strategically cast votes for representatives from one part or the other (that's being overly generous; nine times out of ten that's going to mean the Democratic Party) - just like I did, when I voted for Barack Obama and in fact voted a straight Democratic ticket.

The thing is though, I know exactly why I voted for Obama, and it was never because I put him (the man) first, and then interpret any action he will ever take through the lens of some preestablished approval. And just because some weak willed people get tired of being confronted with the ugly truth of how critically broken our entire political and economic systems actually are, does not make it any less a reality. It's a reality that one man doesn't fix, and neither party - both of which completely buy into, prop up, and benefit from the broken system - is looking to significantly change.

I'm proud to not have the President's back when the President doesn't put working class needs first in a bold and courageous fashion. FDR Obama is most certainly not, but that's far more akin to what we actually need, and the bare minimum required to produce anything remotely representing "change" we could actually believe in.

Instead, we got a capitulating, triangulating politician, ready to take any bill so he can call it a "win" regardless of what piece of garbage it actually is or how far it sets back the quest for actual functioning health care system in the richest country on the face of the planet.

I think it is fundamentally wrong to defend that in the name of "having Obama's back." He is supposed to have the American people's back, and right now the only back he has is the back of the wealthy elite interests that have managed to get every fucking thing they want form this administration on virtually every issue. Not only do have every right to be upset about that, but its a travesty that there is not universal agreement in that outrage among so called Democrats.

David Sirota's statement has never been more absolutely true:
"The difference between parties and movements is simple: Parties are loyal to their own power regardless of policy agenda; movements are loyal to their own policy agenda regardless of which party champions it."

You are speaking as someone loyal to party. I am speaking as someone loyal to a movement.

[JHB]

27. He's a politician. The proper way to "have his back" is to...

...have one of his arms firmly twisted there, near the breaking point, while out in front shaking his other hand and smiling big for the cameras.
That's just the nature of the beast.

Even FDR told activists "go out there and MAKE me do it."

[KyleA]

30. Well Said

Obama was our only option but that dosen't mean he is the best person out there to represent progressives. He is a good politician with very little in the way of accomplishments. This is why we need a third (or fourth)major party in this country.

[The Wielding Truth]

35. Didn't you know when you voted, that he was a reconciler and a

centrist who wanted to represent both parties. That he had trouble persuading the Senate to do anything as a Senator and he had a far bigger world view of fairness and a preservationist view of the safety of the US.He was strong on getting bin Laden,and he respects his generals, the military,the old guard and depends on them to hold things together.

Do you forget what a total clusterf*ck this world is still in, esp. the US? Give him the support he needs to work to rid us of the snakes who have been holding on and bending all of us into knots. I think a clear mind, untainted by the expectations of a Dennis Kucinich Presidency should be cognoscente of the reality that we are coming out of, a twisted Bush/Cheny world dominance push. I am so thankful to have a president who is, although not quite forceful enough, trying to change things. He can do it if we have the patience and fortitude to stand by him.

If we see him as caving then maybe he is.Yet he is a new President. Help him rule.
Maybe he has to work with the enemy to get traction. I will support him until I see him doing new harm and I have not seen that yet.

Flame away, but get real he is all we have, but he listens. So shout at him and at the RW sour losers!

[Bette Noir]

28. Pushing him.

Why do you think we're at his back?

[bobbolink]

34. .

:applause:

[DutchLiberal]

24. First Bill Maher was the bad guy, now it's Cenk... Who will it be tomorrow?

Well, I guess if Olbermann makes more statements like this, he's going to be the next one to get thrown under the DU bus.

[greiner3]

3. Holy shit;

At least a 3 way run for the 2012 White House. Who would the House of Reps go for? Who would the Progressives (Ok, Liberals) try? Dennis? Gore? Sparky the Wonder Dog?

[man4allcats]

4. Thank you, Cenk!

:dem: :kick:

[DRex]

5. K&R Glad to see some pressure building.... eom

[pleah]

6. K&R

[theFrankFactor]

9. Oh How I Wish the Left Would Stop Being So Sweet and Such Good Losers.

The road to hell...

[teknomanzer]

12. Its time to start acting like we won, damn it!

I'm starting to get the feeling that Obama thinks he can satisfy everyone, but in the end he will satisfy no one. He needs to open his eyes and see that the right has no intention of working with him. They only want power. This isn't college anymore. He's not working on the law review. These guys don't play. They are out for blood. The president needs to take stock of who his true allies are and start to push back... for the good of the country.

[theFrankFactor]

13. This is an opportunity for the Left to reform, mobilize and engage...

what will we do?

SUCK OUR FUCKIN' THUMS?

We're right and the administration, DLC, MOST of the Democrat Congress is FUCKING WRONG!

HOW CLEAR DOES IT HAVE TO BE?

I stopped sucking my thumb when I was... well, I stopped anyway.

[theFrankFactor]

14. Why Are WE On the Ropes? WHY?!

WASHINGTON GENERALS!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Generals

[Turborama]

25. VERY Good Question!

That I'm finding impossible to get an understandable answer to.

[bvar22]

15. K&R

"If Obama is not pressured from The Left, he will bow down to Republicans."
How many times do we have to witness this before we recognize the pattern?

Cenk gets it right once again.



"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[Seldona]

21. Pressure is good.

Perhaps others are thinking of bailing on the Democratic Party over this. Not me. That doesn't mean I don't fill out my ballot, instead of checking straight Democrat. Primaries are coming up. That is where this should be handled in my opinion, that is of course once we see what actually gets signed.

[20score]

23. K&R.

[Piewhacket]

26. Honeymoon OVER. Is 'crunch time', Mr Pres. TIME TO DELIVER ON YOUR PROMISES.

[KyleA]

31. Wednesday is make or break time for Obama

This issue will define his Presidentcy

[ejbr]

29. k & r n/t

[ghostsofgiants]

32. This whole "bipartisanship" thing really gets me.

Listen, a lack of bipartisanship was NOT the reason the Bush presidency was so horrible. It's that the Bush administration and the right as a whole is pretty much wrong about everything. This conciliatory "bipartisanship or bust" garbage that Obama seems to love is pointless.

That said, I've been saying that Obama was going to be all style and no substance for a while now, and being vindicated in that thus far isn't as fun as you'd think.