It is pretty clear to me that the efforts by the GOP and their supporters against anything Obama

[kelliekat44]

proposes is simply based on racism. Because too many of the policies proposed by this President are sensible and many have been what the RW/GOP have supported in the past. The immigration issue is linked to the same racist motives and if we talking about immigrants from Europe, the Caucuses etc this would not even be a problem. There are many immigrants for those areas in this country
on expired Visas or here illegally and many of them are here working in plumb jobs that Americans are fully qualified to fill. The Russian, Chinese, and Korean organized crime groups are operating here with almost full freedom and little law enforcement attention. And all the GOP thinks about when talking about "illegal" or "undocumented" immigrants are Mexicans.

[madokie]

1. Racism pure and simple

nothing more or nothing less.

[Bosso 63]

2. The GOP: A Belly full of Fear and a Heart Full of Hate.

[treestar]

3. Agree, the ordinary functioning of the government

has been turned into a drama at every turn. This did not happen when Presidents and Congresses were held by different parties in the past.

[LostOne4Ever]

4. Part of it

Part of it is indeed racism, but a bigger part of it is that the Republican leadershit went BATSHIT CRAZY during Double Dumb's administration!

These are not the same republicans we fought in the past. These people are fascist theonomists determined to return this country to the dark ages!

THEY MUST BE STOPPED

[no_hypocrisy]

5. I think it's bigger than racism and Obama.

Fast forward a few years. A new democrat in the WH, white, male. But still a democrat.

I can see this republican MO continuing beyond the Obama years where a minority within a party can stop democracy in its tracks and prevent any change that contradicts their vision of corporate America.

[tclark0404]

6. Hate to say it but ....

Hate to say it but, I honestly can't wait till Obama is gone, and HOPEFULLY replaced with a REAL Democrat, maybe Hillary? And I agree, it's all racism, pure and simple. It is very clear that Obama will not be able to get anything worthwhile done. These racist phux are dragging the country down all because of the scary black man. I think Hillary needs to start campaigning now... we all know she's gonna run... She needs to start now, and get that Democratic base fired up early in the game, and keep that momentum going higher and higher till election day (might even help the 2016 elections). She needs to make it clear if they wanna see "socialism", they ain't seen nothing yet, she's on the move and their gonna wish they still had just the scary black man to deal with. Obama is a lame duck, he's been a lame duck since his first inauguration. They think anything he does is Socialism? Well, then I say do like the right does, and double down on it with a newer candidate who makes it clear that "socialism" is what's coming. I think Hillary could be the one to do that... Actually, I'd prefer Bernie Sanders, but we all know he wouldn't run.

[JoePhilly]

8. Yea ...

Hillary is more to the left than Obama.

[ReRe]

9. What the GOP does is no mystery....

.... it's racism for sure.

But what I would like for someone to explain to me is why, when the GOP undermines everything PO does, again why does PO turn around and kick his base in the gut? They kick him, he kicks his base. What is that? I can not understand that.

[CJCRANE]

10. If you genuinely believe that Hillary will be some kind of socialist savior...

then you're going to be sorely disappointed.

And if you think today's Democratic Party has got anything to do with socialism then it's likely you've been exposed to too much Fox News.

[tclark0404]

20. I never said that

What I said was we need someone to double down on all this alleged socialism that is happening, and run on that. Do I think Hillary is a socialist? HA, about as much as Obama is. But there is a difference here... she's white. Give em someone that they would fear would be more socialist, then dealing with Obama might not sound so bad after all. I doubt there would be as much reluctance in dealing with Hillary then there would be Obama. They couldn't use that "HE'S NOT AN AMERICAN" excuse or any other of the thinly veiled racist excuses they use now to de-legitimize her Presidency. They'd have to resort to attacking women in general (not that they don't do that already).

[Nay]

25. She's female, though, just another type of 2nd class citizen. Plenty of RWers hate women

just as much as they hate blacks, especially when women step out of the kitchen and bedroom. It's true they couldn't use the birther nonsense or the muslim crap against her, but they'll think of something.

As someone downthread said, they will swiftboat ANY DEMOCRAT, and we need a Democrat who will hit back HARD. Not someone who will lie down for their shit.

[Dustlawyer]

26. Hillary will be another Corpratist like her husband. She is a strong lady and candidate, but

she will continue the outsourcing her husband started as well as Obama's corpratists policies. There is no real Democratic candidate that would do anything much different from Hillary so I guess it doesn't matter!

[Skittles]

34. how did you manage not to mention Nancy Pelosi and Barnie Frank?

back to the Freak Republic with ye!!!

[Number23]

36. So the Repubs are racist morons, but OBAMA is the one that needs to go?

[tclark0404]

37. No, your not reading what I said very clear.

I never said Obama needs to go. I said I can't wait till he is gone. Let's face it. The Republican scum won't give the guy an inch simply because he is black. I honestly wished the winner of the 2008 election would have been a white democrat. The reason being, is, although the right likes to run on rhetoric, a white President would not have given them more power of persuasion. Let's be honest here, just because one is a Democrat, does not mean they are cool with black people. And because of this, the fear & paranoia party has a hold on America's feelings. The more centrist type individuals, who happen to "FEAR THE BLACK FOLK" are susceptible to the BS from the right. You can't change these types of people's irrational racism because they grew up on it, but you can appeal to the rational, progressive leaning portion of their minds with the right candidate... Think Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter who captured the hearts of the Southern Democrats. I think the Southern strategy isn't as strong as it once was, but on the other hand, you still need to appeal to it as a Democratic candidate, and sorry, but Obama just can't do that.

Don't get me wrong. I think it is super awesome and historic that America can elect a 1/2 black man as President, but sadly and unfortunately... America still has alot more growing up to do. It really sucks that the time can't be now, but it's the reality of the world we live in and we need to keep the pressure on using Democrats/progressives that can appeal to that ignorant, grown up on racism crowd.

Baby steps is what I'm saying. It's not a personal opinion, it's just the reality of the sorry America we live in.

[Number23]

38. I understand what you're saying but really

It is not black people's fault or responsibility that there are alot of racist white people in this country. If anything, there need to be even more black, Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern people in positions of power, not less.

It is not our responsibility to "lay low" until racist white people are comfortable with our existence. We have every right to be here and to be successful, to thrive, and to be great as anyone else. And if anyone has a problem with that, then THEY are the problem, not us.

just because one is a Democrat, does not mean they are cool with black people.

On this we whole-heartedly agree. And DU is certainly proof of that, not that I honestly believe that many of the more "prolific" posters are Democrats anyway.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. fear.

Fear of change...of anything different...

Republicans are people who live in fear...every day...all the time.

[clayton72]

11. While racism is certainly a component, this strategy started long before Obama

Impeaching Clinton, swiftboating Kerry, Willie Horton, delaying release of the Iranian hostages, derailing peace with Vietnam, etc. The GOP is a criminal gang who place winning at any price and by any means over the welfare of the country.

[winter is coming]

18. +1. n/t

[kelliekat44]

21. And part of that was because of Clinton's association with blacks. nt

[BlueCaliDem]

28. Exactly! Boil it down, it's all racism all of the time with the RightwingWooWoos who are holding

the most sensible Republicans hostage. Solution? Boot ALL Republicans out until they find the spine they need to bring the loonies in their party back in line.

[LondonReign2]

30. +1

Does the fact that Obama is black bring even more of the Repub crazies to the forefront? Sure. But no matter who the President is, so long as they have a D after their name the Repubs will oppose every single thing they do, even things that are completely sensible and/or were originally R ideas.

[Shankapotomus]

12. I think the best thing we can do

after Obama's presidency is elect another Democrat African American president. Preferably a tough Dem. African American woman.

Let's see the racist, misogynist GOP stall on any legislation another eight years.

[pangaia]

17. My first wife would fit the bill perfecto.

[woo me with science]

13. Bullshit. The parties collude.

All these Third Way excuses and distractions get very old, when the real problem is glaring and clear. Wall Street money drives policy in both parties.

The vast majority of the betrayals on this list had nothing to do with Republican obstructionism:

Corporate and bank-cozy appointments, over and over again, including major appointments like:

A serial defender of corrupt bankers for the SEC; the architect of "Kill Lists" and supporter of torture, drone wars, and telecom immunity for the CIA; and a Monsanto VP who has lied and been involved in extremely disturbing claims regarding food safety for the FDA. An Attorney General who has not prosecuted a single large bank but wages war against medical marijuana users and *for* strip searches and warrantless surveillance of Americans. And let's not forget Tim Geithner.

Bailouts and settlements for corrupt banks (with personal pressure from Obama to attorneys general to approve them),
Refusal by Obama's DOJ to prosecute even huge, egregious examples of bank fraud (i.e, HSBC)
signing NDAA to allow indefinite detention,
"Kill lists" and claiming of the right to assassinate even American citizens without trial
Expansion of wars into several new countries
A renewed public advocacy for the concept of preemptive war
Drone campaigns in multiple countries with whom we are not at war
Proliferation of military drones in our skies
Federal targeting of Occupy for surveillance and militarized response to peaceful protesters
Fighting all the way to the Supreme Court for warrantless surveillance
Fighting all the way to the Supreme Court for strip searches for any arrestee
Supporting and signing Internet-censoring and privacy-violating measures like ACTA
Support for corporate groping and naked scanning of Americans seeking to travel
A new, massive spy center for warrantless access to Americans' phone calls, emails, and internet use
Support of legislation to legalize massive surveillance of Americans
Militarized police departments, through federal grants
Marijuana users and medical marijuana clinics under assault,
Skyrocketing of the budget for prisons.
Failing to veto a bipartisan vote in Congress to gut more financial regulations.
Passionate speeches and press conferences promoting austerity for Americans
Bush tax cuts extended for billionaires, them much of it made permanent
Support for the payroll tax holiday, tying SS to the general fund
Support for the vicious chained CPI cut in Social Security and benefits for the disabled
Social security, Medicare, and Medicaid offered up as bargaining chips in budget negotiations, with No mention of cutting corporate welfare or the military budget
Advocacy of multiple new free trade agreements, including The Trans-Pacific, otherwise known as "NAFTA on steroids."
Support of drilling, pipelines, and selling off portions of the Gulf of Mexico
Corporate education policy including high stakes corporate testing and closures of public schools
Entrenchment of exorbitant for-profit health insurance companies into healthcare, through mandate
Legal assault on union rights of hundreds of thousands of federal workers
New policies of targeting children and first responders in drone campaigns,
New policies of awarding medals for remote drone attacks,
Appointment of private prison executives to head the US Marshal's office
Massive escalation of federal contracts for private prisons under US Marshall's office

[99Forever]

14. Not exactly breaking news.

Which leads directly to the next question.

Why does Obama keep kissing the Republicans asses and handing them our earned benefits in an attempt to make them "like him?"

[BlueCaliDem]

29. Only the Fringe believe President Obama is "kissing Republican asses". People with a broader

mind know that the president is trying to govern; trying to work to improve this country, and he doesn't give a good goddamn whether you or the Republicans "like him". The country is what matters to him - as it should.

Focusing simply on the C-CPI {which is measly compared to what his Democratic predecessors - who never caught any flack from the Left} is short-sighted at best.

What the Left-Fringe don't appear to realize is that the C-CPI is just part of a MUCH larger budget proposal that would raise taxes on the wealthy (help fund the S.S. and balance the budget), fund and install universal Pre-K so that working mothers can keep their jobs (and keep paying into the S.S., Medicare fund) while raising children out of poverty {the demographic now that's in poverty}, shut down billions in government free-money to Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Agri, and Big Corporations, and shut down tax loopholes for the rich, just to name a few.

That's not kissing Republican ass. That's handing it to them on a silver platter.

[Ian_rd]

15. I don't think the GOP political leadership is particularly racist,

but because their base is, they feel they must perform accordingly, opposing Obama's policies no matter what they happen to be, no matter if in a more honest arena they themselves would propose the same policies.

Their voting base is a mosh pit of drooling, conspiracy-addled, red-faced screaming morons and they know if they're caught even appearing to agree with Obama on something, they'll be primaried, tarred as a secret agent of the Kenyan Muslim Socialist.

[Progressive dog]

16. Amend that from simply to mostly and I agree

that racism is a big part of their opposition.
But, if they keep getting away with it, it will continue long after Obama's term ends.

[Volaris]

19. I want to make the case that it's about something a little bit more involved than JUST that...

Yes, that's there (in the sense that they "represent" a lot of idiot racists in their districts), but, If Obama were a moderate Black REPUBLICAN, instead of a moderate Black DEMOCTAT, ask yourself, do you think this would be happening?

I say the answer is NO.

I claim the following:
President Obama the first President since the advent of the "Southern Strategy" that had the potential to expose the GOP (in their post-Nixon, modern-era extremism) for the small, VERY vocal, and demographicly dying brand that they have let themselves become. The election of Obama as the product of electoral democracy PROVES, beyond doubt, that that Southern Strategy won't work for them anymore, and that destroyes them as a viable political party in America. And they know this.
It's not so much that the President is Black, it's the THREAT he poses as a viable alternative to the governmental IDIOCY of the GOP and the ABYSS that came out of it, that we called the Bush Administration (the role of Jr. CANNOT be overstated, in this sense, BTW).
Barack Obama had the power, upon taking office, to crush the Imperial Presidency, and leave it a dead entity on the side of the road. This ELECTORAL repudiation of Executive (as well as white, paranoid, filthy-rich) Power is a knife strike to the heart of Nixonian Republicanism (which, by the way, relagates Congress to a secondary role in any kind of actual Governance, making the job of GOP Congressman a pretty good gig if you otherwise DON'T think "The Government" is good for anything; it allows you to be a lazy fucker and get rich doing it).

THAT'S why they hate him.

[kelliekat44]

22. Two words: Michael Steele nt

[Volaris]

23. If Micheal Steele had had the moxy to even ATTEMPT to re-direct that parties energy

to something more akin to Teddy Roosevelt than Teddy Ruxpin, that fucker would be the next Republican President.

They elected him to run the GOP as an anit-racist COVER argument. My bet is that there is NO WAY that Steele is really as stupid (in every category that counts) as he had to ACT in order to get that job.

[kelliekat44]

33. My point was that Steele did a great job for the GOP and was instrumental in getting back their hous

house seats and raising record contributions for the GOP...and then they kicked him to the curb for the current asshat Priebus.

[Volaris]

35. Yes I absolutely concur.

Sorry, I wasn't completly sure of your intention with your oricinal response. Sorry bout that, it's been a long week heh.

[BlueStreak]

24. Until they have to pay a price for their behavior, it will continue

And Obama just cannot get himself to the really commit to that. His faith in the goodwill of the GOP is destroying his presidency.

[BlueCaliDem]

31. It's not faith at all. Every Black person in America knows how they're seen by White America.

Make no mistake. President Obama knows exactly what he's up against, but whether he or we like it or not, he has to work with Congress, and at the moment, the Republicans appear to rule both in the Senate and the House. That's not President Obama's fault. That would be the fault of Congressional leadership.

Due to the 2010 elections when too many Dems stayed home, the Republicans swept into power and immediately began gerrymandering districts. This is the result.

Even if Reid had pushed through a filibuster rule change {or did away with it} nothing would happen because the House is now where good legislation goes to die - unless it benefits the already obscenely rich.

The GOP have shown their hand. They work solely for the wealthy and corporations. The pain we working Americans have to endure might be the wake-up call the not-at-all-rich Republican sheep need in order to stay home in 2014. But then again, they might be able to survive the economic downturn and financial pains their party is causing them and their families by eating, drinking, and living hatred and racism. It's like crack-cocaine to them.

[BlueStreak]

32. It has nothing to do with race

at least not from Obama's side.

He accommodates by nature. He is extremely uncomfortable calling anybody out on anything.

And add to that he is mostly in the pocket of the establishment anyway. What the hell was that nomination of a telecomm lobbyist to FCC chairman about?

[Bluenorthwest]

27. Racism is a part of it but to believe it is the entire issue one would have to believe that

Republicans are courteous and cooperative with Democrats who are of the same race as they are when that is simply not the case. If it was all racism, Republicans would not have a national ongoing history of refusing to govern along with Democrats, of election theft, of attacking any and all Democrats.
The theory that a white President would have a willing GOP to deal with is specious and also required if one is to believe that their issue with Obama is all race and not politics.

[Nye Bevan]

39. Right. Because when Bill Clinton was President and we had a Republican House,

all was bipartisan sweetness and light.

Oh wait, no it wasn't. They impeached him.

[ailsagirl]

40. Also, the repukes hate the fact that he's so intelligent, charming, and cool

With a great sense of humor and an unassailable sense of fairness. And, of course, he's a Dem.

Their hatred makes them look so bad-- I do hope others in this country are aware that the reason The President can't get much done is because of the bastards in Congress. (not all of Congress, of course).

And they hate it that he pretty much remains unruffled over their transparent and ludicrous attempts at undermining him.

It's sickening.