I think it is time for progressives to get the Pres attention.

[rhett o rick]

It is time to "primary" Sen Blanche Lincoln and Arlen Specter.
Do not give the DSCC any money but support Democracy for America, Progressive Democrats of America or moveon.org. Or send your donations directly to Joe Sestak and Bill Halter.

The pres is backing Sen Lincoln even though she openly campaigned against health care reform. Arlen Specter is a republican in Democrats clothing. He needs to go home.

[bvar22]

1. Already doing so.

Bottom line:
Obama and the Democratic Party Leadership is working hard to move the Democratic Party even further to the right.
I strongly OPPOSE this strategy, and the people willing to excuse this betrayal of traditional Democratic values.

"Centrist Democrat" = Moderate Republican.
I'm ALL "Democrat", and will NOT support the Republicanization of the Democratic Party.

"By their works, you will know them."



"If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for,
at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them."
--- Paul Wellstone

[rhett o rick]

13. I agree. Run the republicans back into their own party. nm

[Radical Activist]

2. DFA has supported plenty of moderate and conservative Dems too.

Give directly to the candidates.

The Senate is the problem. Defeating Blanche Lincoln would send a loud message to every wavering US Senator that they need to stop watering down and killing Obama's progressive legislation.

[mvd]

3. On some things I agree that the President doesn't rock the boat enough

Doesn't make us bashers - I support him and want him to do well. But I don't have to agree with him all the time - I just don't understand the Lincoln support. Is Lincoln polling that much better than Halter against the Repuke?

I'll help out Halter if I can. :hi:

[rhett o rick]

4. I dont understand your not understanding his support of Lincoln.

Wishing Pres Obama was progressive doesnt make it so. He isnt. He is a hell of a lot better than any republican, but he isnt doing a lot to help the middle class. I have friends that are losing their home. Where is the help?

[Radical Activist]

5. I know health care, climate change, and more banking regulation

have been at the top of the conservative agenda for a long time. :eyes:

Let me ask you something. If a few Senate moderates or conservatives in either party were replaced with progressives, do you think that the legislation passing would be the same, or would it be more progressive? In other words, is Obama really the main obstacle to getting progressive laws passed or is it the Senate? You know he's proposing progressive legislation and getting it passed in the House before the Senate waters it down even more, right?

[rhett o rick]

10. I know the point you are trying to make and I understand. But we have to go for what

we believe. We cant support assholes like Lincoln just because we think they might win. I would rather lose than support a hypocrite. How can Pres Obama support people like Lincoln that clearly do not support the Democratic platform?

[mvd]

9. For one..

I have a hard time believing he's that much changed from the guy who advocated single payer. I do think he's trying hard, and hopefully things will get better and better and he's just trying the pragmatic method for now.

[Radical Activist]

7. Obama will always need to be pushed on some issues, like any President.

I find the blanket suggestion in the OP that progressives don't have his attention to be disconnected from reality.

The very weak statement of why he made the endorsement is an obvious signal to progressives and voters in the state that he's doing what's expected as the head of the party. At this point, it's pretty easy for Halter to say that the Obama endorsement doesn't mean much of anything except that Lincoln is the incumbent Democrat.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/white-house-backs-lincoln-in-arkansas-primary.php

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed today that Obama will keep with his trend of supporting the sitting senator in party primaries, as he's done with Sen. Arlen Specter over Rep. Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania and in supporting Sen. Michael Bennet in Colorado.

"We support Senator Lincoln as an incumbent senator," Gibbs told reporters today during his daily briefing.

[mvd]

8. It sure would be refreshing to NOT go with the incumbent

Especially one who has been hostile to the agenda. Most of what Obama has done is centrist, and he hasn't thrown much to progressives. Still much better than the Repukes, but a little disappointing. Now I think that could change for the better deeper into his term. Maybe he does have a plan.

[rhett o rick]

11. Pres Obama has done not one single thing to show the progressives

of the party that he even recognizes we exist. He doesnt support progressive candidates. He doesnt support progressive legislation. His health care bill was very weak. His financial reform bill is weak.

[dumpdabaggers]

6. I agree but what if the guy in Arkansas is seen as "too liberal" down there?

Of course Lincoln is going to lose anyway, so why not?

[rhett o rick]

12. It comes down to do you vote for a possible winner or someone that will help the country? nm