The dreaded BLURB!!!

[TCJ70]

This keeps coming up as a talking point about how Bernie is viciously slamming the president! Here's the blurb:

Bill Press makes the case why, long after taking the oath of office, the next president of the United States must keep rallying the people who elected him or her on behalf of progressive causes. That is the only way real change will happen. Read this book.

Would anyone care to disagree with that? The guy who wrote the book, Bill Press, hosts a progressive talk radio show every day. The subject of the book is the lack of engagement that ensued after Obama's election and how that led people to be disappointed in the outcomes.

[Duckhunter935]

1. interesting that

The Hillary supporters are not vigorously disagreeing with it when presented with the full blurb.

[Skinner]

2. I think the verbiage of the blurb itself is not the issue.

The issue is the content of the book. It's called: "Buyer’s Remorse: How President Obama Let Progressives Down"

The fact that Bernie chose to lend his name to the book strongly suggests that he agrees with the premise that President Obama let progressives down.

[TCJ70]

5. I think in some ways he did...

...I voted for Obama twice. My main issue with him in his dealing with Republicans was his negotiation style. If reaching the middle (wherever that is) is your goal, you don't start at the middle. The Republican position on everything was "Do nothing". That being the case, the opposite position is "Do everything". Obama gave away considerable ground getting nothing in return for it...and that is disappointing.

[Skinner]

8. I know that plenty of people agree with you.

FWIW, Bernie's opinion of Obama is a legitimate issue. Which explains the talk about the blurb.

[itsrobert]

6. Bill Press was looking for a quick buck

Attacking Obama sells books.

[jeff47]

9. So the title of the book is the issue?

'Cause I don't think anyone here would object to the content - not keeping 2008 voters busy and engaged was a mistake.

[Skinner]

10. I disagree with the content of the book.

I don't think Presodent Obama let progressives down at all. He is the most successful progressive president of my lifetime.

[jeff47]

11. Yet he could have gotten much more if is post-campaign attitude was not

"We got this. You guys can go do other stuff."

That massively excited and energized base, if kept engaged and active, would have resulted in 2010 not being a rout.

[Skinner]

12. I don't believe that for a second.

I know it's been a popular talking point on DU for the last 8 years, but the beauty of it is that we don't get a do-over so the talking point can never be proven wrong.

It also doesn't change the fact that Bernie Sanders lent his name to a book that says Obama let progressives down.

[jeff47]

13. So history doesn't actually exist?

OFA was left rudderless after November 2008.

Obama did not make a large push for his supporters to apply pressure to Congress until 2010. Even then, it was an occasional speech, not a major, long-term, campaign-like push.

By then, his movement had dissipated.

Those things actually happened.

We can argue whether or not it would have been more effective in passing his agenda. But we also know from 2010 polling that a large portion of the people who were very excited to elect Obama were no longer involved, and those people who felt no longer involved failed to turn out for 2010.

If we just settle for "Oh, we have no idea what would have happened", we will continue to make the same mistakes forever.

[Skinner]

14. I don't doubt you believe this. But we are getting off-track.

The point remains: Bernie Sanders lent his name to a book that says Obama let progressives down.

That's what this is about. Period.

[jeff47]

15. And if you read beyond the title, it explains how.

I can't believe we are supposed to be superficial that defending the label is more important than defending the policy.

[Skinner]

16. I'm not defending a label. I'm discussing the entire premise of the book.

Which is that Obama let progressives down.

That's what the book is about.

[jeff47]

17. The book is about how letting the enthusiasm fade meant he did not get

nearly as much "progressive" done as he could have. That does not mean he got nothing "progressive" done.

[Skinner]

18. I didn't say he got nothing progressive done, nor did I accuse the book of saying that.

Again: The book is about how Obama let progressives down. That's what Bernie is endorsing.

[99th_Monkey]

3. How dare Bernie advocate for presidents rallying Americans to stand up & get involved!!

Shameful I tell you. Bernie needs to promptly apologize to all Americans for suggesting they
participate in their own government.

[Iggy Knorr]

4. 9/10 Authoritarians agree! n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. See? a blatant LIE. He didn't even mention Obama! n/t