Joan Walsh: Springsteen’s Obama tribute
Earlier this year Bruce Springsteen told reporters he didnt think hed tour again come election time. He expressed some disappointment with President Obama, but mainly he said politics isnt his business and he didnt intend to get involved every cycle. But hes changed his mind. Today hes in Parma, Ohio, and Ames, Iowa, performing at rallies for President Obama.
Pundits have noted his earlier reluctance to stump for Obama, and suggested the statement he released on behalf of the president is less than a full-throated endorsement. ABCs Rick Klein called it grudging. I worked myself into a Twitter frenzy trying to prove it was anything but grudging, so I decided to post the whole statement here. Its sober, factual about the obstacles Obama faced in his first term and yet full of praise for his accomplishments.
Through grit, determination, and focus, the President has been able to do a great many things that many of us deeply support.
Domestically, that record includes working to increase and expand employment for all, protecting our all important social safety net, passing guaranteed health care for most of our citizens, with important new protections for all of the insured, rescuing the auto industry and so many of the American jobs that go with it, protecting and enhancing the rights of women, and bringing us closer to full acceptance of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.
In foreign affairs, that record includes following through on the removal of troops from the misguided and deceptive war in Iraq, and vigorously pursuing our real foreign enemies, especially the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
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more:
http://www.salon.com/2012/10/18/springsteens_obama_tribute/