President Barack Hussein Obama: who thinks he has

[babylonsister]

our best interests at heart? Who thinks he's working 'for' us, not against us, as the rethugs are? And I mean 'us' in the broadest sense; Americans.

I do.

Pile on, in, tell me I'm right or wrong. I love this President. We need to be reminded how horrible dimson was, and appreciate our luck now.

Yes, he isn't perfect, but he's damned smart. Finally! A leader I can applaud.

So I will.

:applause:

:fistbump:

[AtomicKitten]

1. He was served a shit sandwich when he took office.

I admire his ability to wade through it all and sort it out.

:hi:

[babylonsister]

3. He sure was; he's still trying to extricate us citizens from that

sandwich. I appreciate him and 'get' him. I'm glad you do, too. It's nice to know we are being covered.

:pals:

[FedUp_Queer]

83. Where do these things fit in to him "extricating" us?

Gitmo Open, Bagram Expanding (torture going on)
Warrantless Wiretapping continuing, now government is IMMUNE from any lawsuit according to Obama
More War in Afghanistan.
Giveaway to insurance companies in health care.
Geithner, Summers and Robert Rubin.
More drones.
Assuming the authority to kill American citizens without trial.

I agree Bush, etc. left him a shit sandwich, but I don't get where is "extricating" us at all, particularly in these things.

I guess I should just shut up because I'm giving Republicans ammunition and "Obama's" just playing chess.

Oh, and I can't forget his "extricating" us from DADT and DOMA (and, yes, I know he can't "pass laws" but he hasn't even tried on either)

[akbacchus_BC]

102. Sheesh, Congress did not approve the money to get Gitmo closed

and now it is Obama's fault. Shit, everything bad going on in the US is Obama's fault!

[FedUp_Queer]

109. Nice try...but it's not a priority for the White House...at least according to the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/us/politics/26gitmo.html?_r=1&bl

[deadinsider]

89. So...

Why is he making more shit sandwiches?

[akbacchus_BC]

101. AK, isn't that the truth? But if we only type how we feel on here, we

will get disciplined! Especially if we replying to people who dislike President Obama.

Never before did teabaggers came into the limelight on MSM until President Obama got elected. America, racism is still alive and well!

[SunsetDreams]

2. Absolutely, thank you President Obama.

I see you through all the bull shit being thrown around. The Repubs are so good at that, but at the end of the day, they will lose.

[housewolf]

4. Nearly every day, I'm proud and happy that he is our president

I don't love his every decision, and he's not perfect, and in particular I wish he had chosen a different set of financial advisors. But for the incredibly complex job our presidency has become, I still think he's the best person for the job. I love him, still find myself inspired by and supportive of him.

Thanks for asking!

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. Working "for" us and not "against" us?

Who is "us"?

On the fence here. He's already on the billboard as the first African-American President. Jumping up and down and celebrating his election only goes so far. He either changes the arc of American History, or becomes just another placeholder in presidential politics. In that sense, his name will go down in World History simply because he's part African-American.

Does he want what the majority want for this country? Iffy. "damned smart" does not necessarily a "good president" make. I'll live with his decisions though, not only because I voted for him, but because in our system of government we put officials in office for a certain amount of time. Then, it's our responsibility to either put them back in office or replace them with someone we think might do the job better.

Could it be possible that "best interests" could be interpreted differently by different people? Would it be possible that those who think he's on the wrong track could be seen as anything other than racist because of his heritage? More and more it seems like the answer to those questions is a resounding NO.

More and more it seems like... at DU at least... if you're not squarely in Obama's camp, defending him against any and all criticism, you're racist. DU has diluted the words racist, nazi, fascist, and a host of other terms. Diluted them to the point of their use being no more insulting than screaming at someone: YOU SUCK! Name calling is pretty much the rule of the day. Defend Obama and you're called a cheerleader, criticize Obama and you're called a nazi, racist, troll, fascist, or hater.

I'll go there... I think you're wrong. Comparing him to any President in the past is an exercise in futility. The world changes. It changes in the blink of an eye. Comparing one President's actions against those of another is like asking "would Ali beat Tyson?"

[Exilednight]

10. In their prime, Tyson would of owned Ali. n/t

[mkultra]

17. i think you are confused

I think its clear that obama has done more for the good of the country than any modern president. Its easy to consider if you put him up against the likes of such greats as BUSH, BUSH, Reagan, Nixon.

Additionally, Ali would easily beat tyson in his prime if they fought after the death of tyson's trainer. Before hand though, Tyson would take him.

[KakistocracyHater]

113. how can you honestly say that given it's only his 1st term & the middle of it

at that?

[Chulanowa]

41. Really?

I have to wonder, what DU are you reading?

Also, Ali would knock Tyson on his tweetybird ass.

[paulkienitz]

66. Obama is neither the worst nor the best...

...and that's disappointing, because at first it looked like he could be the best.

If he had given an honest fight for the public option and not been so chummy with Wall St, I might still be able to consider him the finest president of my lifetime (which goes back to Eisenhower). Now, however, it's hard to say how he's any better than Clinton or Carter.

Ali vs Tyson in their respective primes would be like watching Dolph Lundgren fight a grizzly bear.

[opihimoimoi]

6. Impressive ..Mucho accomplished in spite of GOP obstructionism

[goclark]

21. I am in awe of his ability to get things done for the good

not the evil stuff like GW had others do on his behalf.

I am totally fascinated by the way his Brain works to solve massive problems.

Just when some think he is too slow, too this and too that ~ Bingo!

He will pull the rabbit out of the hat and it is a thing of beauty.

And, I love his youth and his energy.

He is a President for this Century!

[progdog]

117. Thank You.

Well said.

[lillypaddle]

7. I think the President

is absolutely pure of heart - I believe he loves this country and wants to do his best for all of us.

[treestar]

8. I do agree he has our best interests at heart

And is very smart. We are lucky this country (a country capable of electing dimson) elected him.

[Scurrilous]

9. I do too.

Thanks babylonsister. :thumbsup:

[Forkboy]

11. Not if you're gay.

:shrug:

As for me, I honestly don't know. I think he does to an extent. Not as much as some, more than others.

[vaberella]

12. That's not true. Good Lord. That's not true.

It was the WH who pushed and advocated for the LGBT community to have a seat (that was passed) on the UN board. So now they have a community advocating for the LGBT around the world and will hold nations accountable.

It was the WH that went around DOMA, to find a way to allow the LGBT community to meet their families.

He signed hate crime laws or the expansion thereof to explicitly meet the crimes against those in the LGBT community.

DADT is in the works of getting repealed---it may not be there but the steps were taken and are continuously being taken. With recent news even stating a poll will be sent out to army officials by the Pentagon (I believe) to review their input on the matter----this was also done during the time of desegregation.

He's increased massive in the millions to possibly billions to preventative and current care for HIV/AIDS---and definitely funding for those things in rural communities like Puerto Rico (this was on the less national news during the Health Care Reform debate).

And slowly (not fast enough admittedly) there is now noise of repealing DOMA---especially with Kerry's latest Op-Ed on the topic.

On a lesser note, but greater for the LGBT community, he proclaimed Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in June 2009.

The LGBT community are the people and the issues they face I care most about. It was one of the reasons, although I didn't agree with everything Obama said, I pushed for him. I really sincere believed he would get things done. It's going slowly but to suggest he's not doing anything for them is a blatantly lie and completely misrepresenting the issues. The information is out there and to suggest this is false. Added to the above he has the most people from th LGBT community on his staff than anyone else---or this is what was said. So he knows the issues and there may be a bit of slowness in their responses (although in light of the political environment Congress can't handle more than one big issue at a time) but there are things getting done.

[Forkboy]

16. Ask Mr. Choi if he feels his best interests were being served last week.

"I do believe that tradition and my religious beliefs say that a marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman." It doesn't get much clearer than that. I continually tell people that would be little difference between Obama and Hillary, but this is maybe the one issue where she would have been better, imo.

Do I think Obama hates gay people? Not at all. I think Obama truly does think all Americans are worthy of respect (at times to his detriment when he's dealing with loopy RWers, but that's a different post for another day). I don't see malice on his part so much as just not seeing how his belief is wrong and hurtful. He's been a mixed bag on the whole issue, and not the fierce advocate (his words) that he claimed to be. Yeah, it could be worse, no doubt. It could also be a far sight better.

While he was saying one thing about DOMA his Justice Department was fighting for it. Now, we can say he has no control over his Justice Department, but we didn't afford Bush that same excuse...at all. When the Bush JD fucked up we took Bush to task for it, rightfully so. We can't have it both ways just to suit our party. Either the President has some measure of control or he doesn't. At the least, he could have spoken out against the JD's position. That's what a fierce advocate would have done, even if it meant taking a small political hit.

DADT is still under "study", a joke in and of itself.

Choi got fired last week, at a time when we need his expertise the most. Obama, as far as I know, has been totally silent on this so far (if he has made a statement I'll be thrilled to be corrected). That's not even standing up for the country's best interest, let alone gay people's.

We have countries left and right making gay marriage legal, but we still haven't. Obama isn't fully to blame for this, by any stretch, but he does share some of that blame. Gay people were told that he can't do anything until Congress does something, that he's powerless when it comes to the Congress. And then another issue arises where Obama does sway the Congress, and then he's cheered for it. And again, even if he had no real power to make them do anything, he could speak up and pressure them to do so. So far he has not done that.

I guess the real measure of all this is to ask the gay people themselves how they feel he's done. I can only go by the ones I know personally and the ones I know here, and it's not good overall. I know two that aren't pissed, but they aren't thrilled either. The rest do seem pissed. And my stance is, I don't blame them. I would be, too, if I was still considered a second class citizen by law. I suspect you would as well.

We'll see how things shake down over the next year or so. I do think by election time 2012 some of this will have been corrected. When it is I will gladly give Obama credit where it's due.

And thanks for being polite about your disagreement. :toast:

[mkultra]

19. so, in your opinion, which president has done the most to forward gay rights?

[derby378]

42. At this rate, we may never know...

...and I'm not gay. I just want the bullshit that gays and lesbians endure to be done with.

[boppers]

46. not pissed, not thrilled, +1.

To use the usual analogy, between the emancipation proclamation and, well, *today*, there was a lot of change, and a lot of fighting, for racial equality, but there hasn't ever been a U.S. president who ended racial discrimination... just many small (and large) steps towards it.

I'm glad that Obama's moving the ball down the field, but we're still a long way from the goal.

[Bluenorthwest]

26. Says a non gay person

The President does great harm to us by announcing his agreement with the Palins of this world that their mutual religion demands discrimination against us. He fires our heroes and allows surrogates to openly slander us without apology.
June is Pride Month, and has been for many, many years, because we proclaimed it to be so. No politician made that true, we did. The gay community did that. Obama has never even ridden in a Pride parade, or spoken at a Pride event.
Your OP is, I think, from a good heart, but we are fighting for the survival of our families, and that is not the stuff for rhetoric, McClurkin, invective, hair splitting or milquetoast words from half assed political 'supporters'.
To be clear: those on our side support equal rights, nothing less. Those who see us as less than equal, especially those who give public voice to those beliefs, they are not on our side, they are the opposition. When we reach our goal, it is they who will be defeated. Barack Obama is the only person I can think of who used to support equality, then changed his mind as a middle aged man to favor discrimination. He says that is because he became a Christian, but Christians in my family support equality, across the board. The facts are the facts, and if you do not like them, go tell that to the President, who is in the wrong, for he is opposed to equal rights for all Americans.

[vaberella]

32. You know nothing about me. Don't sit there and assume shit about me.

As for the rest of your statement--your stance on his positions and what is going on is slightly different from mine. But to continue on---I already see where this is leading and I'm not about to join in.

And I am responding to the OP who implied this President has done little or nothing for the LGBT community. Which is false and I said as much. You on the other hand seem to agree he's done nothing which I again disagree with.

[scheming daemons]

31. Which previous President in your lifetime was better for the GLBT community than Obama?

I honestly want to know... no snark intended.

[Whisp]

45. why that would be President *Crickets.

you won't be getting an answer, you know that. ;)

[Doc Martin]

70. Yep, sadly, "not if you are gay"

[saltpoint]

13. He's a class act. He connects with people. He's

smart.

I would love to see voters give him larger obstruction-ending majorities in the Senate this fall. Might not happen, but it's a goal worth undertaking and well worth the sweat and money.

We can't ask our presidents to be perfect unless we can match that standard ourselves. But we can value their capacity to affirm what is good and worth doing in our national life.

Obama shines.

:toast: :thumbsup: :hi:

[zippy890]

14. agreed. He's a good president

and he has all our interests at heart. toughest job in the world to walk that that tightrope and get anything done while dealing with incoming disasters etc.

In the primaries I was not a big Obama fan. But I am now, really its his executive administrative skills that have amazed me, he gets stuff done despite all the craziness that is Washington politics.

We are very fortunate to have this person as our president right now.

[NJmaverick]

15. His life story, his actions as a Senator and his actions as President

shows a man that deeply cares and like his comic heroes, he wants to help people and make the world a better place.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

116. He's President Barack Obama who has save the day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVFdAJRVm94

[Clio the Leo]

18. And it's not just SMART, it's his desire to learn.....

... I predict it will take him far in life. :)

[Phx_Dem]

20. I'll definitely pile on!

With a rec and :applause:

[thereismore]

22. Love him. A good man. nt

[TwilightGardener]

23. ...

:applause:

[mcar]

24. I do

Thanks for this. :fistbump:

[niceypoo]

25. He obviously has our best interests at heart, but...

...I believe he fears going down the road that the GOP took Clinton in the 90s. He overcompensates by trying to please the GOP and bends to their will, and every time he/we get burned. At some point he has to realize that it is an exercise in futility and that it makes him look bad. I hate to use the Lucy/Charlie Brown football analogy again but...



Well, that's my opinion...and you know what they say about opinions...

[BlueIdaho]

27. Against impossible odds

He is moving America forward against a tide of republican saboteurs and an intrenched do nothing congress. May be the best President of my lifetime. Time will tell.

[tavalon]

28. He is damn smart and he can orate in a way that reminds me of MLK or Lincoln

and yet he has been a triangulating, compromising, ineffectual leader. I'm baffled by his poor performance. He has everything going for him. He should shine brighter than even FDR and he can't even manage to do better than Clinton (who was okay, but again, not the great leader we thought we were getting). I would like to blame his lackadaisical showing on his support staff but really, is that fair to him? The buck stops with him as another President once opined.

[babylonsister]

34. Bitter, party of one.

Seems there are a lot of people who don't agree with your analysis, but if it makes you feel better to put Obama down, DU allows that, so have at it.

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2010/7/22/145211/436

Giving Credit Where It's Due

by BooMan
Thu Jul 22nd, 2010 at 02:52:11 PM EST


What should have been a triumphant week for the president has been tarnished by the stupid firing of USDA employee Shirley Sherrod and all the controversy surrounding it. So, here's a partial list of things Obama has done so far this week. Click on the links (at link) to learn more.

Issued an Executive Order on the Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes.

Signed the The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, creating the strongest consumer protections in our country's history.

Signed the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (pdf) as a part of his Accountable Government Initiative, saving us tens of billions of dollars in erroneous payments.

Ushered the Tribal Law and Order Act through Congress.

Finally got the Senate to extend unemployment insurance.

Nominated marshals and judges and ambassadors (all career Senior Foreign Service members, by the way).

Expanded the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target for Federal Operations.

In conjunction with this announcement today, Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Hilda L. Solis, Secretary of Labor, Martha Johnson, Administrator of the General Services Administration, and Ronald Sims, Deputy Secretary of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development convened a Clean Energy Economy Forum on Federal leadership in High Performance Sustainable Building.

Saw the Senate Judiciary Committee approve Elena Kagan's nomination and send it the floor.

And hosted UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

Look around the progressive blogosphere (including here) and see what people are talking about. They aren't talking about Obama reducing greenhouse emissions from federal employee travel and commuting 13% by 2020. They're not talking about him implementing the recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. They're not talking about saving us billions in wasted government payouts. They're not talking about new money and resources to help Tribal law enforcement. They're barely talking about the historic Wall Street Reforms.

You want to know why people are frustrated and unmotivated? It isn't just compromise and obstruction. It's that we don't pay attention to what is getting accomplished and focus way too much on the negative. How many of you knew about all the stuff on that list? Where else would you have learned about it?

[tavalon]

55. Bitter, party of more than you know

I'll vote for him. I like my nose. But my enthusiasm is gone.

[Shining Jack]

77. "The buck stops with him as another President once opined."

Well he said it himself:

Washington (CNN) May 28th - "I ultimately take responsibility for solving this crisis," Obama said about the continuing oil spill in the Gulf. "I'm the president, and the buck stops with me."

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/28/obama-the-buck-stops-with-me

[newtothegame]

29. I guess I'd like to think so, but I still don't understand why so many BELIEVE so.

There is plenty of evidence that he's working exactly the SAME as all previous Presidents that we insisted were NOT working for us. Yet we still have the commemorative plates. The t-shirts. The collectible coins. And on, and on, and on.

[Spazito]

30. I would give anything to have a leader like him here in Canada...

and so would many, many Canadians. He is a good, smart, politically savvy leader, imo, who most certainly does have the best interests of Americans, all Americans, unlike the repubs.

Recommended.

[madmax]

33. babylonsister - fearless as always. +1 nt

[slay]

35. I think he would if he could

but he can't so he doesn't. I mean a few scraps sure but on the big stuff like REAL health care reform or ending this pointless war that wastes millions of dollars every day. sorry, we needed so much more. he's better than a republican though. i don't hate him or anything. :shrug:

[hulka38]

36. This post adds nada.

[jenmito]

59. Then why did you write it? n/t

[hulka38]

68. Ah, the OP.

Good one though.

[jenmito]

72. I know.

And I'm glad that you obviously KNOW that I know. :D

[hulka38]

86. You've won this round jenmito

but I got my eye on you. :fistbump:

[jenmito]

107. Thank you...

for the fist bump after losing this round! :fistbump:

[Stinky The Clown]

37. He's the president

[jenmito]

38. Ditto!

:applause: :fistbump:

[R. P. McMurphy]

39. I believe that he is a wise and caring man . . .

and an excellent President. He has accomplished more in 20 months than any President I can remember has done in their entire time in office. There are things I wish he had fought harder for but, then again, there are things he's accomplished that I would never have dreamed he could.

[bobburgster]

40. Amen, amen, amen!

I hit that "recommendation" right after reading your words "I do"

Sure is nice to have a leader you can be proud of!

“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.”
Jim Rohn

[BootinUp]

43. Agreed, and compared to the previous occupant

day vs night

up vs down

forward vs reverse

you get the picture.

[tango-tee]

104. Compared to Previous Occupant

my old toothless cat is a rocket scientist. You're not doing the prez a favor by comparing him to Dim Son. A turnip would outshine him.

[BootinUp]

105. I'm still fine with my post.

but your comment is noted.

[Whisp]

44. you are right, and I love him too.

he is consistent, he is a hard worker, a smart guy!!!, charming, and nothing has led me to think he's trying to shiv us.

He has not broken stride on that at all. He is doing the best he can in a horrible climate of hate.


Here's to you, President Obama.

:toast:

A couple years ago I would NEVER have thought someone like you could be possibly sitting in the big chair.

[DoBotherMe]

47. Applause for the Prez!

:applause: and some spontaneous exuberance :bounce: Dana ; )

[notadmblnd]

48. I think he's honestly trying to work hard for us.

I also think he's being terribly mis-led and ill-advised by many of those working for him.

[unapatriciated]

50. my take also.

I knew he was a centrist from day one but thought he would listen to us on the left a little more than he has.
Hopefully this will change.

[Hekate]

49. He works it, every day. Would it hurt to say thanks? --Thanks, Pres. Obama.

:toast:

[azmouse]

51. I'll join you in saying thanks.

Thank you President Obama for turning this country around!

[AnotherMother4Peace]

52. On one of his last days, Bush said he was going to enjoy seeing Obama govern, what he meant

to say was "I left him such a big SHIT SANDWICH I'm going to get a big sadistic kick and laugh watching him deal with it."

[TBF]

53. If by "our" you mean owners, then yes you are correct. nt

[Overseas]

54. Yes, I thank President Obama for taking over the Titanic after it had hit the iceberg.

And my Democrats had not impeached the guys who crashed the ship, who steered it on a course for sure disaster. Those who drove our nation far off course economically and ethically had not been prosecuted for their maladministration. My Democratic team had not been able to push back hard enough during the previous administration to provide a solid block of Democratic teamwork to push through real national health security, with a public option. We went for Romney-care instead. We should have had Medicare for All at long last. With the need explained clearly as due to the misguided Bush policies that crashed our economy-- we have citizens without medical coverage being evicted from their homes-- the time is now. The Republican maladministration has forced us into it. The Blue Dogs would be coached to push the family values line-- Christian compassion, if you will.

But that team wasn't ready as a block to go all FDR for us all. Even though the Republicans have feared FDR for decades, our Democrats couldn't come rolling in with that. So I have had to realize that there are sadly very intense bullying powers who want to preserve the status quo by ignoring its glaring problems. They are still out there and have taken advantage of our president's courtesy.

But I hope we can now have the whole Democratic team engage in more direct truth telling. The Republicans drove our economy and ethics off some steep cliffs. We do not want to go there again. Moving forward means just that-- not back to 30 years of disastrous growing plutocracy-- but forward to a more green international democracy.

Learning how to prosper in a damaged world will take our full ingenuity. There is a lot we need to do as Americans. Part of the Bush offenses was ignoring our national infrastructure in favor of occupying Iraq. We need lots of repairs and have lots of workers ready to do that. Infrastructure repairs are part of the green movement-- our shared areas.

Let us be honest about how much damage the Bush gang wrought with their bold attempts to put unqualified people into very important government positions like FEMA, and to outsource our most important work in military services to private companies who skimmed millions in profits off the top of our tax money expended by the billions per day.

We cannot afford to have the people who think "government can do nothing right" in charge of our government. We have wasted a lot of time trying to appease them. Trying to buy their acquiescence has been quite expensive. We need that public option from an economic standpoint and we know it. We need the toughest climate bill we can push through.

Major news broadcasts have not covered Republican Filibusters like the major news story they should be-- i.e. "Republicans filibuster Summer Job Funding for Youth." Daily news while Congress is in session should include all the Republican filibusters, not just the most cruel withholding of unemployment insurance pretending their fellow citizens, bankrupted by the last Republican administration and foreclosed (aka evicted) from their homes, just don't want work hard enough.

That is the major election story-- how many great ideas the Republicans have squashed in their negligent power play. They are not upholding their duties to serve the people. Unless all that has changed with the Corporate Superperson ruling of the Roberts Court, Citizens United.

The quiet head-count filibustering has not worked. I do hope we can force the full televised filibusters. Or at the very least, be sure our news media have the taglines of the Republican Filibusters of the Day. Every day.

[Metta]

56. He routinely undermines and betrays Main Streeet in favor of big business.

Almost consistently. I hope he and his block headed advisors soon come to see the damage they do.

[theaocp]

57. live bait/chum/red meat/etc/etc/etc n/t

[Tarheel_Dem]

58. You betcha!

:applause:

[donco6]

60. Well, it's pretty obvious he doesn't have MINE at heart.

But I'm truly glad for you.

[Historic NY]

61. I just wish he'd take the gloves off and go after the Pukes bare knuckle.

[MsPithy]

62. I think if

President Obama gets a serious primary challenge from the left he will become a great President. Less Hoover more FDR!

[jwirr]

63. I still think that - been around long enough to know how hard it is to

get it right in DC. We have been divided so long that most of us cannot remember when everyone was trying to do the best they could for America and the difference was less striking.

[WheelWalker]

64. I'll 98th voice that. K&R

:kick:

[firedupdem]

65. Absolutely! n/t

[Dirigo]

67. Barack Obama Is The Greatest

Thank you for saying that Babylonsister! It needs to be said a million times. My God this country dodged the bullet with the pair of stooges McLame & Sarah Airhead Palin. We have so much to be thankful for.

[Doc Martin]

69. Good, maybe great man; best intentions; poor decisions

I am sadly disappointed. Thought I voted for a progressive.

Jimmy Carter comes to mind.

And I want him to flourish so I can say that I was wrong.

[JDPriestly]

71. He has made some big mistakes.

He is not as progressive as I would like.

The list of things he has not done and should have done (in my opinion) is very long.

But here are the things I like about Obama.

He is a steady person. He doesn't go off on crazy tangents like Bush and Reagan did.

I think that he is looking to build a stable economy long-term and not just a quick flash of a boom to make him look good.

I think he has handled most of the foreign policy issues very well.

As a human being, I like him better than any president in my lifetime other than Kennedy and Carter.

When you see his daughters with him, the way they look up at him and seem to adore him, you know that he is a good man. Children, especially a girl Malia's age know who their parents are. Obama is a good man. His family reflects his good character.

He needs to find some better advisers. Vilsack did not serve him well at the Dept. of Agriculture. Isn't it Salazar in the Department of Interior who has not cleaned the corruption out of the house there. Don't even talk about his economic advisers. Talk about bad advice.

[classof56]

73. Agreed--and I applaud with you.

Thanks for posting. Nice way to end this Friday!

Blessings.

[Axle_techie]

74. He is not awesome, but he is definitely not to bad

I would put him towards the better end of the average spectrum... He still has quite a stretch to go before his term is don, though...

[grahamhgreen]

75. Obviously not - or he would not bring the Republicans ideas to the table for them. Sorry.

But I will not unrec - I keep hoping for change.

[Kaleko]

76. I suspect

that O knows far more than he lets on. He's a tightrope walker par excellence. He's seen the dark side, penetrated its machinations, and ultimately decided to defeat it by stealth, by constantly flying under the radar of most observers on either side.

O knows that the Emperor has no clothes but still a deadly grip on every institution in this country and all over the world. The dying American Empire's death rattles are terrifying almost everyone out of their wits, but not this man. He knows the Light has already won, even though the war with its innumerable battles on many fronts goes on.

Yeah, Obama is smarter and more highly developed as a human being than the average man.
Tough shit, eat your hearts out, fools, critics and professional tools.

[rury]

78. Mad props to President Barack Hussein Obama

He has our best interests at heart, he's doing a good job and I love him!!

[donheld]

79. I'm another gay man who will say not if you're gay

He's done his very best to stall on every issue we've been about. From McCracken right on down to DADT.
NO he does not care about us. Except when it comes to donating and voting for him.

[Shining Jack]

82. +1

[Diane R]

80. Thank you for this. I am really tired of all the negative threads on DU.

[MadMaddie]

81. I am with you babylonsister!

Not only did he volunteer to take on this pile of dung left behind by the Rethugocrats but he has had to endure purely childish bullshit from the other side.

[AlbertCat]

84. Years and years...

8 years of "government is the problem" Reagan, with 8 years of Clinton, which was better but still had the GOP Congress wasting tons of time, shutting down the government and spreading lies. It still wasn't enough for them to win in 2000, so they cheated and we got 8 years of complete the non-governance of Bush and a rubber-stamp Congress who broke rules as they pleased.

Now we're back to actually governing... only still with a GOP nutbag contingency in the Congress and a 100% GOP brick wall in the Senate. The only reason anyone thinks the president can just "do something" is because of this long period of non-governing. It's all been forgotten: what it's like when we actually have some sort of government. And the one we have now has this nutty irrational roadblock called the GOP that is clearly unfit to even participate (something the Prez doesn't seem to get yet)

It's a wonder anything gets done!

[scentopine]

85. More layoffs this week, every quarter its the same shit... health premiums up 15%, CEO

at record pay, killed 401k match, killed benefits, we empty our own trash, place hasn't been cleaned for a year, exec staff massive bonuses and pay, few hundred more jobs to India - even the H1Bs are complaining about outsourcing.

We are so understaffed, working nights and weekends is standard with no pay. Managers are cut throat, people are doing anything to keep their jobs.

Yeah - he's fucking great. Stimulus filled with tax credits, another trillion for war, a trillion for the rich, still waiting for the trickle down.

Yeah. Just fucking great. Geithner, Bernanke, Summers - Timmy, Bernie, Larry, Moe and Curly.

Oh - and drill baby drill? thanks for totally fucking up the small pleasure of local sea food and a gulf coast vacation.

Yep. He's all over it. It's like a fucking nightmare.

I've had about as much of this awesomeness as I can stand.

[cynatnite]

87. I think he could do better, but I appaud him still. He has a lot to contend with. n/t

[Overseas]

88. So glad Turborama posted Van Jones' full speech -- best reasons to hope

Don't like the characterizations of "oh he told the netroots to stop kvetching" type. His actual speech is much more compassionate and empathetic than that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x488624

[Hydra]

90. It hurts me to do this, but it's time

This is the first unrec I've ever given you. During the Bush years, you were one of the best newshounds and prolific posters of things I wanted to read here on DU.

But this is wrong. If he's working for our interests, why is it that the people Bush loved(Republicans, Blue Dogs, CIA, Wall St, 1%ers, MIC, Private Insurance, etc) the people he lavishes the most attention and money on?

President Obama came in on a tide of unbelievable public support- ANYTHING was possible.

He could have changed the world. He could have been the man to lead us into the 21st century, and we all wanted him to be.

...Instead, he gave greatness a pass, and settled for keeping the status quo happy and chugging along...until they bit him on the ass just the other week.

That's when I started seeing a glimmer(however faint). The regulation of the bond market, slipped in last minute. Bush tax cuts fazing out. Shirley Sherrod apologized to, after the fact...and maybe Elizabeth Warren placed in a position with the potential to change the game...

For some, though, it's too late. The Gulf will never be the same. Those who aren't going to be helped by the healthcare handout will suffer needlessly. The Catfood commission may wind up taking what people have worked their whole lives for. How many people have died in Iraq and Afghanistan and now Pakistan since Jan 2009?

I'll keep holding out hope, because I have no alternative. If President Obama can't break the cycle that elected him and brought us to this point, many more of us are going to die.

[lordsummerisle]

91. I lost hope

when he didn't support the public option and wouldn't consider an alternative to the medicare drug plan as it stands...

Also he has not only embraced but has expanded the Bush/Cheney war on terror program, no lawsuits against the government allowed, and now he can have terrorist suspects (including American citizens) executed without trial...

His Wall Street picks for his economic team have been well documented.

Oh, and he will be responsible for your disappearing social security benefits as well.

Sorry, not what I voted for...

[akbacchus_BC]

96. You typed all of that in one breath? When did President Obama

sanction the execution of people? Where did you pull that crap out of?

I understand your voice on not escalating the invasions, however, I do not see you asking the President to close down bases in over 100 countries and use the money for medicare and education!

Wall Street had to be bailed out, otherwise America would have tanked, and am not making excuses for the current President, he did what was needed to be done!

[lordsummerisle]

106. Towards end of article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/26/AR2010012604239.html?hpid=topnews

[DesertFlower]

92. i'm happy with obama.

[akbacchus_BC]

93. Well what did you expect Sister, after 8 years of Bush, now he is the

clean up crew! However, I have to say this and I hope this will not get locked!

Eight years of mismanagement and here comes a guy who is willing to clean up but some Dems are against him and as I have said here before, Americans have to vote in politicians who have their interests at heart. How could a Dem vote against his President?

What a pile of shit this President inherited! Saw an earlier photo of him with McCain following him and he looked so young, after less than two years, he is looking so old, I pity President Obama for taking on this huge burden but he will prevail. Am not pleased with everything he does but he has done a lot of good and he has my support from afar. You go President Obama, the people who kicked you to the curb when you got the nomination never intended to vote for you. They claim they did and I do not believe that.

Just my opinion, if I voted for a person, I would not kick him/her to the curb within a week! They never voted for President Obama, they are just waiting for him to fail and he will not fail!

Keep hope alive and we shall overcome!

[earcandle]

94. I like knowing more about his wins. And I like what he is currently doing.

Americans are getting severely depressed and will soon be hypnotised into lowering their standards for survival.

This song has these lyrics in it.

Where? When? Did you say Zen?
Do I have to do it all over again?
Only when rooster is picked at by hen.
We better feed 'em something different then.

We need to get our house in order and do right by our children.

What is this about the Feds charging 50% death tax on property owners and eventually take the wealth away from small family wealth?

Where can I research more about that topic? Anybody know?

Something Different

[FrenchieCat]

95. Finally, a positive Pile-On!

How rare but priceless!

[akbacchus_BC]

97. Frenchie, President Obama's supporters are always here to support

him! I take pride in supporting him. No person is perfect but the shit he inherited blows my mind. I keep wondering why? Best fucking President since Clinton!

[donco6]

108. Just don't touch those squirrels nuts.

I wouldn't want something bad to happen.

[deacon]

98. I agree. k + r n/t

[akbacchus_BC]

99. I am very happy with President Obama. It took a lot of guts to campaign

to inherit 8 years of bush!

He will go down in the history books, providing the historians are not rethugs, as the best President ever!

You keep going Mr. President Obama, the world still loves you! Two years into your presidency, you did great!

[Number23]

100. I too am happy he's our President. Kicked and rec'd

[woodguy]

103. Co-opted

Our president and almost every member of congress is owned buy the super rich and corporations.

They don't even get money from Insurance, Oil, Banking, Pharma, Security and Defense Establishment, etc unless they are owned.

So while Mr. Obama certainly seems like a nice articulate man he was already owned lock stock and barrel by the elite while in senate before they let him run for President.

There is really no hope for this country. There will be hundreds of millions of proletariat staving for subsistance and billionaires and 10-20 million who protect them.

I don't understand how people can't see this almost every decision he makes is against the middle and poor..sure he'll give chump change like UE benefits but everything else is pro really rich.

http://www.thenation.com/article/37889/no-oligarchy

[Milo_Bloom]

110. Frankly, I think he is working mostly for himself.

[Sheepshank]

111. He has my support

I have watched in awe the things he has been able to achieve given all the obstacles. Not the least of which are Dems. Once sworn into office, I truly believe Obama is not a simply and singally a Dem President, but a president of all the people. Not all the people want everything Dems want. No, I don't care that Bush got everything he wanted. Made for a damn piss poor President. Made for a sucky final economic collapse. While I get frustrated he doesn't do everything the way I want it done, I honestly can say I understand that all the things I want, would end up with an even greater impasse in the House and Senate. Such is the nature of politics...unless you want a dictatorship, and then politiking is sort of tossed out the window.

[lunatica]

112. On average I think he's doing OK.

but I never had expectations that this country can be fixed easily. As long as he turns this country around and gets it going on the right track I'm OK with him. Bush almost took us over a cliff, or maybe he did and we just don't know it yet. But Obama is working to reverse that crash and burn.

[Fruittree]

114. He's doing an excellent job and it's nice to see people..

acknowledge it.:applause:

[ProgressOnTheMove]

115. A recall of what we potentially could go back to. All being well that won't happen...

Starts about 1.30 minutes in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ri1i6nAGOE

and this..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eootfzAhAoU

and this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNhxDRSW5cE

and this ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rO3F6mZUaE

We are in a whole new world now, time to embrace it and expand it and be ready to enjoy the great times ahead.

[mikekohr]

118. kick

mike kohr

[Vinca]

119. He's doing okay, but his neverending quest for bipartisanship

has been a bad thing for his presidency.

[TheWraith]

120. Kicked and recommended. nt