Once again the President has outclassed many of his most vocal supporters.

[Pale Blue Dot]

Obama apologized for his statement. He said he was embarrassed. He did not say that those who were offended were trying to undermine him or the Democratic party. He did not complain about "poutage." He did not say that what he said was OK because Bush was so much worse. In fact, he did not defend, justify, or excuse his statement in any way. He was wrong and he said so, taking full responsibility.

Many who have been defending him over the past 18 hours or so should try to emulate him instead.

[Jim Sagle]

1. Fuckin' A.

[FrenchieCat]

4. So what's your excuse?

[Jim Sagle]

44. I don't need one.

Especially not for your benefit.

[Jennicut]

2. Oh Geez. Many of us said his words were a mistake but that the outrage was ridiculous.

He takes responsibility for his actions all the time, its what I like about him.

[Pale Blue Dot]

5. Obama didn't say "I'm sorry, but the outrage was ridiculous". nt

[Jennicut]

6. Sigh. Okay. Obama is a much better human being then I am.

After all I am not President. Not that I am old enough to be anyways.

[WeDidIt]

3. I've never said Barack Obama wasn't a better human being than I am.

:evilgrin:

[TwilightGardener]

7. So because we didn't all get simultaneous vapors over a dumb little aside,

because we know he isn't a mean or uncaring person, we're somehow not "classy"? OK, I'M not classy, but most other Obama supporters are--and kept their "concern" to an appropriate minimum.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Obama's critics once against made themselves hypocrites.

By exploiting the mentally handicapped for their anti-Obama screed.

[FrenchieCat]

9. Kind of like those who would rather see us fail.......

than have Barack Obama proven right.

[Political Heretic]

13. Obama's "critics" ought to be everyone who supports the man.

It's kind of sad that it isn't. :(

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

17. Oh yes that's so sad.

:nopity:

[Political Heretic]

19. It is very sad when our populice has become so idiotic.

critical engagement, that's how one used to support ones elected leaders! I'm simply stunned at the number of people who think our job is to wave pom poms on the sidelines and passively watch the administration do its thing.

It didn't use to be this way. For those of us who admire and respect the man, our job is to be active and engaged every day as critical, engaged skeptics, pushing, prodding and demanding that Obama step just a little bit further forward than he did the day before. Our job is to counter with our vigilance and our voices the overwhelming tide screaming "CONFORM" and "FALL IN LINE" that exists in Washington and in Wall Street.

I show my RESPECT to my President when I ride him every day about what he is doing. That's MY job, and by the way - he ASKED US to do it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

20. You're a wonderful person.

Why, you're a god among men.

Keep up the wonderful work. You're doing all of us a real big favor.

[dionysus]

25. .

:rofl:

[Political Heretic]

27. Well argued.

[Bluenorthwest]

26. That is perfectly said

And he has asked us to do so many times over. Many times.

[EFerrari]

10. And SO was very gracious, too, in choosing to build the relationship

over useless nagging.

[jobycom]

11. He did well. nt

[Political Heretic]

12. Why do you think apologies happen?

They happen in politics when the people act out and let a politician know they aren't happy with something.

I LOVE the fact that Obama takes responsibility for things he does. It's not the first time he has done this and it really sets him apart in my mind from other politicians. But I'm PROUD of the critics and loud angry voices because THEY are the reason this happens.

Obama doesn't need a fan club. He needs active, engaged, low-tolerance critics who are going to grill him relentlessly from now until the day he leaves the White House (in eight years!)

[FrenchieCat]

15. OBama called BEFORE the show was even aired while on Air Force One.....

and so to your questions as to why did it happen,
it's because the Obama administration are sensitive
to the people of this country, not to a response to an outcry....
and so that really doesn't follow your theory of what he needs and doesn't need.

Barack Obama asked for patience from the American people on the Leno show.

[Political Heretic]

24. The Obama administration is sensitive to both

I didn't watch the leno show, I've not commented on the Leno thing once, and my point extends well beyond a single example. Calling before the show even aired - that would be in large part due to the climate to active, engaged, criticism of the electorate right now.

I'm not even "outraged" about some leno thing. My point extends well beyond that. But I'm glad as hell that people are paying attention, and they they are in a highly critical and skeptical mood. We don't need people who want to fuck Obama, or who have some sort of high school infatuation with the man.

He's not your friend, he's your political leader. We are asked to shoulder a responsibility. And that responsibility is not to fawn over him like some crushed high school teenager. It is to partner with him and bring our critical scrutiny and careful attention to what is going on to bear. (bear, bare?)

[FrenchieCat]

33. Crushed high school teenager?

Really?

That's what patience looks like to you then, hey?

I see it different.

If we lived in a normal fair world, then what you say would make more sense.
But we live in a world shaped by a media that decides what is important
and what is not....which is why for the last 30 years, we've been digging our own grave.

He doesn't seem to earn an equal measure of credit
as he does critiques from those armchair cynics.
that can be seen even in this forum.

If the critics were more measured, reasonable and honest as to their motives,
I would be more supportive as to their goals. But trying to see whose got their foot
the furthest up our President's ass is not what I consider wholesome and righteous
activism...because unlike what some would like to think, Barack Obama is not George Bush....
not even remotely close, and yet he gets treated similarly or worse.

[HopeOverFear]

35. Let the baby have her bottle, Frenchie

it Heretic wants to think that outcry is the reason why Obama called and apologized, let him think that.

[Political Heretic]

36. You're not advocating patience.

Patience is what critically engaged concerned citizens give when we talk about our concerns, raise questions, even criticize the administration without writing them off or calling for impeachment (a hyperbolic example). We give Obama my patience every day, through our continued engagement. If we had lost patience, there would be no reason to engage at all.

You lump critics into one group and castigate them all. And I've seen on more than several occaisions making NO distinction in your pom pom waving mindlessness between thoughtful engagement and careful reflecting criticism and the "haters" - its all the same time you.

That, is why you've become so hard for me to stomach.

You're sad because Obama greats treated bad? Why should you care? He's not your lover, he's not your friend, he's not your family. HE IS THE PRESIDENT. The fact that you feel the need to make these defenses ON THE LEVEL OF EMOTIONAL CONNECTION is pathetic.

The problem here, Frenchie, is that you're focused on a man you act like you idolize, and thus everything becomes personal for you - like someone insulted your mother, or your child. I'm focused on the OFFICE of the president of the United States. I'm damn glad Barack Obama is there. I fucking voted for him. I'd do it again, and assume that I will in four years. In the meantime, ITS. MY. JOB. to pay attention to what he does, and criticize the things I don't like - that criticism, is a form of advocacy. I advocate the same things in letters, in calls to the white house, in letters to the editor, in pubic speaking opportunities, in class, on the job, anywhere I feel I might have any opportunity to build a consensus around the things I believe are crucial for social justice and equality in America.

When Obama deserves criticism - it aint personal. I'm usually quite sure he's trying, and that the overwhelming number of forces being brought to bear on him by less than noble sources are a kind of pressure I can't even imagine. Still, its my JOB to be once of those voices. And when things go on that I don't like, the whole world is damn well going to hear about it..... that's what being a part of a functioning representative democracy is all about for fucks sake.

You're defenses of Obama aren't rational - they are emotional. They come from you sounding emotionally hurt that someone has "picked" on your loved one. That's why they are so ineffective and subject to criticism. It aint about "liking" the man. It's about demanding what's best for the country from the OFFICE.

[Two Americas]

38. good work PH

Excellent post.

Did the Abolitionists become silent when the Republican party started winning offices in the 1850s for fear of "hurting the cause?" Of course not, The notion that the would is absurd.

Did the muckrakers and populists and anti-monopolists all become silent and get behind TR because "now we have a good man who is on our side?"

Did organized Labor pack up their bags and go home once FDR was elected, and attack anyone who wouldn't be silent? Did they say "now we have someone on our side in office, so we all need to get behind him?" Ridiculous.

Did the Civil Rights marchers and organizers and speakers quit when JFK and LBJ were in office for fear of "hurting the party?"

Did people support the Viet Nam war, and not protest it, because there was a Democrat on the White House? Of course not.

Were the Abolitionists, the populists, the Labor agitators, the Civil Rights activists, the anti-war protesters "helping the conservatives?" No. That is nonsense.

Yet people are asking us to do exactly that now - to abandon the cause and place all of our trust in princes, because one of them is "our" prince and we admire him a lot. We are told that it is "too soon" to speak out, yet are we to believe that it is NOT too soon to elevate this man to greatness, and as above reproach or criticism? To deify him, as though he were already in the same category as Lincoln, for example? If it is too soon to speak out in any way that can be construed as critical, why is it not also too soon to start building statues and writing glowing documentary tributes to the man?

"Don't advocate for left wing cause because that helps the right wing" we are being told. Could anything be more obviously absurd and counter-productive?



..

[LostinVA]

45. Good intelligent, thoughtful post

And, you know hoe often we locked horns last year.

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. Similar outclassing of supporters here:

:rofl:

[Solomon]

16. Theproblem with your post is that Obama would have apologized

even if he felt that he had done nothing wrong. You are trying to take his apology as proof that it was wrong. Your statement is worse, because you are using the handicapped as fodder for your bullshit.

[Pale Blue Dot]

18. So you're saying it's not an honest apology?

Interesting.

[FrenchieCat]

23. It was done before it was asked for......

which makes it the most sincere of apology; one not based on pressure or demands.

[dionysus]

21. gratuitious broad brush flaming of obama supporters # 34565656

here, banky will make you feel better;

[CTyankee]

31. What a beautiful child! Is she yours? n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

22. Well said

I feel like those who shout the loudest that they support the President shout so much they hear only themselves, not what he says. And that makes sense, for it is themselves they promote, not the policies of the President.

[AirBaud]

28. shouldn't we all be his supporters at this point?

who else is there to support?

[dionysus]

29. excellent question, isn't it.

:hi:

[firedupdem]

30. You would think so. Huh?

[Political Heretic]

40. What does "support" look like to you?

If it means unquestioning assent, then we have a problem.

[Two Americas]

41. that is so weak

First of all, supporting a personality is not what politics is about. Secondly, telling people they have no where else to go is fine during the election season, but is merely a way to shut down dissent now - a dishonest way.

Thirdly, we elect Democrats for the purpose of advancing the causes we support, we don't change the causes we support or the way we support them in order to elect Democrats. What you are asking people to do sabotages and undermines representative democracy, and trivializes the political discussion to the level of sports - cheering on our favorite team.

But most importantly, the debate here is not about whether or not to support the administration, but rather about how best to support the administration. Many of us think that we best support the potential success of the new administration by strongly advocating for the policies that we feel will bring the greatest good to the greatest number of people - that is the point of being a Democrat - we do not say "whatever you do we love you and will back you up no matter what." That second approach is very weak and ineffective, although perhaps emotionally rewarding for people, and will certainly sink the administration should the people taking that approach prevail. I fear that they are more interested in their personal emotional state then they are about the administration actually succeeding. Should Obama fail, they will comfort themselves by telling themselves that they "were right" and if only everyone had loved Obama the way they did, he would not have failed. It is a greater priority for them to lionize and adore the personalty then it is to actually have the administration succeed. That is an indulgence, an aggressive and domineering imposition of a self-centered agenda onto the discussion, that we can ill afford.


...

[Ocracoker16]

32. Obama took the high road and this should be an example to others

He made an apology for his statement which is good. However, what was quite impressive was how he took responsibility for what he said. He didn't attempt to make excuses for his words. He didn't try to call out others who have made similar remarks. He could easily have argued that in the context of all gaffes politicians have made his comment was far less insensitive than most. He didn't mention that this comment was out of character for him as if that made the comment less offensive. It is not always easy to apologize for something. I know that I frequently find myself making excuses or trying to claim that what I did was far less than what others might do in a similar situation.

Recommended!


:)

[RaleighNCDUer]

34. As a politician, his job was to apologise for what some people have

called an error.

As an anonymous poster, my job is to say it wasn't any big fucking deal.

Obviously, HE can't say that. I say it for him.

[genna]

37. I haven't logged in for a while...what happened with the call and response?

Normally, something is said or done that upsets one group of people. If you are either a member of the first group or a sympathizer, you say the upset is acceptable.

If the issue doesn't touch you or your group directly and/or have no sympathy for the offended group, you say SO WHAT?


What are the interests involved in this upset?

[Peacetrain]

39. I am a very vocal Obama supporter, and very classy...

Keep thy broad brush to thyself...

[Javaman]

42. This is why Obama is a human being as opposed that drooling robot*

we had for the last 8 years.

Obama apologizes and thus blunts any more stupidity by the right wing or nuts on our side.

He accepted responsibility, was genuinely embarrassed, and apologized.

nothing more to do here, except move to on now.

[EmilyAnne]

43. I agree, Pale Blue Dot. I definitely saw a side of DU that was pretty damned embarrassing

and had me wanting to pull out my hair because it seemed that no one could accept the tiniest possibility that he misspoke and that some people could actually, legitimately be hurt.
Its a very personal thing to me that I don't want to reveal here on DU, but I was one of the people who felt a cringe when I finally made myself watch it.

Yeah, I'll admit that it hurt my feelings.
Do I love and trust Obama any less than I did when I was busting my ass every day in the months leading up to the primary, serving as my neighborhood captain, and then as a precinct captain during the general election?
Hell no!

I don't think we should hold it against any of the DUers right now. Its all just different perspectives.
I think we have seen him bashed over and over again over NOTHING. The lipstick on a pig, the first time to be really proud, the jabs about the tele-prompter, the association with an elderly pastor who dares criticize America, the bitter gun owners comment, the alleged veiled sexism...all of those accusations were such bullshit and the very examples of fake outrage.

After all of that BS, we can't help but get defensive when he is criticized. Especially when the MSM starts whipping everyone up while ignoring the great things he has already done.

I think this made people want to defend this statement, even when the man himself would not and did not defend it because it was simply a stupid thing to say and he knew it.

Acknowledging that President Obama has actually said something stupid is very upsetting to some. They think its implying something about his intentions.

I hope we can all agree that there is no way in hell Obama would say or do anything with hurtful intentions. That goes without saying.

Of course he apologized for this ACCIDENTAL offense. I always knew he would because he has real class and real empathy, unlike Bush who will never apologize for any of his INTENTIONAL offenses.

[Number23]

46. I have to agree. He was gracious and classy as always

He acknowledged he put his foot in his mouth and he took it out and apologized before anyone ever knew what it was that he did.

I think that one of Obama's most admirable qualities is that he doesn't pay the sycophants around him any more attention than the constant nay-sayers. I love that about the man.