Didn't Obama say, regarding his taking the "right action" -- "MAKE ME"?

[sojourner]

http://www.paxamericana.net/2009/01/make-me-do-it.html

Link to an article recounting his statement. Article offers some good advice --- let's "make him" do what's right. Make noise. Stand up and be heard...he gave us the invitation! Contact him. Contact Congress when THEY don't listen. Remind them who they work for -- and organize so that we can fire their asses if they don't listen (and they sure don't look like they are - just look at the bankruptcy bill!)

I know there is a big divide here between those who BELIEVE that Obama will yet do the right thing - keep all the promises made during the campaign and so forth -- and those who are losing (or have already lost) patience after watching him seemingly go back on those promises.

I don't want to take sides in the battle. I just want to remind EVERYONE here of what Obama himself said: "Make me do it!" It's not a dare. It's an invitation to provide a groundswell of support (and political cover) that will "force him" into taking an action that may be seen as contrary to "national security" or some other bureaucrat - driven policy position. It will certainly take more than just "his base" to get his attention -- that's the challenge. It will take convincing more and more people of what is right.

To do that will take work, neh? And that might just be harder than bitchin' and complainin' -- or sittin' and dreamin' of how the big change is "just ahead". But it's what I believe needs to be done to help Obama fulfill the promises he made.

edited to add" Maybe someone smarter and more eloquent can make the argument. This is just an attempt to open possibility that we all need to do more in order to get the result that we are hoping for -- and not to blame the President, but to take him up on his invitation (else why would he have offered it?)

[Occam Bandage]

1. "A groundswell of support and political cover" is not

Oh, we're betrayed again, he's just like Bush, he's doing Dick Cheney's bidding, we've been fooled, he's working with the enemy, he's complicit in Bush's crimes, he's sold us out, time to bend over yet again.

If you think spreading unsubstantiated despair makes the Left more powerful, you've been brainwashed by Republican strategists.

[sojourner]

3. whoa!

unsubstantiated despair? I'm NOT saying anything of the sort. at least that's not what I intended to say.

I do think that too many here at DU have started spreading exactly that "meme" and I think that being proactive and organized to help the President achieve his goals is the right thing to do. When it appears that the great majority of Americans (not just the left) are demanding it, Obama will do what is right. I believe that completely after listening to him speak and watching his actions these last few months and after hearing Michelle's commencement speech. I believe this is a good and decent man who also happens to be a good politician.

I also think taking a "wait and see" attitude is not helpful either, even though I see it is grounded in hope.

[Occam Bandage]

5. I often have problems with that when it comes to sentence construction.

It's difficult to form an "if one were to believe X, that person would be incorrect" sentence without either coming off as inordinately wordy and stuffy, or implying the reader believes something through use of a general "you."

I wasn't intending to imply that you believed that, and looking over that, I realize that it would be reasonable for anyone to believe I had. Sorry 'bout that.

[sojourner]

6. Thanks for explaining...

I haven't posted here in quite a while and I thought maybe I'm not making myself clear.

[Occam Bandage]

7. Nope. My error of tone, and not yours.

:hi:

[stray cat]

2. If something is absolutely right - it needs support of a broad spectrum of Americans

and not just the base in order to promote or provide cover for an action - so if some course of action is absolutely essential - one needs to work to convince the majority of Americans (dem, independents and repubs) that it is the right course of action. Real persuasion and ultimately action will take more tact and effort than a rant on a liberal web site - it might even require listening to others and compromise.

[sojourner]

4. exactly!

[jwirr]

8. I think the story is about FDR who ran as a centrist but when his liberal

followers wanted him to be more progressive he told them the "Go home and make me do it." He did not have the power to do it alone so he needed them to go home and raise hell so that he had to do it and congress had to follow. I am guessing that Obama needs the same kind of help to get things done.

[sojourner]

9. that's how I took it as well...except it is going to take more of a coalition than "just the left"

[HopeOverFear]

10. Excellent post

[bananas]

11. k&r nt