General Discussion

kenfrequed

(7,865 posts)

85. Communications and staffing errors.

Mon Jan 16, 2012, 03:45 PM

Jan 2012

His mistakes were in messaging and the people he put in positions of prominence in the white house. Suskind did a fairly good job of pointing out the problems and the personalities that complicated every descision and whose philosophies contradicted the very kind of reform and change that the President (and those that voted for him) sought.

Outside of the White hourse

The republicans were not held to the fire for being the most abusive, absurdly irrational and obstructionist part in modern American history.

Evan Bayh and his blue dog contingent made it harder to enforce messaging discipline by providing cover for Republican fillibusters and worse by wrecking havoc on good legislation in conferences. Legislation that would have been popular, populist, and would have sought to reform our financial system and do a better job of reforming healthcare.

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I agree completely with George Clooney [View all] Gman Jan 2012 OP

George Clooney is an actor. bitchkitty Jan 2012 #1

It still remains that you're either with us or against us Gman Jan 2012 #3

The "Line" is not clear at all Bandit Jan 2012 #27

Nicely stated. aquamarina Jan 2012 #38

People have been saying that for decades, and it's still bullshit. TheWraith Jan 2012 #49

thank you SemperEadem Jan 2012 #93

"The Democratic slide away from traditional Democratic values is entirely imaginary..." Scuba Jan 2012 #102

Yes. TheWraith Jan 2012 #109

What's absent, in my humble opinion..... Scuba Jan 2012 #113

And wasn't Rachel Carson a silly little twit, whining about bird extinction? eridani Jan 2012 #178

No. Just not willing to accept reality. Zoeisright Jan 2012 #164

It doesn't matter what anyone says. Judge them by their actions. roguevalley Jan 2012 #118

! Tarheel_Dem Jan 2012 #165

It is pretty hard to make the case we haven't moved significantly to the right dsc Jan 2012 #170

Amazingly, Obama has an 84% approval rating with Liberal Democrats and a 77% approval with Liberals FarLeftFist Jan 2012 #62

that doesn't mean a thing without the other voters too. This is like saying Santorum has the roguevalley Jan 2012 #119

Yes there were absurdities and too many atrocities woohooman Jan 2012 #174

straight from gwbush. barbtries Jan 2012 #48

GITMO is still open because a 90-6 SENATE BLOCKED it's closure. FarLeftFist Jan 2012 #52

damn congress. barbtries Jan 2012 #53

No, the President cannot override Congress. TheWraith Jan 2012 #64

thank you. barbtries Jan 2012 #66

I think a lot of Presidents take office thinking they'll be able to accomplish more than gateley Jan 2012 #162

Communications and staffing errors. kenfrequed Jan 2012 #85

It's not about winning or loosing Confusious Jan 2012 #106

You are so right!! Bill Maher on his show loudly proclaimed that Obama LIED about Gitmo! Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2012 #124

No he can't. Most people need a civics class. vaberella Jan 2012 #92

True. It would have shown only short-term "spine." Beartracks Jan 2012 #141

Not to mention if he didn't push for wording changes...the bill would have been 5x worse. vaberella Jan 2012 #190

Its easy for him to say what he says. he hasn't been unemployed for two years. roguevalley Jan 2012 #116

It's clear you have a line of unstated allegiance to something just1voice Jan 2012 #136

What do you do for a living that makes your opinion more valuable than his? phleshdef Jan 2012 #7

Literally fucking anything. Union Scribe Jan 2012 #78

Thats an outright prejudiced point of view that has no place in a liberal discourse. phleshdef Jan 2012 #82

Hmm kenfrequed Jan 2012 #88

No, its 100% appropriate. Saying someone's opinion doesn't matter because of what they do... phleshdef Jan 2012 #89

I would say kenfrequed Jan 2012 #105

Oh bullshit, it's not his career it's his detachment Union Scribe Jan 2012 #111

You don't know him. You have no clue how detached he is or isn't. phleshdef Jan 2012 #112

Again, utter bullshit. Union Scribe Jan 2012 #114

Not bullshit. Truth. 100%. Clooney's opinion is valued by others the same or more than yours is. phleshdef Jan 2012 #115

I put working people's opinions about working people Union Scribe Jan 2012 #120

What I take personally is you making blanket judgements on an individual over their profession. phleshdef Jan 2012 #122

...which would be true if I was talking acting. Union Scribe Jan 2012 #123

He never dismissed the concerns of the working class. Thats absurd, fictional revision. phleshdef Jan 2012 #125

I am a working person. You don't speak for me. tnvoter Jan 2012 #159

hmm... chervilant Jan 2012 #152

Yet he belongs to a union. Richardo Jan 2012 #83

As do most of the pundits on TV who bash unions!!! tonybgood Jan 2012 #97

"George Clooney is an actor." greiner3 Jan 2012 #8

+1 Gman Jan 2012 #16

Bingo. He is an American citizen who happens to be Democrat and politically active rustydog Jan 2012 #61

What, you'd rather have the opinion of Joe the Plumber? tonybgood Jan 2012 #95

What progressive attitude? hfojvt Jan 2012 #142

hmm... chervilant Jan 2012 #153

And a humanitarian.... liberalmuse Jan 2012 #11

So fucking what if he's an actor. trumad Jan 2012 #12

actor yes. what he said is true, too. it is a fact seabeyond Jan 2012 #22

What is your profession? Should we discount your opinion because of what you do? Hugabear Jan 2012 #50

Yes, it does. Union Scribe Jan 2012 #80

When did you become the decider of who is qualified? tonybgood Jan 2012 #98

No. What I meant, is that he's an actor. bitchkitty Jan 2012 #131

and...what do you do that qualifies you to speak for me? tnvoter Jan 2012 #160

I did state it freely. bitchkitty Jan 2012 #177

Yes and? What difference does it make what he does for a living? GoneOffShore Jan 2012 #58

Ronald Reagan was an actor too. hunter Jan 2012 #70

And he is also an AMERICAN, a SMART one, and 100% correct. Enough of the purist BULLSHIT ! RBInMaine Jan 2012 #140

And you're a what? ProgressoDem Jan 2012 #175

I so agree with that message liberal N proud Jan 2012 #2

He's intelligent AND gorgeous. JNelson6563 Jan 2012 #4

k&r... spanone Jan 2012 #5

I believe in exactly what Clooney says about Gman Jan 2012 #6

So you think insulting people for their firm democratic beliefs = reelection? just1voice Jan 2012 #134

What in sweet Heaven does your post have ANYTHING to do with what that poster wrote? Number23 Jan 2012 #137

so if I work my ass off to elect somebody who says he will end the Bush tax cuts for the rich hfojvt Jan 2012 #144

No problem, vote for Newt Gman Jan 2012 #183

DUer H2oMan starts hugner strike today. Disappoints multi millionaire jet setter.... Bluenorthwest Jan 2012 #9

this is relevant to the thread, how? dionysus Jan 2012 #20

Watch yourself! Or you'll be accused of "dishonoring the president" for your post Number23 Jan 2012 #138

Oh, yes... chervilant Jan 2012 #154

Thank you for this! How nice to open DU and find George Clooney on my computer screen! CTyankee Jan 2012 #10

I've heard that line before.. Fumesucker Jan 2012 #13

If (Obama) was a Republican running? izquierdista Jan 2012 #14

This is exactly what Clooney is talking about Gman Jan 2012 #18

One small edit izquierdista Jan 2012 #54

I'm glad he's out there. He leads Ilsa Jan 2012 #15

Firm believer in sticking by and sticking up for the people whom you've elected? progressoid Jan 2012 #17

Sorry but that makes no sense Gman Jan 2012 #19

you're never going to convince people who have these bizarre, deeply personal, permanent grudges. dionysus Jan 2012 #21

Oooo, are you one of them internet psychiatrists? progressoid Jan 2012 #28

criticism of policies and decisions is fine in my book. some people spend their entire DU career dionysus Jan 2012 #31

It actually starte less than 48 hours after election night in 2008 Gman Jan 2012 #42

Well, let me expand on it. progressoid Jan 2012 #25

That refers to good and bad conduct, not political support treestar Jan 2012 #41

You're contradicting yourself progressoid Jan 2012 #67

That's OK. We will get Obama over the top in spite of you Gman Jan 2012 #43

Actually, you'll do it with my help. progressoid Jan 2012 #68

I'm glad to hear that Gman Jan 2012 #72

+ a gazillion n/t chervilant Jan 2012 #156

Interesting. I see it the other way aound... hootinholler Jan 2012 #76

he has a capacity for abstract thought. nt arely staircase Jan 2012 #23

Wow... chervilant Jan 2012 #157

Gopher, Everett? arely staircase Jan 2012 #161

No chervilant Jan 2012 #185

Politics is a complicated game. Kalidurga Jan 2012 #24

+ 1 chervilant Jan 2012 #186

And you had me... Iggo Jan 2012 #26

That's the way it is Gman Jan 2012 #44

Nope. Iggo Jan 2012 #46

Sez the anonymous poster on the internets. Puglover Jan 2012 #135

Clooney's lost a fan. (nt) (nr) T S Justly Jan 2012 #29

This is our problem liberal N proud Jan 2012 #32

No, Clooney has made an error in judgement on a large subject. T S Justly Jan 2012 #36

Let's try this with a few words changed... MicaelS Jan 2012 #57

Well, as long as you admit to changing my words ... T S Justly Jan 2012 #65

Selling a candidate is what the Republicans do better than the Democrats. sarcasmo Jan 2012 #30

Republicans are excellent at getting elected Gman Jan 2012 #74

"If Obama was Republican, they'd be saying God wanted him, or even God elected him" Bucky Jan 2012 #33

I stand with the Constitution gratuitous Jan 2012 #34

Very disappointed in George Clooney...unreccing... joeybee12 Jan 2012 #35

'You're either with us or against us.' -- that sounds familiar -- where have i heard xchrom Jan 2012 #37

Sorry if you've never heard that before W Gman Jan 2012 #45

So Is This The Start Of Loyalty Oath Season ??? WillyT Jan 2012 #59

No problem... let it begin Gman Jan 2012 #75

Let what begin, blacklisting like Bush and McCarthy? just1voice Jan 2012 #133

On the other hand, it is entirely consistent with this: Bonobo Jan 2012 #181

Opinion from one of the "Men Who Stare at Goats"? JustABozoOnThisBus Jan 2012 #39

Okay, but he was still a shitty Batman. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #40

I'm automatically against anyone who says "you're either with us or against us". Capitalocracy Jan 2012 #47

George's nail hits the left-wing head... Surya Gayatri Jan 2012 #51

Rich people are ADORABLE!!! nt. harmonicon Jan 2012 #55

lol Cameron27 Jan 2012 #60

"With us or against us" is EXACTLY WHAT BUSH SAID just1voice Jan 2012 #56

+ a gazillion! chervilant Jan 2012 #187

When bush said it he was referring to the country... redqueen Jan 2012 #63

Well I agree with Matt Damon SomethingFishy Jan 2012 #69

"You're either with us or against us." hootinholler Jan 2012 #71

Makes sense to me. raouldukelives Jan 2012 #73

Fuck Clooney Union Scribe Jan 2012 #77

I'm sure many here agree with that sentiment. But not in the way you mean it. Richardo Jan 2012 #86

This message was self-deleted by its author Bunny Jan 2012 #101

!! Richardo Jan 2012 #104

Fuck anyone who uses the phrase "you're either with us or against us" Maven Jan 2012 #150

There's quite a few 99%ers that share Clooney's opinion Hippo_Tron Jan 2012 #167

And, chervilant Jan 2012 #188

Not being a 1%er, I don't have 15-20 grand laying around to poll test Mr. Clooney's statement Hippo_Tron Jan 2012 #191

Interesting... chervilant Jan 2012 #192

I am indeed a social scientist Hippo_Tron Jan 2012 #193

hmm.. chervilant Jan 2012 #194

Actors with opinions -- AtomicKitten Jan 2012 #79

I am having that same laugh when I read this thread. GoCubsGo Jan 2012 #100

Get out of my head. That's exactly what I'm thinking. Damon was the best thing since sliced bread. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2012 #126

Support the man who killed the bill of rights? Interesting philosophy. Fire Walk With Me Jan 2012 #81

"You're either with us or against us." doesn't apply. Kablooie Jan 2012 #84

I agree with his sentiment, but not the 'with us or against us' add-on. Richardo Jan 2012 #87

George Clooney is talking about his dear friend Matt Damon. vaberella Jan 2012 #90

So when is he running for POTUS? Rex Jan 2012 #91

But what does Ryan Gosling think? girl gone mad Jan 2012 #94

I hear similar things from people at DU Enrique Jan 2012 #96

Cult of Personality merkins Jan 2012 #99

Hooray, GC! It WAS a successful three years. As I and others have said... Honeycombe8 Jan 2012 #103

What happened 1stlady Jan 2012 #107

What about Obama? hfojvt Jan 2012 #108

The "with us or against us" BS was offensive MissDeeds Jan 2012 #130

Not to mention, chervilant Jan 2012 #158

A good argument with one little flaw... We're NOT FUCKING REPUBLICANS! hughee99 Jan 2012 #110

"You're either with us or against us." Fearless Jan 2012 #117

...and he's right. n/t deacon Jan 2012 #121

K&R hwmnbn Jan 2012 #127

Ditto malaise Jan 2012 #128

K & R Scurrilous Jan 2012 #129

K&R. n/t FSogol Jan 2012 #132

Rec And I'm glad to see that no one who supports this thread felt the need to post a pic Number23 Jan 2012 #139

Clooney is a member of the 1%. closeupready Jan 2012 #143

Not necessarily. Matt Damon is very disappointed with Obama, and has said so. tpsbmam Jan 2012 #147

Good points. Nonetheless, I don't trust them to advocate for my interests. closeupready Jan 2012 #151

Angelina 1stlady Jan 2012 #166

And there's plenty of 99%ers who agree with them Hippo_Tron Jan 2012 #168

"You're either with us or against us." AnOhioan Jan 2012 #145

I was an am a Clooney fan. He is, though, part of the 1%. It's very different when tpsbmam Jan 2012 #146

I LOVE this part of your post. It is so very well done: Bonobo Jan 2012 #163

One question momrois Jan 2012 #148

George Clooney is correct NNN0LHI Jan 2012 #149

I agree in that if you're selling a product, you ought to do a good job of it. scarletwoman Jan 2012 #155

George should talk to Matt Damon and see if he still thinks that way. webDude Jan 2012 #169

Matt has spoken and ahhh it wasn't pretty woohooman Jan 2012 #173

Since when did being a Democrat mean following an ALIEN off a cliff? woohooman Jan 2012 #171

You must not have read the quote Gman Jan 2012 #182

K and R DonCoquixote Jan 2012 #172

I have some questions for you Mr Cloney woohooman Jan 2012 #176

Clooney goes through women like toilet paper, but wants everyone else to be loyal? Darth_Kitten Jan 2012 #179

the "pony" argument again. meh. nt tomp Jan 2012 #180

I must have missed the part DocMac Jan 2012 #184

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Jan 2012 #189

Clooney is correct flamingdem Jan 2012 #195