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loyalsister

(13,390 posts)

64. Measurement and context matter

Thu Mar 21, 2013, 06:38 PM

Mar 2013

"Left wing" as a simple descriptor can not be measured. But an argument based on context must recognize that other liberal presidents did not have near the opposition that Obama has even among Democrats. LBJ and FDR had congressional support that Obama has not had. Were they really bucking the system?
When Obama has called for healthcare, a jobs act, gun control.... he has been to the left of most of the other government reps on his own.

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"Obama is the most left-wing President in US history" [View all] YoungDemCA Mar 2013 OP

LOL. Obama would have to turn sharp left to reach Moderate. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2013 #1

+1 Le Taz Hot Mar 2013 #6

+1 -- Eisenhower was to the left of Obama phantom power Mar 2013 #44

indeed tk2kewl Mar 2013 #45

Yeah he's a real right winger SpartanDem Mar 2013 #58

Which President was more left wing?...nt SidDithers Mar 2013 #2

FDR? Neoma Mar 2013 #3

Except for the Vietnam War, Lyndon Johnson Lydia Leftcoast Mar 2013 #4

+1000000 Art_from_Ark Mar 2013 #66

Richard Nixon. Le Taz Hot Mar 2013 #8

Ouch. Comrade Grumpy Mar 2013 #26

No. Jamaal510 Mar 2013 #31

Don't look now but President Obama Le Taz Hot Mar 2013 #48

Still tired of hearing this because it isn't true. Fawke Em Mar 2013 #67

I guess time really does sharp_stick Mar 2013 #42

Roosevelt, Wilson, Jefferson, Kennedy, Johnson demwing Mar 2013 #10

Depends if one talks about economics or civil liberties/war and peace. geek tragedy Mar 2013 #12

Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower 99Forever Mar 2013 #13

Is that a rhetorical question? YoungDemCA Mar 2013 #14

The voice of reason! +1 graham4anything Mar 2013 #20

Nixon RobinA Mar 2013 #21

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, just to name a few. Bandit Mar 2013 #28

A different period of history treestar Mar 2013 #57

The too long underrated President Carter. daleanime Mar 2013 #33

Carter, Kennedy, Grant, Roosevelt SomethingFishy Mar 2013 #54

Your concern... NYC_SKP Mar 2013 #5

My concern? YoungDemCA Mar 2013 #15

It's a way of saying "I got nothing", but trying to sound all intimidating while doing so... Romulox Mar 2013 #34

In terms of domestic policy, he's been slightly to the right of Nixon n/t markpkessinger Mar 2013 #62

Ignore the troll just1voice Mar 2013 #50

Your lack of concern is also noted. /nt Marr Mar 2013 #39

FDR was the most left wing The Second Stone Mar 2013 #7

Both FDR and LBJ transformed America for the better Lydia Leftcoast Mar 2013 #9

Course, FDR could be more left-wing than other Presidents... YoungDemCA Mar 2013 #16

True, but many at the time thought FDR was not liberal enough. pampango Mar 2013 #23

I find it odd that you offer criticism from the proto-Fascist Father Coughlin to support Romulox Mar 2013 #40

Coughlin "was considered a liberal at the time though he later became a supporter of Hitler and pampango Mar 2013 #49

He's been a known fascist sympathizer for these 70 years now. The cat is out of the bag. nt Romulox Mar 2013 #63

As long you don't count that little internment thing. SpartanDem Mar 2013 #59

If Obama is a left-wing socialist, he's a really crappy one. baldguy Mar 2013 #11

In terms of the stock market FDR was a crappy socialist too - up 260% in his first term. pampango Mar 2013 #17

LBJ was the most liberal president in history. I love LBJ! graham4anything Mar 2013 #18

Whenever Someone Says This To Me......... ChoppinBroccoli Mar 2013 #19

By George, I think he's got it! Lydia Leftcoast Mar 2013 #22

Octafish reposted "Know your BFEE:..." from 2007 yesterday reteachinwi Mar 2013 #32

How conservatives view a "left wing" president, or... JHB Mar 2013 #24

Aaahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaa!!! I love it when people say that!! Myrina Mar 2013 #25

Every Democratic President is the MOST LEFT-WING President in history. JoePhilly Mar 2013 #27

He is the right wingest Democrat in history.... Bennyboy Mar 2013 #29

I wonder where that puts Turbineguy Mar 2013 #30

This message was self-deleted by its author Jamaal510 Mar 2013 #35

Silly young person, focused on facts and the truth in the face of propagandists Coyotl Mar 2013 #36

I really don't take anything modern-day Cold War fighters say seriously. AT ALL. HughBeaumont Mar 2013 #37

Fact checking is not their thing. aquart Mar 2013 #38

Obama might not be as far left as some DUers might like, Jamaal510 Mar 2013 #41

By his body of works, he shall be known. History, imo, will record BHO as considerably indepat Mar 2013 #43

Obama the person is way further left than Obama the President. NCTraveler Mar 2013 #46

+1 loyalsister Mar 2013 #65

Even the Independant Phlem Mar 2013 #47

I see a master at their craft Paul E Ester Mar 2013 #51

They really can't make up their minds what he is. During the campaign they continuously called demosincebirth Mar 2013 #52

I think I will just [x] this thread Kolesar Mar 2013 #53

On social issues, he probably is. Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2013 #55

If you are talking to right wingers, Obama is a Communist treestar Mar 2013 #56

I try not to Phlem Mar 2013 #61

President Obama agrees with you "considered a moderate Republican" progressoid Mar 2013 #60

Measurement and context matter loyalsister Mar 2013 #64