What kind of Centrist?

[redsoxrudy]

My biggest problem with Obama right now is not that he is a centrist....it is that he is such a shitty centrist. I mean with politicians like Ben Nelson, as much as he infuriates me, he makes choices based on the opinion of his constituency. However for Obama, every major issue that he has caved on (Public Option, Bush tax cuts, Debt Ceiling Deal) public opinion was with progressives. I just can't get how someone that is obviously so intelligent can't understand this. Repubs will never like him no matter what he does, Dems feel abandoned, and Independents see him as weak. I am actually surprised his poll numbers are not even lower than they are.

[ClassWarrior]

1. One more time... No center... No centrists...

"Centrism" is a myth.

No Center, No Centrists
by George Lakoff

"Centrism" is the creation of an inaccurate self-serving metaphor, and it is time to bury it.

There is no left to right linear spectrum in the American political life. There are two systems of values and modes of thought -- call them progressive and conservative (or nurturant and strict, as I have). There are total progressives, who use a progressive mode of thought on all issues. And total conservatives. And there are lots of folks who are what I've called "biconceptuals": progressive on certain issue areas and conservative on others. But they don't form a linear scale. They are all over the place: progressive on domestic policy, conservative on foreign policy; conservative on economic policy, progressive on foreign policy and social issues; conservative on religion, but progressive on social issues and foreign policy; and on and on. No linear scale. No single set of values defining a "center." Indeed many of such folks are not moderate in their views; they can be quite passionate about both their progressive and conservative views.

Barack Obama has it right: Get rid of the very idea of the right and the left and the center. American ideas are fundamentally progressive ideas -- the ideas this country was founded on and that carry forth that spirit. Progressives care about people and the earth, and act with responsibility and strength on that care...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lakoff/no-center-no-centrists_b_60419.html

NGU.

[Riftaxe]

2. This is the sad part, you actually

believe that our representation is centrist...why do you believe in that, or unicorns or other nonsense?

While admittedly, the few things this administration has put forward would be best described as milquetoast...I think it would be interesting to learn how you came to your conclusion.

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. "I am actually surprised his poll numbers are not even lower than they are."

Maybe if we wish really really hard, and click our heels three times? :rofl:

"Dems feel abandoned".
Please don't presume to speak for me, perhaps you could preface sweeping statements like this with "some Dems" in future? ;)

"Independents see him as weak".
Link? :shrug:

"Repubs will never like him no matter what he does".
They don't have to like him, but the president shouldn't change who he is, because they don't like him. Unlike Bernie Sanders, he doesn't do angry, vein popping, spittle laced, red meat politicking, and that's okay. He obviously has respect for the office of the Presidency, even if they don't.

[iamthebandfanman]

5. Why do you care, nobodys vote counts anyway. n/t

[Tarheel_Dem]

7. >>>>

:rofl:

[SunDrop23]

4. I am really struggling to have the fire I had in 2008.

Could it be the nonstop barrage of hatred toward the President - which started the night he was elected and was for no other reason than his skin color - is getting to me and I believe he can't win, he is the worst president ever, he is clueless, and on and on?

Or maybe I am exhausted from the frustration of trying to discuss issues with people who choose to believe the President is the equivalent of King and one single person runs the country.

Could it be I have convinced myself that all of this is bigger than me and my time would be better served doing other things?

We turned North Carolina blue for the first time in a long time in 2008. My ten year old (at the time) son and I turned working for Obama 08 into a father-son project that I will never forget. I don't have that fire I had in 2008 and I have already resigned myself to the fact that North Carolina will be red in 2012.

This really sucks.

[blkmusclmachine]

6. The "center" is well to the left of today's DEM Party.

n/t