Obama is a...

[jgraz]

Poll question: Obama is a...

Pick one that best describes what you see as the political beliefs of our president. (With a few items added for our lurking teabaggers)

[Cali_Democrat]

1. Other

[jgraz]

2. Meaning...?

[Demeter]

3. The Ultimate Bait and Switch

which is what the nation will do, next election.

[impik]

20. Man, you're into a very tough 6.5 years. I almost feel sorry for you, but i'm not

[hlthe2b]

4. Obama is a ...

Kenyan


:evilgrin:






The first poster with no sense of humor that accuses me of being a birther can go suck a lemon. ;)

[jgraz]

5. I thought about adding that, but then wondered if the mods had that much of a sense of humor.

Wouldn't want to get TS'd for a joke. :D

[Parker CA]

6. Seriously, WTF!?

Get it straight...Kenyan Muslin!!

;-)

[jgraz]

7. A Muslin?!? He's the Spawn of Satin!!

[awoke_in_2003]

26. I will let you know, maam...

that i am already sucking a lemon :hi:

[Dr.Phool]

76. You buying the lemon?

[hlthe2b]

77. check's in the mail....

;)

[Arkansas Granny]

8. Politician. Says what he needs to say to be elected, but doesn't necessarily let that

influence what he does once he gets in office. It's nothing that we haven't seen happen before and I'm pretty sure we'll see it happen again in future elections.

[paulk]

82. +1

[gravity]

9. Pragmatist

[Diane R]

12. bingo

[Dr Morbius]

38. Yup. This is a guy not bound by ideology. (nt)

[flpoljunkie]

79. And, consensus builder.

[Dr Morbius]

83. And, a compromiser.

There is no surer way for any politician to alienate his or her base than compromise. Obama is an unapologetic compromiser.

[PolNewf]

10. Other

Cautious incrementalist liberal

[cooolandrew]

11. He's a moderate considering the nation has been very coporate leaning, there

would be no talk of extending helping those out of work in recession under coprotist. More a genuine moderate than the Repulican version. He's a moderate with social conscience and in the big picture it's big step up from a lot of Presidents.

[quaker bill]

13. Other - Great President

it is a tough job, enough with the labeling already.

[RoyGBiv]

14. Corporatist?

I've never seen a rational discussion regarding what this word even means in real terms. As a matter of political ideology, I don't know how you could distinguish it from fascist and have the term mean anything. It seems here to be little more than a semi-polite euphemism for "someone with a belief system that's really similar to that one that turned up in the early part of the 20th century, but I don't want to say the word."

It would have been interesting to see the distribution of votes in this poll with the removal of "corporatist" while leaving "fascist" there.

[Cleobulus]

15. Probably makes more sense if you distinguish between economic fascism...

and social fascism. Economically, a Corporatist is no different from a fascist, however, that doesn't mean that the Corporatist in question wants an undemocratic, authoritarian dictatorship ruling the country. Other countries yes, but not the "home" country, like the United States.

[RoyGBiv]

16. I guess that makes sense ...

... but do understand, your one post is the most rational commentary I've seen on the term.

I don't know if I believe most people genuinely think about it.

[Cleobulus]

23. It really depends on what people mean with words, and the words themselves are redefined...

in politics, a classic example are the National Socialists, who of course oppressed real Socialists to help advance their political agenda. Its hard to quantify political terminology when its definition not only changes over time, but changes according to geography. A Canadian or European who describes their idiotic conservatives on this board are basically describing our mainstream Democrats in America.

I only use this as an example, like the term fascism, conservative has different meanings. I think, for many people on this board, fascism is a mix of authoritarianism and economic-conservatism(NOT fiscal conservatism). Hence the coining of the term corporatism to describe people who may genuinely believe in political freedoms, but also believe that corporations and the preferential treatment of them by government is the best economic system.

[Jennicut]

52. We HAVE been semi-corporatist for a long time.

If govt. is involved in supporting, helping, regulating and propping up businesses then that is considered part of the old fashioned term of corporatism. But we really don't discuss the history of it here at all. The United States has not been pure capitalism in a long, long, long time. Are we fascist? No. Are we heavily involved as a govt. with corporations? Yes. And that is not socialism either, as some on the right would have some think. Is it the new definition of coporatism? Perhaps. Also, if we look on the website Political Compass, most of the Dems and the Rethugs are not that far from each other.
Obama has never been anything other then what he was...a moderate in the terms of the United States political system.

"When examining the chart it's important to note that although most of the candidates seem quite different, in substance they occupy a relatively restricted area within the universal political spectrum. Democracies with a system of proportional representation give expression to a wider range of political views. While Cynthia McKinney and Ralph Nader are depicted on the extreme left in an American context, they would simply be mainstream social democrats within the wider political landscape of Europe. Similarly, Obama is popularly perceived as a leftist in the United States while elsewhere in the west his record is that of a moderate conservative. For example, in the case of the death penalty he is not an uncompromising abolitionist, while mainstream conservatives in all other western democracies are deeply opposed to capital punishment. The Democratic party's presidential candidate also reneged on his commitment to oppose the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He sided with the ultra conservative bloc in the Supreme Court against the Washington DC handgun ban and for capital punishment in child rape cases. He supports President Bush's faith-based initiatives and is reported in Fortune to have said that NAFTA isn't so bad. Despite all this, some angry emailers tell us that Obama is a dangerous socialist who belongs on the extreme left of our chart. In an apparently close race, genuine leftists McKinney and Nader may attract sufficient votes from Obama to deliver McCain to the Oval Office."http://www.politicalcompass.org/uselection2008



To me, he never presented himself to be anything other then this. I don't get the outrage around here. He is what he has always been.

[Aramchek]

17. you need to add 'Badass' to the list

[SkyDaddy7]

92. I agree!

I think Obama is doing a wonderful job considering MOTHING in America was left undamaged after the past 20 years of Conservative Values.

The sad thing is Obama will probably be a one term President...I sure hope not but it appears this country is so hung up on extreme ideas that few will see what this President has done to save this country, its economy and help the common people.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted sub-thread

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[impik]

19. A great president, and pragmatic Liberal

[madamesilverspurs]

21. Other: Democrat

Problem with that?


-

[CakeGrrl]

86. Apparently. That's not damning enough a label

to spark interest.

So I'd guess he's a Kenyan Muslin Corporatist Fascist Rockstar Socialist Compromiser.

:rofl:

How many ways are people going to come up with an "Obama sucks" thread? We're finding out.

[VMI Dem]

22. Progressive? Heh.

Right leaning moderate.

[ima_sinnic]

25. really -- it appears the clue train left without several people (nt)

[ClarkUSA]

57. No, he's a pragmatic liberal who has had the best 1st year in presidential history against all odds.

Any unbiased liberal would approve of his job performance, which is why a large majority do in every poll that's ever taken.

[Enrique]

24. Obama is a New Democrat

this is the best choice, imo, because Obama said it himself.

[IndianaGreen]

27. Ding! ding! ding! We got a winner!

Obama described himself as a "New Democrat."

The same afternoon, he brought members of the House New Democrat Coalition to the White House and told them, "I am a New Democrat." According to Politico, Obama went on to describe himself as a fiscally responsible, pro-growth Democrat who supports free and fair trade and opposes protectionism.

http://www.slate.com/id/2213474

[ClarkUSA]

28. No, he never "said it himself", unless you believe a Politico media whore story w/"unnamed sources".

On the other hand, President Obama has a known record of rejecting membership in the DLC since 2003.

[Enrique]

30. Politico sucks, but I know why it sucks

hint: it's NOT because they say things I disagree with. Not everyone realizes that.

Same with anonymous sources. If that's a bad method, it's NOT only when they say something bad about Obama. Not everyone understands that. Get a story with anonymous sources saying good things about Obama, no one will complain.

[ClarkUSA]

32. My point stands.

<<Get a story with anonymous sources saying good things about Obama, no one will complain.>>

I don't take those seriously, either. And I sure as hell don't believe anything GOP-owned Politico says, unless they back it up with named sources.

[Enrique]

35. you think there's something wrong with being a New Democrat?

you consider it a smear of some kind to say that Obama is a New Dem? What do you have against the New Dems?

[Odin2005]

29. Corporatist with a friendly face.

[depakid]

60. Impressive to see the extent that people will ignore the evidence

when it gets in the way of their feelings on the matter.

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[depakid]

75. I agree with the sports analogy- and it's easy to observe

Both in the media- and on message boards.

[brentspeak]

31. Corporatist. The polar opposite of a progressive.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted sub-thread

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[NYC Liberal]

51. LOL!

:rofl:

[ClarkUSA]

56. Is that why he passed credit card reform & why the SEC is investigating Goldman Sachs for fraud?

:sarcasm:

[brentspeak]

74. You mean the credit card reform that was deliberately tailored to give banks ample time to ramp up

interest rates? http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503983_162-6231654-503983.html

Obama administration and its opposition to passing Kaufman-Brown. May the fleecing of Main Street and the bailing-out of Wall Street continue: http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/05/kaufman-brown-banks-obama

[ClarkUSA]

97. "deliberately tailored to give banks ample time"? lol! There's zero proof of your claims.

I wouldn't say the WH opposes Kaufman-Brown but Austan Goolsbee does feel that a more surgical approach would be more effective than the blunt force approach. From your own source:

"... Austan Goolsbee, a top White House economist, had criticized the idea of capping the size of the biggest banks, arguing that the key problem was instead the amount of risk on their balance sheets."

Sounds reasonable to me. There's more than one way to prevent a problem. I'm sure that the WH would be fine with Kaufman-Brown if it passed. How do I know this? Well, look no further than this evidence: the Kaufman-Brown amendment picked up the WH's top Senate ally and President Obama's close friend and champion, Senator Dick Durbin. I doubt the WH is "opposed to it" if Sen. Durbin has signed onto the amendment:

"As The Times reported today, it's been gaining steam, and Dick Durbin, the number two in the Senate leadership, now backs it.... Should be interesting to see where this goes next."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/05/franken_feingold_sign_on_to_to.html

[Clio the Leo]

33. other: "supastar!"

[Drunken Irishman]

36. Pragmatic liberal similar to JFK and FDR.

Yes. I said it. Deal with it.

[ClarkUSA]

37. That's why large majorities of self-described liberals approve of Pres. Obama's job performance...

... in every poll.

BTW, I was about to post that answer. :D

[jefferson_dem]

47. Above all others, that label (pragmatic liberal / progressive) makes the most sense...

Obama is neither a dogmatic ideologue nor a strict partisan. Thank goodness. Yet that's what frustrates so many on the political extremes. In the end, the Firebaggers do serve an important purpose in balancing out the Glenn Becksters.

[ccharles000]

39. left of center

[Soylent Brice]

40. looks like a teaklanner voted for the soshalist option.

:eyes:

[jgraz]

42. Either that or somebody hit the wrong option

Nobody with a functioning brain could think Obama's a socialist.

[jefferson_dem]

44. That vote is no more or less reality-based than others on the list...

Corporatist, fascist... blah blah blah...

[VMI Dem]

45. Or progressive....that one is completely off the wall.

[jefferson_dem]

46. Or peace signs...

[cornermouse]

41. Disappointment.

[jefferson_dem]

43. Other: "President"

The rest of your labels are virtually meaningless as far as Obama is concerned.

But I almost marked "socialist" to counteract the "he'z a KKKORPORATIST!!!111! fantasyland folks".

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

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[cornermouse]

64. I'll say it again.

If being president is sufficient to require respect from voters, then you have to respect the idiot Bush.

[BeyondGeography]

48. Winner

Deal with it.

[jefferson_dem]

49. Oh.... Zing.

Nailed it. :thumbsup:

[Name removed]

53. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jefferson_dem]

54. FACT CHECK: 90% of self-described "liberal Democrats" approve of the job Obama is doing.

And that was the number in January, before he engineered passage of the most sweeping health care reform legislation in a generation, which was also supported by 90%+ of liberal Democrats.


http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/mp_20100104_1650.php

[ZombieHorde]

61. Do you think 90% of liberal Democrats are paying close attention? nt

[jefferson_dem]

62. Well, I could argue that anyone who doesn't say he's doing a good job is not paying close attention.

...or is predisposed to not like him, whatever he does. :)

Honestly, I think this is just another instance where the DU-echo chamber is a bit out of touch with political reality. Try this: approach a friend who is at least moderately aware of politics but not a full out junkie. Tell him/her that there's this political forum that you hang out in and many there think Obama is a "corporatist" or a "conservative". Watch the reaction.

[Name removed]

55. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

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[Phx_Dem]

59. To the 4 who voted conservative, ROLFMAO!!!

What an excellent way to show your lack of judgement.

:rofl:

[butterfly77]

63. Wonderful ...

brilliantly smart President:dem: :dem: :dem:

[rury]

66. President Obama is a left-of-center pragmatist, period!!

[saltpoint]

67. -- two-term president.

He's in an enviable political position now. He's not likely to have a primary opponent and the Republicans are behaving like baboons.

[Egnever]

68. Rock Star!

Best president of my lifetime despite your constant harping.

[WeDidIt]

71. Mine too

I've been alive since JFK.

[WeDidIt]

69. Progressive

100%

[jgraz]

70. I'm going to die of not surprise.

:eyes:

[WeDidIt]

72. Good n/t

[Unvanguard]

73. He's a progressive, but one inclined toward caution and compromise.

Sometimes to excess.

[VMI Dem]

78. In what fucking world is opposition to gay marriage either progressive or liberal?

[jgraz]

80. In Obama World

Can't you feel the HOPE?!?

[Sebastian Doyle]

88. Planet DLC

otherwise known as Democratic Hell :evilfrown:

[Name removed]

81. Deleted sub-thread

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[MadBadger]

84. Liberal

[Fire1]

85. Moderate. n/t

[TheKentuckian]

87. Global corporatist-Social moderate

[baldguy]

89. A moderate-to-conservative corporatist.

Who has done nothing to stem the rising tide of fascism.

[Vinca]

90. I'm not sure what to call him.

But I have to say, this isn't what I thought I was voting for.

[jberryhill]

91. Shut yo' mouth

...can you dig it?

[arcadian]

93. A DINO

[vaberella]

94. I went for Other... Obama is DOING THE BEST HE CAN. n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

95. Moderate (pragmatic)

He is definitely "all over the map" on various issues and impossible to pin him down to one specific ideology. Based on my reading of "The Audacity of Hope," I actually don't think he really INTENDS to represent a particular ideology but rather is more focused on developing pragmatic and politically palatable solutions to complex problems and is willing to listen to all sides of the debate in an effort to come up with solutions. On that score, he has been pretty consistent since he became POTUS, something that, although I'm sure that it can be frustrating at times to many people, is refreshing to see in a politician and, frankly, what our leaders should really be doing more of IMHO.

[Myrina]

96. Other = Disappointment.

Sigh.