You Know, I Don't Think Obama Should Be Criticized Here

[mudesi]

At least not until near the middle or last third of his term, after his policies have had some time to take effect. I know a lot of people are going to disagree with that, but that's how I feel. This website has never existed with a Democrat in the white house before. These first 100 days have been new ground for Democratic Underground.

I didn't expect people to be criticizing Obama at all, seeing as how, you know, he's the Democrat and all. Not to mention that he has BOTH houses with Democratic majorities.

Now, during the Bush years, Democrats received TONS of criticism around here, and with good reason in many cases. But they were a minority for most of those years. While it sucked that they didn't stand up to the Bush administration, they never really had the power to do anything substantial. NOW, they have all the power. They have majorities in both houses and they have an extremely popular Democratic president who is a superstar with morals, ethics, integrity, and true leadership abilities.

Now they can ACTUALLY get things done, but we have to recognize that THESE THINGS WILL TAKE TIME. The economy won't turn around in months. The Iraq war won't end until a couple of years. The Bush criminals will not be brought to justice over night. Everything has to work its way through the process and the red tape and political games and maneuvers. Obama has to do these things smartly, not quickly.

And I think we ought to stand together behind the president and behind the Democrats, because they're our team and they're in charge now. Let the Republicans bitch and complain about them. That's their job, not ours.

Like I said, this is new territory. The Dems are in charge now. We're supposed to be their base. Let's act like it and hold them up. If by late 2010 to mid 2011 things are still as shitty as they are now, then I'm OK with calling them out. But give them a chance. I bet you all we'll be happier than pigs in shit a couple of years from now when peace and prosperity similar to the Clinton years returns.

The Dems are gonna kick ass. Obama is gonna kick ass. GOBAMA!

[EFerrari]

1. This is a discussion board. What do you suggest we do for the next three years?

:)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. You know,

without Chimpy Fucknuts to work with, a lot of people are adrift.

I say we just keep beating up on Chimpy and his tugs. God knows we've got enough data, and more is coming in every day.

And, there's always, oh, Communist Cuba, right?

[msongs]

3. umm you've got one part of this all wrong...

you say: "We're supposed to be their base. Let's act like it and hold them up."

That's backwards IMO.

Actually they are supposed to be representing OUR VIEWS and we need to hold them accountable to do so.

Msongs

[Occam Bandage]

5. I don't think either of you are backwards;

I think both of you are choosing to focus on one part of what ought to be a self-reinforcing loop.

[Occam Bandage]

4. I don't think there's anything wrong with criticism, so long as it's aimed appropriately.

If Obama were to tomorrow announce his health care plan, and if it were to lack so much as a public option, I would think massive and wide-ranging criticism would be entirely called for.

We've only got one shot at each issue. That means we shouldn't waste our capital on stupid squabbles, inane what-ifs, and impatient whining about the fact that he hasn't yet addressed your pet issue. That means we should do absolutely everything we can to ensure that what comes out of Washington is the best possible policy.

As for how we go about doing that? Obviously (I would hope it is obvious) a balance needs to be struck between support for policies against Republican efforts to defeat them, and between pressure to ensure policies are improved. It would be detrimental for the base to go AWOL during a major political fight because we don't like 5% of an otherwise good bill, and it would be detrimental for the base to kick back and ignore fatal flaws in legislation.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Sorry if I cannot join a football team

I am an American first not a democrat

Will not do what GOPers do, which is put party before country

If the man does something I find objection with, I will be critical, period...and that goes for other dems as well

[Bluebear]

7. That's right, because once you go black.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=5385455

:crazy:

[Coffee and Cake]

8. Criticism is better than a free pass

Obama broke his promise on "Sunlight Before Signing", tougher rules against lobbyists, and ending income tax for seniors making less than $50,000. He has switched his stance on habeas corpus, keeping warantless wiretappings, and nominated Tom Vislack to Sec. of Ag.

Do none of these things not concern you?

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. We are the base, yes. That means THEY must represent US

Or do you propose that play Republican and spend the next couple of years bleating like the sheep from Animal Farm? You may want to read this little gem from Theodore Roosevelt:

The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.

Theodore Roosevelt, editorial to the Kansas City Star, May 7, 1918. The editorial was prompted by a public movement to suppress dissent against President Woodrow Wilson and US participation in World War I.

[Occam Bandage]

10. The Republican base gets a lot more of what it wants from its pols than we do.

Why is this?

[walldude]

11. A lovely DU'er showed me this quote from Ghandi:

"There go my people. I must follow them for I am their leader." (Thanks Laelth!)


Sorry, I am Obama's biggest cheerleader when I think he's right and his biggest pain in the ass when I think he's wrong. Frankly, I think Obama himself wouldn't have it any other way.