So how is that “change” thing working out, Mr. President?

[Cyrano]

I know that at the moment, your main concern is your own reelection. Nonetheless, could you take a minute or two to explain a few things?

Why are we still in Afghanistan?

Why is the prison at Gitmo still open?

How many Republicans have you managed to negotiate with?

How many issues have you caved on before negotiations even began?

How the hell did Social Security and Medicare “reforms” (read cuts) get “on the table?”

Do you have any thoughts you’d like to share about what happened in Wisconsin?

Why did you let the multi-billion dollar tax cuts for the uber-rich continue?

What happened to the man that so many of us thought we were voting for?

Are you having any trouble living with yourself?

For those here on DU who are going to tell me that he doesn’t have a “magic wand,” and never had 60 votes in the senate, did you ever hear of “executive orders?” Did you ever hear of the “bully pulpit?” An American president has the biggest megaphone in the world.

And one more question, Mr. President. Have you spent any time looking for that megaphone?

[mike_c]

1. and where the HELL are those comfy shoes...?

:grr:

[we can do it]

27. Hey Teachers- WWJD What Would Jeb Do?

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cyrano]

33. I always wondered how so many Republican voters could buy the crap

they were being sold.

Now, I'm wondering how so many on DU can't grasp that Obama has sold us out.

I guess that it's hard to give up on hopes and dreams, and to see only what we wish to be so.

[BobbyBoring]

54. I wonder how

Republicans still call him a liberal, socialist, communist, Marxist, lefty, etc. He's got a better chance of being a Kenyan than he does any of the other labels~

[Tx4obama]

2. -1 unrec n/t

[Cyrano]

4. I don't care about your rec or unrec. What I want to know is why

you're sticking with this guy who has sold us out?

[Fearless]

15. K&R!

[WiffenPoof]

19. EXACTLY! N/T

[we can do it]

22. +1

[still_one]

25. What choice do we have? I don't see anyone challenging him in the 2012 Democratic primaries, so

what are you going to do in the meantime?

The Democrats were slaughtered in the midterms. Was it because progressives didn't show up? Was it because the independents were disillusioned because of the MSM constant critisizing him and his administration, though not necessarily for the reasons you would want them to be critical of the administration, or is it something else?

The question is do you see a difference between the republicans and the Democrats?

I would like to think there are at least some basic issues such as civil rights, environmental concerns, and a person's right to privacy

I agree the corporate ties between both parties make it quite difficult, but at this time, unless there is a viable Democratic challenger there is not much you can do

However, like in Wisconsin, this could be the start of rebuilding the party to the values it seems to have lost

[Cyrano]

31. I guess the reality is that we're screwed if we vote for him and

screwed even more if we don't. Every time I think it can't get worse, it does.

[still_one]

88. I hear you, and I agree, unfortunately /nt

[TBF]

28. Maybe it's in his financial interest to do so - PO clearly is working for Wall Street

and we do have democrats with deep pockets. They are more interested in maintaining the status quo than some would like to admit.

[WVRICK13]

67. Bravo

I have asked myself this question a lot in the past months. I was amazed that working class Republicans could still support Bush while he was destroying them and new we have Democrats supporting Obama while he does the same thing. A good friend accused me of not being a good Democrat because I kept questioning Obama's actions. I told her she needed to stop being brainwashed by Obama or anyone else and look at the facts. He has protected the wealthy and sold out the working class in the process. I believe the 2% cut in Social Security payments lay the ground works to claim the system is failing and we must privatize Social Security of stop the program. It is much like the huge increases he gave to Community Services Block Grant in 2009/2010 and then wants to cut it 50% in his latest budget. With friends like Obama I sure as shot don't need any enemies.

[readmoreoften]

90. K&R

[nashville_brook]

92. hear hear.

[Roland99]

10. +1 rec from me.

Fucking tired of this president acting like a Dem when we all know he's not.

[Wait Wut]

21. +1 unrec

...'cause the lack of free cookies wasn't mentioned, along with obvious flamebait.

[louslobbs]

50. +another rec

Lou

[Cali_Democrat]

72. +1 rec

[Teaser]

3. you like paraphrasing Sarah Palin do you?

.

[Cyrano]

8. And you are still standing by President Obama because .... ?

[Teaser]

44. I ain't standing beside anyone.

Obama's done plenty to disappoint me. He's also done a good bit to make me happy.

He's a mixed bag like any politician, but on balance the mix has more M&M's in it for me than it does that shitty hard candy gramma used to give me.

So why do I critique the people who come on here and whine about how Obama has disspointed them?

Because I think they're chumps who got high on someone they thought was a savior but turned out only to be a politician. Next time, people, don't tie your self esteem to someone else who *will* let you down.

So, I don't stand beside any politicians. They are tools for an engineering job. And not every tool can perform every task. But they mean nothing to me as people, or exemplars, or whatever, and I don't get a SAD when they don't do the perfect job.

[Cyrano]

55. Wow. And I thought I was cynical.

Sorry that it disappoints you that I "whine" for a better world than that in which we live.

[Cyrano]

9. dupe -- self deleted

[NoTimeToulouse]

5. IBTL

[HereSince1628]

6. Out in the states, we're getting change, no doubt about that.

It wasn't exactly the change we hoped for, but...this is just so painfully true it defies making a joke about it.

[truebrit71]

7. K&R

...

[WolfoftheWild]

11. you spelled it wrong. It's "changey". You can throw "hopey" in there, too.

[SolutionisSolidarity]

16. That pic is ironic, right?

It's hard to believe even his strongest supporters still think he's got things under control.

[WolfoftheWild]

37. 7 Obama bashing posts! But I'm glad you like my picture. It's just for folks like you.

[Cyrano]

42. Actually, there's a difference between bashing and voicing justifiable outrage.

But then I guess it depends which side of the fence you're on.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cyrano]

56. Your words, not mine.

[WolfoftheWild]

57. Your actions, not mine.

[SolutionisSolidarity]

74. Wow, so you think things are going well.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree, because this world is like an absolute nightmare to me. We're marching headlong toward the guilded age, but apparently Obama's got it handled, so nothing to worry about.

[SidDithers]

81. Welcome to DU...

looks like you'll fit right in.

Sid

[demwing]

20. States drop to Republican thugs

Unions are being vivisected, safety nets are unraveling, unemployment is still high, and now, so is gas. Gitmo is still open, rendition continues, and wars go on and on...

How's that "Chilly, Outy, Gotty, Thisy" thing working out for you?

[WolfoftheWild]

36. flail all you want. Obama will still be re-elected.

;)

[Cyrano]

38. You're probably right. And will we all live happily ever after?

[WolfoftheWild]

39. I don't know if you can be happy. I sure will be.

[xiamiam]

83. lol

[we can do it]

24. You Need To "Change" That Pic To I Got This and You Don't

sucks to be you

[Tansy_Gold]

29. YOU OWE ME A KEYBOARD!!!!

:spray:


Tansy Gold, who needed that laugh even though it's really really really sad

[we can do it]

48. No Problem, Gotta Laugh So We Don't Cry

I am one of those retired firefighter freeloaders, and also a supporter of quality public education for all not just the well off. I also support full equal right for all citizens, including the poor, aged, women and gays, even though I know this is not a priority of the current administration.

[Autumn]

60. Now that was an excellent comeback

:thumbsup:

[emulatorloo]

30. Yeah that's what I was thinking too.

Give her credit where credit is due, I say.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sugarcoated]

13. Light years better than the

nopey-dopey alternative

[MuseRider]

14. K&R

I can't say what I want to say but here is a rec and a kick.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WiffenPoof]

18. Obviously, People Here...

are getting near the breaking point. I know I am.

-PLA

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

23. He might get around to it if the powder is dry someday and the Chamber of Commerce approves.

Otherwise, "change" is in the dustbin with the comfy walking shoes.

[William769]

26. Presidential leadership is what we need.

Without it we are dead in the water.

[Melissa G]

62. We are what We need.

I'm not looking for Presidential Leadership, because it is obvious it AIN'T gonna happen. Candidate Obama talked a good game. President Obama does not even feel compelled to pretend to be the guy who said half of what he has abandoned.

[WVRICK13]

69. I Agree

and i am waiting for that leadership.

[jenmito]

34. The answers to your questions are easy:

Why are we still in Afghanistan?
Because it's not time yet to get out. He said we'd start withdrawing troops this July and get them out by 2014. And he campaigned on getting troops of IRAQ so he could concentrate on Afghanistan.

Why is the prison at Gitmo still open?
Because the Dems. in congress wouldn't allow it to close.

How many Republicans have you managed to negotiate with?
As many as he could. No promise broken by that.

How many issues have you caved on before negotiations even began?
None.

How the hell did Social Security and Medicare “reforms” (read cuts) get “on the table?”
"Reforms" does NOT equal "cuts."

Do you have any thoughts you’d like to share about what happened in Wisconsin?
He SAID what he thought about WI, and his press secretary said today that Obama felt it was wrong what the Repubs. did last night.

Why did you let the multi-billion dollar tax cuts for the uber-rich continue?
The CONSERVADEMS let them continue. The reason he didn't veto the bill was because he wanted the other 98% of us to get tax cuts.

What happened to the man that so many of us thought we were voting for?
He's still there. You must've not been paying attention to what he was saying.

Are you having any trouble living with yourself?
Why should he? He has done a LOT of what he said he'd do so far.

For those here on DU who are going to tell me that he doesn’t have a “magic wand,” and never had 60 votes in the senate, did you ever hear of “executive orders?” Did you ever hear of the “bully pulpit?” An American president has the biggest megaphone in the world.
He couldn't do any of those things via executive order.

And one more question, Mr. President. Have you spent any time looking for that megaphone?
Every time he speaks out, most of his critics say "They're just words."

[Cyrano]

40. I would rather have heard from President Obama. But since you have

decided to answer for him, I can only say that you're replies leave me speechless. And I therefore, will remain speechless.

[jenmito]

43. The only reason you "will remain speechless" is because you can't refute my answers.

But anyone who actually paid attention to what's been going on would know I'm right with those answers.

[apocalypsehow]

47. +1. n/t.

[Cyrano]

51. My, my. You certainly put me in my place. You've crushed me into

the dust and made it virtually impossible for me to refute your logic.

And having admitted this, please, please, allow me to go back to question number one. "Why are we still in Afghanistan?"

Aside from the fact that the American military/industrial complex is making untold billions from this despicable waste of blood and wealth, can you come up with something beyond a timetable?

[jenmito]

71. My, my. I must've, since you totally ignored my responses to every question you asked...

and the best you can do is re-ask a question that I already answered? Since I already answered you, why don't YOU answer ME in THIS question: When did Obama ever say he's going to get out of Afghanistan? Like I said, he said we'd get out of IRAQ to concentrate on Afghanistan. And he gave us a timetable. You're talking as if he lied to us. Maybe you just weren't listening.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

58. You expect him to reply to you on a message board?

:rofl: :rofl:

[KittyWampus]

70. what will remain is your complete unwillingness to actually assess REALITY.

Things have been accomplished. You just prefer to pretend otherwise.

[damntexdem]

35. Change without cents.

I mean, no change without sense.

[Poboy]

41. R'd!

[cliffordu]

46. So, lemme see if I have this correct:

You're claiming that all he needs to do is YELL all the time and you'll feel better?

Bully pulpit?? Really?

[onethatcares]

49. no, he needs to get on national television and explain to the people

that elected him, that worked the phones for him, that canvassed for him, that had such big hopes that the country could really change after 8 years of neocon bullshit, he should explain why the change we thought we were getting or even hoping for isn't coming. Hell, he makes pretty speeches, I heard him today talk about bullying and how it has to be prevented, but I see him as an empty suit because he is not standing up and telling the repukes that he's no longer gonna be bullyed with their games and the American people will support him.

As my granddaughter would say, "How can you tell me one thing and then do the exact opposite?"

We're waiting mr president, we are all waiting.

[JoePhilly]

52. You are correct.

Obama is supposed to flip an evenly divided electorate in to a vast majority of liberals. And if he can't, then we should let the GOP take total control again to teach him a lesson.

[cliffordu]

59. That's right, goddammit, that'll learn him.

[NYC Liberal]

53. You are not interested in answers, because if you were

you could have done 5 minutes of research and found out for yourself. Every one of those questions has been asked and answered countless times here. But posting a bunch of open-ended questions is easy, because then people get to fill in their own bullshit answers.

"What happened to the man that so many of us thought we were voting for?"

Nothing. Obama has overwhelming support from the party base. DU is NOT the party base, fyi.

[JoePhilly]

61. +100

[Melissa G]

63. >>"Obama has overwhelming support from the party base. DU is NOT the party base, fyi."

That is a flawed construct. If you want to look for evidence of the flaw. You can look at the last election.
87 percent of liberals might 'support' him by voting for him, but we may not be sending him money we hardly even had. We may not be working our tails off to make sure he is reelected. Enthusiastic, we are not. When we are not enthused, republicans win or at least steal elections. Did you miss the midterms?

I believe Obama will win again, but the coattails he brings may be very slim.

[cliffordu]

65. dupe

[cliffordu]

66. Yep I saw the mid terms. We are paying the price for fickle voters

of every stripe.

Anyone who thinks they can sit on their ass needs to pay very close attention to Wisconsin.

He might suck, but he IS as good as it's going to get, and snivelling about it doesn't change anything.

[NYC Liberal]

77. "Enthusiastic, we are not"

And who is "we"? DUers? The membership of Democratic Underground does not represent the majority of Democrats or even the majority of liberals. There is a whole world outside of this forum (and the internet).

I remember the midterms, the ones where most people said their approval or disapproval of Obama had no influence on their vote.

[Melissa G]

85. I'm assuming you worked both of the last two elections?

If you did, I assume that even in NY you saw a difference (lessening) in enthusiasm?

In my neck of the woods, (Texas) there was a huge difference and man are we paying the price.

The outside world Is what creates my daily politics and reality. Where I live- that reality is not pretty.

If we don't have serious enthusiasm to stem the red tide here, we have a Bat Sh*t crazy insane Lege instead of just crazy nuts crazy.
And guess What we have Now... You got it. Serious Bat Guano with Gov Goodhair leading the charge into Voter ID, horrendous redistricting, requiring ultrasounds before abortions, gutting public school funding and medicaid while our infrastructure crumbles around us.

I grew up in a family of several generations of activists, revolutionaries, politicians and public servants. I was being carried to work elections when I was six months old as were my kids who are now both activists. I'm aware of the outside world just fine.

You're just quoting polls where your answers are dependent on how you ask the question. There is a huge difference between "Melissa, are you going to vote for Obama?"
Answer: Sigh, yes which equals one vote and an enthused Melissa who is going to typically drag min 25- 30 extra folks down to the polls by registering voters until midnight, standing on a busy street corner during both rush hours as a human bill board and phone banking in between shifts.

Enthusiasm matters.

[bluestate10]

78. The problem that I have with Liberals (aka, Progressives) and righties

is that neither group has a sense of perspective. They want everything the way they want it, to hell with the rest. Well, I have some news for you, neither the Left or right determine victors. Democrats got their head handed to them during the midterms because moderate Independents bought republican horseshit and voted against their own best interests. After the spate of republican over reaches, don't expect to see the same dynamic for the 2012 election. Unless a major change in fortune happen between now and November 2, 2012, President Obama is set to roll over any republican rival, mostly because voters in must win states will be disgusted with and have lost trust in their republican governors. Longterm, the election results of 2010 could turn out to be a blessing for democrats, voters never know how bad republicans are until republicans have unassailable power, as in Wisconsin and Ohio.

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bluestate10]

75. Yo. Giv'em hell Harry! As in Truman. nt.

[Capitalocracy]

86. So since you've got your finger on the pulse,

what does the base want exactly?

Do they want war? Indefinite detention? Tax cuts for the rich? Republican policy? Lack of leadership? Broken promises? Inconsistency?

Or does the base consist of people who are able to look the other way?

[NorthCarolina]

68. New "change", same as the old "change". nt

[Name removed]

73. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[W_HAMILTON]

76. If he gets his second term...

...do you think he finally start acting like the progressive candidate he portrayed himself to be pre-2008 election?

It's actually an honest question...what do people think? It's about the only hope I have now. I have been thoroughly disappointed by him. To those that say "would a Republican be any better?" No, but allowing Republicans to expose themselves through their poor governing is what allowed us to get a guy like "2008 Obama" in the presidency to begin with. Unfortunately for us (and our country), he didn't live up to expectations.

[femrap]

79. kicked big!

What an embarrassment. The only comfy shoes he wears are the ones when he plays basketball. Not much of a leader.

[WillyT]

80. K & R !!!

:kick:

[Moondog]

82. I just wonder what slogan he'll run on in '12.

Vote Obama - he sucks less?

It just doesn't have any juice, y'know?

[Capitalocracy]

84. Change.

(And this time, we mean it.)

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[slay]

87. +1 for the TRUTH - no matter how many wish to deny it

i have some advice - don't deny it - work towards CHANGING it. Obama has let us down and betrayed us IMO. I don't think he can be changed so I will focus on local progressives and hopefully a progressive challenger for Mr. Obama in 2012.

[lutefisk]

91. At least he hasn't started any new wars

:shrug:

[dionysus]

93. oooh, stealing lines from Palin, even. bless your little heart.

[Kolesar]

94. The real question here is "Cyrano" ... eom